COMO FAZER UM INVENTÁRIO? 5 erros mais comuns no controle de estoque

Summary

Carlos Meschke, a logistics consultant with 19 years of experience, addresses the common challenges companies face with inventory control, particularly the inefficiencies of general inventories. He highlights how this approach disrupts operations and incurs high costs. Meschke advocates for cyclic inventory, a more effective method of regularly checking inventory without halting operations. He also outlines five key mistakes businesses make in inventory control, including poor preparation, using untrained staff, and not utilizing technology. By adopting cyclic inventory and improving processes, companies can achieve more reliable and efficient stock management.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cyclic inventory is more efficient than general inventory counts and should be prioritized by companies.
• 😀 A general inventory requires halting operations, which incurs high costs and downtime for businesses.
• 😀 Companies often overlook the preparation needed for a successful inventory count, leading to errors and inefficiency.
• 😀 Inadequate team coordination and the involvement of non-specialists can lead to costly mistakes during inventory.
• 😀 By implementing cyclic inventory, discrepancies can be identified and resolved on an ongoing basis, reducing errors.
• 😀 Preparation for inventory should include notifying suppliers, cleaning the warehouse, and addressing invoicing issues beforehand.
• 😀 Regular checks through cyclic inventory help companies maintain accurate stock counts without disrupting daily operations.
• 😀 Reliance on technology, such as data collectors, enhances the accuracy and speed of inventory management.
• 😀 The key to reducing inventory errors lies in continuous monitoring and addressing discrepancies immediately after they are found.
• 😀 Excessive reliance on overworked staff can lead to fatigue, lowering the accuracy of inventory counts over time.
• 😀 Companies should avoid general inventories whenever possible, as they are inefficient and often fail to provide reliable results.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the script?

The main issue discussed is the challenge of controlling inventories in companies, regardless of their size. The speaker highlights the high costs and inefficiencies associated with traditional general inventory methods.

Why is conducting a general inventory problematic for companies?

Conducting a general inventory is problematic because it requires halting normal business operations, including receiving goods, billing, and moving products. This leads to significant costs due to lost productivity and the need for temporary labor, as well as potential errors that reduce the reliability of the inventory count.

What solution does the speaker suggest to address inventory issues?

The speaker suggests implementing a cyclic or rotating inventory process. This involves counting a portion of the inventory regularly rather than doing a full inventory at once, which helps ensure accuracy and reduces operational downtime.

What are the five big mistakes companies make when controlling inventories?

The five mistakes include: 1) Not implementing a cyclic inventory process, 2) Not stopping operations to ensure accurate inventory, 3) Failing to properly prepare for inventory, 4) Using untrained staff to conduct inventory, and 5) Not managing fatigue when working long hours on inventory tasks.

How does cyclic inventory help reduce errors in stock management?

Cyclic inventory helps by regularly checking portions of the inventory, identifying discrepancies early, and addressing root causes of errors. This continuous checking ensures that stock balances are accurate without the need for disruptive, full-scale inventories.

Why is technology important in the cyclic inventory process?

Technology is crucial because it streamlines the counting process, reducing human error. With technology, workers can input data directly into the system, which ensures the accuracy of the counts and prevents the mistakes that occur when relying on manual tracking or paper-based methods.

What are the potential consequences of not stopping operations during inventory?

If operations are not stopped during inventory, the system may record transactions that haven't been physically accounted for, leading to discrepancies between physical and system records. This could result in inaccurate inventory counts and a lack of confidence in the system.

What role does preparation play in successful inventory management?

Preparation is vital for successful inventory management. It involves notifying suppliers, cleaning the warehouse, resolving invoice issues, and organizing products. Proper preparation ensures that the inventory process runs smoothly and minimizes errors.

Why is it risky to use untrained staff for inventory tasks?

Using untrained staff for inventory tasks is risky because they are likely to make mistakes due to lack of product knowledge. These mistakes can damage the credibility of the inventory results and cause further issues with stock management.

What challenges do companies with retail stores face when conducting inventory?

Retail stores often face challenges like theft or difficulty tracking stock in an open environment. Unlike distribution centers with controlled access, retail stores must frequently conduct inventories to ensure that stock levels are accurate despite these challenges.