Monthly Archives: April 2009
Ideal State Challenge
I have been reflecting to gain a deeper understanding of standard work and came across this outstanding article from 2007 by Jon Miller called Standards, Abnormality and the Ideal. Please check it out because the concept of negative inventory blew … Continue reading
Filed under Business, Standard Work
Free Visual Storytelling
I love comic books and they have played a huge part in helping me understand how to communicate visually. This Saturday is Free Comic Book Day where you can explore this medium for free. The comic book art form has evolved … Continue reading
Filed under Storytelling, Visual Communication, Visual Language
Lean and Dental Floss
One of the things I love about Lean is the philosophy to make things more visual. This weekend our household dental floss ran out unexpectedly due to the classic white plastic container. My wife commented that you can never know … Continue reading
Filed under Business, Communication, Improve With Lean, Improvements, Value Added, Visual Communication
Drawing: Treasure Map To Find Truth
Royce Willard said something via Twitter (@Rwilliard) a while ago that really stuck with me when I asked about executives at gemba. He said “The truth is not in their office.“ I created this drawing to show places people try … Continue reading
Lean Leadership Articles
I really found a lot to reflect on these great articles related to Lean Leadership. Check them out! The 7 Wastes of Lean Leadership – Common Errors in Working With Continuous Improvement Teamsby Jeff Hajek Seeing Things for Yourself by … Continue reading
Filed under Business, Gemba, Health Care, Improve With Lean, Kaizen, Learn Leadership, Quality, Root Cause, Waste
Create A New Reality Via A3
Jamie Flinchbaugh wrote a fantastic post called Grabbing the A3 Tool from the Toolbox for the Industry Week’s Best Plants conference on A3 problem solving. I like his take on writing the target condition. He states “This is not the result … Continue reading
Filed under A3
A Song About Charts (really…seriously)
Dan Pink posted this 2 minute PBS Video aimed at kids to teach them about charts (RSS readers will need to open post to view). Am I the only one who thinks this song is catchy? Too bad they couldn’t think … Continue reading
Filed under Charts, Improve With Lean, Visual Language
Consultant Dependency = Etch A Sketch
Think of an Etch A Sketch when you solely rely on a consultant to do the majority of your Lean work. A consultant may make a wonderful Lean picture for your organization, but once they are gone it only takes a … Continue reading
Filed under Improve With Lean, Improvements
Parkinson’s Law and Improvements
In 1955, Cyril Northcote Parkinson wrote what has become Parkinson’s Law: “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” The background on this is on Wikipedia. Lean organizations should have a keen sense to look for this … Continue reading
Filed under Business, Gemba, Improve With Lean, Improvements, Kaizen, Waste
John Wooden: Coaching for people, not points
I have been focusing on coaching lately and found this 18 minute Ted video of John Wooden to be inspiring (RSS readers will need to open post to view). I think he is in line with Lean … Continue reading
Book Review: Managing To Learn
Managing to Learn by Shook rating: 4 of 5 stars “Managing to Learn” is an excellent book for managers and coaches of A3 authors/advocates. John Shook is a true sensei with 11 years of Toyota history and real world experience … Continue reading
Filed under A3, Book Review, Business, Communication, Improve With Lean, Project Management
