• Eliminating the Management Roadblock for Improvement

    Eliminating the Management Roadblock for Improvement0

    On A Lean Journey’s Facebook page this past week we have been discussing the largest roadblock to Lean implementation. Overwhelming the response has been management. In my experience I have learned that the single most important element for success in Lean is the human element.   First and foremost Lean managers have the critical role of

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  • Carrots and Sticks Don’t Motivate in a Thinking Environment

    Carrots and Sticks Don’t Motivate in a Thinking Environment0

    Motivation is a core factor for a successful business and there have been many studies around it, yet there is no definitive answer or a one size fits all solution to motivation and employee engagement. The several elements of motivation differ from person to person as well as circumstances. A well known motivational concept is

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  • A CEOs Role In Lean All Is About Involvement

    A CEOs Role In Lean All Is About Involvement0

    It’s not news that most change initiatives fail because of lack of CEO involvement. Most CEOs are simply delegating responsibility down the workforce ladder to accomplish Lean results. These CEOs often view lean as a tool rather than a business philosophy. Focusing on tools, such as the 5S organization method, will produce limited results because

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  • Lean, It’s All About The Customer

    Lean, It’s All About The Customer0

    At the center of a Lean culture and key to success is customer focus. Many companies do Lean for internal cost reasons rather than external and customer-focused reasons. The focus of Lean is on providing the customer with more value sooner. Without customer focus, Lean management techniques are difficult to employ. For any business the

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  • The Role of the Lean Sensei

    The Role of the Lean Sensei0

    Last week on The Lean Edge authors were asked about the role of a sensei: What is your experience of working with sensei, and what advice should we give executives seeking to learn lean deeply regarding senseis? It is a very good question so I wanted to share my thoughts on the matter. Lean manufacturing

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  • The Vital Few – Focus is Everything

    The Vital Few – Focus is Everything0

    Given all of the rapid changes and increasing distractions organizations face today, individuals must be able to focus on those things that offer the greatest advantage to the organization. The clearer the priorities, the easier it will be for people to focus their energies on what really counts. If I had to take one lesson

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