I was speaking with my Purchasing Manager last week; Patrick is a very capable and effective purchasing professional who has become addicted to Lytica’s fast track cost reduction methods. We discussed surprising things that we have seen in procurement which we label as crimes because they rob shareholders of value. In no particular order, I’d like […]
Top 7 ‘Crimes’ Often Committed by Purchasing Read More »
While Nicolas Chauvin struggled alone following the Napoleonic wars, he would have had more company if he lived today. His single-minded devotion to his cause – a dying cause – would have fit well in today’s political and economic climate. Too many leaders and people of influence think the future will somehow resemble the past;
Quickening of Change Stresses Manufacturing Read More »
Although the company announced the split in September, the Board and senior management team at Agilent Technologies impress me for giving their shareholders and employees such a great Christmas gift. As announced, this great company will split into two separate units; one focused on life sciences and the other on test and measurement. I like
Becoming & Staying a Leader: the Agilent Way Read More »
It used to bother me when employees with 20 years of experience were referred to as people with 2 years of experience ten times. I thought experience mattered – and it does – only not in the way that I thought. I now appreciate that in most professions breadth of experience matters more. I concede
20 Years of Experience Read More »
Last month Google celebrated its 15th birthday. Within a very short time, this company has become one of the most valued companies in the world with over 50,000 employees and annual revenues over $55 billion (ttm). Google’s membership in my Million Dollar Club is based on revenue per employee of over $1 million. Membership in
Million Dollar Club Read More »
If the supply chain psychiatrist were to run a word association test, the expected answer to associate with the word registered would be screwed! While this may sound harsh, many OEMs are unknowingly caught in a registration system that has long-term consequences for materials cost. Registration is a process, used by manufacturers, which rewards a
Registered & Screwed Read More »
This blog is for my readers in procurement with home blood pressure gauges. Warning: do not act on this blog if you have high blood pressure or have failed your anger management class! Select a day when your blood pressure is normal and you are in particularly good spirits. Do the following three things: Ask
How to Keep Your Procurement Blood Pressure in Check Read More »
Maybe I am just getting old and grumpy but I can’t think of any real supply chain innovation in the last 10 years except for the applications that Lytica has developed. I realize that this sounds self-aggrandizing but everything else just seems to get you the same answer, faster. This is not altogether a bad
Where are the Innovative Supply Chains? Read More »
We’ve talked before about the Supply Chain Hierarchy of Needs, but today we’re looking at the top-most levels, and the ways that they can enhance supply chain management. The final levels of the pyramid (social responsibility, service performance, and supply chain performance) are critical. These deal with the supplier’s ability to align with your values,
Living at the Top of the Supply Chain Hierarchy Read More »
I find the EMS industry interesting; it is not so much about what they do, but their business model. While their function is interesting it pales in comparison to their low profit margin business model. They do so much for so little. Why is this? I have many of the largest (as well as small
Dissecting the EMS Business Model Read More »
