Lean Healthcare at the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in healthcare, Lean Thinking.Tags: healthcare, Lean Thinking
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The Lean Blog recently had a guest post from author and Lean Healthcare practitioner, Naida Grunden. Her book, linked in the entry, is a collection of principles and case examples from the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative. She was recently interviewed by a National Public Radio station and you can listen to it on the post. The post includes an excellent letter that Naida posted to the “change.gov” website, where the Obama team is asking for specific input about healthcare reform. Let’s hope they take her up on it!
Go to the Lean Blog post here.
Lean Healthcare at the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in healthcare, Lean Thinking.Tags: healthcare, Lean Thinking
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The Lean Blog recently had a guest post from author and Lean Healthcare practitioner, Naida Grunden. Her book, linked in the entry, is a collection of principles and case examples from the Pittsburgh Regional Health Initiative. She was recently interviewed by a National Public Radio station and you can listen to it on the post. The post includes an excellent letter that Naida posted to the “change.gov” website, where the Obama team is asking for specific input about healthcare reform. Let’s hope they take her up on it!
Go to the Lean Blog post here.
Lean Lab Video December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Thinking.Tags: biotech, Lean Thinking
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Below is the link to an archive recording Mark Graban made of a web presentation he gave for “The Dark Report,” a leading analyst and information source for the hospital laboratory industry. They and Mark’s consulting company employer have graciously allowed Mark to post his portion of the larger presentation. The video includes some slides that you may be able to see, and about 38 minutes of discussion by Mark.
The link to his description and the video are here.
Lean Lab Video December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Thinking.Tags: biotech, Lean Thinking
add a comment
Below is the link to an archive recording Mark Graban made of a web presentation he gave for “The Dark Report,” a leading analyst and information source for the hospital laboratory industry. They and Mark’s consulting company employer have graciously allowed Mark to post his portion of the larger presentation. The video includes some slides that you may be able to see, and about 38 minutes of discussion by Mark.
The link to his description and the video are here.
Designing Profitable Products Using QFD and Kano Model December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in product development, six sigma.Tags: product development, six sigma
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This posting on iSix Sigma details an example of how Quality Function Deployment and the Kano Model can be used together to help design more profitable products. For those who have not used QFD before, this is a pretty decent introduction into the concept and see how it is used in a simple example. This systematic method forces you to quantify customer wants and needs and assess your product’s features against those of competitors.
Read the article here.
Designing Profitable Products Using QFD and Kano Model December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in product development, six sigma.Tags: product development, six sigma
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This posting on iSix Sigma details an example of how Quality Function Deployment and the Kano Model can be used together to help design more profitable products. For those who have not used QFD before, this is a pretty decent introduction into the concept and see how it is used in a simple example. This systematic method forces you to quantify customer wants and needs and assess your product’s features against those of competitors.
Read the article here.
Ariens Success Story on LEI Website December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, Lean Thinking, manufacturing.Tags: leadership, Lean Thinking, manufacturing
2 comments
The Lean Enterprise Institute just posted a new success story.
Besides making snowblowers, mowers, and string trimmers, Ariens Co., of Brillion, WI, makes lean leaders. A comprehensive internship program connects the principles of both lean and leadership to actual work in the factory and office. The program epitomizes many of the company’s 15 guiding principles, such as “think,” “respect the individual,” and (my favorite) “just get dirty.”
Read the article here (registation required) and see why managers and employees agree with CEO Dan Ariens who says lean internship is “the best program we have.”
Also, read the companion article here, a discussion on lean leadership with Dan Ariens.
Ariens Success Story on LEI Website December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, Lean Thinking, manufacturing.Tags: leadership, Lean Thinking, manufacturing
2 comments
The Lean Enterprise Institute just posted a new success story.
Besides making snowblowers, mowers, and string trimmers, Ariens Co., of Brillion, WI, makes lean leaders. A comprehensive internship program connects the principles of both lean and leadership to actual work in the factory and office. The program epitomizes many of the company’s 15 guiding principles, such as “think,” “respect the individual,” and (my favorite) “just get dirty.”
Read the article here (registation required) and see why managers and employees agree with CEO Dan Ariens who says lean internship is “the best program we have.”
Also, read the companion article here, a discussion on lean leadership with Dan Ariens.
Quotation December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in quotation.add a comment
“Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are those we can’t even describe, aren’t even aware of.”
- Ellen Goodman
Quotation December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in quotation.add a comment
“Traditions are the guideposts driven deep in our subconscious minds. The most powerful ones are those we can’t even describe, aren’t even aware of.”
