This website covers knowledge management, personal effectiveness, theory of constraints, amongst other topics. Opinions expressed here are strictly those of the owner, Jack Vinson, and those of the commenters.

A wake-up call for coffee growers

Update: The McKinsey links are dead, and I can’t find them online any longer.

Nothing to do with KM this morning, but a subject that is dear to my adrenaline pump. The McKinsey Quarterly, Chart Focus column for March 2004 is A wake-up call for coffee growers that shows an interesting graphic of profitability vs. % of commodity exports in the coffee-growing countries of the world. There aren't many countries / growers making much money.

Productivity improvements have changed the cost structure of the coffee bean industry, leaving many traditional growers in the red. A McKinsey study suggests that they go upscale, diversify, or get out.

Image linked from the McKinsey site. Click to get to the full article:

Chart from article - click here if missing

Rethinking ROI in KM initiatives

Corrective Action Handbook