With Manufacturing having gone through a tough time in the US and many other countries over the past few years, where does that leave improvement strategies for manufacturing companies? Is there still a place for organizations like APICS? What are the roles of Lean and Six Sigma in driving competitive advantage for manufacturers? Answers to these questions depend very much on where Manufacturing is going.
So ... what are the trends worldwide? I did a search of news items around "manufacturing growth" for August and this is what I found:
From CNN Money
USA - The nation's manufacturing sector grew at a faster pace in July, according to a survey of industry executives released Monday that contained lots of good news for Wall Street expectations. More ...
From Bloomberg
GERMANY - German unemployment fell to the lowest in almost two years and European manufacturing expanded at close to the fastest pace since 2000, bolstering arguments the European Central Bank will raise interest rates this week to bring inflation under control. More ...
From Reuters India
INDIA - India's manufacturing sector will need massive investment of $135 billion over the next five years if it is to support economic growth of more than 8 percent, the commerce and industry minister said on Wednesday. More ...
From Shanghai Daily
CHINA - CHINA'S manufacturing growth fell to a five-month low in July as companies trimmed production and overseas and local orders eased. More ...
From Financial Times
UNITED KINGDOM - Continued improvement in export markets helped UK manufacturers register a twelfth consecutive month of growth in July, a period of expansion that has encouraged them to take on more workers. More ...
From Independent Online Business Report
SOUTH AFRICA - South African manufacturing growth accelerated to an annual 6.1 percent in June, the fastest pace since December 2004, as the rand's plunge against the dollar fuelled exports and made imports more expensive. More ...
The Importance of Your Brand
When it comes to your image, are you hitting hard or striking out? Cover all your bases with these 4 critical elements of a winning brand.
What instantly springs to mind when customers hear your company name? If you're uncertain--or even worse, stuck with a less-than-stellar image--it's time to give your brand an overhaul. It's no coincidence that industry leaders in every category from soft drinks to spas toil endlessly to create some of the world's most recognized brands. But it doesn't have to cost millions or take years to put your company's branding efforts on track.
Kim Gordon writes about this in the August edition of Entrepreneur magazine. Kim suggest that you just follow these four guidelines to create a winning brand image.
1. Differentiate your brand.
2. Promise value.
3. Be a market leader.
4. Integrate your messages.
... more
Kim's Small Business Tip Of The Week
Out-of-home advertising is one of the few marketing tactics that will match a local sales territory. You can put your message exactly where it will reach your prospects, tailoring your buy to eliminate waste. You can buy just a single outdoor billboard or 20 to reach commuters in Atlanta, and you can reach tourists in Key West with taxi-top ads or by advertising on the backs of the pedicabs that transport passengers up and down famous Duval Street in front of the bars and restaurants. This ability to pinpoint your prospects by using different types of advertising media in highly specific locations can make out-of-home advertising extremely cost effective. You can choose the out-of-home advertising option that fits your type of business and budget. From Chapter 5, "Think Outside the Box"
What instantly springs to mind when customers hear your company name? If you're uncertain--or even worse, stuck with a less-than-stellar image--it's time to give your brand an overhaul. It's no coincidence that industry leaders in every category from soft drinks to spas toil endlessly to create some of the world's most recognized brands. But it doesn't have to cost millions or take years to put your company's branding efforts on track.
Kim Gordon writes about this in the August edition of Entrepreneur magazine. Kim suggest that you just follow these four guidelines to create a winning brand image.
1. Differentiate your brand.
2. Promise value.
3. Be a market leader.
4. Integrate your messages.
... more
-----------------------o---------------------------
Kim's Small Business Tip Of The Week
Out-of-home advertising is one of the few marketing tactics that will match a local sales territory. You can put your message exactly where it will reach your prospects, tailoring your buy to eliminate waste. You can buy just a single outdoor billboard or 20 to reach commuters in Atlanta, and you can reach tourists in Key West with taxi-top ads or by advertising on the backs of the pedicabs that transport passengers up and down famous Duval Street in front of the bars and restaurants. This ability to pinpoint your prospects by using different types of advertising media in highly specific locations can make out-of-home advertising extremely cost effective. You can choose the out-of-home advertising option that fits your type of business and budget. From Chapter 5, "Think Outside the Box"
Read more about it in Maximum Marketing, Minimum Dollars
Kim Gordon's website: http://www.smallbusinessnow.com/
Kim Gordon's website: http://www.smallbusinessnow.com/
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