You may have heard about a Lean training module called The Beer Game. Well, it is not really a game and you do not get to drink beer during the game. (Although many people drink beer after the game) The Beer Game is a simulation of a supply chain that illustrates how systems and processes impact [...]
It is important for workplaces to enable their employees to engage their creative sense in finding solutions for various challenges. A team of employees with a problem-solving mindset can push the organization to great heights. Many employees often find it difficult to get their leaders to engage with their ideas, so the ideas just “fizzle out”. [...]
A Kindergarten classroom is always full of delight and playfulness. The classrooms are spaces where little students can express themselves and their creativity. It is a space that allows them to engage their creativity and explore their talents - a colorful and vibrant setting that can at times get quite messy. Children’s imaginations can run so [...]
To many, Jazz and leadership have nothing in common. To the few that can see the broader perspective, they find a lot of lessons to lift from how jazz is played, and how they can be bought into the boardroom. Whether you are an executive at a company, or you are an entrepreneur, there are some [...]
The American technology manufacturing sector seemed not to have much to smile about after the release of orders volume data for December 2018 by the Association for Manufacturing Technology (AMT). The data revealed that total orders in the sector had modestly reduced year-over-year. 2018 had been a strong year though. December results were just a small [...]
Farmers use greenhouses to provide the perfect conditions for the growth of their plants. The conditions in a greenhouse are often set to ensure maximum benefit to plants. Compare that to planting the same plant in a cold and dark plot. The yield obtained from the two places would be very different. Thinking from that perspective, [...]
“Fake it till you make it.” It’s quite the cliché`. It sounds good, and everyone will like any statement that provides some sort of solace. However, it’s a statement used to justify wrong choices. As a business leader you will be setting yourself up for failure if you decide to fake anything. In business, you cannot [...]
This is part two of The Layered Process Audit. If you haven’t already, you should read part one. In many organizations, the line supervisor has the responsibility for auditing to ensure that structures and processes such as standard work, 5S, safety, and quality checks are adhered to. The supervisor is usually the only one who is [...]
Many organizations complain about having difficulty maintaining standards on the shop floor. We often make improvement only to find the process regresses back to its previous state in a short period of time. A closer look at the audit process will often show the following types of symptoms: Standard work is posted, but no one is [...]
Lean thinking enables a business to enjoy progressive transformational growth. If you cannot think outside the norms, you will be setting up a glass ceiling over yourself. Whatever business you are in, you can aim for the skies by reimagining things. You could reimagine your target market, your operations, your products, and everything else about the [...]
