The old-school unconnected world was driven by push.
A factory made products first and then advertised to find buyers.
A store had to be big because it needed stock until a customer came to buy it. The cab waited on the corner, hoping you would come out to stop it.
Machines had to run as much as possible. Annual contracts and stocks were the key to stability.
But now we are in the digitally connected world of the 21st century: pull.
If you need something, you tell Google, Amazon, Uber or Shopify and they bring it to you. Or maybe you’re even already placing orders on platforms and letting them find a supplier.
Stores have become showrooms for online stores. Factories produce only small batches and no one wants to keep more inventory because it is too expensive and risky with rapidly changing demand.
Orders are now increasingly placed on demand and parts are made at the last minute for departments that need them. Machinery must now be used effectively to reduce lead times because downtime is no longer a priority.
The point is:
If we want to create stability, our instinct is to push, but pull can produce unparalleled effectiveness that cannot be achieved with mass production. That starts with a clear strategy led by Quick Response Manufacturing (QRM).
(Inspired by Seth Godin: Push vs. Pull)
PS I have updated my website a bit and would love to hear your feedback. Do you find the website attractive and clear?
