With as many problems as we all face in our work and life, it seems as if there is never enough time to solve each one without dealing with some adversity along the way. Problems keep mounting so fast that we find ourselves taking shortcuts to temporarily alleviate the tension points, so we can move
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Success Through Failure
By Ben Hershey, 4Ward Consulting Group, LLC “I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. Twenty six times I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” Michael Jordan While
Close the Gap on Lean Initiatives
By Ben Hershey, CEO, 4Ward Consulting Group, LLC When I’m asked why I chose a set of puzzle pieces for the 4Ward Consulting team logo, I’m glad to explain that fitting the pieces together has always been a part of my approach to business, my own and those I have assisted. We have teams, divisions,
Taking Steps Toward Manufacturing &Distribution Efficiency
By Ben Hershey, CEO, 4Ward Consulting Group, LLC As we start the New Year, a focus of many operations will be setting goals to remain competitive. Today’s companies in the LBM/Component/Modular market are looking for ways to drive efficiencies throughout their manufacturing processes. Extending Lean Manufacturing principles and practices while establishing a platform for continuous
It’s Time to Huddle Up! Setting the tone for higher expectations and productivity
By Ben Hershey, CEO, 4Ward Consulting Group, LLC I am often asked by lumber dealers, component manufacturers, and others for that “one thing” that will improve results, drive cultural change, hardwire behavior, or create lasting quality. I’ve come to realize there is no magic bullet to becoming a high reliability organization; it is a long-term
Celebrating BCMC 2018: How did you do Crafting Connections & Brewing Success?
By the time you read this, the dust will have settled after an incredibly successful BCMC Show in Milwaukee, WI. What a privilege to talk with so many of you last week and see many of the exciting new automation products we can use in our operations to make us far more efficient, and, more
Constructing a Roadmap to Operational Excellence Part 2: Continuing the Journey of 7 Steps
By Ben Hershey, President & Coach, 4Ward Consulting Group, LLC As discussed in “Part 1: Beginning a Journey of 7 Steps,” we all aspire to have a state of operational excellence in our organizations, which is easier said than done. Operational excellence is about more than simply adjusting the current way of doing things, although
Constructing a Roadmap to Operational Excellence Part 1: Beginning a Journey of 7 Steps
By Ben Hershey, President & Coach, 4Ward Consulting Group, LLC We all aspire to have a state of operational excellence in our organizations, but it is often much easier said than done. Although it’s often conceptualized as merely tweaking the current way of doing things, operational excellence is about much more than that. For component
The Relationship Between Lean and Safety
By Ben Hershey, President & Coach, 4Ward Consulting Group, LLC In my experience and with the work I do with hundreds of component manufacturers, I find that many companies will tell me Safety is important, but, in practice, safety is treated as a burden on the company. Good managers will always have an attitude that
How Does Your Company Performance Measure Up? The Importance of Benchmarking
By Ben Hershey, President & Coach, 4Ward Consulting Group, LLC I read a book recently that discussed the term “benchmark” and its origins as relates to business. Surprisingly, the term originates within the history of guns and ammunition. In fact, with the same aim we use it today— comparison and improved performance. The book