Home of Simplified Gain Sharing
Untouchables — article published in DCM newsletter This is an article published in the Feb 2008 Distribution Center newsletter and addresses how to keep your bin-sizers and activity analysis associates from being pulled into production work.
Posted on April 13th, 2008 by pat
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NO COST NO RISK — Detailed Description of New Consulting PLan
LDG announces a new consulting payment plan. We’ll perform the installation — including all documents, associate training, salaried training and all measurement tools — all at no cost.
Posted on March 2nd, 2008 by pat
Filed under: Simplified GainSharing | 1 Comment »
Seminar Information – The most effective, and cost-saving, way to develop and implement your own Simplified GainSharing program. LDG will conduct a one or two day seminar at your headquarters. Speak directly to the experts in person as they cover every aspect of implementation, buyouts and training, including training your Plan Administrator. The Do It Yourself approach allows you to avoid the consulting costs of an implementation. Download the details.
Posted on January 2nd, 2008 by pat
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This one was emailed to our site:
How do you integrate orderpicking accuracy into the gainsharing
equation? I can’t sacrifice quality at any cost, but I still want the maximum
productivity possible. Thanks Michael
Pat’s response,
Hi Michael,Thanks for asking about our Quality components.
There are two main vehicles for enhancing quality during a Simplified GainSharing program:
1) We run a quality disqualifier where an associate would not be eligible for the gainshares if their monthly quality rate falls below the established disciplinary standard at the DC. This is the only disqualifier, or way for a participant to lose gainshares earned, in the Simplified GainSharing program, but it’s a necessary restriction in that anyone could achieve high productivity if they paid no attention to quality. 2) Most DCs also elect the Super Quality option of Simplified GainSharing which establishes a baseline of quality excellence, then allows an orderfiller to earn gainshares (along with production gainshares) for hitting excellent quality rates.
Our experience has been that DCs who run the Super Quality component significantly enhance their quality along with their productivity gains. It’s our belief that good productivity and good quality are compatible, in that the associate must increase their concentration and focus to achieve one or the other, and such an increase of focus brings both areas into alignment. Frequently the best orderfiller in production in a DC will also be the best in quality.
Michael’s response:
Thanks for the quick response. Yes, you can post if you like.
Is there more info on the Super Quality component?
I have the Warehouse Productivity book already and may have missed it.
Thanks
Hi Michael,Super Quality can be found on pages 22 to 25 in the Warehouse productivity book.
Additionally, I’d be happy to flesh out for you any part of the program. Feel free to ask questions on the blog, and this way we can archive the answers on the site.
Best regards,
Pat
Posted on December 28th, 2007 by pat
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This post came in from an anonymous writer:
Pat & Ron, I am a bit uneasy by the references to “Zen”, a sect of Buddhism. I find myself not wanting to pursue the subject of gainsharing, despite the obvious logic of such an approach.
Can I actively engage in pursuing this subject through your firm without having to dodge references to a system I find incompatible with my personal belief system?
Please advise.
Thanks
Pat responded:
Thanks for letting us know about your concerns.The Zen Logistics name references our 2nd book, Zen of Warehouse Management. This book deals with the non-mathematical or even counterintuitive solutions to certain logistics problems, bringing a certain Zen or philosophical point of view to our industry.
The title was also a tongue in cheek reference to the best seller book, Zen of Motorcycle Maintenance, and we thought it added a certain panache to our topic of how to run a great distribution center. I can assure you that neither Ron or I are Buddhists, although my kids keep threatening to have my head shaved if I don’t raise their allowances. 
I believe you would find we take a completely non-theological approach to the topics of GainSharing and Warehouse Best Practices. Although much in Simplified GainSharing is counterintuitive – and we’ve seen, over the years, that the most successful programs are run by managers who possess a deep understanding of how to sustain worker motivation — nothing of what we do can be considered religious.
Hope this alleviates your concerns; be assured both Ron and I believe religious views or propagation have no place within the logistics community and are better left to each individual.
Hope all is well with you.
Best regards,
Pat
PS — would you mind if I post this exchange on our blog? I could do it anonymously, if you want, but perhaps there are others who are put off by the name Zen Logistics.
Posted on December 28th, 2007 by pat
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Measurement Model – The old axiom that you cannot manage what you don’t measure is never more true when considering distribution center metrics. The author takes you through a detailed discussion applicable to DC management. Download for the article.
Posted on December 26th, 2007 by pat
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Brainstorming Techniques – Everybody brainstorms . . . but do we always do it engaging its full potential? This is truly one technique that is more art than process. Learn the secrets and insider information of how to use this old technique to double and triple your brainstorming outcome. Download for the paper.
Posted on December 21st, 2007 by pat
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Free Time or Gainshares? – Many associates are more interested in time off than they are earning more money. Hard to believe for us salaried folks who like to study our 401k statements, but true to blue collar employees who yearn to get out of the building! This is a poster that graphically illustrates to the workforce the potential of incentives turned into time off. very helpful in propelling your incentive plan to new heights. Download the poster.
Posted on December 20th, 2007 by pat
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Simplified GainSharing Plan Document – Interested in a Do It Yourself installation? This is where it all begins — the heart of your plan. The Plan Document is an ideal template for formulating a Simplified GainSharing incentive plan in your own DC or network. It outlines the procedures for all the basic departments in a distribution center — Receiving, Putaway, Replenishment, Orderfilling and Shipping, and also discusses the ancilliary depts such as cycle counting. Includes a short discussion on Buyouts. Download for the document.
Posted on December 20th, 2007 by pat
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Zen Questions For Problem Solving – Excerpts from our book, “Zen of Warehouse Management.” Key questions for taking an out-of-the-box view for refining the processes and product flow in a distribution center. These questions enable managers to avoid the forests for the trees. Download to take a look.
Posted on December 20th, 2007 by pat
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