Big data in supply chain

Amazing Graphs Ideas

As a consultant I need to make it simpler for clients to understand data. I am starting to put togsther graphs that I see in various publications to use them a later time.

Source: http://www.mckinsey.com/Insights/Manufacturing/A_road_map_to_the_future_for_the_auto_industry

The second graph shows evolution / spread of data over years

https://image-store.slidesharecdn.com/04846778-aadb-4380-b164-38d2df518730-original.png

http://www.businessinsider.my/apple-market-cap-infographic-2015-2/#XGpVlbOd82PZVJVr.97

Fewer, Bigger, Bolder

"I am copying/paraphrasing the below text from an article I read. I do this to improve my writing skills. There is no plagiarism. Original article can be found at - http://www.kellogg.northwestern.edu/kwo/fall14/research-initiatives/fewer-bigger-bolder.htm"

Fewer, Bigger, Bolder that's the name of the book Mohanbir Sawhney and Vinod Khosla have put together to guide executives towards mindful business growth, and preclude them from mindless expansion of company products, brands and markets just to gain bigger market share.

Both Sawhney and Khosla have observed unwieldiness of companies, where the complexity of the company grows faster than their revenues. At this time, they believe, the companies need to slow down, take a hard look at their strategy and potentially cut down expansion if they want to further grow. The paradox of growth is that you need to cut back and do less. 

Through this book, Sawhney, a globally recognised professor, consultant and thought leader in marketing partners with Khosla, ex President of Kraft developing market to develop a "Focus 7" framework to help executive realise their growth objectives by making fewer but better bets.

It takes more than one person to take a selfie

/* I am copying / paraphrasing the below text from an ad I read. I do this to improve my writing skills. There is no f'ing plagiarism. */

It takes more than oner person to take a selfie. All the tiny and intricate components that go into your phone to create a single shot take a lot of hands to produce. Hands that are fueled by ABC Logistics. Everyday our trucks move goods and deliver millions of pieces to the factories so that those pieces can be put together to able to create a selfie. We manage distribution of products from suppliers to dealers to make sure the latest technology is able in your hands today/

Six Sigma Review - 5th Feb 12

The blog is just about putting my thoughts together of what I have revised until page 66 of the Six Sigma Handbook - Thomas Pzydek and Paul Keller

1) Understanding customer needs - Through surveys, focus groups and customer panels.

Surveys - Using Critical Incident technique is important to form surveys. You may even have to do a survey to form a proper questionnaire.

Focus Groups - Key challenge is that the focus group experts may get carried away during the discussion and the interviewer has to keep them aligned and 'focused' on the topic of discussion

Customer Panel - This is something new I learnt. Basically you just email the survey questionnaire to representative group or give them phone calls and get their inputs/answers.

KANO MODEL is another interesting model or thinking. The chart or model doesn't help much. It is a chart of quality vs satisfaction. I do not understand the second quadrant - negative/poor quality and high satisfaction. I believe the line should be absent. Even though it is above the expected quality line, it does convey the fact, that quality is great.

QFD: I am beginning to quite like it and would love to apply it on a project. I think its very powerful and provides great insights to product development

1. Start with customer requirements

2. Identify functional requirements

3. List Parts characteristics

4. Design Manufacturing environment

5. Manage production operations

The CUSASA principle

Remember the 'CUSASA' principle to have good relationship with your customers
Be Creative
Understand customer's business
Be simple
Be Accountable
Take customer's side
Be Accessible

Three good rules of holding successful meeting

Rule 1: Make sure you want quality over consensus.
Do not try to come to a solution that pleases everyone. Choose a solution that is effective and will get the problem solved

Rule 2: Have an idea but be receptive
Having your own idea is wonderful but never get locked up on it. Be receptive to others and be willing to accept conflicting or better ideas

Rule3: Listen but don't get fixed
When you dont have a point, be a good listener. Do not take sides, try to synthesize others point and try to give your own opinion