Wednesday, 29 January 2003

Benefits Of Custom Packaging

You may be quite happy with packing your goods into standard cardboard boxes and shipping them out to your customers via a parcel courier. Nearly all companies do this and its particularly true of smaller companies. Also companies that have experienced some growth since they first started out, may still be using the same packaging methods as they did at the start, which may no longer be cost effective.
However if you stop for a minute and look at your packaging in more detail, it may prompt such questions as "If these boxes were just 3 cm smaller, then we could fit another row of boxes in the delivery van". If you stop and look at your packaging, you may well find that whilst it does the job, it is not actually the ideal size.
Now have you considered looking into buying customised packaging for shipping your packages?
Initially you may think, "It is not for us, as it will be too expensive". An easy conclusion to jump to, but have you actually gone and got any costings? It costs nothing other than some of your time to go out and get some quotes. So why not go and do just that?
With modern packaging manufacturing techniques, the price of even small runs of custom made packaging can be far less than you think, and if they enable you to fit another row of cardboard boxes in your delivery van, then you have just reduced your delivery costs.
Custom packaging can also help you fit more stock in the same space in your warehouse. So why not look in to customized packaging today?

Tuesday, 29 January 2002

Introduction To Total Quality Control

Total quality control, or sometimes referred by the acronym of TQM - total quality management - is a comprehensive and structured approach to the management of quality control processes that aims to refine and improve the quality of products through continuous response and feedback mechanisms, combined with ongoing adjustments to the production process. In short, it's a buzzwords for managing quality control.
Originating in the manufacturing sector, the TQM process has been standardized by the ISO9000 committee, and can now be applied to almost any kind of organization - even those that supply a service rather than a physical good. Some examples of application in the service industry include schoosl, highway management and maintenance, hotels, and even churches!
The TQM processes can be broken down into 4 distinct stages, characterized by another acronym - the PDCA cycle. This consists of:
- Planning
- Do
- Check
- Act
Briefly, during the planning phase, the problem is defined and relevant data is collected. From this, the root cause of the problem should be established.
In the "do" phase, a solution to the problem is decided upon and implemented. At this point, it is also important to establish criteria upon which the effectiveness of the determined solution can be measured.
In the checking phase, results of implementing the solution should be thoroughly compared with comprehensive before and after data.
The final acting phase is about documenting the results and the changes that led to those results, and informing others about the changes. In addition, recommendations will be made at this stage with regards to the next PDCA cycle.
TQM is only as strong as the sum of it's parts, though. TQM generally works on the understanding that quality management is the responsibility of everyone involved in the creation and consumption of the goods and services of the organisation - this includes the managers, shop floor workers, factory workers, distributors, and of course the customers themselves. It is only by the co-operation of all the parties involved that custom expectations can be exceeded.
There are a number of common practices currently associated with TQM:
- Cross-functional product design, whereby design teams are trained in multiple disciplines to ensure they are designs products with the manufacturing process in mind, rather than simply from a design point of view.
- Process management is a topic of it's own, but essentially involves measuring the effectiveness of business processes and refining them.
- Supplier quality management concerns the raw materials of component parts suppliers - obviously, if a product consists of poor quality parts, then the end product cannot be much better. Hence the involvement of all parties.
- Customer involvement is self explanatory, but may include things such as focus groups and surveys.
- Committed leadership ensures that the right decisions are made at the right time, with no delays that could harm the quality management process.
- Strategic planning is overarching idea of implementing quality related changes company wide through policy and strategy adjustments, as well as people. It encompasses the notion that quality management is not simply about reducing the number of manufacturing defects, but about changing attitudes.
- Employee involvement

Monday, 29 January 2001

Wealth Secrets That Everyone Must Know

There are some secrets that are meant to be revealed. Some of them involve wealth secrets that are meant to help others succeed in life. You cannot just keep them hidden and let a chosen few to benefit from them. No. These secrets are meant to be shared and help others.
One of the best known secrets to achieving great wealth and happiness in life is by following your passion. Studies have shown that people who spent more time discovering their gifts and what they love to do ultimately earn more than people who spent more time just trying to earn a living. Your passion should be something that excites you and gives you a good reason to wake up in the morning. This also means finding out your gifts and special abilities that you can enhance and cultivate. If you focus on these things, chances are you will be on your road to success in no time.
After discovering your passions and developing your gifts, it is wise to set certain goals for your self. This should include both short and long term goals. One of the best wealth secrets is the fact that people who have a vision of what they want to achieve in life are usually the ones that eventually get it. Try to concentrate on achieving milestones and celebrate these historic events in your life no matter how small they are, because every small step gets you an inch closer to your dreams.
You should also crave for more learning. This will lead to growth and growth can lead you to reaching your goals. For example, if you want to reach financial abundance, then you should seek the counsel of people who have achieved much in this area. Also read books and listen to audio books that may contribute great knowledge that will help you gain skills and insights in achieving your goals in life. Surround yourself with people who can show you a roadmap to success by giving you guided principles as well as stories of their own personal experiences. Do not stop learning because once you do, it is like giving up on life altogether.