operations management lessons from operation iraqi freedom for your operations joseph l. walden...

Operations Management Lessons From Operations Management Lessons From Operation Iraqi Freedom For Operation Iraqi Freedom For

Your OperationsYour Operations

Joseph L. WaldenJoseph L. WaldenColonel, US Army, RetiredColonel, US Army, Retired

Executive DirectorExecutive DirectorSupply Chain Leadership InstituteSupply Chain Leadership Institute

Today’s Session Objectives

Apply the lessons learned in establishing the first Theater Distribution Center in a Theater of War in almost 60 years

Understand the similarities between military distribution operations and your distribution operations

Learn and Laugh

Questions

What is a Theater Distribution Center? “The Army’s distribution system is totally

different from my operations, how do these lessons apply to me?”

“Is there anything really new to learn?” “So What?”

Is there a difference between Military and Commercial

Logistics? Absolutely Maybe No Difference Not Sure

The only real difference between Military and Commercial Supply Chains

The potential results of a Military

Supply Chain stockout

Agenda

Background – how I got there Moving 150 Wal-Mart Super Centers Establishing the Theater Distribution

Center Lessons Learned Applications Questions and Answers Conclusion

March 10, 2003

March 18, 2003

What is important in distribution?

Right products? On time delivery? Visibility? All of the above? Other criteria?

Focus on the important issues

What is important? How do you determine? Sun Tzu Patton What else is important? Family, friends –

balance between work and family

Distribution Planning and Execution

Plan “Rock” Drills Execute – FAS Frustrated Cargo Secure areas Security Evaluate

Layout Implications

Layout Visibility Customer Support

Is it important to know the manual steps behind the automation?

Yes Maybe Not Sure No

Automation vs. Manual

Do you need to know the manual steps behind the automation?

Have you experienced either of these? What if your automation fails? What if you need to change your

automation package?

MHE

What Where Training Maintenance Layout

Clearly Stated Vision/Communications

Yogi Berra Forklifts RFID Tags

Frustrated Cargo/Returns

Why What Cross level

Returns/Reverse Logistics is…?

A problem? An opportunity? An irritant? Someone else’s problem?

Jane’s Defence Weekly

“Recent report (Aug 2003): There is a 40 hectare (~100 acres) area in Kuwait with items waiting to be retrograded back to the US.”

Security

New Problem? Important? Risk Assessment Risk Management

Training/Preparation/Planning/People

Training and Preparation – foundation for success

Pre-Combat Checks/Pre-Combat Inspections and their application to you!

Temporary Labor

Language Barriers – new problem? Future problem? Dealing with it

How many of you use Temporary Labor?

People REGARDLESS OF WHAT BUSINESS

YOU THINK YOU ARE IN – YOU ARE IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS!!!!!!!!!!

Leadership

Vision Communications Respect, Honesty, Integrity Set the example

Conclusion

Motivation of employees is key Preparation Planning Customer support Security People Leadership

Please look under your chair

There is one chair with my business card taped underneath;

bring it to me for a copy of the book The Forklifts Have Nothing

To Do! – Lessons in Supply Chain Leadership.

There is no problem too big to overcome –

no matter how big it seems in the beginning!

Final Thought

Contact Information

Joe Walden

5559 NW Barry Road, #110

Kansas City, MO 64154

(760) 447-3651

joewalden@supplychainresearch.com

www.supplychainresearch.com