PFFC - September 2007 - (Page 14)

PROCESS MANAGEMENT T By David Argent Contributing Editor Let’s All Get Together Now he more things change, the more they This is the critical meeting in that it directs all stay the same. Consider this: “I propose of the succeeding activities and is repeated at a to explore, what is to me a most vital frequency that keeps the initiative on schedule. It subject, the industry problems in terms can be broken down into four broad categories: of the converter/buyer relationship. Today the flexographic industry finds itself in a very unusual 1. Team Activities and Implementation position. The converter is caught in the crossfire of Various companies, having attended the management meeting, now would be required rising costs, decreasing prices, increasing volume, to work together in support of goals laid out by and decreasing profits. What factors contributed the consumer products company. This means to plunging the industry into this economic time and resources have to be allocated and quicksand? The reasons heard vary from the cry responsibilities defined. that the competition is too tough to the mournful wail that the buyers are unreasonable, etc.” 2. Project Management These words were delivered at a luncheon Projects are assigned to achieve goals laid down meeting by C. Wayne Barlow, buyer for Sears, at the meeting. For color compliance, a project and published in the Report of the Proceedings of might include evaluation of measurement devices the First Annual Meeting and Technical Forum, and establishment Flexographic Technical of standards. Assn., Feb. 5–6, 1959, Hotel Biltmore, New York. 3. Performance Barlow went on to berate So, how do we work Measures both converters and buyers Performance measures for not working closely for what tell us whether together to form mutually the projects are effective partnerships, purposes, and are our moving the system and even after all these toward the stated years these comments still efforts adding value? goal. In the realm hit home. So, how do we of color reporting, work together, for what a measure could purposes, and are our include the tracking of the rate of improvement of efforts adding value? conformance to a standard. We communicate and run our businesses through meetings, and there are innumerable 4. Corrective Actions courses and instructions on how to conduct a A procedure must be in place to track meeting in terms of preparation, group dynamics, meeting control skills, and post-meeting activities. nonconformances that detract from the overall goals and to fix these problems permanently. Assuming these skills are in place, a simple, Obviously, there are many ways of managing a proven framework can be applied for effective converter/consumer company relationship. For the supplier-customer meetings, that are process and best results, it would seem to make sense to have data driven. This meeting would be directed by the consumer an agreed framework to help navigate the major issues at the management level and that products company. The goals are specified the activities generated actually are addand understood, and where possible, ing value. reduced to numeric targets and Value can be expressed as the ratio specific milestones. of benefits to price, or alternatively, A consumer products company value is equal to quality received per may be concerned about low expectations. The next two columns compliance to a corporate color ADDING will explore a value matrix and standard. Participants in these VALUE show how metrics can be assigned to meetings, in addition to the Part 1 of a 2-Part measure the performance of products converter, might be ink, graphics, and Series and services delivered. substrate vendors. together, COMING NEXT MONTH Process improvement expert David Argent has 30+ years of experience in process analysis with particular emphasis on ink and coating design and performance. Contact him at 636/391-8180; djvargent@sbcglobal.net. 14 | SEPTEMBER 2007 WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of PFFC - September 2007

Table of Contents First Glance From the Editor Calendar of Events Web Lines Process Management News Clips Narrow Web & Label Reporter Narrow Web & Label What’s New Products Narrow Web Sustainability: Going Green? What's the Score with Wal-Mart's Scorecard? Straight Talk From Your Trade Associations Learn 5 Key Elements to Creating Cost-Effective and Eco-Conscious Packaging Install Energy-Efficient Light Fixtures and Reap the Environmental Benefits People, Profit, Planet: How to Balance the Impact of a Triple-bottom-line Philosophy Show Preview What’s New Products Services Directory Classified Marketplace Equipment Buyers & Sellers Advertisers Index Experience Speaks

PFFC - September 2007

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