RickOperations
What's a typical day at BDA like for you?
I don't have typical days. I am involved at all levels in many, many aspects of the business. I move from strategic to tactical and from internal to external issues many times per day. I interact with our sales and operational teams to make sure our brand promise is fulfilled for our clients. I make sure our infrastructure and supply chain is robust enough to get the job done, and I make sure we are ready for the next client, the next growth spurt, or the next challenge to present itself to the company. I work with suppliers, service providers, and industry professionals to make sure our supply chain is comprehensive yet nimble. I am the chief negotiator, safety and compliance expert, purchasing and legal expert, process advisor, historian and sometime psychologist.
For those of us not versed in Six Sigma methodology, what are the basics?
Six Sigma is a statistical methodology that allows a process to be improved by identifying a practical problem and transferring it to a statistical problem, then applying a statistical solution that is then translated to a practical solution. All of this is done to add control of the process so that errors are greatly reduced and quality is maximized.
Six Sigma applies a five-step process to a problem:
- Define
- Measure
- Analyze
- Improve
- Control
In what ways does your Six Sigma training help you on a day to day basis?
Six Sigma helps me approach a problem from the perspective that any issue can be broken down into manageable parts and solved. It helps me prioritize and focus on the most important and impactful solutions, and it helps me evaluate all possible solutions, not just the first one that comes to mind.
About how many approved vendors are in BDA's network? What's an ideal range? What would you say to people who look at that number and think it's too large?
Our vendor base is tiered. We have over 2,000 suppliers available for use. We have over 200 who are considered preferred and we have 50 we use on a daily basis. The ideal range is to have an expert in each category and a strong back-up. The way it can get too large is when there's too much redundancy in a single category, which reduces our ability to build a strong relationship with a supplier. People who think the number is too large may be underestimating the scope of product we offer, from teddy bears to bar rails to fortune cookies.
How does BDA achieve favorable pricing from ASI vendors?
We achieve the best pricing in the industry with a great team of professional buyers who know how to negotiate as well as consolidate our spend. Couple these buyers with the right suppliers who are treated like partners and we work together to get the best pricing for our clients.
How closely do you monitor global market conditions? What specifically do you keep your eye on and what's the benefit to our clients?
I monitor global issues many times per day. I watch major commodities like cotton, oil, metals and currencies. I have developed a network of experts in our supply chain who share the latest news on world supply economics. I also monitor newsletters and blogs, and I'm a member of various professional associations and boards.
How do you see BDA's Supplier Alliance Fair growing?
I see the supplier fair growing in quality and perhaps in frequency, but not in size. The current size of around 100 suppliers is optimal for our people to see all of the suppliers and for the suppliers to see all of our people. More suppliers would break this balance. Swapping out redundant or lesser suppliers in exchange for better suppliers or new categories is the way we will grow. Also, we may eventually add another fair at another time of year, or add another fair that is specific to a specialized segment of our business.
What seem to be clients' greatest concerns regarding logistics and fulfillment and distribution?
Getting exactly what they ordered in perfect condition delivered to them on time. It's that simple. What's complicated is how we do it. We keep it transparent to the client, but we have sophisticated communication and execution systems that can move product around the globe in the most effective and cost efficient manner.
What can you tell us about the heavy metal band you managed in college?
When I was in high school, I hung around the guys in Quiet Riot when they played local clubs. My buddy and I convinced them to change from pop to heavy metal and they erupted (and left us in the dust). When I was in college, I wrote a business plan for a rock band and put it together with the same buddy as the guitar player. The band we formed was called Child Saint and you can check them out on YouTube (try ìWrath of Manî). We managed to get to Hollywood headliner status and I produced one record with them, but we never got the major label deal and all faded away with the rest of the big hair bands of the eighties.
These days, what are your interests outside of work?
My interests surround my family for the most part. I have a lovely bride of 22 years and we enjoy supporting the antics of our two teenage boys. I can be sighted on the weekends as a Scoutmaster, baseball umpire or soccer referee. Once in a while, Julie and I actually sneak away for a date. We still hold hands and sit on the same side of the booth at restaurants.