Consulting has become a game that most everyone plays the same. Most consulting firms are set up in the same fashion, hire the same type of people and go after the same types of clients. Really, is one Harvard MBA different than another? Does having 15 of them as Senior Managers make you a better,…
Cutting Edge of Communication
Want to know a secret? Email is not a key source of communication anymore. I get more good information via snail-mail now than through my email box. People are on the move so often now that email is a burden for sending and receiving detailed information. It’s great for passing along meeting notices though. The…
The Carbon Neutral Smoke Screen
It is all the rage for companies to strive for carbon neutrality. A system has been set up to trade carbon credits on the open market where carbon neutrality can be bought at a price. No longer are companies applauded for simply reducing their footprint, it requires an additional outside investment in, usually, a non-profit…
Supplier Management
Far too often companies have a need for a supplier and after the contract is signed, simply hope for the best. However, working with a supplier on a regular basis is an on-going relationship that must be constantly evaluated and worked on. Rarely should a supplier be in a position to negatively influence your business…
Happy Pi Day!
I’m a numbers guy and pi is one of the ultimate numbers. Today just happens to be 3/14 so at 1:59 everyone should just stop and reflect on how this number effects everything you do….or just use it as a reason to stop working for a minute. Have a great Friday all!
Modular Wall Systems
One of the biggest questions on the minds of facility managers across the country is how to incorporate green products while saving money. The largest on-going cost in most facilities is churn caused by growth/contraction/relocations. Construction costs are regularly planned into the budget to make sure everything is in place for optimum performance. To that…
US Manufacturing Should Embrace Green
With all the talk of recession lately I’ve been thinking about the new green economy that is being developed and what it could mean for the US manufacturing industry. There has been the lingering fear of manufacturing jobs eventually disappearing from US soil as they are slowly off-shored to cheaper labor markets. Sustainability dictates that…
Real Estate Analysis
Everyone knows that it is important to get a regular checkup from the doctor. Just get a quick and easy assessment of where they stand as far as the basics are concerned. In the best case, the doctor will give them some tips on how to do better. Worst case the doctor tells them there…
The Myth of Continuous Improvement
Continuous improvement is thrown around as the best way to stay ahead of the competition in business. It’s used as a talking point for consultants, senior management, engineers and a wide range of others who have responsibility over a process. Six sigma is the king of continuous improvement still today. Take a documented process and…
Consulting Language (aka Buzzwords)
Buzzwords seem to be the stuff that consultants live off of. If they can they’ll throw the words into every sentence they utter whether they are talking to a client or just simple everyday talk. It’s at the point where all someone needs to do to instantly identify themselves as a consultant is start talking…