S
ocrates once noted that “the
unexamined life is not worth living” - an idea that
applies not only for individuals, but for companies and
groups, as well. While it’s true that Socrates also
quaffed down, semi-voluntarily, an entire vial of hemlock,
and perhaps is not the best one to turn to for advice
on turning smart ideas into best practices, this motto
is worth pursuing. The idea of examination and evaluation
truly characterizes the processes of many apparel companies
that display excellence, regardless of where they reside
along the supply chain.
Indeed,
the most successful companies now, and historically, are
the ones that, despite current failures — or wild
successes — continually evaluate their processes,
products, people and philosophies to determine where they
can be improved, how they measure up against competitors
or companies in other industries, and how prepared they
are with current practices to maintain success, or become
successful, in the future.
Pursuing
excellence in the corporate world means examining every
segment of your business to search for weak spots that
can be made stronger, or strong spots that can be made
even better. It also means not settling for “the
way we’ve always done it” but continually challenging
yourself to ask the difficult questions about internal
company processes, while evaluating how your processes
and products meet the needs of the end consumer, your
supply chain customers and partners. Also, for most companies
these days, it means evaluating how your company is integrating
the tricky rules and regulations of international trade
and free trade agreements into its overall business plan.
