This world we live in is forever changing, we are taught change is good (Kaizen Kai=Change zen=good) even more so now but one aspect you can cover time and time again for which the function does not change other than the concept but the benefit to all in most cases will. Sharing.

Companies/industry no matter what product they manufacture could share their experiences. SIRF was built on this foundation of shared learning network with the initiative of the Victorian Government and C.S.I.R.O and has been running for over 25 years now with no deviation to the original plan. The need to place companies together to help, benefit and advance together is a model which can grow and grow.

My background was automotive, (there is an Automation roundtable event this month), we were an integrated plant with all capabilities to manufacture all car interiors on site, seats, headline, door panels, carpets, those days we never understood why we had visits from numerous different industries to see how the flow and processes were aligned as a JIT supplier to the OEM so they could learn, shared and adopt. Then it was perceived as a threat to show how you manufactured but the reality is what they saw was current, they would adopt current whilst we moved in continuous steps to improve on that. Therefore, taking away that barrier even with competitors in the market.

The learning experience where you get to engage, discuss, and debate topics close to industries heart is a great feeling. At times the epiphany moments that come about are so beneficial. The power of sharing is so strong, so valuable it eliminates the time spent looking for alternatives, it removes the surplus activities to define and collect data, fact is why re-invent the wheel when we have so much skill and knowledge around to actually help each other, it is continuous improvement by communication and sharing. Stronger and smarter together.

One of the biggest assets I find which is possibly the easiest to apply Australia wide is Askrt, this strategy has the ability to reach out to all of Australia and New Zealand and ask a question that people are finding in their workplace that is troublesome, reoccurring, frustrating, this can be right across any industry stream. You have a problem, send the request and we can ask the question to all industry if anyone has had similar situation happen to them and a failure mode that has been captured and looked at including analysis to define the true nature or the range of causes to list and then tackle each failure mode in steps to correct the error.

Sending this request out to all of industry can produce dividends as it will get responses from every industry type, the knowledge has already been applied by using the experience and knowledge base around us, the savings in itself can be massive, I remember someone proposing a formula in the paint shop when applying white paint to cars, it was said they could only place two coats as the third would go yellowish when drying, someone got the formular right and was rumoured to have been given a car. Obviously, the monetary factor cannot be applied to this but the factor of sharing should bring great privilege in knowing a suggestion has benefitted not only your industry but another, both reaping the rewards it brings, this is priceless. For me getting fantastic feedback from industry thus saving financially through sealing what is preferably the leaking bucket must be fulfilling.

All these situations have a cost association which takes up our budget costs, imagine using a question to gain beneficial steps which in turn causes less financial impact, less time, less resources and less downtime, now imagine the benefit you get in your monthly budgetary meeting, what an easy conversation with your manager and mangers manager. Impacts from the design stage of manufacture the implications to the design could be the financial requirement needing change (post installation design change) now the product is altered, will it perform to the level of the original, probably not so the attention this receives is more which is a cost.

The leaking bucket as stated, can leak from various levels (remember those leaks are $) the art of sealing this bucket and the benefit Askrt gives is the focus on the lowest holes not the surface holes. Askrt will give feedback on most holes but if you seal the bottom holes first there is more chance to keep your costs at a level where profitability is not severely impacted. If the water passes the top holes once passed it cannot leak anymore. Each of these holes are potential issues in plant, asking a question through Askrt can cure some of those issues through shared experience.

So, you have a concern you are focussed on, you involve 5 people to help with the situation, think - that is 5 people discussing alternatives. Now ask the question to industry you can get numerous answers from different views for which you have not spent that time personally, win, win moment.

One question to Askrt gave 46 answers back in the space of 2 days, 20 responses stating they couldn’t help with the question but still responded so they would if the failure was in their field of expertise. So, 60+ responses from a question, you will not get that commitment in both time frame and within your area of play due to business needs alone.

Thought asking Questions

Question- What is the cost of asking a question    

Answer- 5 minutes of your time,

Question- What is the chance of getting 46 alternative answers to apply to a concern

Answer- Very positive if you Askrt

Question- What is the cost association to asking the question

Answer- $0 if you are a member, and the benefits could be a massive saving.

I would like to thank everyone who responds through Askrt, it works both ways and it’s good to share.

Chris Bush,

WA State Manager