A growing crab may shed its shell as many as 20 times in its life time. During the process they are the most vulnerable to predators, but it is the only way they can grow. World class organizations understand vulnerability can come with growth, but they also understand, much like the crab, that is a […]
Just do it!
September 28, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Unlocking the value in your operation starts with action. The best organizations don’t get held up waiting for I.T. solutions or new equipment or new superstar managers. They know that continuous improvement comes from action. Action on the shop floor or where ever the value is added. They don’t let “great” get in the way […]
What to Expect from Setting Expectations
September 14, 2018 By Leave a Comment
Great companies unlock incredible value by simply setting expectations. The lean practitioner will tell you that the value in setting expectations is to recognize and solve problems, but there is a benefit even before solving the problems. A benefit of about a 15% improvement in performance. The 15% of improvement by setting expectations comes from […]
Help the Wounded – Leave the Stragglers
September 29, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Help the Wounded – Leave the Stragglers Operational excellence is not complicated, but it is hard work. Some of the hardest work is accepting and solving the inevitable problems that an environment rich in standards creates. Leaders within organizations react in different ways to the discoveries. Many see the problem identified as an opportunity and […]
Rebuttal to “There is No Art in Business”
August 4, 2017 By Leave a Comment
I received an article in response to my recent post, “There is No Art in Business.” It was sent to me by a good friend Robert Burkhart, Director of Operations at Manitex, Inc. I would love to hear your thoughts. *** The “Art” and “Science” of Change Management When it comes to making changes among […]
There is No Art in Business
July 21, 2017 By Leave a Comment
There is No Art in Business Operational Excellence is based on science and it is not an art. Science is based on observations that form a hypothesis and experiments designed to learn. Art is an expression of creativity designed to stir emotion and is very much subject to interpretation. There are two dangers in thinking […]
Change What’s Normal and You Change Your Culture
April 28, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Every organization has a culture, but successful organizations understand how important it is to create the right culture. “I came to see, in my time at IBM, that culture isn’t just one aspect of the game; it is the game.” – Louis V. Gerstner, Jr., IBM Chairman & CEO, 1993-2002, in Who Says Elephants Can’t […]
Who Gives the Orders in Your Operation?
February 10, 2017 By Leave a Comment
Who Gives the Orders in Your Operation? Successful operations unlock value through a continuous cycle of PLAN – DO – CHECK – ACT. That critical cycle starts with a plan. Organizational learning comes from executing the plan and checking the results. The value is unlocked through actions and adjustments learned from the problems identified with […]
Time Really is Money!
December 30, 2016 By Leave a Comment
Unlocking the value in your operation starts with a clear understanding of time. Almost all value in business can be directly related to time. There are two reasons why time really is money. First, we pay our resources for time, and second, the pace at which we add value to our product or service is […]
