This Isn’t News, Just Reality

I have talked a lot about applying technology and new methods to improve your operations. That is something I still strongly believe in, however there is always the question as to what new technology or what new method is the best one suited for your operation. Now comes the part you do not want to hear. The simple fact is, you, I, or the best salesperson that knocks on your door cannot identify what the answer is. The only thing the sales person can do is propose the item(s) they offer, the only thing I can do is repeat what has worked for me before, and the only thing you can do is repeat the process until you get it right. Good luck over good management is not the way to succeed. If this column is here to help, let’s try to remove the guesswork.

In the last issue I talked about "Moving Forward". Having said the choice of how to move forward is difficult and full of opportunity of failure, so just what do you do? In all operations, be they label, wide web or integrated, the answer is simple. Simple answer, but hard work. You must first measure where you are, no matter what your problem (I like to think opportunity) is. An engineer friend of mine once said, "In God we trust, all others bring data." The most important thing to know when using a map is not where you want to go, but where you currently are, you cannot plan a trip missing that vital information, no matter how good the map is! If you recall the last issue I was asking you to start measuring your operation, to let you know where you are not where you think you are. The first thing that it will do for you is remove the emotion of the situation and put numbers up instead, because many times a change somehow steps on someone’s toes and that creates workplace disfavor. So, this issue will help you set up measurement systems, and methods of analyzing the data. Then, with this data in hand, the ‘engineering’ of improvement becomes simple. The work in front of you is measurement and analysis. Lots of work. Those of you who know me, understand the other life I lead, curious thing, the racing is very much like printing. In the end we all want to win, the racing has taught me there is no substitution for effort and teamwork, even if you have the best equipment. I will take the best effort over the best equipment, printing or racing.

For more information on this product, please contact: info@teamflexo.com

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