Following up on my recent collaboration with ChatGPT (“Alternative History: GM Uses Lean to Remain #1 in the Auto Industry“), I also asked the AI bot to simulate what might have gone differently in healthcare. I gave an initial prompt of “Simulate a scenario in which Toyota, in the year 2000, teaches American hospitals how […]

Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can. Arthur Ashe “Start where you are” doesn’t have to be about process! Try this exercise: Disregarding organisational boundaries, and in relation to the work you are already committed to (your “organising commitments”), who do you interact with? Then reflexively: who interacts with you […]

Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) analysis is a tool businesses and organizations use to evaluate the internal and external factors that can impact their success. It is a straightforward method that can provide valuable insights into a company’s current situation and help it make strategic decisions. The acronym SWOT stands for: Strengths: the unique qualities […]

You may have heard of ChatGPT, the latest buzz in artificial intelligence. ChatGPT is a chatbot by OpenAI that can answer your questions and hold a conversation. And, it is very good at this. It can handle almost anything connected with text. This tool (and the many others that are likely to follow) has the […]

BOOK EXCERPT – The city of Breda in the Netherlands has been on a lean journey for the past six years. Today we share an excerpt from the book The Lean Government, which sets the scene for the transformation. Words: Erik Ottens A snowstorm of confetti enveloped the people watching the parade. The tall floats […]

By Pascal Dennis (bio) My friend and colleague Mark Graban, always astute, has highlighted an important issue for Lean thinkers. Is it right and proper to call one’s self an ‘expert, master or sensei’? In a word – no. It’s important in my view to recognize that we humans are sly, lazy, imperfect beings. (At […]

There are many examples of organisations who have applied TPM (Total Productive Maintenance) principles and techniques to deliver industry leading performance levels yet TPM is often considered as simply operator maintenance. Operator Maintenance is part of the TPM toolbox but the strength of the TPM process is in driving continuous improvement in equipment effectiveness (with […]

Here’s a sad article from the New York Times… the article link should make it free to read for non-subscribers. Doctors Aren’t Burned Out From Overwork. We’re Demoralized by Our Health System. As I posted on LinkedIn, I can see parallels to other types of work, as well… but it’s really sad to hear about […]

 https://pixabay.com/illustrations/silhouettes-person-human-man-woman-776670/ The ability to communicate effectively is an essential skill in the workplace. Employees need to be able to express their thoughts and ideas clearly, and listen and understand their colleagues. Having strong communication soft skills can help you work more efficiently, build relationships with others, and get ahead in your career. Discover some of […]

This is continuing from a prior post. Here are some things we can look at.  If these were not done well at the beginning, they could be a cause of our problems now. Mission We must have a challenging mission. We must understand what it is, it must be a common mission that we all […]

Material replenishment is an essential part of supply chain management, and it is crucial to have a system that ensures the right materials are in the right place at the right time. Several types of material replenishment systems are available, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. Kanban System: This is one of the […]

Define your unique value proposition: Identify what sets you apart from others in your field and what you have to offer that others don’t. Determine your target audience: Who are you trying to reach, and what are their needs, interests, and challenges? Conduct a self-assessment: Evaluate your strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement to understand […]

One of the core goals of the Lean improvement methodology is the reduction of any material, effort, or expense that does not ultimately add value to the customer. Practitioners have identified seven distinct types of waste and developed specific techniques to combat them. Whether your organization practices the Lean methodology or not, knowing where to look for waste […]

Voice of the Customer (VOC) Tell me, what comes first when you hear “business”? I know it is a consumer and producer, aren’t these? The consumer is usually known as the customer as well, and on the other hand, the producer fulfills the customer’s needs and wants.  The prime and first component of the business […]

CASE STUDY – A people-centric approach to work, improvement, and the adoption of automation is allowing this Norwegian company to thrive in a changing industry and environment. Words: Eivind Reke with Håvard Buhaug In 1861, a Swede named Göran Fredrik Göransson figured out how to industrialize steel production with the Bessemer method. Almost overnight, the […]

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on […]

A virtual gemba walk enables you to perform gemba walks virtually so that it easily integrates into your daily manufacturing tasks and activities.  Before we get into the five benefits of using a virtual gemba walk, allow us to first explain what a gemba walk is, and how it differs from a virtual gemba walk. […]

At the outset of 2023, concerns about economic conditions and a possible worsening recession are top of mind for most business leaders. Interest rate increases, GDP shrinking, and rising inflation alongside low unemployment rates have left many uncertain about how to manage resources, retain talent, and find a way to grow during the next year.

Scroll down for how to subscribe, transcript, and more Joining us for Episode #468 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Jody Crane, M.D. He’s the Chief Medical Officer for TeamHealth, and he was previously a guest for Episode 120. As a proven leader, Dr. Jody Crane, M.D. is considered one of the leading experts […]

All Northeast Lean Conference attendees received a copy of Kevin Hancock’s book, “The Seventh Power: One CEO’s Journey Into the Business of Shared Leadership.” Kevin Hancock is the CEO of Hancock Lumber Company, one of the oldest and best know family businesses in America. Established in 1848, the company grows trees and manufactures lumber for […]

In this edition: February and March; Adaptive Organisation: Business agility at every scale; Top posts; Events, self-paced training, and media February and March Approaching fast, the next of our monthly webinar and AMA sessions takes place on Thursday. And starting on the 15th, the next Leading with Outcomes: Train-the-Trainer/Facilitator (TTT/F): 02 February, online, 15:00GMT, 16:00CET, […]