Articles
Lean Waste #2: Over Production
Inventory, whether it be produce, parts, food, or people ready to hire is waste. If you make or process more than you need it may seem wise but in reality, you’ve spent money on something you can use now. You may be able to use it next week or next year (if you’re not dealing…
Read MoreLean Waste #1: Defects
Any time we make a mistake—whether in crafting a product, updating the GL, filling an order, etc.—we either have to do it over or deliver to our customer something that isn’t right. The matrix of possible defects is huge. Wrong number. Wrong thing. Wrong data. Wrong food. Wrong answer. Wrong price. Wrong solution. Wrong fit.…
Read MoreThe 8 Wastes of Lean: Introduction
One of the people who taught me lean processes years ago defined lean as “the least way way to bring value to the customer.” Lean practitioners and would be/should be practitioners identify and eliminate waste; the Japanese word is “muda.” It’s that simple. According to lean teaching, there are 8 types of waste. They are…
Read MoreOK…Not OK
Culture is “the way we are” or “the way we live together.” It’s based on values, operating principles, and the hard to identify system of habits and customs. These govern our behavior. I’ve been trying to find a fresh way to look at this and, thanks to Brene Brown, I’ve begun to observe “OK—NOT OK.”…
Read MoreGoing Virtual
COMMUNICATIONS 7—GOING VIRTUAL Back in the 1970’s (before many of you were born!) Bell Telephone advertised long-distance as “the next best thing to being there.” Today, in the world of internet and unlimited cellular connection we don’t even think in terms of long distance calling; it’s just normal. Still, a phone call does beat hopping…
Read MoreThe Price of Ignorance
Before getting into the meat of this white paper, let me be clear in my use of the word, “ignorance.” It is a lack of knowledge, a state in which we just don’t have the necessary facts, or information, to even know that there is a decision which can, and should be, made. The world…
Read MoreFaith and Risk – They Go Hand and Hand
We all consider Hebrews 11 as the “faith chapter”. However, it is also the “risk chapter”. By faith, Noah risked scorn, ridicule and his possessions in building the ark. Unaware of where he was going, Abraham stepped out in faith and took the risk to live as a stranger in a foreign country. By faith,…
Read MoreMeeting Makers
COMMUNICATIONS 6—MEETING MAKERS Good meeting bring good results. Bad meetings are a total waste and at times a total reverse. So what makes a meeting good. The previous post outlined some helpful ideas that really work. We’ll finish rounding out that picture here. Assign Clear Roles A rugby scrum looks like total confusion but it’s…
Read MoreIf You Have to Have a Meeting at Least Make it a Good One
OK. So you have to have a meeting. I get it. I’m no “meeting prude” and I certainly don’t think that ALL meetings are evil. Only most. But if you have to have one then make it matter. Don’t waste your time. Don’t waste your teammates’ time. Here are some commonly accepted but rarely practiced…
Read MoreReally? More Meetings?
In the last post, we clearly established that meetings can consume an enormous amount of time and produce very little if anything. It is my hope that you will join me in having a healthy disdain for most meetings. That being said, how can we make them work for us rather than against us. Here…
Read More