🎙️ From Corporate Executive to Supply Chain Problem Solver: Michael Ryan's Journey Building Cash Machines

In this inspiring episode, Michael Ryan, Managing Partner of the M. Ryan Group, shares his transformation from corporate executive at GE and Goodyear to becoming a supply chain consultant who helps manufacturers unlock millions in working capital. With 25 years of experience and a Six Sigma Black Belt, Michael reveals how he turned getting fired into an opportunity to build a consulting firm that delivers 3-5x ROI by solving inventory problems and improving EBITDA. Through detailed case studies and practical strategies, Michael demonstrates how "boring inventory" can hide gold mines of cash and shares the critical communication breakdowns that plague most businesses when it comes to inventory planning.

✨ Key Insights You'll Learn:

• "In God we trust, all others bring data" - the GE principle that guides decision-making

• How getting fired led to discovering consulting and eventual business ownership

• The biggest inventory management lever: getting sales, operations, and finance talking

• Why most businesses have "too much of the wrong stuff, not enough of the right stuff"

• Case study: $350M manufacturer with 25,000 SKUs - reduced excess inventory 12% in 6 months

• Case study: $80M capital equipment company at borrowing limit - freed up millions through supplier negotiations

• Case study: $150M supplement manufacturer - improved fill rate from 82% to 93% while reducing inventory $4.2M

• The critical importance of involving sales teams in inventory reduction programs

• How to calculate optimal inventory levels using lead time, variability, forecast, and ordering frequency

• Why hourly billing incentivizes consultants to extend projects unnecessarily

🌟 Michael's Key Influences:

• Father (Police Officer): Taught ability to connect with anyone from any background

• Wife: Provided courage to start business and emotional support during challenges

• GE Corporate Culture: Instilled data-driven decision making and systematic problem-solving

• Mastermind Group: Professional board of directors providing accountability and guidance

• Jonathan Stark & Rochelle Moulton: "Business of Authority" podcast shaped consulting approach

👉 Don't miss this powerful conversation about turning supply chain chaos into enterprise value, the importance of cross-functional communication, and how to build a consulting business based on fixed-fee value creation.

🔗 Connect with Michael Ryan:

• Website: https://mryangroup.com/

• LinkedIn: Search "Michael Ryan inventory iceberg" for unique results

• Email: Available through website contact form

• Location: Hudson, Ohio

📄 Transcript Available: Turning Inventory Chaos into Enterprise Value: Michael Ryan's Success Story

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