Inflation Strategy—Part Two
As we traverse the road forward in 2022, the business climate is becoming clear. High demand, dwindling supply, rising prices, and an uninspired workforce. What a combination! In my March 2020 column (Inflation OMG!), I laid out a series of strategies that could be employed in order to reshape and align the sales department in this new and different distribution landscape. At the end of the March article, I promised some ideas on...
How to prevent Bench Grinder accidents
Statistics indicate more than half of grinder accidents result from operator error Because bench grinders are everyday machinery in workplaces nationwide, many operators become complacent about their hazards. However, bench grinders are very dangerous when used improperly. Statistics show that more than half of grinder injuries, such as fingers caught in the machine, or eye and face lacerations, are the result of operator...
How technology enables the ‘Demand-Driven Enterprise’
What is a demand-driven enterprise? The Demand Driven Institute defines it as one that “can sense market changes, adapt to complex and volatile environments, and develop market-driven innovation strategies.” At the same time, the demand-driven enterprise can’t ignore its execution arm — the warehouse. That’s where people are responsible for planning, yard management, warehouse management, and inventory control. They rely...
Why innovation should be more like Easter eggs
Every year in the Spring, Amy B., a buyer for a large retail chain store, hosts an Easter egg decorating teambuilding party, where she and a bunch of her suppliers spend an entire afternoon coloring and bedazzling hard-boiled eggs. None of them bring their kids—they do this for the sheer pleasure of out-of-the-office bonding, creating interesting and attractive objects. The group is always amazed at the creativity of the resulting...
What’s your organization’s change context?
Becoming customer-centric isn’t a simple change. Simple changes are linear, predictable, and manageable. Traditional change management techniques work well in these contexts but are less effective in multifaceted, interconnected, and unpredictable ones. A customer-centric change is just that – where relationships, networks, and social influence from peers have a stronger impact on success than top-down influence. This is because...
Everyone needs a guy
Or a Gal. Or a Person. Take your pick. All of them if you have enough problems to solve. This concept is one of the conclusions reached that the independent equipment dealer convention I attended a couple of weeks ago. What was interesting is how all the speakers wound up drawing the same conclusions about the construction industry and the dealers that serve that industry. If I did not know better, I would have concluded that the...
Know your Strengths
2022 is shaping up to be a year like none other in the recent past, as supply chain disruptions force us to reassess our priorities and reorganize our assets, our staffing, and our way of doing business. If there was ever a moment to re-invent yourself, that moment is now. As you enter the 2nd quarter of the year, demand for your products will no doubt be increasing while inventory dwindles. If you don’t have a battle plan for how...
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