The latest, focused and to the point, “COMPETING” podcast focuses on time tested suggestions for an effective lean startup. From leadership commitment, to presentation of the value stream map based implementation plan, listen to what has and hasn’t worked for my client.
Enjoy and write back with your thoughts, opinions and questions. Good and bad, they are appreciated.
2 comments August 16th, 2006
Lack of Trust The Ninth Waste ?
Developing effective teamwork is extremely difficult. What would it take to improve your teamwork? Does trust affect teamwork?
Company leaders; do your reports trust you, does ownership or your board of directors trust you? Do you trust them?
Managers/Supervisors; do you trust your boss? Do your reports trust you?
Everyone else; do you trust your boss? Your boss’s boss?
Continue Reading 1 comment July 10th, 2006
Paying Attention
Whatever you pay most attention to, most likely, will improve.
Let’s talk about what you can control, each minute, hour, day, week. I am referring to those outcomes you and your team can effect. Perhaps outcomes such as:
Continue Reading Add comment April 27th, 2006
COMPETING MARCH 2006
The Stages of Lean and the Art of Kaizen
The Stages of Lean (according to Dwight)
1- Beginner – implemented one Value Stream Map “future state†and are experiencing the “honeymoon effect†Improvement is daily, and progress is fast.
2- Stalling – dealing with the post-honeymoon condition. Lean isn’t as much fun and is no longer new. It still makes sense, but it’s getting a little stale. You get what you measure. What are you measuring?
Continue Reading Add comment March 7th, 2006
Changing and Building Culture
Perhaps your company’s “Continuous Improvement†process is disappointing. Culture is in the way rather than moving forward.
Continue Reading 3 comments January 15th, 2006
Examining “Phase II” of your lean transition
Perhaps your company has had some initial success with lean. Possibly, you have successfully addressed the first four Lean Principles (1 Specify Value, 2. Identify the Value Stream(s), 3. Create Flow, 4. Pull to Customer Demand) and are making progress…
Continue Reading Add comment November 1st, 2005
“We are good enough.â€Â
(or are we?)
What do you think your competition is focusing on right now? Do you believe they are thinking “ABC Inc (your company) has been working on lean for a while now and we will never catch them 
Continue Reading Add comment October 1st, 2005
Resilience vs. Brilliance
Okay, so by now maybe you have been implementing your lean program for a few months or years. What have you noticed about the process? Here is what I have experienced with many companies implementing lean…
Continue Reading Add comment September 1st, 2005
“The Enemyâ€Â
When I first arrive at a new client’s facility I typically find the following:
* Confusion and disorder
* Too much inventory, raw material, WIP and Finished Goods
* No obvious, visible product or process flow
* People and material waiting
* Disconnection between customer requirements and the “supply mechanismâ€Â
* Ineffective communications
Continue Reading Add comment June 5th, 2005
Are you happy with your ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning), MRP (Manufacturing Resource Planning), WMS (Warehouse Management System), or SCMS (Supply Chain Management System)?…
Continue Reading Add comment April 1st, 2005
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