Welcome to the Operational Excellence Insights Hub, where I share expert insights, perspectives and commentaries on the latest industry trends, incidents, and transformative news shaping the world of business and operations.
Drawing from my years of experience in driving operational excellence across various industry sectors globally, this hub offers in-depth analysis, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking commentaries on real-world events. Whether it's a major industry disruption, an aviation safety incident, or breakthrough innovations in manufacturing, pharma, logistics or healthcare, you’ll find timely perspectives that highlight how operational excellence can solve today’s challenges and unlock tomorrow’s potential.
Stay informed and discover how the principles of continuous improvement, digital transformation, business continuity, risk management etc. are being applied in response to real-world developments, driving safety, efficiency, and success across industries.
Drawing from my years of experience in driving operational excellence across various industry sectors globally, this hub offers in-depth analysis, actionable strategies, and thought-provoking commentaries on real-world events. Whether it's a major industry disruption, an aviation safety incident, or breakthrough innovations in manufacturing, pharma, logistics or healthcare, you’ll find timely perspectives that highlight how operational excellence can solve today’s challenges and unlock tomorrow’s potential.
Stay informed and discover how the principles of continuous improvement, digital transformation, business continuity, risk management etc. are being applied in response to real-world developments, driving safety, efficiency, and success across industries.
Insights for Manufacturing & Sector Industries:
Operational Excellence in Aviation: Lessons from the Atlanta Airport IncidentThe recent collision of two planes during taxi at Atlanta airport highlights critical areas where operational excellence can play a transformative role in preventing such incidents and improving safety. Read full blogpost
|
Operational Excellence in Sustainable Packaging: Balancing Innovation and Brand Identity.Yesterday, I read an article that mentioned a popular beverage will now be available in green tinted plastic bottles.
This is in contrast to best practices which recommend that beverages be packaged in a clear PET bottle because it will make bottles easier to recycle. Read full blogpost. |
Operational Excellence in Chemical Industry: Proactive Safety and Crisis ManagementThe recent report of gas leak at a chemical factory in Thane, India, resulting in residents complain of eye irritation and breathing difficulties, serves as a critical reminder of the importance of operational excellence in ensuring safety and crisis management. Read full blogpost.
|
Operational Excellence in Hazmat Response: Proactive Risk Mitigation and Crisis ManagementA few days back, I read a post on social media which mentioned that there was a hazmat situation in New Westminster, Canada. A truck carrying hazardous material was on fire. The area was closed for traffic. Residents were asked to take shelter and not come into the cordoned off area. Read full blogpost.
|
Out of Specification Impurity and Non-Compliance to Manufacturing Standards Continue to Haunt Pharmaceuticals- The Lupin Story. Here's One Way to Correct the Mess.Out of specification impurity continues to haunt pharmaceutical products. There is yet another USFDA report citing out of specification product impurity and inappropriate processing issues in a reputed pharma company! Read full blogpost.
|
Syrup Medicines Banned in Indonesia! Isn’t there a way to formulate safe syrup products?The health ministry of Indonesia has temporarily banned the sale of all syrup and liquid medicines, citing the risks to children (according to a BBC news report). In a statement, the ministry explained that acute kidney injury (AKI) has been linked to syrup medicines. The government cited a sharp increase in AKI cases among children, most of them under five years of age. Read full blogpost.
|
Gambia cough syrup tragedy: How can we stop such catastrophe?Dozens of child deaths have been reported recently in African country The Gambia. The deaths are allegedly linked to cough syrups containing unacceptable levels of diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.
Diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol are known toxic items and are ‘source-related’ impurities of the solvent used in the cough formulation. Read full article. |
USFDA Guidance on Life Sciences Regulatory Information ManagementThe USFDA recently released guidance to improve life sciences regulatory information management. The guidance aims to improve data input into the quality system and reduce low priority changes and should improve operational efficiency and regulatory flexibility. Read full blogpost.
|
737 Max: Debris found in plane's fuel tanks- How can Kaizen help?Boeing's crisis-hit 737 Max jetliner (which was grounded after two fatal crashes) faces a new potential safety issue as debris has been found in the fuel tanks of several new planes which were in storage, awaiting delivery to airlines. Read full blogpost.
|
Mistake-Proofing Pharmaceutical Products: What can we learn from Valsartan, Losartan and Irbesartan recalls?First Valsartan, now Irbesartan formulations are going thru a recall. As these product recalls are happening world-over, the chaos is enormous... For the affected patients, it is horrifying to learn that they have unsuspectingly consumed a medicine that contains a potential carcinogen. Read full blogpost.
|
Valsartan, Irbesartan, Losartan Product Recalls- What are the Lessons for Pharmaceutical Industry?Since September last year, news of *SARTAN drug recalls are doing the rounds. Yesterday's CNN Health carried yet another story on recalls of tainted Valsartan, Irbesartan, Losartan drug products. Read full blogpost.
|
USFDA Unveils Two Draft Guidance Documents to Facilitate Generic Development of Transdermal and Topical Dosage FormsThe United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) today 9th October 2018, unveiled one revised draft guidance and another new draft guidance to help advance the development of generic Transdermal/Topical Delivery Systems (TDS). Here's a snapshot. Read full blogpost.
|
Healthcare process efficiency improvement with blood bank robotFew days back, I read, that a company in The Netherlands launched a fully automated blood bank robot. The group claims that this robot simplifies the process of processing hundreds of blood donations each day.
According to the news report, this fully automated system can take over manual tasks such as sorting by blood groups and ingredients, sticking labels, scanning codes, etc. Read full blogpost. |
2 New rules agreed for Medical devices and In vitro diagnostic medical devices in European Union.On 25 May 2016, the EU agreed new rules on medical devices and in vitro diagnostic medical devices. The Netherlands presidency of the Council and representatives of the European Parliament reached a political agreement. Read full blogpost.
|
FDA Approves First-Ever Human Test Of Embryonic Stem Cell-Based Therapy.FDA Approves First-Ever Human Test Of Embryonic Stem Cell-Based Therapy.
The USFDA has approved "the world's first authorized test in people of a therapy derived from human embryonic stem cells." The clinical trial "could offer the first glimpse of the safety and possible effectiveness of a technology that has been hailed for its vast medical promise but also embroiled in political and ethical controversy. Read full blogpost. |
Workplace incivility on the rise, what can we do to stop it?There is a disturbing trend in Corporate North America. Despite increased talk about improving corporate culture, there is a civility problem in the workplace. It is wreaking havoc on employee relationships and workplace morale, as well as the bottom line. And few leaders are doing anything to stop it.
According to The Cost of Bad Behavior by... Read full blogpost. |
