Light Friday: Talking to Ourselves, Chaos in the Print Shop, Patently Improving Marriage Proposals...
Also, this week the IRS began transferring economic stimulus payments to millions of Americans. Here is a straight-to-the-point explanation and some off-the-top-of-the-head spending ideas (Hint: Convert it to another currency... maybe dolphin teeth). You Talkin' To You? "It is believed that people primarily blather to themselves when alone so as not to appear nuts," says The Wall Street Journal....
Read More »Tips for Collecting Payment
Living on the edge of bankruptcy creates too much stress. But a real problem for many businesses, small companies in particular, is getting paid by customers on time. Learn some basic tips and tricks to get your customers to pay you on time. Is there anything more frustrating for small businesses today than delivering quality products and services on time only to have to deal with a customer...
Read More »There May be a Problem, but is There Really a War?
Manpower Inc. just announced that engineering is the No. 1 most difficult position for U.S. employers to fill in 2008. Last year, engineers weren't even on the list. Let's put this in perspective with what we've been hearing about the "war for talent." In 2008, engineering jobs have been the most difficult positions for employers to fill in the United States, according to a new survey released by...
Read More »Less Paper in a Few Easy Steps
You don't have to be a pack rat with overstuffed file cabinets to realize the benefits of a paperless office. The paperless office may be a pipe dream, but minimizing paper in the office is easily achievable. What ever happened to the "office of the future" and the promises of the "digital office" it offered? For decades, people have been proclaiming the imminent arrival of the paperless office,...
Read More »4 Trends in China Sourcing
China's role in the global supply chain is changing faster than ever. Companies that procure goods from China must keep up with the country's evolving challenges to take full advantage of the opportunities. In recent years, as opportunities have increased for manufacturers sourcing from China, so too have risks and pitfalls. Last year's well-publicized product recalls involved only a narrow...
Read More »Odds Are High for Big Calif. Quakes
A first-of-its-kind model shows statewide probabilities of earthquakes in California. For the first time, consensus of the scientific community allows for meaningful comparisons of the hazards in L.A. and San Francisco. April 18 marked the 102nd anniversary of the tragic 1906 San Francisco earthquake, one of the most significant earthquakes of all time. Today, Golden State residents seem to...
Read More »Tracking Down Obsolete Parts
The challenge of parts obsolescence has tested purchasers and engineers for years. And the dilemma won't end anytime soon. Here we address how to find the right parts, which may seem impossible to track down. Manufacturers such as medical OEMs and industrial equipment providers — and aerospace and defense companies, in particular — make systems and products that typically have a long...
Read More »How to Shorten the Order-to-Cash Cycle
Most consumers expect the turnaround time between order and delivery to be quick. Companies that focus on shortening the order-to-invoice period are better positioned to provide that nearly instant gratification. Customers have grown used to ordering online and receiving a product very quickly. As such, when the turnaround time comes, customers expect manufacturers to shorten the time between...
Read More »6 Approaches to Better Procurement
The pressure to reduce cost puts tremendous stress on procurement officers. But procurement isn't simply about getting more for less. Consider these six points to improve your purchasing team's competitiveness. As chief purchasing officers (CPOs) address current and potential suppliers, analyze their performance and rank their attractiveness for critical company needs, it is worth considering the...
Read More »Innovate Through the Downturn
Even in prosperous times, focus on innovation can get bogged down in bureaucracy and resistance to change. Yet recent thinking is that recessionary times provide ripe opportunities for product innovation. Not too long ago, the default answer to sagging manufacturing profits was to slash labor costs by offshore-outsourcing the work. Today, it's become pretty clear that innovation has become a...
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