A Lean Journey 
For my Facebook fans you already know about this great feature. But for those of you that are not connected to A Lean Journey on Facebook or Twitter I post daily a feature I call Lean Tips. It is meant to be advice, things I learned from experience, and some knowledge tidbits about Lean to help you along your journey. Another great reason to like A Lean Journey on Facebook.
Click this link for A Lean Journey’s Facebook Page Notes Feed.
Here is the next addition of tips from the Facebook page:
Lean
Tip #1486 – Reduce Downtime by Focusing on the Constraint
Tip #1486 – Reduce Downtime by Focusing on the Constraint
Every
manufacturing process has a constraint, which is the fulcrum (i.e., point of
leverage) for the entire process. Measure downtime at the constraint and
improve the constraint to ensure that resources are focused where they will
have the strongest impact on throughput and profitability.
manufacturing process has a constraint, which is the fulcrum (i.e., point of
leverage) for the entire process. Measure downtime at the constraint and
improve the constraint to ensure that resources are focused where they will
have the strongest impact on throughput and profitability.
Lean
Tip #1487 – Select Metrics to Drive Desired Behaviors
Tip #1487 – Select Metrics to Drive Desired Behaviors
Metrics
that are emphasized and shared are very powerful drivers of behavior. Treat downtime
as a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) and continually reinforce its importance.
People love an opportunity to win, so set SMART targets (Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant and Time-Specific) and reward success, even if it’s by
simple recognition.
that are emphasized and shared are very powerful drivers of behavior. Treat downtime
as a KPI (Key Performance Indicator) and continually reinforce its importance.
People love an opportunity to win, so set SMART targets (Specific, Measurable,
Achievable, Relevant and Time-Specific) and reward success, even if it’s by
simple recognition.
Lean Tip #1488 – Make Down Time Visual
Provide
clear visuals to indicate when the line is down, and escalate those visuals if
the line remains down for an extended period of time. Train team members to
react quickly, and provide multiple levels of escalation response (e.g.,
operator, supervisor, manager). The goal is to prevent small issues from
becoming large incidents.
clear visuals to indicate when the line is down, and escalate those visuals if
the line remains down for an extended period of time. Train team members to
react quickly, and provide multiple levels of escalation response (e.g.,
operator, supervisor, manager). The goal is to prevent small issues from
becoming large incidents.
Lean
Tip #1489 – Engage Employees in Improvement Initiatives
Tip #1489 – Engage Employees in Improvement Initiatives
Engaging
employees is important for both short-term and long-term success of
initiatives. A powerful technique for engaging employees is creating a shared
vision of the future “improved” state of the company – and clearly outlining
how it will benefit employees. This will create a strong, broad-ranging
motivation to succeed. Another powerful technique is recognizing and rewarding
desired behavior. In the context of TPM, this may include providing a monthly
rotating trophy for the Best 5S Area or awarding gift certificates each month
for the Biggest Kaizen Improvement.
employees is important for both short-term and long-term success of
initiatives. A powerful technique for engaging employees is creating a shared
vision of the future “improved” state of the company – and clearly outlining
how it will benefit employees. This will create a strong, broad-ranging
motivation to succeed. Another powerful technique is recognizing and rewarding
desired behavior. In the context of TPM, this may include providing a monthly
rotating trophy for the Best 5S Area or awarding gift certificates each month
for the Biggest Kaizen Improvement.
Lean
Tip #1490 – Provide Active Leadership
Tip #1490 – Provide Active Leadership
Providing
active leadership is one of the primary responsibilities of senior management
(up to and including the Plant Manager). It means regularly demonstrating the
importance of Lean activities through words and actions. Active leadership
combats the natural tendency of employees to drift back into old patterns of
behavior and old ways of working. It continually feeds new energy into the
initiative, which over time is absorbed by employees in the form of new
engrained behaviors.
active leadership is one of the primary responsibilities of senior management
(up to and including the Plant Manager). It means regularly demonstrating the
importance of Lean activities through words and actions. Active leadership
combats the natural tendency of employees to drift back into old patterns of
behavior and old ways of working. It continually feeds new energy into the
initiative, which over time is absorbed by employees in the form of new
engrained behaviors.
Lean
Tip #1491 – Leaders Lead by Example.
Tip #1491 – Leaders Lead by Example.
Leaders
need to show, not just tell. If you want your employees to be punctual, make
sure you’re there on time — or even early. If professionalism is a priority,
make sure you’re dressed for success, and treat everyone you interact with
(both in-person and online) with courtesy. Set the tone and your employees will
follow it.
need to show, not just tell. If you want your employees to be punctual, make
sure you’re there on time — or even early. If professionalism is a priority,
make sure you’re dressed for success, and treat everyone you interact with
(both in-person and online) with courtesy. Set the tone and your employees will
follow it.
Lean
Tip #1492 – A little Humility Goes a Long Way.
Tip #1492 – A little Humility Goes a Long Way.
There’s
a difference between a leader and a boss. While both are in charge, a leader
shares the spotlight and is comfortable crediting others. While it might seem
counterintuitive, being humble takes more confidence than basking in glory.
