A call to action for process discipline

The survey, however, points out a challenge that continues to dog the collective corners of the packaging industry in meeting these dual objectives. The marketing and operations folks, more often than not, still aren’t talking to each other much.

Here is one nugget that the survey found (see our Centerpiece article starting on page 10). In general, small consumer packaged goods companies work more cross-functionally than the bigger ones. That finding hasn’t changed much from a similar survey we took in 2006. Smaller product manufacturers are more integrated and hence more nimble in working with vendors such as contract packagers in getting products to market faster and in the way that was intended.

The survey results signal a wake-up call for large product manufacturers. It’s time to use process discipline and focus on results, just as smaller competitors do.