How do you create a business that is a thing of beauty and harmony? In this video I explain why I nearly called my business “Orchestrate” and what a conductor has to do with a piece of software. And, of course, I reveal what all of this has to do with the print on demand industry.
Once you’ve watched the video, let me know what elements of your life or work you have ‘orchestrated’ and let’s share the success of a beautifully-harmonized approach.
Transcript
Did you know that on average it takes 25 tasks to get a product out the door of a print on demand factory? That’s a lot of complexity. If your whole manufacturing process is a big black box, this is a recipe for inefficiency and a potential source of lost income. From my work in the industry, I’ve observed that the average order to ship performance is three days with an over SLA, service level agreement rate of 1 to 5 %. Inside of that, there are usually false starts and stops. For example, when an item comes off the end of the gillo before it goes to perfect binding, it can literally just sit on the bench waiting for the afternoon shift to begin that binding task. And to me, that workflow doesn’t make sense. The best run factory will run just in time so nothing sits idle because items that are dwelling are occupying space and are likely to be repeat handled. It’s much better if they just flow from one to the next, so you avoid handling costs and error, utilize space more effectively, and just manufacture faster. So the key question is, do you know your bottlenecks to be able to solve that problem?
It’s important because bottlenecks shape the speed at which everything runs through the factory. And most plants are a combination of scores of these little dislocations. But when it works perfectly, it’s an orchestration. And in an orchestra, a conductor Conductor ensures the whole ensemble is on the same page, playing harmoniously, hitting all the high notes, and creating a beautiful hole. Actually, that’s why we toy with calling Zen Smart Orchestrate for a while. Our platform is the equivalent of being a conductor. Zen Smart orchestrates all the actions, providing the means to create a fluid flow, to create the most efficient way of getting an order from A to Z. Because instead. Because when a production line works well, it’s a thing of beauty and harmony. If all those thoughts are interesting, please reach out. I’d love to talk with you.
Starting your print-on-demand journey can be daunting, especially for those new to the industry. Identifying key areas of focus is crucial to navigating the complexities of print-on-demand effectively. By prioritizing the right elements and understanding your role as a business conductor, you can streamline your efforts and maximize your success in this dynamic market.
Managing merch and giftware production requires a streamlined approach to ensure timely delivery and cost efficiency. As a business conductor, staying organized and making data-driven decisions will help you maintain control and meet customer demands effectively.
