Monthly Archives: May 2009
Bridge Science And Art
Are science and art related or totally separate? I really liked this 15 minute speech by astronaut Mae Jemison from TED (RSS readers may need to open post to view video). This speech reminds me to keeping moving past EITHER/OR thinking and … Continue reading
Filed under Personal Development, Problem Solving
“Chain Of How” = Problem
You are wasting employee skills and your customer’s time by not equipping your staff to solve problems. While getting four new tires this weekend, I was being helped by the crew supervisor. The other team-members interrupted my time with the … Continue reading
Filed under Business, Improvements, Problem Solving, Waste
Making Costs Visual For Customers
This weekend I went out for fish and chips and saw this fantastic sign. The restaurant is very nicely helping their customers recognize the costs associated with taking excess inventoryof straws, tartar sauce, napkins, and other condiments. I am not … Continue reading
Filed under Improve With Lean, Improvements, Visual Communication, Visual Language, Visual Systems, Waste
Gandhi Quote: Customer Focus
“A customer is the most important visitor on our premises, he is not dependent on us. We are dependent on him. He is not an interruption in our work. He is the purpose of it. He is not an outsider … Continue reading
Filed under Business, customers, Improvements, Learn Leadership, Quotes, Reflection, Respect For People
Moore’s Law and Lean
There is an interesting computer-industry trend called Moore’s Law that can be applied to Lean thinking. Per Wikipedia, Gordon E. Moore pointed out since 1958, the number of transistors that can be placed inexpensively on an integrated circuit has increased exponentially, doubling approximately every two … Continue reading
Filed under Business, Improve With Lean, Improvements, Plan-Do-Check-Act
Book Review: In Pursuit Of Elegance
In Pursuit of Elegance: Why the Best Ideas Have Something Missing by Matthew E. May rating: 5 of 5 stars I loved “In Pursuit Of Elegance” by Matthew E. May. This book will provide a basis for a whole new … Continue reading
Book Review: Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean?
Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean? Building the bridge from job satisfaction to corporate profit by Jeff Hajek rating: 5 of 5 stars Jeff Hajek’s “Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean” is a must-read for front line workers in a … Continue reading
Filed under Book Review, Business, Communication, Improve With Lean
Overprocessing Waste: Quotation Marks
Check out The “blog of “unnecessary” quotation marks to see pictures of signs with unneeded quotation marks. This takes additional time and printing ink to add the quotes which add no value and possibly confuse the customer. Reduced “Meats” from 04/30/09 sounds frightening! Thanks to Dan … Continue reading
Filed under Improve With Lean, Waste
Lean Times Require Lean Thinking
Jason Yip & Paul Heaton created this outstanding SlideShare presentation “Lean Times Require Lean Thinking” (RSS readers might need to visit improvewithme.com to view). I love the sketches throughout and really like the cartoon of 3 wastes. The description of wastes are … Continue reading
