CLIENTS GAIN FROM STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH STERLING

Success Stories Show Process Problem Solving

Tier 1 automotive supplier

• Challenge: Materials received at Farmington Hills, Mich., plant took an average of 4.5 days to reach the assembly floor parts crib -- delaying production and even halting it.
  
• Analysis: Receiving department backup of delivered cartons was caused by manual processing of each packing list to record all items delivered, with purchase order number, description and date.
  
• Solution: Before each box's contents is verified, the packing list is taken to a nearby computer terminal and used to generate the corresponding purchase order(s), along with information on where parts will be stocked. Details of the incoming order are recorded electronically, rather than on written slips. Parts now reach the shop floor in three hours.

• Challenge: Leaders of Benton Harbor, Michigan, wanted to address issues that led to two nights of rioting in July 2004.
  
• Analysis: Discussions with elected officials and community representatives over six months identified increased support for families as a critical step.
  
• Solution: Sterling helped the police department receive a $1-million grant from the U.S. Justice Department to train and assign an education resource officer for every school in Benton Harbor in an attempt to reach students displaying troublesome behavior and to work with all parents on improved child-rearing skills. To date Benton Harbor has not experienced any further incidents of unrest.

• Challenge: Owner of a Plymouth, Mich. insurance agency wanted to operate more efficiently, increase growth of sales and staff and solve internal technological hindrances.
  
• Analysis: Owner's attention was consumed with handling internal support and technology problems. Valuable time was diverted from cultivating new business prospects resulting in slower growth.
  
• Solution: Sterling implemented Steady & Secure Computing ServiceŽ which resolved internal technological challenges and provided ongoing support. Sterling worked with staffers on troubleshooting and prevention. Business owner was able to devote more time to serving and increasing clientele.