Ryan E. Day

Author, inventor, entrepreneur

Ryan E. Day is Quality Digest’s project manager and senior editor for solution-based reporting, which brings together those seeking business improvement solutions and solution providers. Day has spent the last decade researching and interviewing top business leaders and continuous improvement experts at companies like Sakor, Ford, Merchandize Liquidators, Olympus, 3D Systems, Hexagon, Intertek, InfinityQS, Johnson Controls, FARO, and Eckel Industries. Most of his reporting is done with the help of his 20 lb tabby cat at his side.

Tue, 03/15/2022 - 12:03
The Politics of Quality Ignore the ramifications at your company’s peril
Wed, 07/10/2013 - 17:18
I can’t believe he said that. Well, wrote that. I’m reading another reader’s comment to an article about quality in manufacturing. The reader says, “We shouldn’t drag politics into this!” Really? First of all, how can you drag something into where…
Trust As a Marketing Commodity How can I trust ’em if they won’t be sneaky?
Sat, 06/29/2013 - 15:19
They did it again—ruined my scoop.  I pride myself on what I consider a natural ability to read between the lines and then find information and facts to fill in that void. Like the void created when companies wax verbose about some altruistic…
Six Sigma: Hero or Zero? Quality without context is like an answer without a question
Mon, 04/08/2013 - 13:14
Before writing and editing I kept the lights on and the bulldog fed by building things. I spent three decades in manufacturing. Alarm systems, hang gliders, moulding products, and motorhomes have my fingerprints all over them. Building the highest…
Recipe for Food Supply-Chain Security A tale of two production models
Mon, 04/08/2013 - 11:11
When discussing supply-chain security, what could be more important than the security of our food supply? In view of the fact that we die if we don't eat, I'd say food supply-chain security ranks very high indeed. Unfortunately, the food supply…
Skilled Workforce Shortage? Do Something About It Companies that define the need and provide the solutions
Wed, 04/03/2013 - 16:37
We’ve been hearing complaints of a lack of skilled workers for quite some time now. It’s even gotten to the point of controversy. Lack of skilled workers or lack of incentive? Those companies adversely affected by this skills gap are slowly but…
Subvert Your Own Supply-Chain Security in Five Easy Steps The U.S. Department of Defense demonstrates the art of ignoring standard operating procedures
Wed, 01/23/2013 - 12:35

In May 2012 the United States Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) released the report, “Inquiry into Counterfeit Electronic Parts in the Department of Defense Supply Chain.” As noted in the first and second pages of the report’s executive…
Communicating and Sharing in the Brave New Business World Reaching to the core of everyone’s ‘why’
Tue, 07/10/2012 - 15:55
I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop, but at 36,000 feet inside a Boeing 747, things are pretty cozy, and the guy across the aisle from me wasn’t exactly shy. He was having what sounded like a not so pleasant conversation with a client. It seems he began a…
Troubles, Trends, and #gofurther with Ford Ford’s June 26–28, 2012, trend conference in Dearborn, MI
Wed, 06/20/2012 - 14:47
Edison, Bell, Carver, Ford. Names synonymous with ingenuity and perseverance. These people inspire me to listen to that small voice that guides and goads my intuition. That voice is rarely wrong, but my translation of intuition into action sometimes…
Choosing the Right Quality Tool for the Job Silver bullet vs. toolbox
Wed, 06/06/2012 - 13:29
“Stop!” Our shop’s trade-school intern froze in mid-swing. A 5-lb hammer clutched in his right hand, he was attempting to disassemble a spindle unit from a late model Mazda. More than likely, our newbie would have ruined the spindle in the process.…
Is There Any Value in Quality Process Training? Codifying the obvious
Wed, 05/02/2012 - 10:08
Perhaps I am overendowed with self-confidence; or perhaps nothing more than plain old hubris. Then again, maybe some things are just as obvious as they seem to me. Take 5S, for instance. Really? There’s a place for everything and everything in its…