- Ellen Goodman
The Price of Forgoing Basic Research December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Creativity & Innovation.add a comment
Since about 1970, we have been on a path where industry’s investment in basic research has been in decline. At the same time, there has been a significant shift toward applied, “industry-relevant” research within academia. Bill Buxton writes in Business Week that he believes these trends do not augur well for the future of industry, academia, or society as a whole.
Read the full article here.
The Price of Forgoing Basic Research December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Creativity & Innovation.add a comment
Since about 1970, we have been on a path where industry’s investment in basic research has been in decline. At the same time, there has been a significant shift toward applied, “industry-relevant” research within academia. Bill Buxton writes in Business Week that he believes these trends do not augur well for the future of industry, academia, or society as a whole.
Read the full article here.
Innovation Strategies for the Recession December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Creativity & Innovation.add a comment
The Innovation Weblog just pointed out a free resource to help people focus their innovation efforts during the current economic downturn. The Summary reads like this:
“Customers always have problems to solve, even in a downturn. The recession itself is eliminating some jobs customers previously needed to get done, while at the same time creating new ones. At the very least, the current economic conditions are wreaking havoc on the trade-offs people make when they consider “hiring” a product or service to get a job done, with convenience now factoring lower than cost for many customers. Invest time learning how your key customers’ priorities have changed, and quickly realign your business models to meet their needs. Rethink your business starting with the customer, and work backward from there. How can you eliminate their pain? How can you help them to contain their costs?”
Access the full report here, which includes advice and perspectives from innovation consultants and lead practitioners.
Innovation Strategies for the Recession December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Creativity & Innovation.add a comment
The Innovation Weblog just pointed out a free resource to help people focus their innovation efforts during the current economic downturn. The Summary reads like this:
“Customers always have problems to solve, even in a downturn. The recession itself is eliminating some jobs customers previously needed to get done, while at the same time creating new ones. At the very least, the current economic conditions are wreaking havoc on the trade-offs people make when they consider “hiring” a product or service to get a job done, with convenience now factoring lower than cost for many customers. Invest time learning how your key customers’ priorities have changed, and quickly realign your business models to meet their needs. Rethink your business starting with the customer, and work backward from there. How can you eliminate their pain? How can you help them to contain their costs?”
Access the full report here, which includes advice and perspectives from innovation consultants and lead practitioners.
Wegman’s and Meijer Compared: Lean, Green, People-Focused and Customer-Centered December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in green business, leadership, Lean Thinking.Tags: green, leadership, Lean Thinking
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Jason Turgeon posts to the Lean Blog and compares Wegman’s market to Meijer stores, which Mark Graban, author of the Lean Blog has ripped on lately. Regular readers may have noticed that I took a swipe at them, as well. Their management behavior was described recently in a Wall Street Journal article and detailed the very worst possible use of time studies and efficiency improvements. Jason make some great points. Maybe not new, but great points that should be at the foundation of every lean company. He summarizes:
So what’s the point of all this? Well, it’s the same point as always, really. Companies that focus on Lean ideas, like improving working conditions while cutting waste in energy use, inevitably seem to do better than companies that don’t.
Read the post here.
Wegman's and Meijer Compared: Lean, Green, People-Focused and Customer-Centered December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in green business, leadership, Lean Thinking.Tags: green, leadership, Lean Thinking
add a comment
Jason Turgeon posts to the Lean Blog and compares Wegman’s market to Meijer stores, which Mark Graban, author of the Lean Blog has ripped on lately. Regular readers may have noticed that I took a swipe at them, as well. Their management behavior was described recently in a Wall Street Journal article and detailed the very worst possible use of time studies and efficiency improvements. Jason make some great points. Maybe not new, but great points that should be at the foundation of every lean company. He summarizes:
So what’s the point of all this? Well, it’s the same point as always, really. Companies that focus on Lean ideas, like improving working conditions while cutting waste in energy use, inevitably seem to do better than companies that don’t.
Read the post here.
Wegman's and Meijer Compared: Lean, Green, People-Focused and Customer-Centered December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in green business, leadership, Lean Thinking.Tags: green, leadership, Lean Thinking
add a comment
Jason Turgeon posts to the Lean Blog and compares Wegman’s market to Meijer stores, which Mark Graban, author of the Lean Blog has ripped on lately. Regular readers may have noticed that I took a swipe at them, as well. Their management behavior was described recently in a Wall Street Journal article and detailed the very worst possible use of time studies and efficiency improvements. Jason make some great points. Maybe not new, but great points that should be at the foundation of every lean company. He summarizes:
So what’s the point of all this? Well, it’s the same point as always, really. Companies that focus on Lean ideas, like improving working conditions while cutting waste in energy use, inevitably seem to do better than companies that don’t.
