Howard Coleman

Performance Management

Four Key Success Factors for Human-Robot Collaboration

Distribution-focused operations are seeking to automate workflow operations and reduce the transaction costs of labor and time.

July 4, 2022

Howard Coleman

The use of robots is quickly evolving, especially in distribution-focused operations.

Performance Management

Supply Chain Troubles: What Have We Learned So Far? Part 2

With some creative thinking, our future supply chains can be more efficient and resilient while becoming more collaborative.

April 1, 2022

Howard Coleman

In Part 1 of this column we examined the concept of just-in-time inventory management amid major supply-chain disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the devasting effects of last year’s Winter Storm Uri

Performance Management

Supply Chain Troubles: What Have We Learned So Far? Part 1

If COVID-19 has taught us anything, it’s that supply chains need to change.

March 1, 2022

Howard Coleman

We’ll explore a series of questions in this month’s column.

Performance Management

10 Commandments of Today’s Sustainable Company

What separates companies that survive from the others is the ability to proactively reinvent to stay relevant in the marketplace.

December 6, 2021

Howard Coleman

Being sustainable is not just about being “green” — or only about sustainable supply chains.

Performance Management

Business Reinvention: Distribution on the Cusp of Metamorphosis

We all need healthy cycles of planned renewal because consistency ultimately builds a culture of reinvention.

October 5, 2021

Howard Coleman

You know, for me, the last 18-plus months have felt like a science fiction movie. Hasn’t it?

Performance Management

Tactical Vs. Strategic: Which Drives Your Metamorphosis Best?

Whether execution and firefighting will serve tomorrow’s distribution managers is still very much up in the air.

July 2, 2021

Howard Coleman

Execution and firefighting historically were highly valued skills. Whether those same skills will serve tomorrow’s distribution managers is still very much up in the air.

Performance Management

Distribution Is on the Cusp of Metamorphosis

Adopt and employ these tips to create opportunities from disruption.

May 7, 2021

Howard Coleman

For as long as the term “metamorphosis” has been in use, distribution management has been characterized by tacticians, focused on ensuring that orders rolled and were filled. Execution and firefighting were highly valued skills.

Performance Management

Safety Stock: Love It or Hate It? A Rebuttal

There’s a better way to recognize customer demand signals within your distribution network.

December 1, 2020

Howard Coleman

An August article in the Wall Street Journal titled, “Why Are There Still Not Enough Paper Towels?” was extremely thought-provoking.

Performance Management

The Improvement Paradox

Sometimes incremental changes are not enough; you need to take the big leap for success.

October 14, 2020

Howard Coleman

There are often times when incremental improvements, within a continuous improvement framework, are not enough.

Performance Management

Innovation Post-COVID-19: What’s the Plan?

We seem to be back in this loop of calling for innovation and transformation — new business models to meet the ‘new normal.’

July 6, 2020

Howard Coleman

It’s been a terrible few months as COVID-19 has ruled our businesses day and night. We’ve also had concerns for families, friends and co-workers. But, as is often said, “This, too, shall pass.”