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13 Mar
Operations Research and Tourism
Operations Management, Operations Research, K | P | K, tourism No Comments
By: Francisco Marco-Serrano (K | P | K).
No, not that we will discuss how to combine both options at the same time, although I must admit that my life does take my knowledge of ground operations research and operations management to optimize everyday processes. But these are stories I tell in my personal blog. What we try to explain, or at least list in this post are the chances that operations research provides organizations of the tourism sector.
- 'Benchmarking of destinations.
- Demand studies, consumer perception studies, analysis in the introduction of new products / services.
- Pricing ( 'pricing') and 'revenue management'.
- Evaluation of the productivity of chains (hotels, travel agencies, restaurants).
- Projected occupancy rates.
- Planning and management of 'buffets' short and medium term.
- Event Management ( 'scheduling').
- Customer segmentation.
- ...
Want to know more?: K | P | K.
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February 14
MMX _cevisama Management Expectations
Economics, Crisis, Strategy, Marketing 1 Comment
By: Francisco Marco-Serrano (K | P | K).
The ceramic industry has been in the Valencia one of the hardest hit, leaving the overly-dependent ceramics Castellon province in serious economic problems. The production structures Castellon, long ago regarded as exemplary by their low level of unemployment (only frictional unemployment), lost only about 80 ceramic companies in the years 2007 and 2008, meaning in terms of employment figures by mid-2009 reached about 9,000 related to the sector unemployed. Añadiésemos observe worse results if the other sector hit by the crisis (remember, this world but not as specific to Spain, that caused by the rupture of the housing bubble) construction. We must also consider that the economy is like a spider web and anything affecting one of its threads ends up creating another in the rest of the web, so the direct effect of closures and layoffs in the ceramics sector would to add those indirect effects on suppliers in the industry, or the local trade, having only a couple of examples.
Given the importance and economic impact the industry, not surprisingly, the political class enzarce in discussions about the need to support the sector with financial support, dissemination of the uses of ceramics, promotion of R + D + i ( snif!, this would give much to speak), conversion, etc.. Fortunately, there are still employers who skeptical of the possible mana and / or salvation by the public sector are 'pulling a cart'. Even better wait and see the data in a year: why?. On economic issues should not be a believer, to be able to touch the sores to check that there is a real recovery.
These comments are a collation of regional newspaper headlines, where it is stated that the fair Cevisama 2010 has been a success, perfect!, We are glad to know that contracts closed during the fair have exceeded industry expectations, and that both sectoral institutions and from different companies, begin to envision a glow to the bottom of the tunnel (those famous 'green shoots' that so joyfully were announced in early 2009 for the Spanish economy). We do not intend cynically see this vision of recovery at the end of the industry have done their homework well, and the global economy has begun its recovery path. Rather, our view would be that of caution, without abandoning the optimism that we will start the recovery of the sector itself and therefore the province (will anyone dream that the 'self-fulfilling prophecy?', 'The Secret' they call it now), the businesses should know very well manage your expectations:
- Those of its customers.
- Those of its partners and investors.
- Your employees.
- The society in the province.
- And of course ... our own.
Which are points that we would develop following entries.
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Tags: ceramics, cevisama, Economy
February 10
Zara and Operations Research
Operations Management, Strategy, Operational Research 2 Comments
By: Francisco Marco-Serrano (K | P | K).
Many of us are familiar with how Zara has managed its supply chain more flexible so that it is capable of managing the life cycle of their designs in an extremely agile design to store in very short periods of time. Indeed, competitive advantages are not confined to the basic paradigm of Michael Porter of low cost or product differentiation (generally seen as customer perceived quality) in the textile sector, many companies have chosen the right mix between quality and price, and flexibility of the distribution chain (the above, the cabinet design, the counter of the store, the POS!).
Many of us are familiar with this but not many are aware that behind this competitive advantage is what we call operational research. In fact, the American Association of Operations Research (INFORMS) included in 2009 to Zara among the finalists of one of the most prestigious awards by the application of operations research techniques in the company: Franz Edelman Award. In the end, HP won, but the fact that he was among the finalists will allow us to know even more and better optimization model and how this section of his strategy is deployed through an excellent Operations Management.
Now, if I may, I will read my newly arrived copy of the magazine INTERFACES, which explains the improved models applied by the finalists in their respective businesses (including Zara).
Zara

for "Zara Operations Research to reengineer Uses Its Global Distribution Process."

The Spanish clothing manufacturer and retailer, Which achieves Fast Fashion by making millions of shipments a week to stores from its central warehouses, used operations research to optimize its distribution process and increase in-season sales by an estimated 3 percent to 4 percent - in excess of $ 230 million in 2007 and $ 350 million in 2008.
Edelman: The Final Six (OR / MS Today - June 2009)

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29 Jan
Flight Plan
Strategy, Psychology 4 Comments
By: Elizabeth Costa-Bernat (K | P | K).
"Before takeoff, the pilots discussed the flight plan. In this way, know exactly where to go and start the proceedings consistent with this plane. Nevertheless, during the journey, the wind, rain, turbulence, air traffic, human error and other factors interfere with the plan, propelling the aircraft in slightly different directions, so most of the time the plane is outside the flight path prewritten. All day small deviations occur in relation to the plane flight. Adverse weather conditions or heavy traffic especially cause the greatest deviations. However, nothing happens unless extremely serious, the aircraft will arrive at your destination.

But how is that possible?. During the flight, pilots receive constant feedback. Communications are the instruments on the environment, information from control towers, other aircraft, and sometimes even the stars. Based on these feedbacks, make the necessary adjustments from time to time, return to flight plan.
The hope is not in found in the detours, but in vision, in the plane and the ability to correct the course. "
The flight of an airplane is a metaphor that Sthepen R. Covey (7 Habits Os muito das famílias efficacious ") applies to family life, but certainly can be used in other fields, the academic, professional, leisure and / or other social relations. In our social relations can step out of the way, we can even get caught up in trouble, but with the feedback that we offer all these sources we can recalculate the route many times is necessary not to move away from the road that leads to the achievement of objectives that we set in life.
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11 Jan
Clean the filter itself does not change the tube ...
Strategy, Finance, K | P | K, Marketing, Human Resources 3 Comments
By: Francisco Marco-Serrano (K | P | K).
Or at least that's what I thought when, after checking this weekend to house the washing machine 'danced' during spinning, I decided to (try to) fix the problem.
For several years I have at home a box of tools, who does not?. Reading the instructions of the appliance (well, actually only read a posteriori to confirm that he was right) I knew I had to clean the filter, I took the pliers, unscrew the filter cap, I took 2 euro cent, and a little fiber (eye!, you must first manually drain the washer, as for the automatic drainage is always about 1l of water). During the operation I noticed also that little puddle that appeared in the gallery came from the filter, but the drainage pipe; had small cracks. Swift and fast I went to the hardware store to buy a drain pipe, I got home, I turned the machine and what do I see?, Paddock mated joint is in the drain pump ... I grabbed the screwdriver, wrench, and the calculator:
_Desatascar Filter, 5 minutes.
_The Drain pipe, 3 EUR.
_Cambiar The tube, if I fail, the drain pump (30-40 EUR), plus the labor to change the piece ( "1-hour technical support?), Plus the 'social costs' of not having clean clothes to you get the new piece (with my hands, sure he was going to need it).
I assessed the situation and decided to call a professional, 1 / 2 hour of work, 25 EUR. He knew what he was doing, while he, like me.
Moral: Keep your pliers handy, but also your phone.
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