Blog

Key Learnings From 2011 0
- Sharing Best Practices
- December 19, 2011
In our strive for continuous knowledge sometimes we fail to look back. Reflecting on our key learnings is an important part of the learning process. My friend Marci Reynolds has done just that in a new post on her blog The Operations Blog. Marci, the Director of Operations at ACI Worldwide, surveyed 12 top operations experts across the globe
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Lean Quote: Hoshin Kanri is the Structure that Creates Results 0
- Lean Quote
- December 16, 2011
On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on
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Guest Post: Applying Electronic Content Management Technology to the 7 TPS wastes 0
- Guest Post
- December 14, 2011
Today I am pleased to introduce a guest post by Samantha McCollough. Samantha is Director of Public Relations at iDatix, an award-winning leader in enterprise content management and business automation solutions. When not writing, she enjoys Scuba Diving, spending time with her dogs and painting. Follow her on Twitter to see her daily antics @smccollo. Lean
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Use the Catchball Process to Reduce Ambiguity 0
- Lean Management
- December 13, 2011
To reduce ambiguity and misinterpretation during the planning phase of Hoshin Kanri management uses a fact-based inter-level negotiation process known as “Catchball”. The word “catchball” denotes a simple social game in Japan in which a circle of young children throw a baseball back and forth. It metaphorically describes a participative process that uses iterative planning
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Hoshin Kanri: Setting Management’s Compass for Alignment 0
- Lean Management
- December 12, 2011
If management by objectives is so deficient in communicating direction and ensuring cross-functional coordination, then how can managers develop, communicate, and monitor their corporate road maps? The answer is to find an alternative management methodology to disseminate and implement strategic policy in a turbulent operating environment. Such a planning process already exists. The Japanese call
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Lean Quote: Safety Culture and Leadership Behavior 0
- Lean Quote
- December 9, 2011
On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on
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Everything in it’s Shadow 0
- Sharing Best Practices
- December 7, 2011
In 5S there is a saying “A place for everything and everything in it’s place.” 5S is a technique that results in a well-organized workplace complete with visual controls and order. 5S produces an environment that’s clean, uncluttered, safe and organized. People become empowered, engaged and spirited. A shadow board is a device used in
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Creating Good BHAG 0
- Leadership
- December 6, 2011
Last, Friday in the Lean Quote I introduce a “Big Hairy Audacious Goal”. Remember, a BHAG is different from traditional organizational goals and objectives in that they are way bigger. James Collins and Jerry Porras suggest that a good BHAG has four qualities: Aligned. Properly set goals can be transformational if they’re tied closely to
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Celebrating my 500th Blog Post 0
- A Lean Journey
- December 5, 2011
When I posted my first blog post about two and a half years ago on May 23, 2009, not for one moment did I anticipate 500. But I confess that I enjoy it – I hope a pleasure for you as well. In this post, I thought I’d chronicle my blogging experience by looking back
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A Lean Journey