Janus and your warehouse

Learning from the past is one way to improve your operations in the future.

By John M. Hill, principal, TranSystems | ESYNC -- Modern Materials Handling, 12/31/2007

Although New Year’s resolutions can be traced back 4,000 years to the Babylonians, I like the more recent attribution of the tradition to the Romans who, in 153 B.C., named the first month of the year after Janus, the god of change, transitions and new beginnings. Janus had two faces: one looking forward and the other looking backward. 

Playing on this theme, before you firm up your list for 2008, don’t bite off more than you can chew! 

In other words, take a hard look at the past with an eye toward balancing your hopes for the future. I’m not suggesting you let experience deter you from setting new goals but, rather, that you use it to find new ways to tackle past challenges and establish targets (and plans) for your warehouse and people that can be realistically achieved. Then, build on those achievements to identify additional opportunities for continuous improvement.

Borrowing from a typical list of New Year’s resolutions, how about one or two of the following resolutions for your operations in 2008?

Get organized

Minimize the number of times products are handled and re-handled. Engage employees in defining, documenting and implementing best practice processes.

Get in better shape

Spearhead a program to clean up your warehouse, assure proper lighting and rigorously maintain equipment that is only used for its intended purpose. Results directly reflect upon management and will contribute to improved workforce attitude and morale. After all, they live there eight or more hours a day!

Learn and apply something new

Investigate data collection technology and warehouse management systems. They can significantly enhance inventory accuracy, space and labor utilization, order throughput and shipping efficiency.

Share what you have learned with others

Commit to continuous employee training and cross-training as well as achievement recognition. Such programs say a lot about a company’s concern for its employees and commitment to building an environment that enables exceptional performance. 

If you stick to these New Year’s resolutions, you’ll see improvements in your operations going forward.