Articles
The Power Of Gratitude
I have a tendency to write blogs on the spur of the moment when things strike. Even though many of you won’t read this on Thanksgiving, that is when I wrote it so—surprise!—a blog on gratitude. This is not your usual 10 things I’m thankful for (I have a lot more than that); it’s really…
Read MoreWhy Does Change Make People Angry?
A very common human response to change is anger. Whether it’s a personal change or organizational change…anger. Why is that? Some will ask, “Why didn’t I know sooner?” Or, “Why wasn’t I consulted?” And we think that is why they are mad. Others don’t like the new direction, decision or position. And we think that’s…
Read MoreCalm in the Storm
Oh, no! Not another blog on change! Really? Really. It’s not letting up and it’s not going to. And, I’m still seeing people with dazed looks on their faces all around me. So, here are 5 tips to ground yourself in the midst of the storm: Don’t magnify the change in your mind. Keep perspective.…
Read MoreTough Decisions
While I truly love business and especially seeking to glorify God in it, there are days that I wish I could skip. Those days usually revolve around having to make really tough decisions. And those really tough decisions usually revolve around people. Leaders have to realize that they are in their roles to serve those…
Read MoreDriving Your Own Productivity
You’d think with all the tools and technology at our disposal today that our personal productivity would be through the roof. Studies show otherwise. Oh, we’re busier than ever, we’re working more than ever, and we’re getting more “stuff” done than ever. But productivity isn’t about those things. The question is getting the right things…
Read MoreLean Waste #8: Over Processing
Value is defined as delivering something for which a client is willing to pay. It applies to products and services overall as well as individual features of the product or service. In short, to design and deliver something for which the client will not pay you is waste. It’s time, resources, and money misspent. We…
Read MoreLean Waste #7: Motion
Now, of course I don’t mean getting your steps in but I do mean unnecessary walking around, driving around, etc. to get your job done. One of the things I’ve done in my lean journey is a “spaghetti map” of an office or branch. It’s simple. Just track when people get up and move to…
Read MoreLean Waste #6: Inventory
In manufacturing, inventory is a waste because it’s not being sold. It’s in a warehouse collecting dust not payment. Therefore, it’s waste. Lean manufacturing strives to keep inventory to a bare minimum and use a JIT (just in time) methodology that only produce what is needed when it is needed. In a service business like…
Read MoreLean Waste #5: Transportation
You can certainly imagine how much time and money is spent moving materials, equipment and products around, whether by fork-lift or truck on the road. This is not complicated but it’s common. Where this waste is hard to find is in office, professional type work. So, think in terms of moving information. Too many people…
Read MoreLean Waste #4: Unused Talent
Years ago, when I was cutting my teeth on Total Quality Management (TQM, the predecessor to Lean) we would say, “With every pair of hands you get a free brain. Use it!” The reference was to talent hired in, mainly, manufacturing and logistics settings that were never asked their opinion or for input on how…
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