Read the post here.
Wegman’s and Meijer Compared: Lean, Green, People-Focused and Customer-Centered December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in green business, leadership, Lean Thinking.Tags: green, leadership, Lean Thinking
add a comment
Jason Turgeon posts to the Lean Blog and compares Wegman’s market to Meijer stores, which Mark Graban, author of the Lean Blog has ripped on lately. Regular readers may have noticed that I took a swipe at them, as well. Their management behavior was described recently in a Wall Street Journal article and detailed the very worst possible use of time studies and efficiency improvements. Jason make some great points. Maybe not new, but great points that should be at the foundation of every lean company. He summarizes:
So what’s the point of all this? Well, it’s the same point as always, really. Companies that focus on Lean ideas, like improving working conditions while cutting waste in energy use, inevitably seem to do better than companies that don’t.
Read the post here.
Some Firms Cut Costs Without Resorting to Layoffs December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Thinking, workforce.Tags: Lean Thinking, workforce
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Just about everybody is hurting in this economy, and layoffs have become commonplace again. This Wall Street Journal article describe Hypertherm, a company that has never laid an employee off in its 40-year history. It briefly mentions one or two other companies with similar rules and the tactics they use to cut costs without cutting people.
Read the full article here.
Mark Graban details a few thoughts on how this principle is mirrored in excellent lean companies and in the principles of Deming. Read his post here.
Some Firms Cut Costs Without Resorting to Layoffs December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Thinking, workforce.Tags: Lean Thinking, workforce
add a comment
Just about everybody is hurting in this economy, and layoffs have become commonplace again. This Wall Street Journal article describe Hypertherm, a company that has never laid an employee off in its 40-year history. It briefly mentions one or two other companies with similar rules and the tactics they use to cut costs without cutting people.
Read the full article here.
Mark Graban details a few thoughts on how this principle is mirrored in excellent lean companies and in the principles of Deming. Read his post here.
The ‘Soft Side’ of Lean December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, Lean Thinking.Tags: leadership, Lean Thinking
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The authors of a McKinsey Quarterly article published in November say companies may be losing half their potential savings from lean programs when they overlook the need for leaders who are capable of implementing and driving continuous-improvement plans.Included in the report are characteristics of leaders that the McKinsey authors say are critical to gain buy-in from employees and attain maximum results.
Read the IndustryWeek article here to find out what the report describes as the “six habits of lean leaders.”
The 'Soft Side' of Lean December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, Lean Thinking.Tags: leadership, Lean Thinking
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The authors of a McKinsey Quarterly article published in November say companies may be losing half their potential savings from lean programs when they overlook the need for leaders who are capable of implementing and driving continuous-improvement plans.Included in the report are characteristics of leaders that the McKinsey authors say are critical to gain buy-in from employees and attain maximum results.
Read the IndustryWeek article here to find out what the report describes as the “six habits of lean leaders.”
The 'Soft Side' of Lean December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, Lean Thinking.Tags: leadership, Lean Thinking
add a comment
The authors of a McKinsey Quarterly article published in November say companies may be losing half their potential savings from lean programs when they overlook the need for leaders who are capable of implementing and driving continuous-improvement plans.Included in the report are characteristics of leaders that the McKinsey authors say are critical to gain buy-in from employees and attain maximum results.
Read the IndustryWeek article here to find out what the report describes as the “six habits of lean leaders.”
The ‘Soft Side’ of Lean December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, Lean Thinking.Tags: leadership, Lean Thinking
add a comment
The authors of a McKinsey Quarterly article published in November say companies may be losing half their potential savings from lean programs when they overlook the need for leaders who are capable of implementing and driving continuous-improvement plans.Included in the report are characteristics of leaders that the McKinsey authors say are critical to gain buy-in from employees and attain maximum results.
Read the IndustryWeek article here to find out what the report describes as the “six habits of lean leaders.”
The Skinny on Lean Management December 22, 2008
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean office, Lean Thinking.Tags: lean office, Lean Thinking
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Lean management doesn’t resonate in marketing and sales. Nor does it among boards, senior executives and investors. Reasons relate to where lean tends to do most of its work-in operations-and its usual presentation as an attack on waste. Marketing’s valued role is in collaborative lean planning, first within the company and then taken to customers in the external value chain. Richard Schonberger make that point in this article in Sales and Marketing Management magazine.
Read the full article here.
