Activate the 'antibody': Several suggestions for resuming manufacturing work
The COVID-19 is severe, so it is necessary to strictly prevent it, which is related to the health of all citizens and the overall national economy. At the same time, if manufacturing enterprises cannot resume work in the near future, it is also an unbearable burden, because manufacturing is the most basic industry and lacks sufficient flexibility. It is also difficult to solve problems completely through the Internet. There must be on-site/mobile. Staying at home means the death of the enterprise.
The current situation is that starting work may be "seeking death", while not starting work is "waiting for death". For entrepreneurs and local governments, "seeking death" to start construction is almost an inevitable choice. The key is how to resume work while ensuring that there are no epidemic issues? How to turn 'seeking death' into 'extending life'? Here, the author puts forward several suggestions for manufacturing entrepreneurs to refer to:
If you don't take chances, nothing will happen
Enterprises must strictly follow national protective regulations when resuming work, and take all necessary protective measures, including mask wearing management, disinfection management, contact management, isolation management, enhanced monitoring, and reduced gatherings, without taking any chances. The several cases of resumption of work infection that have occurred so far are all due to the lucky or even indifferent attitude of the starting units. Currently, the enterprises that have successfully resumed work are strictly compliant with regulations. This shows that viruses are not scary, what is scary is our "heart". If the heart is troubled, luck becomes natural. Once a small problem occurs, everything will be lost. As long as we adhere to firm standards, it is not difficult to achieve our goals. The key is still our consciousness, our heart, especially the consciousness of our bosses and managers. In fact, this awareness and the heart to prevent everything are the most important antibodies against viruses.
Actively seeking the fastest power that can help oneself
Firstly, it is the local government regulatory department and related departments. Government departments should maintain close contact, deeply understand relevant policies, actively seek interaction with relevant government departments, proactively let relevant government departments and financial institutions understand the status of the enterprise, strive for relevant policy and financial support, and strive for the rapid arrival of supporting policies and funds. Almost all local governments and financial institutions across the country have introduced various support or epidemic relief plans, but many enterprises, especially small and medium-sized private enterprises, may not be clear/aware of them, and no one has fully informed every enterprise of these supports in a timely manner. Therefore, we should actively seek them and not sit idly by. Secondly, it is important to quickly connect with customers and suppliers, enhance mutual trust and understanding, confirm what can and cannot be done, confirm payment and other cash flow processes, and work together to warm up and overcome difficulties.
Optimize processes with a wartime mindset, focus on the most important things that customers are most concerned about/have the most barrier free payment collection
In my impression, this is the first time that New China has encountered such a nationwide and prolonged unexpected shutdown event. Even during the Korean War, Taiwan Campaign, Vietnam Self Defense Counterattack War, and even in the face of SARS, our manufacturing industry did not stop working, and even took advantage of the opportunity to develop rapidly. At the same time, manufacturing enterprises have not encountered the situation of the Great Depression in the 1920s and 1930s in the United States and Germany, as well as colonial enterprises in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan controlled by the United States. It is understandable that when a crisis strikes, our companies are filled with fear and may not respond adequately in the short term. I think current manufacturing bosses should have a wartime mentality, that is, how to survive in life and death situations first. The so-called wartime state is to simplify and optimize existing processes and procedures, concentrate on "survival", focus on doing what customers are most concerned about, concentrate on doing the fastest payment, focus on key workshops, key products, key customers, key profits/key processes, and avoid "wartime temptations", misleading themselves with various so-called chaotic information/avoiding traps that look like new opportunities, in order to ensure that customers receive valuable benefits and make timely payments for related products.
Deepen into key supply and logistics chains to extend life
The most devastating impact of this epidemic on the manufacturing industry may not necessarily be the production process itself, but rather the paralysis of the logistics chain and the interruption of the supply chain. If these two chains are broken, even if you start working, there will be no raw materials and no way to transport them to customers, resulting in new inventory produced. Therefore, manufacturing bosses need to put more effort into innovative construction and rapid integration in the supply chain and logistics chain.
With soldiers in hand, one's heart does not panic. My personal observation of the express delivery pattern during the epidemic period shows that the express delivery in the Beijing market seems to be mainly from Guangdong and Zhejiang companies, with only JD.com in Beijing. JD.com has its own stores/logistics, but from my own experience and observation, it cannot do without stores. Only express delivery companies such as Yunda, SF Express, and Zhongtong are available. This indicates that during special emergency periods, some companies can quickly control the logistics chain, while others, despite having many logistics personnel and vehicles, still need to adjust their logistics chain control or operational capabilities during crisis periods. At the same time, this period is the best time to test the level of supply chain management in the manufacturing industry. It seems that weak management is not a big deal, at least there will be no crisis. Now, if the control over the supply chain is not strong or there is no ability to have precise control over the supply chain, even if one's own factory starts working, it is useless because the parts cannot be delivered.
I hope all manufacturing friends can think further and do things more finely, take advantage of this opportunity to revolutionize the supply chain and logistics chain, and face resumption of work from a deep lean perspective. Perhaps, after this fiery test, a phoenix will be born.
Information source: National Defense Think Tank
Author Zhou Yongliang
Editor He Yang of this website/Organizing
