Introduction to Leading Operational Excellence: Making OPEX a Competitive Weapon

Abstract

In our second book on Operational Excellence in the Pharmaceutical Industry titled “The Pathway to Operational Excellence”, published in 2010, we had undertaken an imaginary journey to develop the framework and structure of the book. It gave us the opportunity to describe our experiences from working with dozens of different pharmaceutical manufacturers in the US and Europe. We suggested a sequence starting with preparing for the journey and finishing with the re-definition of the destination leading to the selection of the next destination so that the journey will be an on-going one. Two years later, we have decided to write another book. The main reason for doing this is the positive feedback we have received on the first two books. The other reason is our conviction that despite the renewed enthusiasm for outsourcing in the industry, manufacturing will remain a critical activity for every major pharmaceutical company, and the continuous improvement of manufacturing will not just be an option, but a necessity.

Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

Harold R. McAlindon

Not the cry, but the flight of a wild duck, leads the flock to fly and follow.

Chinese Proverb

Go to the people. Learn from them. Live with them. Start with what they know. Build with what they have. The best of leaders when the job is done, when the task is accomplished, the people will say we have done it ourselves.

Lao Tzu

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

John Quincy Adams