Your employees will appreciate it, and your clients will, too.
a difference between a leader and a boss. While both are in charge, a leader
shares the spotlight and is comfortable crediting others. While it might seem
counterintuitive, being humble takes more confidence than basking in glory.
Your employees will appreciate it, and your clients will, too.
Lean
Tip #1493 – Leaders Communicate Effectively.
Tip #1493 – Leaders Communicate Effectively.
Effective
communication is imperative, both in the office and in life. Great leaders make
sure they are heard and understood, but they also know the importance of
listening. Communication is a two-way street, and making the most of it will
have your company zooming forward instead of pumping the breaks.
communication is imperative, both in the office and in life. Great leaders make
sure they are heard and understood, but they also know the importance of
listening. Communication is a two-way street, and making the most of it will
have your company zooming forward instead of pumping the breaks.
Lean
Tip #1494 – Keep Meetings Productive.
Tip #1494 – Keep Meetings Productive.
As
the saying goes, time is money. So, of course, you should want to limit
tangents and other time wasters during meetings. If you trust your team to do
their job, there should be no need for micromanaging, and meetings can run
swiftly.
the saying goes, time is money. So, of course, you should want to limit
tangents and other time wasters during meetings. If you trust your team to do
their job, there should be no need for micromanaging, and meetings can run
swiftly.
Lean
Tip #1495 – Leaders Know Their Limits.
Tip #1495 – Leaders Know Their Limits.
Even
the kindest, most caring leader has limits. Set your boundaries and stick to
them. Knowing what you will not tolerate can save everyone in the office a lot
of frustration, and keeping boundaries clear means there’s no confusion.
the kindest, most caring leader has limits. Set your boundaries and stick to
them. Knowing what you will not tolerate can save everyone in the office a lot
of frustration, and keeping boundaries clear means there’s no confusion.
Lean
Tip #1496- Find a Mentor.
Tip #1496- Find a Mentor.
No
man is an island, as they say. The best leaders out there know when they need
help, and they know where to turn to in order to get it. Nobody can know
everything, so finding someone you trust for advice when things get tough can
make all of the difference.
man is an island, as they say. The best leaders out there know when they need
help, and they know where to turn to in order to get it. Nobody can know
everything, so finding someone you trust for advice when things get tough can
make all of the difference.
Lean
Tip #1497 – Leaders Learn From the Past.
Tip #1497 – Leaders Learn From the Past.
To
once again quote an adage, those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to
repeat it. History, recent and otherwise, is filled with examples of successful
business models and spectacular business failures. Think about what the people
you admire do well, and consider what went wrong for those who end their careers
mired in scandal or disgrace. Lessons can be found everywhere.
once again quote an adage, those who don’t learn from the past are doomed to
repeat it. History, recent and otherwise, is filled with examples of successful
business models and spectacular business failures. Think about what the people
you admire do well, and consider what went wrong for those who end their careers
mired in scandal or disgrace. Lessons can be found everywhere.
Lean
Tip #1498 – Leaders Never Stop Improving.
Tip #1498 – Leaders Never Stop Improving.
Great
leaders — indeed, great people — are constantly learning and always trying to
improve themselves. There’s always something that you can work on or a new
skill to master. Be sure to keep your mind open to new ideas and possibilities.
leaders — indeed, great people — are constantly learning and always trying to
improve themselves. There’s always something that you can work on or a new
skill to master. Be sure to keep your mind open to new ideas and possibilities.
Lean
Tip #1499 – Leaders Recognize Their Staff
Tip #1499 – Leaders Recognize Their Staff
If
you don’t appreciate your staff, they will leave. The U.S. Department of Labor
says that the number one reason people leave their jobs is because they “don’t
feel appreciated.” Most people receive very little workplace recognition in a
given year so it’s vital that you recognize and reward your employees for their
efforts at work.
you don’t appreciate your staff, they will leave. The U.S. Department of Labor
says that the number one reason people leave their jobs is because they “don’t
feel appreciated.” Most people receive very little workplace recognition in a
given year so it’s vital that you recognize and reward your employees for their
efforts at work.
Lean
Tip #1500 – Challenge People to Think
Tip #1500 – Challenge People to Think
The
most successful leaders understand their colleagues’ mindsets, capabilities and
areas for improvement. They use this
knowledge/insight to challenge their teams to think and stretch them to reach
for more. These types of leaders excel
in keeping their people on their toes, never allowing them to get comfortable
and enabling them with the tools to grow.
most successful leaders understand their colleagues’ mindsets, capabilities and
areas for improvement. They use this
knowledge/insight to challenge their teams to think and stretch them to reach
for more. These types of leaders excel
in keeping their people on their toes, never allowing them to get comfortable
and enabling them with the tools to grow.
If
you are not thinking, you’re not learning new things. If you’re not learning, you’re not growing –
and over time becoming irrelevant in your work.
you are not thinking, you’re not learning new things. If you’re not learning, you’re not growing –
and over time becoming irrelevant in your work.
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