Supply Chain Consciousness

An Abundance of Resources

MRP - Material Requirements Planning

My career began over 40 years ago in the manufacturing sector, where the control of inventory was essential to the on-time success of producing product. I was fortunate to be on the ground floor of computer-assisted applications, which utilized Material Requirements Planning (MRP). As I progressed from inventory positions to production management, the applications of theory and practice changed, but the concept remained the same under the umbrella of Supply Chain and Logistics. As a production manager, I needed the steady and controlled flow of raw materials to be brought into the factory, hopefully using "Just In Time" techniques (JIT) that insured that the necessary components found on the Bill Of Materials (BOM) are ready when the product needs to be assembled and shipped to the customer. This was during a period of time when manufacturing was still active in the US Northeast.

A successful production manager can look at MRP two ways: through the lens of scarcity or one of abundance. The purchasing aspect of a company is very important due to the complexity of the materials needed in manufacturing product. Some bills of materials have numerous parts or raw materials. These "ingredients" are required at various times during the production cycle and the timely delivery of materials is necessary to assure a high level of customer service. So, if a part (or parts) are not available, the whole cycle can be upset. Part of the stress of my job was deciding what to do if a part didn't arrive on time. This could be a "scarcity" issue that might jeopardize a complete order. The flip side was when there was "abundance" of material, which would increase inventory burden and put stress on the company's return on investment (ROI). The job of the materials manager was to strike a happy medium. This perfect balance was mostly a Utopian concept, which rarely existed in reality.

I worked for a few manufacturing companies, each making different product groups from Industrial to Consumer. The most creative job I had was with the manufacture of wall clocks. There was certain latitude available to "substitute" parts, such as dials and hands. If the hands for a certain style clock weren't received on time, we could get approval to substitute the hands from another style. This creative approach can be used in certain types of manufacturing, but it is not the norm. Most of the time, the production manager is faced with either "scarcity" or "abundance".

In today's Supply Chain, there is the added necessity to source each and every raw material that goes into every part used in the manufacturing cycle. Back 40 years ago, most materials were produced in the United States. Manufacturing is now on a Global scale. Other countries, such as China, have lower standards on what materials can be used in their products. There is also the danger that toxic or flammable ingredients are used. This "risk" is a major concern for the entire manufacturing industry. I currently work for a corporation that deals in this risk and has intellectual products that assist in the sourcing of raw materials by providing an accurate and detailed BOM for everything that is used within the United States. It is essential to know what you are dealing with at all times.

                                                   Spiritual MRP

It has been a while since I worked in manufacturing, but the fundamentals of MRP continue to be a major part of my life. And, just as in today's Supply Chain mentality, the "requirements" component has been replaced by the "resources" necessary for a well-balanced environment. This includes the lifestyle and culture we choose to follow, and the diligence we observe in choosing the "materials" that surround us. Do we follow a "scarcity" mentality, where we only look at the things we lack in our life? Or, are we grateful for the "abundance" we find in certain aspects of our life? Do we surround ourselves with "toxic" individuals that exude negativity and make our life "flammable"? Or, do we choose to limit our companions to those who uplift us and shine with positive energy? It's always nice to have friends, but are we unbalanced on the negative side? MRP has enabled me to consider the raw materials that make up everything that affects me on a daily basis. This includes both things...and people.

Another realization is that "Just In Time" synchronicity comes naturally to a well-balance person. By opening the channels of inspiration, through meditation and prayer, I can draw upon the unlimited resources of the Universe. I trust that the right things will occur at the proper time in my life. With the Universe as my supplier, I am never disappointed, be it success or failure. My experience has shown that what I desire at a given moment often isn't the best thing for me at that time. By opening the channels of divine communication, we can all benefit with receiving the right inspiration to act, at the right time!

Ultimately, change is necessary in life. There are times when this can be stressful. But, if change doesn't occur, there can be no progress. Looking back at my life, I can see that times when I fought change, and lost many important opportunities. I now choose to embrace change in my life, and I keep the channels of inspiration open. When opportunity knocks, I want to be ready to make a positive change. The Universe (God, if you choose) intimately knows our spiritual DNA. The Bill of Materials we choose to plan our future is very important. We have to make sure that our Supply Chain remains pure and uncorrupted.

Blessings!

Alfred Voto, M.Msc.

 

Are You Ready For Total Engagement?

In Corporate America, business analysts have discussed "work/life balance". It was assumed that there was a neat separation between work life and private life. An employee would punch in to work for eight hours, then punch out to enjoy their personal pursuits or leisure. The common mentality was "working for the weekend", as if work life had to be endured, or, personal enjoyment had to be delayed, until the five o'clock whistle blew on Friday afternoon. This mentality survived decades, from the industrial revolution in the 19th Century, right through the American cultural and post-modern data revolutions.

This mentality was instilled into the psyche of Traditionalists, Baby Boomers and Generation "X"ers. The separation between work and play became the ritual and the beat of life for most of us. We all drew comfort from punching out from work and breathing the sweet air of freedom outside our place of employment. We can, in part, thank Generation "Y" and the Millennials for a gradual shift in corporate culture; one that has presently come to dominate upper management in many progressive companies.

The senior generations were content to unplug at five and leave their burdens at the office. However, the Millennials are constantly plugged in, 24/7. To the horror of their elders, the Millennials want, no, they demand, to be engaged according to their 24/7 schedule. Sitting in a cubicle for long stretches of time might be tolerated for a while, but the Millennials look at life differently. They demand meaning to life, a holistic integrity of living in the Now!

Life should be a tapestry, where each stitch, be it work or leisure, intertwines to create the sacred whole. The technology of the 21st Century enables 24/7 engagement. Cell phones, tablets, Skype and Twitter keep us plugged in continuously. Thoughts flow both inside and outside of normal working hours. The Millennials want the value of their ideas to be respected and their contributions acknowledged by the management team. No longer do they accept time served in a cubicle to be the benchmark for their promotion and advancement.

A new paradigm is emerging. Concepts that once seemed cutting edge, such as working from home or flex-time have morphed into total engagement. Seasoned employees have long kept a desire of doing what they love and loving what they do secretly hidden in their hearts. As time went by, they began to lose hope that this could ever be a reality. Competition between the generations has grown to where senior workers feel neglected and alien within their company. Company loyalty has long been a strong suit of the senior generations. Shouldn't they be allowed to coexist, while contributing according to their own time-honored mentality of work/life balance?  

The seniors are not to be blamed for feeling betrayed, as long as upper management makes the ideal of youth the manifesto and requirement for corporate citizenship and caters to the Millennials while neglecting competencies of the elders, who, as a group, helped build the company into the success it is today. To truly succeed, a company must combine the best of both worlds, so to speak. Most senior workers would relish being mentors and would gladly support the younger workers, while continuing to contribute their wisdom and talents.

Total engagement is a worthy concept easily adopted by the Millennial generation. But, total engagement hardly works within the structure of the nine-to-five office routine. Concessions should be made for both those willing to work 24/7 and those who are comfortable working the standard office hours and then clocking out. Both groups should be included as honored and valued employees.  

I hope corporate managers have ears to hear and the will to collaborate with all generations to improve communication and bring all employees together. It's taking the seniors longer to grasp the concept of total engagement. To many, it's alien and an intrusion into their life after the five o'clock swipe at the turnstile. But, corporate management must include everyone in the culture and vision for the future. If they don't, sooner or later, most seniors will see who's driving the corporate bus and either disengage or hop off the bus at the next convenient stop.

Alfred Voto, M.Msc.