Change Your Dynamic By Investing in Your Team Ben Hershey What is the difference between companies which are stuck in the status quo and those which are transforming themselves into the leader in their industry? One significant difference is their focus on Continuous Improvement. By focusing on making things better—People, Projects, and... Read More April 2018 Issue #10225 Page 51
How the DMAIC Lean Method Can Be Applied to the Sales Process Keith Parker Last month’s article, Using the DMAIC Lean Method to Accomplish Improvement and Take the First Steps to New Goals, used a case study to explore the DMAIC Lean method. This month another case study will be used to demonstrate how this process can be implemented in your... Read More April 2018 Issue #10225 Page 66
Industrial Engineers Needed in Our Wood Component Manufacturing Industry Todd Drummond Industrial engineering – “The branch of engineering that is concerned with the production of industrial goods, especially by the design of efficient plants and procedures and the management of materials, energy, and labor.” (Source – The Free Dictionary) The Lean... Read More March 2018 Issue #10224 Page 30
Break Through Your Box Ben Hershey How many times have you seen your competitor or other businesses in your area copy what you produce or offer? Maybe it is the kind of company that takes a photo of some trusses, puts themselves in front of it, and says, “Look at me, I am the same kind of company they are.” Flattery... Read More March 2018 Issue #10224 Page 43
Using the DMAIC Lean Method to Accomplish Improvement and Take the First Steps to New Goals Keith Parker We’re now at the point where everyone is on board with the idea of change. Management and staff have indicated a willingness to take steps to improve. So how do we proceed? What processes learned from Lean Manufacturing can we use to make progress? As discussed last month in the 5th... Read More March 2018 Issue #10224 Page 80
Three Key Obstacles to Overcome to Improve Your Operations Todd Drummond Every consultation is different, yet some things remain the same. People are creatures of habit, and some of the issues that are dealt with during the consultations are very similar. Three key obstacles or areas are so common that I have yet to find a company not struggling with each of... Read More February 2018 Issue #10223 Page 30
So You and Your Company are Ready to Accomplish New Goals and Take the First Steps to Improve Keith Parker As the owner of your company, you have outlined new goals to improve and grow your company. You have reached consensus; each staff member understands your vision and that change will bring mutual benefits. Key management has committed to the changes required to move forward. You have committed... Read More February 2018 Issue #10223 Page 82
Change Your Pricing Formula for 2018 and Make More Net Profit Todd Drummond Let us assume that you are having problems with a truck’s transmission and it must be repaired or replaced. The local mechanic explains the hourly rate for service and that the cost of any parts needed to fix the transmission is extra. The hourly charge he is billing is to cover his... Read More January 2018 Issue #10222 Page 30
Continuous Improvement Culture Ben Hershey While speaking at a recent conference, I was asked a really good question from one of the executives of a Component/LBM company. His question prompted me to think about how I would start 2018 off in my articles. The question was: “Our company does not have an incentive program in... Read More January 2018 Issue #10222 Page 46
So You and Your Company are Ready for Change? Keith Parker You have reached consensus and each staff member understands your vision and that change will bring benefits. Key management has committed to the changes required to move forward. You have sought and obtained “buy-in” from the members of your company and clearly defined (WIIFT)... Read More January 2018 Issue #10222 Page 80