This month A Lean Journey Blog turns 15 and as I look back on how I got started and who influenced my journey I wanted to revisit a previous series I started in 2012 called the Meet-up. One of the things I am so found of in the Lean community is the general wiliness to […]

This month A Lean Journey Blog turns 15 and as I look back on how I got started and who influenced my journey I wanted to revisit a previous series I started in 2012 called the Meet-up. One of the things I am so found of in the Lean community is the general wiliness to […]

  In this unique episode of the ‘People Solve Problems’ podcast, Jamie Flinchbaugh takes on the role of guest to offer listeners a special reflection on his podcast journey and the valuable lessons he’s gleaned along the way from the many special guests. He discusses the importance of conversations in learning and growing, emphasizing how […]

I love Steve Spear‘s emphasis on a Toyota-based Lean model of: “See, Solve, Share” See problems, solve problems, and share problems. That’s the ideal, and it’s powerful where it exists. At Toyota, and companies like it, there’s an understanding that speaking up about problems leads to a constructive response from leaders.  That’s not always true at […]

Scroll down for how to subscribe, transcript, and more My guest for Episode #504 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Katie Anderson, author of the book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn. In this episode, Katie takes the reins along with me, Mark Graban, to discuss the transformative journey of Japan Study Trips. Recognized […]

If Taiichi Ohno rejoined the living, what would he have to say about Lean? The conversation might go something like this: Bob Emiliani: Hello Ohno-san. I am happy to see you. I have a lot of questions that I hope you will answer. Taiichi Ohno: What is the matter? Can you not think for yourself? […]

A quick reminder that the May Train-the-Trainer / Facilitator begins in a week’s time. It’s not too late to book your place: 14-22 May, online, Tuesday & Wednesday afternoons (UK time):Leading with Outcomes: Train-the-Trainer / Facilitator (TTT/F) It covers: Leading with Outcomes: Foundation – patterns for strategy conversations in the language of needs, obstacles, and […]

The Administrative Assistant has been often referred to as a perk, rather than a crucial resource to help an organization’s effectiveness. This shift in thinking, and language, really began with the adoption of email, where communication from person to person didn’t have to be managed. This continued to evolve as other tools became available and […]

Assembly lines are THE way to do mass production. Yet, with constant regularity people try out to undo the assembly line, only to fail in their endeavor. In my previous post I looked at examples by Volkswagen in Salzgitter, Volvo in Kalmar, and Opel in Bochum, who all tried, just to switch back to an […]

You don’t find the root cause of a problem in a conference room. OK, so we’ve gotten away from the whiteboard. Now what? You might not even KNOW the root cause by thinking and talking out where the work is actually being done. That’s one of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned from former Toyota […]

As organizations set out on a cellular manufacturing journey, a critical question emerges: Are you seeking to create a manufacturing model cell, or are you striving to cultivate a cell that will serve as a blueprint for future operational excellence? This distinction is vital.  While lean manufacturing workshops and kaizen events may make things bright, […]

If Taiichi Ohno were alive today and witnessing what Lean has become — from a generic term for Toyota Production System (TPS) in 1988 to a product that sells quite well but does little to alter the status quo — I think he would be quite unhappy. Ohno-san reportedly hurt himself with Toyota executives more […]

Yes, it really has been just over a year since my last post! The past few years have been a whirlwind of activity, including building new video studios and offices for Gemba Academy. This period culminated in being approached by a large German multinational training company and, after nearly a year of due diligence and […]

Simplifying Your Work Life: A Guide for Team Leads   In the hustle and bustle of managing a team, it’s easy for team leads to find themselves buried under piles of tasks, emails, and meetings. However, it doesn’t have to be this way. With the right strategies and mindset, team leads can simplify their work […]

Navigating Entrepreneurship While Working a Corporate Job: Building Resilience for Success   Embarking on the journey of entrepreneurship while still holding down a corporate job can be a challenging balancing act. The demands of your day job combined with the uncertainties and risks of starting a business can test even the most resilient individuals. However, […]

Lately, I have been thinking more about these words I write in the blog post “Lean Zombies:” When one looks at all the great management thinkers over the last 100 years — from Taylor, the Gilbreths, to Follett, Mayo, Deming, Ohno Drucker, Argyris, Kanter, Senge, Schein, etc. — they have all had senior leaders’ attention […]

Building Resilience: Strategies for Entrepreneurs with a 9-5 Job   For aspiring entrepreneurs who are juggling the demands of a 9-5 job while pursuing their dreams, the journey can be incredibly challenging. Balancing the responsibilities of a full-time job with the demands of building a business requires a high level of resilience. Resilience is the […]

