Today is 08-07-08 and just after 8 pm. Guess what ? the Beijing 2008 Olympics are scheduled to start in less than one year at 8.08 pm on 8th August, 2008. The number 8 signifies "prosperity" to the Chinese and the Olympic start date and time is no coincidence. China has pulled out all theContinue reading “Countdown to Beijing 2008- and Chinese suppliers”
Author Archives: StratoServe
Minnesota Bridge Collapse and Infrastructure capabilities
The Minnesota Bridge Collapse is a most tragic event. CBS news made the comment that there are over 80,000 bridges in the US that need repair. The aging steam pipe burst in New York caused a panic just two weeks ago. Infrastructure is a strange thing. Countries that have less of it are typically "developing"Continue reading “Minnesota Bridge Collapse and Infrastructure capabilities”
Herb Kelleher and aligning supply chains with business strategy
"We are THE-low fare airline" said Herb Kelleher to succinctly capture the strategy of South West Airlines. The Heath Brothers call this "Commander’s Intent" in their new book "Made to stick." Once you have the commander’s intent simply defined , everyone else in the organization and stake holders expect and do things that match upContinue reading “Herb Kelleher and aligning supply chains with business strategy”
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows
The last Harry Potter book, i.e. as of now, is getting launched in the US at 12.01 am i.e. in less than 9 hours. People are queuing up and you know things are serious and global when average book sellers from New Delhi are giving long TV interviews about the prospects of this and relatedContinue reading “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”
Dow crosses 14,000 for the first time
Today the Dow crossed 14,000 for the first time . Interestingly, this has happened despite record oil prices and troubles in the housing market. Inflation fears are low, and global markets for US multinationals have picked up. The global boom and globalization has much to do with the happy news as do the big corporationsContinue reading “Dow crosses 14,000 for the first time”
Boeing 787 Dreamliner launched
On Sunday Boeing 787 – Dreamliner was launched amidst much fanfare by 15,000 primarily Boeing employees. Couple of things make the launch remarkable. First is 677 orders (at $200 million each)before being assembled ,excluding an order of 20 Qantas planes,placed over the weekend, as the Sydney Morning Herald,happily clarifies. Second, according to Reuters, 50% ofContinue reading “Boeing 787 Dreamliner launched”
Happy 4th of July !
The 4th of July holiday this time is mid-week and that complicates holiday plans for many but lots of folks have taken the whole week off. The weather in the north east is great and bar-be-cue should be fun today- rain is fore casted only later tonight in Connecticut.Here is wishing a Happy 4thContinue reading “Happy 4th of July !”
Apple iPhone launches tomorrow and the supply chain is tops
The iPhone launches tomorrow (Friday 29th at 6 pm) and there are excited shoppers lining up in front of the Manhattan Apple store today i.e. as of Thursday morning. Amazing! The phone is not cheap and you need to sign up for a 2 year contract with AT&T which means a commitment of $2000. TheContinue reading “Apple iPhone launches tomorrow and the supply chain is tops”
Figuring out supplier-customer relationships
I enjoyed the article by Dr. John Gattorna in the Supply Chain Digest based on his book Living Supply Chains. John Gattorna obviously has years of experience and therefore is rightly incredulous as to why organizations both on the selling side and on the buying side, don't take care of their good suppliers and goodContinue reading “Figuring out supplier-customer relationships”
Colgate recall
I happened to watch Lou Dobbs and I remembered that I had actually opened a new Colgate toothpaste this morning and the carton was in the waste basket. I knew that I was spooked because I actually went back to check the carton to see the country of manufacture. Whew ! it was made inContinue reading “Colgate recall”