CERM ® RISK INSIGHTS | Future of Quality: Risk™

#169 – GIVE A LITTLE TO GET MORE – TIM RODGERS

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Posted on April 8, 2017 by greg

I’ve been managing supplier relationships for almost my entire career, including hardware component suppliers, contract manufacturers, technology alliance partners, and engineering service providers. Over that time I’ve worked with a number of people at all levels who seem to believe that their one-up position as the customer entitles them to demand more from suppliers while paying less. The attitude seems to be: “Do as I say or we’ll take our business elsewhere.” Continue reading →

#168 – SUPPLY CHAIN RISK MANAGEMENT: PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER – GEARY SIKICH

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Posted on April 1, 2017 by greg

Introduction

It is mid-year 2014 as I write this article. We have recognized the need to better manage supply chain risks for the better part of a decade now. Yet, we still seem to be deluded into thinking that the modern supply chain is resilient to the point of invulnerability. Most organizations have a supply chain that is a mix of competencies, from manufacturing to professional advisory services. Continue reading →

#168 – CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCE PRODUCT RELIABILITY IN REAL TIME – FRED SCHENKELBERG

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Posted on April 1, 2017 by greg

In a customer’s mind, the product works or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t work as expected it has failed. This may or may not be a reliability problem.

A customer or someone using your product brings a set of expectations to the experience. The range of expectations may range from very little to very high functional, value production, and durability.

Failures are defined by customers. Continue reading →

#168 – THE PM CONSULTANT – WHAT DO THEY DO (& WHY); BUT WHAT SHOULD THEY DO(& HOW)? – MALCOLM PEART

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Posted on April 1, 2017 by greg

The PMC Role

In a nutshell, many people think that the role of the Project Management Consultant (PMC) is to look after the Client’s best interests. But what are the Client’s best interests and does this just amount to keeping the Client happy and not upsetting him?

I would suggest that completing the project in terms of time, cost and quality prevail and that this is the PMC’s real role. This requires the PMC to let the Client know that his best interests are (1) being met, (2) not being met, (3) what needs to be done to meet those interests, and (4) explain why the Client needs to pay or be delayed, or fail. Continue reading →

#168 – 800COMPETE.COM – NEW SUPPLY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS MODEL – GREG HUTCHINS

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Posted on April 1, 2017 by greg

The Challenge

Think of the following: your CEO gets a tweet from President Trump calling out your company for being Un-American for offshoring jobs? No!

“The biggest idea (globalization/offshoring) of the past three decades is in deep trouble,” says the Economist.¹

President Trump advocates critical infrastructure spending to build/upgrade the electric grid, roads, and airports. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) rates the infrastructure D+. Domestic investment will be $1 up to $4 trillion. Most of the infrastructure will be sourced domestically. Continue reading →