Articles
Lean 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…
Read MoreLean Waste #3: Waiting
“Please take a seat,” they say. “The doctor will be right with you.” Lies. Lies! It’s all LIES! They will not be right with you. They’re overscheduled and behind and even though you showed up early, you will WAIT until they are ready to see you. What a waste of your time! All waiting is…
Read MoreWhen Two Paths Converged
I, Mike Baer, started working in Business as Mission in the early 1990’s. The former Soviet Union had collapsed and left the entire empire in terrible economic distress—especially followers of Jesus in the heavily Muslim republics. A group of us joined forces and began helping the persecuted Christian minority population start small or micro businesses. …
Read MoreLean 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…
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