Author - Michael Stockdale

The PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) Cycle – Part of Our Lean TQM Toolbox Series

The problem: If you are starting a new improvement project or working toward continuous improvement; implementing change; developing a new or improved design of a process, product, or service; or defining and improving a repetitive work process, then the PDCA cycle is a simple and effective tool to make the process more efficient and less risky. The PDCA Cycle, otherwise known as the Deming Cycle after its creator/discoverer, Dr W. Edwards Deming, is a continuous loop of planning, doing, checking, [...]

Read more...

McKinsey 7-S Framework – Part of Our Lean TQM Toolbox Series

The problem: You need to develop your strategy, operating plans and budget for next year, but your organisational design and effectiveness are in question. The McKinsey 7-S Framework model can be applied to many situations where organisational design, alignment and coordination are needed, such as: To facilitate organisational change To help implement new strategy To identify how each area may change in future To facilitate the merger of organisations The basic premise of the 7S Framework is that there are seven internal elements of an [...]

Read more...

Value Stream Mapping – Part of Our Lean TQM Toolbox Series

The problem: You need to increase the efficiency of a process, or you need to reduce the time taken, waste incurred, or volume of inventory in a supply chain. Perhaps you have a misalignment between flow of information and processes. A Value Stream Map allows you to see a top-down overview of your business processes. Then, you can analyse the process or workflow, identifying wastes and inefficiencies. Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is one of the most powerful tools in the [...]

Read more...

10 Ways to Avoid Digital Transformation Mistakes

Most businesses, 97% in fact*, went through some sort of digital transformation in 2020, and the same number expect that investment to continue in 2021. However, Digital Transformation is easier said than done, and many businesses have found themselves underestimating the preparation required and the difficulty of the path ahead. Digital transformation often touches every part of the business, as it aims to access new market segments, solve business problems, improve efficiencies, and deliver a more personalized customer experience. This often [...]

Read more...

Should You Switch to an Outsourced Supply Chain Partner?

Regardless of whether you are a large organisation or an SME, we are all operating in a new era of highly disrupted, highly competitive environments. Survival often means that you need to be one of the very best in your sector or region. Not only have supply chains become extremely complex, but they have also emerged as a significant competitive edge for many businesses. So it makes sense to outsource supply chain activities to specialist organisations that not only possess the [...]

Read more...

6 Considerations to Improve Your Online Offer

It’s not enough for retailers to just have an online presence. Consumers have come to expect a cohesive, personalised and seamless shopping experience Important considerations that retailers should be addressing in their online offer, according to Bigcommerce.com research, are: RELIABILITY is the number one factor influencing consumers’ decisions Potential customers use REVIEWS as a key way to decide to buy or not FREE DELIVERY is a priority when ordering online Customers will switch retailers for a FASTER LOADING page Frustration at CHECK-OUT causes consumers to [...]

Read more...

Porters Five Forces – Part of Our Lean TQM Toolbox Series

The problem: You need to develop your organisations competitive strategy, or perhaps you are considering launching a new product line, entering a new sector, or testing your organisations competitiveness in relation to an emerging opportunity. In the fight for market share, competition in an industry is rooted not only in an organisations direct competitors, but in its underlying economics, customers, suppliers, potential entrants, and substitute products. Analysing these underlying sources of competitive pressure provides the groundwork for a strategic plan of [...]

Read more...