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Continuous improvement is just that… Continuous!
I received a survey in the mail this past week from a local physician with whom we have dealt several times. The survey asked for input on how to improve the physicians practice and I will admit I was...
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Improving processes? Start with serving internal customers.
As I see it, everyone communicates with their customer, however we often only service those customers who are external to our organization. More importantly, only those dealing with the direct public...
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Casemore’s Critical Links Monday July 9th, 2012 edition.
From forecast to fruition I have often thought that those who predict the weather have the easiest job in the world. To me it is the only occupation where you can be wrong most of the time and still...
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Casemore’s Critical Links July 16th, 2012 edition.
Obsolescence: What’s your process? We have been discussing the various factors that influence obsolescence, and none are more common (and avoidable) than misaligned processes. Recently I was speaking...
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Shawn Casemore’s Chain Reaction Newsletter – July 15, 2012 edition
Procedural pragmatics Much of the public sector struggles with managing costs, and amidst the many spending cuts and budget constraints there often...
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Casemore’s Critical Links July 23, 2012 edition.
Managing life expectancy FIFO; FILO; FIDO. It’s difficult to identify the best means of effectively managing the shelf life of goods with so many options...
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Customer service is not dead!
During a recent trip to Ottawa Ontario, I stopped for gas at a local gas station, only to have my car swarmed by four people; two who immediately began to clean the windsheild; one who cleaned the...
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Investing time managing poor performers? Time to change your focus.
For those who are managing a team, be they subordinates or indirect reports, you can likely categorize the team members into one of the following categories: 1. Gems: The top performers; people who,...
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Casemore’s Critical Links September 3rd, 2012 edition
Getting from here to there; a strategic process With the political battle heating up between Mitt Romney and Barrack Obama, we are privy to endless promises of sweeping change, prosperity for all, and...
View ArticleShawn’s supply strategy #1: How to compete solely on price – Part 2.
We spoke previously on strategies to compete for the attention of conglomerate price leaders such as Walmart. Recently I was speaking with a client who did not have production team meetings in place,...
View ArticleGood enough is never enough.
Continuous improvement is just that, a continuous effort to instill improvement in process, people, and technology. Some clear signs that organizational continuous improvement is not at play include...
View ArticleAvoiding the “RIM” syndrome.
The five fundamentals to sustainable business growth. My seven year old niece recently told me she wants an “iPhone” when she grows up. I was surprised at seven years of age how she even knew what an...
View ArticleSeeking success: what’s your plan?
A recent Globe and Mail article identified that nearly 22,000 applications for connection of solar power projects to the province’s electrical grid remain untouched. Delays in the approval and...
View ArticleWhy PC’s are going the way of the dodo bird.
Hewlett-Packard has announced significant changes in it’s business structure, with formal plans to be announced in March 2012. These changes include a significant downsizing of HP’s personal computer...
View ArticleHow to avoid the Eroded Resource Productivity (ERP) epidemic
I was recently reminded of the detrimental impact an inefficient E.R.P. system can have on organizational productivity. Having been involved in the launch of nearly a dozen different Supply Chain and...
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Continuous Improvement, where are you?
Continuous improvement is more than a tool, it is a culture that delivers consistently superior operational performance leading to an improved financial position. The double axis chart below provides...
View ArticleA dozen ways to get the most out of your ERP system.
I was recently interviewed by “enterprise apps today” on the keys to successful ERP sourcing, selection and implementation. The article contains 12 valuable tips from several contributors on how to get...
View ArticleSatisfied customers are built on a healthy dose of image and value.
I recently had lunch at a local (and internationally recognized) golf club overlooking Georgian Bay. It quickly became apparent that the establishment put a tremendous effort into it’s image and...
View ArticleCollaborative techniques to engage stakeholders.
I have received numerous inquiries following our post on Monday, as to successful techniques to build collaboration with both employees, as well as with external parties such as suppliers or customers....
View ArticleDeveloping a strategic logistics framework.
Had a fantastic turn out today for my webinar “On the move: Strategies to improve logistics efficiency while reducing cost.” Here are some key takeaways from the session: 1. Develop a strategic...
View ArticleFocus despite distraction
Police officers require laser like focus and concentration despite a vast array of distractions and activities demanding their attention. When I was younger, my friends father worked for a local police...
View ArticleAvoid ripples; make waves.
I recently flew to Rhode Island for a business trip and as I waited in line to enter customs I noticed that our forward momentum actually increased in both speed and frequency the closer we moved to...
View ArticleManage your time; manage your life.
Every year like clock work winter arrives in Ontario, and with it we receive bone-chilling temperatures, increased heating bills and of course the stuff that igloos are made of. Despite the predictable...
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Adding value or putting in time?
Business owners are busy, and seemingly so too are the employees who support them. How then can a business owner be assured that everyone is doing the right thing to move the business forward? Here is...
View ArticleHow valuable is your customers time?
I contacted Bell (our local telephone conglomerate) yesterday to update my phone plan. Here is the sequence of communications during my call: Auto Attendant: “Welcome, please enter the cellular number...
View ArticleThe power of retained knowledge.
Attrition, promotion and resignation. These three actions are more detrimental to the sanctity of internal business intelligence than any other activity. Knowledge retention is one of the greatest...
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Visualizing a Strategic Relationship.
As a result of the positive comments we received from our Strategic Relationship podcast, I wanted to share a visual that helps to solidify the concepts discussed. © Shawn Casemore 2012. All rights...
View ArticleChange Management series: Dealing with unexpected change.
Effectively implementing and managing change is vital to success, both personally and professionally. During the next two weeks I will be chronicling the most effective processes for dealing with,...
View ArticleChanging a process? Consider this…
During a recent discussion with a colleague, our conversation turned to the failure in most organizations to consider process integration during the development of processes. For example, what do you...
View ArticleTop five operational concerns for manufacturing.
We spend a considerable amount of time speaking and working with Operational leaders across a variety of manufacturing sectors. Based on the feedback we have received, we have compiled a list of the...
View ArticleShawn’s Friday Five (five quick tips to increase your effectiveness)
Welcome to Shawn’s Friday Five: Five quick tips to help you increase your effectiveness, and the effectiveness of your team. The most common challenge our coaching clients struggle with is how to...
View ArticleInstitutionalize Operational Excellence
Although the phrase “Operational Excellence” is used somewhat loosely it does provide us a framework for strategically improving business performance. In this brief video I discuss the four fundamental...
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How to Ensure Technology Effectiveness Every Time
When it comes to operational effectiveness we rely more and more on technology as a tool to support management of information and communications. The rapid advance of technology and a shrinking global...
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