Regulars / Continuous improvement | 33tightens and interest rates rise, equipment providers and production a recession or a time with rising interest rates. They may not be support products providers will see a retraction in opportunities prepared for the actions required in a slowing economy. These before many others. leaders are hesitant to commit to a focused cultural improvement Converters experiencing signifcant competitive challenges will initiative when this type of commitment is mandated. look for ways to reduce spending, driving further supplier retraction. The fghting advantage comes to the converter that With an industry demonstrating positive growth for so long, understands the value proposition they provide. Determining converters have not seen their currently defned market segment how a company brings value to its customers is the frst step share challenged until recently, and not from another converter but in orchestrating a continuous improvement plan. If there is a from supply chain issues. The impact of raw material suppliers not gap in this understanding, then a leader may not have the best delivering drove increased competitive quote activity. Sales experts information for pointing the organization in the correct direction. I will tell you there is nothing worse than having a customer head recommend that each converter refresh their perspective on what back to shopping the market, risking potential loss of orders. Buyers their customers truly value about the supplier-vendor relationship under extreme pressure, looking to satisfy end consumer demands, using in-person interviews with participants from shop foor continue to get their product sourced no matter what and are management. This information, when translated, will become the willing to challenge long-standing vendor/supplier relationships to compass directing a sustaining proposition for the organization’s get it done. These buyers seek better support, quicker answers, and continuous improvement initiatives sustaining the relationship. The confdence in their supplier choice. This activity negatively impacts solutions required are sure to include a need for reduced lead times, sales organizations’ productivity and shop foor productivity improved quality process performance that insulates customers as schedules move, causing issues with set-up, run times, and from problems, and productivity levels that yield a reasonable workforce planning. In the end, the converter must become more price. The champions will be the converter with an engaged aggressive in their approach to a solution. Competitive threats leadership group that shifts the organization’s paradigms to focus will surface from many directions and only get more intense as on continuous improvement as a process-centric and people the economic winds shift. Over time, raw material suppliers will concentrated in a culture designed to engage and fulfll employees. remedy the supply problems. The new buyer converter relationships introduced during the shopping period could blossom with old relationships challenged, leaving owners to wonder if their current Paul Brauss, former CEO of Mark Andy and relationships can stand up to the new challengers. a past board member of TLMI, is a consultant and executive coach. See Braussconsulting.com, Prepared and buy his book at amzn.to/2NFzXkBMany company leaders today have not led an organization through See us atLabelexpoAmericasbooth no. 551Your label means everything.Don’t sacrifce superior results.Even the smallest micron of dirt on your producton line can compromise your entre run. With efectve statc control and web cleaning equipment from Meech, both you and your customers can reap the benefts.info@meech.comImproved quality Reduced waste +1 (330) 564 2000Minimal downtme Increased proftability Greater customer satsfactonwww.meech.comJul - Sep 2022