It becomes more critical every day that wood products companies be in tune with their competitive surroundings — ready to respond quickly with positive change in order to adjust to rapidly shifting market dynamics. But while we may think we have all the answers, the major factors that drive this unpredictable environment are best understood by our customers. For this reason, it is customer input that should provide us with the valuable information from which to form many of our strategic management decisions — our marketing and manufacturing strategies.

What is your company’s current state of lean? Here is a lean audit for both small shops and large plants, to evaluate how you are doing.

The “Card Check Act” is again before Congress. The “Employee Free Choice Act” (EFCA) actually is a misnomer in that this bill will take away the right of employees to determine through a secret ballot whether or not they want union representation.

Are you one of those managers who is more concerned about results than how those results are achieved? If so, although you are in the majority, you are dangerously close to being left behind.

By Tom Dossenbach -- Part 2 of this series offers tips and techniques to encourage employees to join your lean initiative.

Part 3 in a series on Lean Manufacturing.

By Tom Dossenbach -- First in a 3-part series on what lean manufacturing is all about. Part 1: Failure comes from the refusal to change — when change is needed.

By Tom Dossenbach -- Part 4 of this series focuses on the leadership required to bridge the gap between what is and what should be.

By Tom Dossenbach - Congress is steamrollering you — and your employees.

By Tom Dossenbach - The Spirit of America is what drives the desire for continuous improvement in our companies.