What Toilet Paper Can Teach Us About Supply Chains | Willy Shih | TEDxBeaconStreet

Willy Shih is a Professor of Management Practice at the Harvard Business School. He spent 28 years in industry making mistakes, and has spent the last 14 years at the school figuring those mistakes out, and teaching along the way.
Willy Shih is the Robert and Jane Cizik Professor of Management Practice in Business Administration. He is part of the Technology and Operations Management Unit, and he teaches in the MBA and Executive Education Programs. His expertise is in manufacturing and product development, and he has written or co-authored numerous cases and teaching materials in industries ranging from semiconductors, information technology, consumer electronics, aerospace, transportation equipment, manufacturing processes and tools, and intellectual property. His paper, “Restoring American Competitiveness,” co-authored with Gary Pisano, won the 2009 McKinsey Award. His book, “Producing Prosperity - Why America Needs a Manufacturing Renaissance,” co-authored with Gary Pisano, has called attention to the link between manufacturing and innovation. He is also the author of “Back Bay Battery,” a best-selling innovation simulation.
Prior to coming to HBS in 2007, Willy spent 28 years in industry at IBM, Digital Equipment, Silicon Graphics, Eastman Kodak, and Thomson SA. He worked in product development and manufacturing in a wide range of areas including computer systems, scientific instruments, semiconductors, digital cameras, optical discs and software systems. Reporting to him have been major manufacturing operations in the United States, China, Ireland, Japan, and Mexico, as well as global sales and marketing operations. He has led the building of billion dollar revenue businesses.
Willy is on the Board of Directors of FLEX Inc., a large provider of design, manufacturing and supply chain services. He is also on the Board of Directors of VEO Robotics, a firm that brings advanced computer vision, 3D sensing, and AI to industrial robots, enabling them to work collaboratively. He has two S.B. degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He is a Life Member of the IEEE. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at www.ted.com/tedx

[@hahalaladian4819]

I think another two main reasons contributing to the toilet paper shortage six months ago were:1) people got panic and started to stock up something that will last longer 2) toilet paper has two characteristics: affordability and virtually no expiration date that will not be wasted

[@gotgreatness]

Articulated every detail perfectly, thank you!

[@thegreatgiftscompany8268]

This video was really really good. I am doing some research on operations management and supply chain when I stumbled upon this. You did an excellent job in making the info come to life. Thanks

[@elmaltemal5720]

This is a great introduction into Logistics and Supply Chain Management. Thank you!

[@paolinasayz.7380]

Thanks for explaining 😊

[@rawgrave_]

I love ted talks

[@irmamaize1739]

We are spoiled as humans. It's good to know the process.

[@av5987]

This applies to medications as well

[@jeanneelliott7243]

And rubbing alcohol?? This is made in the USA and impossible to find except with price gouging. I bought it comparatively cheap online at Walmart (10$/2 small bottles with shipping) but it is on hold. They will let me know when it ships. Some sites look like they are selling it, but it is not really available. The alcohol supplies must be going to the expensive hand sanitizer industry. Pandemic price gouging! A bottle of rubbing alcohol seems like an essential for the medicine cabinet now that we are back in bug biting season. I guess I will have to go to the liquor store to see if they have that 190 proof everclear to use as rubbing alcohol.

[@jaimmiwood6239]

anybody else forced to watch this? 😔

[@gerardm66]

Yes for my International Relations class

[@classical-bit]

❤️

[@Iworkwithnitwits]

Shouldn't you have toilet paper, water, batteries, etc. on hand in bulk at all times in case of natural disaster?

[@rizwanabbasi3692]

Toilet paper very use full to clean the 💩 poop hehehehe

[@HK-sw3vi]

Hmmmmmm

[@Madsovic999]

I mean, yes