Accountability and integrity
Take accountability actively and make sure all decisions and behaviors are compliant with laws and the code of ethics.
【Processing】When we were working on the groove cutting for the machinery processing of YK series products, we found a significant discrepancy between the production speed and the configured value. Instead of passively dealing with the problem by reducing the standard working hours to achieve the desired productivity, we sought to identify the root cause by examining the discrepancy and explored methods of rectification. In the end, we found the design of the tool to be the cause of the problem that led to extended processing time. More specifically, the difference between the diameters of the primary and secondary cutters has exceeded tolerance and that has led to prolonged processing and waste of time. And as such, we made adjustments to cutter specifications by reducing the diameter of the primary cutter and changing the primary cutter into a two-piece part to improve the overall processing yield rate and achieve the desired productivity.
【IT】It is common knowledge that the MIS Dept is the unit in any company in existence that is most likely to have access to the company’s confidential data. Naturally, this means that IT personnel must be equipped with exceptional ethics, and conduct when it comes to sensitive information. It is imperative for IT personnel to stay vigilant and disciplined with regards to privacy, ownership and right of use for specific contents. In our line of work, we deal with the configuration of folder access privileges on our network drives and as each department has its data and access control, anyone from different departments will not be able to access such information, not even the MIS Dept. And as such, it is crucial for us to handle all applications on privilege to access the data of other departments with extreme caution and care. If necessary, one should double, even triple-check with the department involved as any responsible IT personnel would be expected to do.
Appropriate decisions
Make the best decisions for the corporation effectively and in a timely manner as well as put them into practice.
【Assembly】There’s a line in Lao Tzu’s “Dao De Jing” that goes like this: “The journey of a thousand leagues commences with a single step”. Simply put, all great journeys begin in the same way - the accumulation of one step taken at a time. The purpose of the skill proficiency test promoted by Assembly Section 2 is not to make life difficult and painful for everyone; it is our way of helping our colleagues to understand and revise the techniques of each standard operation and by going through every basic step with precision and focus, everyone will be able to accomplish their work target each day. The purpose behind each standardized and precisely defined work procedure is to ensure that we deliver products that are truly dependable and trustworthy for our customers.
【Procurement】The journey of a thousand leagues commences with a single step.” I can still remember the moment when I first joined the big family that is YOKE - starting with zero knowledge of any of the Company’s products or processes, I made a conscientious effort to learn in a step-by-step manner. Through seeking advice from suppliers and discussing with my colleagues, I was able to gradually familiarize myself with YOKE’s products and processes. It is through serious and focused participation in all learnings and taking on a proactive and optimistic perspective to handle anomalies and find ways of problem-solving to turn our weakness into strength. This will open the way to success.
Acquire customer loyalty
Take customers’ needs as the top priority and endeavor to exceed customer expectations to create customer loyalty.
【Production Management】As a member of the Production Management Department, our customers are other colleagues in the Company. We serve a number of different units in the Company, for example, when Sales receive a request to fulfill an order before the scheduled deadline, Production Management will contact Material and Procurement Departments to check if such request can be fulfilled and verify current production capacity for adjustments to the production schedule to be changed. If the current production capacity is unable to accommodate the request, we may also seek external assistance depending on the situation to satisfy the customers’ needs with the earliest delivery date possible. In truth, regardless of which unit that requires the assistance of Production Management, we will do our best to accommodate the request just as if we were dealing with our customers in order to foster bonding between the departments to make relevant operations go more smoothly.
【Sales】As far as sales representatives are concerned, whatever needs or requests our customers may have, we will do our best within reason to satisfy their needs in accordance with the wisdom of “customer comes first”. For instance, we once had a situation with a customer who lodged a complaint and request to cancel an order due to discrepancies in the physical dimensions of a new product. In order to help the customer to resolve the situation, we asked the responsible R&D personnel to make slight changes to the product dimensions with CNC processing and sent new samples to the customer for verification; once verified, we created a small batch of special delivery to the customer to resolve the complaint and salvage the order. The incident had left the customer with a better impression on YOKE’s service.
Active learning
Actively seek learning opportunities and effectively apply them to the job.
【Equipment】Equipment engineers are responsible for the servicing and maintenance of all production facilities at the factory and ensuring that they operate normally. In light of the advancements in equipment and technologies, we often have to delve into unfamiliar territories. To troubleshoot and improve upon relevant equipment, it is imperative for us to be always learning. I still recall the first time when I worked with the automatic packaging system as we received frequent complaints from operators about boxes getting stuck on the conveyor belt going through the code scanning area; they had to manually push the boxes to resolve the issue and it was a significant waste of manpower.To identify the cause of the problem, we had to load the PLC program with 15,000 lines of code; from these codes, we had to identify a dozen or so lines that involved the code scanning area and we came across many commands that we couldn’t understand. So we searched for relevant information online and contacted the electrical control component supplier to learn about the new commands. After analyzing the operating status of each line of code, we found that the problem had been due to a delay at the host computer that caused both the host computer and PLC to wait for signal reception, resulting in the boxes getting stuck along the way. We promptly modified the PLC program and upgraded the host computer. This has solved the anomaly and restored productivity at the production line.
【Thermal treatment】When I just entered the Thermal Treatment Department, I found the manager and senior colleagues to be many years older than I am. What surprised me was the fact that they are still very active in their learning attitude. Although my direct supervisor is significantly older than I am, his competence in word processing on the PC is leagues ahead of mine. Out of curiosity, I once asked him how he has learned to be so skilled at it, and his trick is to “look for easier ways to get things done when obstacles present themselves”. I look up to him as a god with EXCEL. Witnessing my colleagues’ spirit in learning, it reaffirmed my belief that learning has to be a lifelong endeavor. I am glad to have learned about the invaluable tools of 5S and 8D in my first year at YOKE. While I am still far from being apt with them, 2018 has certainly been a fruitful year for me.
Aggressive innovation
Develop innovative and actionable solutions for the job and try to deal with problems at work or opportunities through different or new approaches.
【QualityAssurance】In my participation in the CIT program, we were trained to use the 8D technique of problem analysis when problems arise in conjunction with the Why-Why method to determine the true cause of the problem at hand. Through discussion with the team for assessment and comparison, we were able to choose the best solution. In the 3rd CIT competition held in 2018, yield rate improvement for one of the N series products was chosen as the topic - anomaly caused by a shift in hole position. We analyzed and verified our strategies: to determine the margin of adjustment, to change the work instruction or re-training for personnel. Assessing the potential effectiveness and benefits, we chose to focus on the determination of the margin of adjustment to achieve yield rate improvement and in the end, we came in the first place.
【Development】As development personnel, apart from product design, we also function as PMs and any tasks relating product manufacturing, nurturing and development, we will work with corresponding departments to get the job done. We have worked with all sorts of partners during the process. In the face of difficulties/challenge, some would play by the book and resign to the fact that only one solution is available based on the Company’s procedures and that no other assistance can be provided, while others would be more accommodating and admit that while only one solution is viable, they are willing to try other smart approaches with us. I believe that when it comes to aggressive innovation, apart from competence and authority, it is more important to have an open mind as it frees us from the confines of pre-existing biases and judgments. And once we free ourselves from such confines, we will achieve results beyond our expectations.
