Kaizen is the tool that creates a step change for an organization not only in the improvement of their operating systems, but in engaging the hearts and minds of the team. A great kaizen can not only make the organization operate better but can capture the hearts of the participants in a way that genuinely […]
A Tool to Prevent Unnecessary Trouble – Troubleshooting Guides
June 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Daily management is so unique in its ability to align an organization around a single strategy. It brings a sense of urgency and actions on the shop floor to life at all levels. The activity level of daily management is the heartbeat of the process and the real opportunity to see and solve problems at […]
Every Metric Needs a Target
June 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Standards are designed to help an organization see problems quickly. When we tape a square on the shop floor to represent the place for the next part to be processed, it represents a standard. If the part is not there when the time comes to work on it – there is a problem. When we […]
To Get Your Process in Control You Need a Plan
June 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment
The process an organization uses to make or delivery their goods or services is as important as the people, suppliers, and raw material they use. Controlling that process is critical to meeting the quality and volume our customer demands. In order to get a process in control you need a plan. A plan that serves […]
Plot the Variable Don’t Change the Setting
June 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Managing a process requires understanding and tracking the critical process variables that impact the product being produced. Temperature, speed, pressure and viscosity are all variables that will nave natural variation. It is important to track the critical variables using a control chart to understand the trends and determine if action is need, BUT it is […]
Leading at the Right Level
June 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment
It’s lonely at the top, but as a leader that is where you belong. The best leaders resist the temptation to assume the responsibilities of their staff. The temptation exists either because they do not have confidence in their team or they are more confident in that role. The problem with this behavior is that […]
The Single Point of Accountability
June 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Assigning actions and following up is a key activity in the role of leadership. It doesn’t require great skill beyond the commitment to do it. One simple step that makes it easier is the concept of a single point of accountability. It simply means, never assign responsibility for one task to two people, and remember […]
The Power of Recognition
June 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment
Follow-up is one of the most critical aspects of a great leader. Change usually requires changing people’s behavior. And changes in behavior are not natural for us, so leaders need to follow up. Actions are the fuel for making real change. Someone usually has to act. And actions don’t always get done, so leaders need […]
Direct and Binary Communication
June 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment
People are the resource in most organizations that help material and information flow. They are the often the source of information and the recipient of information that keeps the operations moving and producing. The form of that information is best relayed with two critical characteristics; direct and binary. Direct Communication Direct communication is best described […]
People are the Linchpin for the System
June 11, 2020 By Leave a Comment
A tractor is the workhorse of the modern day farm. Ploughing the field, harvesting the grain, or bailing the hay are all done with a tractor pulling a tool specifically designed for the task. And the tool is connected to the tractor using a pin, often called the linchpin. In a world of Operational Excellence, […]
