Last week a small group of manufacturers attended a half-day workshop titled, How to Improve Product and Productivity Without Going Into Debt.
The workshop was initiated and presented by Roger Burnett. It was born out of his involvement with Dominican manufacturers as an engineer specialising in production line design and development. He has found that similar problems hamper all manufacturers, whether their production line is on the kitchen table or the factory floor and many of the solutions are common to all.
However, contrary to the common belief that finance is the key to our problems, he maintains that significant improvements can be made to products and productivity without going into debt. His message is, “innovation before investment.” In other words, manufacturing should be “initiative led, not funding fed!”
Interestingly, none of those attending the workshop gave finance as their main problem. More practical issues were cited. For example, the difficulty in sourcing the right machine for the job, maintaining equipment in running order, the paucity of a skilled workforce (We train doctors, lawyers and IT specialists by the score but we do not train engineers.), the need to pool collective resources in solving problems.
The presenter added commitment, communication and image to the list.
Roger Burnett shared his insights as a production line design and development engineer and explained how relatively simple devices, rather than costly high-tech machinery, can improve productivity. His presentation was non-technical and his proposals easy to put into practice. Very often, to paraphrase a calypso from seven years ago, it is simply that, “we got our buttons in de wrong hole”.
He also suggested an entirely different method of sourcing finance and expertise, but stressed that without innovation and creative thinking no amount of finance will solve our problems.
A sad reflection on the fundamental issue of commitment; is that half of those who had reserved a place at the workshop did not show up on the day. Furthermore, out of six young entrepreneurs who were offered free places, only one young lady took the trouble to attend.
I would like to applaud you on your efforts to share such valuable knowledege with some of our manufactures on island and encourages you to continue the good work.
I would like to get a few insights from you (if possible) to help me to take my business to the next level. Can you please provide me with some contact information.
Take care and enjoy your stay on our island.
very well said…RED ANTZ
You seem to be one of the few Dominicans with some wisdom. I love your objective stance. This is why i admire americans;there’s something for free being offered like this, 200 show up. Dominicans, we take too many things for granted. opportunities that are squandered away will wash upon your future shores as dead birds. regardless if this was not given the publicity it should have, it’s our responsibility as nationals to know our current events………….
Mr.Burnett, don’t feel discouraged, it’s better to work with a handful of motivated folks than to worry about a bunch of naive,ignorant and visionless no-shows.
Keep up trying Sir do not give up.
Some of y’all are commenting on how manufacturers did not turn up.FINE… I understand your cry —
but what would be a better way to loose over 1500.00 in one afternoon
1 clear your goods on the port or spend your day listening to things you can’t implement because you don’t have the money…
I we like to say that money is our problem. We are our biggest problem. We are working against ourselves. We can’t fill such important commitments that serve only to benefit us! Sad!!
As dominicans we always complain about all the things that are not available to us and the things not being done to better our situation. we find it easy to blame government and everybody else for the things we lack but when presented with opportunities like this one, to learn something and to better our lot, we simply don’t show up or turn down the opportunity in some way and then we wonder why we not making more progress in dominica.
Hats off to the gentleman for organizing the workshop and i applaud all those who found the time to attend.
This workshop was not properly advertized.
Was it organized by the recently launched Dominica Manufacturers Association?
All known manufacturers were circulated and a Press Release send out (but not published) well ahead of time.
The workshop was initiated by myself. It was not connected to any government agency or the recently proposed Dominica Manufacturers Association.
Thank you Mr. Burnett for your committment to Dominica’s Development.
However, I am sadden that there was a lackluster approach by some who chose not to attend after committing.