When families debate over Grandpa’s semi-antique rocker, it can be uncomfortable, but that’s nothing compared to the warfare that can ensue over ownership of a prospering precision valve business where a son, two nephews and a niece have worked for the past five years A struggle among relatives for possession of a family business is not uncommon.  Whether the transfer of ownership or management is premeditated, unexpected, or mandatory, the task of passing down tenure is unavoidable.  What is avoidable, however, is the messy state of confusion that an unprepared family business can easily fall into.
[MORE INSIDE]
 

In an era of global competition, American manufacturers have looked to the principles of lean manufacturing - eliminating waste in the manufacturing process and doing more with less - as a way to stay competitive. Yet in their attempt to go lean, many manufacturers have hit a ceiling.
[MORE INSIDE]
 

Some companies (both large and small) are going beyond outsourcing commodities to outsourcing core/strategic parts. It makes sense for smaller firms with scarce resources to outsource commodities.  A commodity by definition is something for which several suppliers exist As a result of competition, someone else can do it better, faster, and cheaper.  However, data also shows that outsourcing core parts can be done effectively if companies take a strategic approach and look beyond short-term considerations.  For example, some companies use techniques such as co-location and long-term contracts.  Smaller companies in particular should establish joint ownership of all design and manufacturing capabilities developed during the outsourcing partnership.  There was a time when the school of thought was that every company needed a core competency and should focus all of its scarce resources on developing that competency.  Having a core competency implied you could do something better, faster, and cheaper than anyone else and everyone came to you for it.  However, it appears that strategic outsourcing can in itself be developed into a core competency, especially for smaller companies that have fewer resources to begin with.
[MORE INSIDE]