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Distribution Center Location: Optimizing Your Logistics Network

by Pete Abilla on October 10, 2011

fulfillment center network, logistics network, strategy

Where to build a distribution center, fulfillment center, or warehouse is a strategic question. The answer to “where” are drivers to costs and the customer experience. Where to build your next warehouse is an incredibly important question to answer. There are, of course, many factors to consider: What is your expected inventory profile? What is [...]

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Remembering Steve Jobs

by Pete Abilla on October 7, 2011

steve jobs, obituary, remembering steve jobs died

As the world mourns the passing of Steve Jobs, I’m reminded of my brief experience with him. In 2007, one of the posts I had written on the iPhone Supply Chain became quite popular and remains one of my most visited articles – 4 years later. Well, out of impulse, my brother wrote Steve Jobs [...]

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How to Check for Errors

by Pete Abilla on October 6, 2011

poka yoke, error proof, mistake proof

There are several approaches to checking for errors. In this article, I’ll discuss three common ways to check for process errors: Successive Check, Self Check, and Poka-Yoke (mistake proof). Below is a table that describes the three common strategies for checking errors and I also describe the positive and negative or each approach. Successive Checks [...]

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Taiichi Ohno: Do Not Fear Failure

by Pete Abilla on October 5, 2011

taiichi ohno, do not fear failure

Continuing my review of Wakamatsu’s book on Taiichi Ohno, today we discuss his views on experimentation, learning from previous masters, and the difference between Ideas and Knowledge. To read my reviews of Wakamatsu’s book on Taiichi Ohno, please visit the links below. Taiichi Ohno on Standard Work Taiichi Ohno on Genchi Genbutsu Do Not Act [...]

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Queueing Theory in a Restaurant Operation

by Pete Abilla on October 4, 2011

restaurant operations, queueing theory, waiting line

Applying Queueing Theory in a restaurant operation might be helpful to those who proactively wish to manage revenue. After all, the drivers of revenue in a restaurant is how many guests a restaurant can serve in a given shift, as well as average order value. So how does one apply Queueing Theory in a restaurant [...]

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Queueing Theory Application in Service and Manufacturing

by Pete Abilla on September 29, 2011

business applications for queueing theory

Queueing Theory, if used appropriately, can describe the a system and its dynamics accurately in order to pave the way for eventually improving the system. Let me illustrate. Let’s assume the following scenario. Widgets are made to order in an assembly line that consists of three steps, each performed by a single worker. So, there [...]

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Taiichi Ohno on Lean Leadership

by Pete Abilla on September 28, 2011

lean leadership, toyota production system

In Yoshihito Wakamatsu’s book The Toyota Mindset, he explains Taiichi Ohno’s approach to Lean Leadership and how to deal with resistance to change. To read my reviews of Wakamatsu’s book on Taiichi Ohno, please visit the links below. Taiichi Ohno on Standard Work Taiichi Ohno on Genchi Genbutsu Do Not Act Spoiled Learn from Previous [...]

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Restaurant Kaizen

by Pete Abilla on September 26, 2011

restaurant kaizen, service operations

I don’t watch much television, but when I do, I enjoy watching cooking shows. One show that I’ve been enjoying a lot is a show called Restaurant Impossible. While the show does not use the term “Kaizen”, the show is exactly Kaizen and the results are amazing. Chef Robert Irvine is a turnaround expert, where [...]

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