Mark Graban recently hosted James P. Womack on his podcast titled: “Jim Womack’s Observations and Reflections on the Evolution of Lean.” Dr. Womack made a few interesting comments that are worthy of some analysis. Let’s begin here: So [it is] quite amazing to me that the book [The Machine That Changed the World, published in […]

In today’s fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape, enterprise transformation has emerged as a strategic imperative for organizations seeking to thrive in the face of unprecedented disruption and uncertainty. From technological advancements to shifting consumer expectations, organizations are constantly confronted with many challenges that necessitate fundamental changes in how they operate and deliver value. In this […]

Thanks, as always, to Ryan McCormack for this. He always shares so much good reading, listening, and viewing here! Subscribe to get these directly from Ryan via email. News, articles, books, podcasts, and videos about how to make the workplace better. Operational Excellence, Improvement, and Innovation Danaher: Masterful Capital Allocation and Lean Manufacturing Combined Danaher […]

As a manufacturer, your pursuit for efficiency and continuous improvement is likely never-ending. That’s why you might search for innovative methodologies that offer significant benefits. One such strategy that has been popular is the Japanese 5G Methodology. Rooted in principles that emphasize a thorough understanding of the workplace, this problem-solving technique offers a structured and […]

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 […]

Today, more than ever, businesses are navigating a landscape characterized by rapid technological advancements, shifting consumer behaviors, and heightened competition. In this context, embracing digital transformation isn’t merely an option—it’s imperative for staying relevant and competitive. Digital transformation entails the strategic integration of digital technologies into all facets of a business, fundamentally altering how it […]

I’ve already written one blog post about this excellent Bloomberg BusinessWeek article about the Lean transformation at GE Aerospace, a post that focused on CEO Larry Culp saying that “a problem-solving culture is far more effective operationally than a finger-pointing culture.” AN EMPIRE DIVIDED The inside story of how GE CEO Larry Culp dismantled a […]

In the manufacturing industry, achieving operational excellence goes beyond just streamlining processes. It also involves creating a culture that resonates with every employee, from those on the production line to top-level executives. Recently, I had an engaging discussion about operational excellence during a morning walk. The discussion centred around a leading manufacturing firm undergoing system […]

Have you worked for or do you work for an organization that is growing exponentially. Our organizations are growing dramatically as it has become easier to expand operations globally either through acquisition or through addressing new markets. These fragmented segments and disconnected infrastructures can greatly impact radical transformation and business improvements. As the company grows […]

Professors Robert H. Hayes and William J. Abernathy have harsh words about a common, if not typical style of American management: “…an overdependence on analytical detachment – what they call ”managerial remote control.” They say it is an approach that exalts financial analysis, not line operations. It rewards executives who see their company primarily as […]

I am excited to bring you this great new feature! Introducing “Bob’s AI Book Chatbot.” As you know, I have written 28 books across a variety of subjects. Perhaps you, like many others, would like a way to obtain useful information but you do not have the time to read a book. The AI Book […]

When you love something too much it can prevent you from seeing problems that you need to see. Love is blind. Many people are so in love with Lean that they are essentially “Lean groupies,” which I define as: Excessively devoted fans of Lean celebrities who intently and uncritically follow their words and work and […]

A good question is one of the most valuable of my possessions, and I am always looking to add to my collection. I discovered, or rediscovered, a powerful question from commentator and author David Brooks. He was giving a talk at Lehigh University for the Hagerman Lecture from The Center for Ethics and was exploring […]

Pull requires a significantly different type of CEO leadership than push. Click here to learn more.

Assembly lines are everywhere in mass production. From mobile phones to cars to airplanes, almost all items produced in large quantities come from an assembly line. Just look around you wherever you are and try to find a produced item that did NOT come from an assembly line. My general recommendation is that if you […]

In this edition: Books in progress: 2; Two new videos; Upcoming: online, Berlin (SOLD OUT), London, and Southampton; Top posts Books in progress: 2 I’m putting the final touches on Organising Conversations: Patterns of Dialog for the Transforming Organization and have a decent first draft of the first part (of two) of Wholehearted: Engaging with […]

It’s interesting to observe a hospital process (or lack thereof) when a family member needs surgery. I had the opportunity to do so one day last week. I originally shared this on LinkedIn as a post and real-time updates. Thankfully, the clinical care seemed to be good, and that family member is recovering well from […]