Need a Good New Year's Resolution?

If so, I’ve got a suggestion. But before I spring it on you, why not a little history lesson as to the origin of such promises often made, but rarely kept. From Wikipedia we learn that:

• At the start of each year, the ancient Babylonians made promises to their gods that they would return borrowed objects and pay their debts. Sounds like a sound resolution to me.

• The Romans began each year by making promises to the god Janus, for whom the month of January is named.

• And in Medieval times, knights took the “peacock vow” at the end of the Christmas season each year to reaffirm their commitment to chivalry.

As the years go by, more and more Americans tend to make New Year’s resolutions—some 40 percent do so now, according to a recent survey, compared to just 25 percent a few decades ago. Unfortunately, while half of those who make resolutions do so with confidence of their success, 88 percent fail to execute. So, you might start by resolving to accomplish what you resolve to do!

I’ve written in this space before of suggested New Year’s resolutions befitting manufacturing companies. Common promises made at this time of the year, as noted on SupplyTimes.com:

1) Investing to improve quality.

2) Seeking ways to reduce material-related costs, including reducing scrap.

3) Reviewing packaging costs and seeking more efficient solutions.

4) Beware of idle employees and reengineer processes to compensate.

5) Capital equipment older than 5 yr. may be so inefficient that replacing it with new technology could yield quick payback.

6) Make logistics tasks less labor intensive and more automated, by upgrading to new software that streamlines data entry and helps reduce material handling.

7) Foster teamwork and build a collaborative workplace.