Vulnerable: My Scheduling Problem

For change to take place, there must be discomfort with the present state of things.

The statement is so true, and determines whether or not one grows.There is need to keep challenging the norm, by asking ourselves "How can I do things better?"

The need for stylish and perfectly fitting clothes by women; for ever growing events, cannot be denied. Women are constantly needing pieces that will make them stand out from the crowd in events. They want the memory of what they wore to still ring a bell, a long time after the event.

This is a good thing for persons in business of making clothes, as you always want to have business. When people start appreciating the great job you do, work begins to grow to a point that you have more work than you can handle within a said time frame (as the demand keeps growing). If you don't find a way of keeping track of things, the ball starts to fall from your hands.

Customers do not want to experience being disappointed, as a result, of their cloth not being ready when it is needed. The business owner also do not want issues arising as a result.

The saving grace is the word "Scheduling". Although a single word, but a lot of things has to be set straight to find a schedule that works, especially in made-to-measure garment production.

Yes, you heard me right, "A schedule that works". Different business have different variables that determine when a garment would be ready. Variables have to be properly timed, to ensure that garments go out on time, and that there is no shortage of work to be done.

In order to survive or live through the work available at hand, some NOs have to be said, to those work that will not fit into the schedule.

"How can I say no to this new customer?"I have heard that a number of times... If you do not say NO, you may either over stress yourself or your workforce, or worse case scenario... drop the ball (disappoint). In over stressing yourself, you may come down with pains, leading to a lot of work left undone.

To avoid stories that touch the heart, schedule.... This is the story of my soon to be past life. I have not gotten to where I want to be as per scheduling, I am still learning.

I felt embarrassed some weeks ago, when a customer decided to take her unfinished clothes, because I asked her to come back for it at a latter date. Analyzing the whole situation, I was not totally at fault,  (as the garment had fit issues,which needed time to be resolved). To grow, things like that may not always be received well no matter how accepting they may be.

Also, to grow as a business, to become an international brand, things like this have to be dealt with early in the business, to enable one focus on other business growth strategies.

What is the solution to scheduling?

Ask your self the variables that determine when a garment would be finished.

What trimming do I need to make this garment?

How and when can I get them?

Would any trimming prove difficult to get? What are the plans, if this happens?

What is my current work schedule?

When would the cutting of fabric be done?

When would it be sewn?

When would it be finished?

When would it be picked up by the customer?

Hmmm!!!!

Different players amongst your team are involved in answering these questions. 

Also, properly kept records, can help with the answers...

The start point for some persons may be proper record keeping....

At whatever level you are at, do something.... 

It is better you learn as you grow, than stay at a stand still, waiting for when you get the whole details that will take you to the place of a well kept record, and schedule.

Wow!!!

This has been a long post.

Share with me in the comment box, how you schedule, or have ensured that you don't drop the ball.

I would love to learn from you.

P.S.  We run a sewing and pattern drafting school, and we have massive discount available to corpers. A new session starts in October.... You need to learn how to sew before the year runs out... you should be at OOTI

XOXO

Osamudiame