Operational Excellence is…
“Operational Excellence is a state of readiness that is attained as the efforts throughout the organization reach a state of alignment for achieving its strategies; and where the corporate culture is committed to the continuous and deliberate improvement of company performance AND the circumstances of those who work there – and is precursor to becoming a high-performance organization.”
Learnings from Africa
It was the spring of 1995 and my firm (XONITEK) was one of the top implementers of Macola Software’s Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system. We were the very top when it came to implementing in a manufacturing environment. As such, I was invited to Macola’s summit to share my views on the future direction of the company and its offerings as well as my experiences and thoughts on best practices for implementation and support services. It was there that I met Nick Leonard, Director of Sales for ADM Systems (Pty) Ltd and the Macola partner for South Africa and beyond…
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Best Practices for Designing and Deploying an Operational Excellence Program
These approaches can also be applied to Continuous Improvement, Lean, or Six Sigma Programs. I started my first business, XONITEK, in August of 1985. I still own its latest incarnation…
The 9 Questions To Ask About Operational Excellence
Summary; Most companies preparing to launch an Operational Excellence Program do not take a moment to contemplate what their program is hoping to achieve, or even if what they are…
The Importance of a Project Review Board
A key to success in any Operational Excellence or Continuous Improvement program will be found in the way opportunities for improvement are harvested and prioritized; and how well the projects…
Eulogy of a Continuous Improvement Program
When you were born, everyone could see the twinkle in your eyes for the fire and passion you held. As you grew, you became inspired by the reported accomplishments of…
Build Organizational Capacity and Capability – For Free
I was coaching one of the national oil companies in the Middle East, offering mentorship to the director of their operational excellence program. He was frustrated because he had invested…
Briefing; A “State of Readiness”
It’s taken a long time—but the time has finally come. The release of my book, “State of Readiness”, has arrived. My project officially started almost two and a half years…
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THOUGHT FOOD
AI with a Human Face
The case for—and against—digital employees Summary. All companies want to provide their customers with richer and more engaging experiences. The challenge is how to scale the experiences in a way…
Six Supply Chain and Logistics Trends for 2023
The last several years have made a mockery of many predictions. The economy didn’t tank. The mid-term election wasn’t a wipeout. There wasn’t a carrier “Armageddon.” Those years have also…
the opex vault
Audrey Zibelman’s Energy-Saving Software
After realizing how a lack of power exacerbates poverty, Audrey Zibelman founded Viridity Energy – a Philadelphia-based startup backed by $24 million in venture capital. The company creates energy-saving software…
Is the Lack of Lean Six Sigma Accreditation a Vacuum Worth Filling?
Awhile back in a meeting with several colleagues – Master Black Belts, Black Belts and Green Belts – someone asked the question: “How credible are our accreditations of Lean Six…