How to Motivate People: Skip the Bonus and Give Them a Real Project July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in personal productivity.Tags: personal productivity
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A study done at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology finds that the common belief that bonuses mean incentivizing good performance is wrong. Rather, it turns out that things like rewards (such as a bonus) lead to worse performance unless the task required is purely mechanical. The problem, and the answer, are both revealed in a charismatic animation video. Cognitive tasks involving creativity, incentivized, lead to poor performance. In such a situation, three critical things come into play: autonomy (self-direction), mastery (getting better at things), and purpose.
Check out the video here.
How to Motivate People: Skip the Bonus and Give Them a Real Project July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in personal productivity.Tags: personal productivity
add a comment
A study done at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology finds that the common belief that bonuses mean incentivizing good performance is wrong. Rather, it turns out that things like rewards (such as a bonus) lead to worse performance unless the task required is purely mechanical. The problem, and the answer, are both revealed in a charismatic animation video. Cognitive tasks involving creativity, incentivized, lead to poor performance. In such a situation, three critical things come into play: autonomy (self-direction), mastery (getting better at things), and purpose.
Check out the video here.
Innovation and Change: What Are You Afraid Of? July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in change management, culture.Tags: change management, culture
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Mark Swiecichowski over at Innovation Weblog relates how the biggest fear people have is having to change. Self-interestedness in doing things a certain way and responsibilities for specific tasks can lead those needing to change to resent having to change things. Yet Mr. Swiecichowski lays out a brief list of things to keep in mind when overseeing change. Among them, expect resistance, and demonstrate to people why the change needed is better.
Check out Mr. Swiecichowski’s article here.
Innovation and Change: What Are You Afraid Of? July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in change management, culture.Tags: change management, culture
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Mark Swiecichowski over at Innovation Weblog relates how the biggest fear people have is having to change. Self-interestedness in doing things a certain way and responsibilities for specific tasks can lead those needing to change to resent having to change things. Yet Mr. Swiecichowski lays out a brief list of things to keep in mind when overseeing change. Among them, expect resistance, and demonstrate to people why the change needed is better.
Check out Mr. Swiecichowski’s article here.
Outsourcing Actually Lowers (!) Profits July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in supply chain, workforce.Tags: supply chain, workforce
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A Stanford University study has found that outsourcing, especially in the fashion industry, leads to lower profits. It has already been demonstrated that outsourcing to China creates a longer supply chain, more liabilities, and longer lead times –the last of which is especially dangerous for the fashion industry. New styles must run the risk of long lead time and overproduction, saturating the market and getting to the style game late.
This article has something important to consider for anyone who influences the supply chains of their business!
Check out the Evolving Excellence article here.
Outsourcing Actually Lowers (!) Profits July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in supply chain, workforce.Tags: supply chain, workforce
add a comment
A Stanford University study has found that outsourcing, especially in the fashion industry, leads to lower profits. It has already been demonstrated that outsourcing to China creates a longer supply chain, more liabilities, and longer lead times –the last of which is especially dangerous for the fashion industry. New styles must run the risk of long lead time and overproduction, saturating the market and getting to the style game late.
This article has something important to consider for anyone who influences the supply chains of their business!
Check out the Evolving Excellence article here.
21 Questions to Ask When Walking the Model Line July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Thinking.Tags: Lean Thinking
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Model lines are crucial in lean implementation, because they can be used as a pilot system to test an organization’s ability to engage in lean practices. To understand whether or not the model system works, at least a two-days’ audit is required, says John Miller at Gemba Panta Rei. And at least 21 questions should be in the minds of auditors as they tour the line. For example, what is the pacemaker process? Is there even one, and is it clear enough? Another important question is how specific materials for particular products managed?
Check out Mr. Miller’s excellent and informative article here.
21 Questions to Ask When Walking the Model Line July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Thinking.Tags: Lean Thinking
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Model lines are crucial in lean implementation, because they can be used as a pilot system to test an organization’s ability to engage in lean practices. To understand whether or not the model system works, at least a two-days’ audit is required, says John Miller at Gemba Panta Rei. And at least 21 questions should be in the minds of auditors as they tour the line. For example, what is the pacemaker process? Is there even one, and is it clear enough? Another important question is how specific materials for particular products managed?
Check out Mr. Miller’s excellent and informative article here.
How to Audit a Lean Management System July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, Lean Thinking, Standard Work.Tags: leadership, Lean Thinking, standard work
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Every effective lean business system, writes Mark R. Hamil over at Gemba Tales, has as a core component a lean management system. To understand how well the lean management system is working, one need only to audit it. For example, check leader standard work. Check recently completed work for completeness, recurring errors, and how errors are corrected with lean solutions.
Check out Mr. Hamil’s article here.
How to Audit a Lean Management System July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, Lean Thinking, Standard Work.Tags: leadership, Lean Thinking, standard work
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Every effective lean business system, writes Mark R. Hamil over at Gemba Tales, has as a core component a lean management system. To understand how well the lean management system is working, one need only to audit it. For example, check leader standard work. Check recently completed work for completeness, recurring errors, and how errors are corrected with lean solutions.
Check out Mr. Hamil’s article here.
Act Your Way To A New Culture July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in culture, Lean Thinking.Tags: culture, Lean Thinking
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Jeff Liker over at the Lean Edge explains how there is no structured way to change culture. Trying to change culture directly usually leads to failure. Rather, culture change is outcome –and the process for getting there varies. It depends on things like leadership behavior, and how employees are selected for certain positions. Mr. Liker recounts how, at the Toyota plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, a metrics board noted employee errors. When errors were found, the employees are retrained, and errors are eliminated. Such action depends on active leadership seeking to correct problems, rather than punishing or ignoring errors.
Check out Mr. Liker’s Lean Edge article here.
Act Your Way To A New Culture July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in culture, Lean Thinking.Tags: culture, Lean Thinking
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Jeff Liker over at the Lean Edge explains how there is no structured way to change culture. Trying to change culture directly usually leads to failure. Rather, culture change is outcome –and the process for getting there varies. It depends on things like leadership behavior, and how employees are selected for certain positions. Mr. Liker recounts how, at the Toyota plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, a metrics board noted employee errors. When errors were found, the employees are retrained, and errors are eliminated. Such action depends on active leadership seeking to correct problems, rather than punishing or ignoring errors.
Check out Mr. Liker’s Lean Edge article here.
3-D Printed Shoes: Quite the Feet July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Creativity & Innovation, manufacturing, new products and technologies.Tags: Creativity & Innovation, manufacturing, new products and technologies
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3-D printing can do pretty much anything these days –from lamps to whole houses. Yet, an art student, Pualine Van Dongen, for her Master’s thesis in Arnhem in the Netherlands, created a line of printable shoes she called “Metamorphosis”. Despite their small size, the cost for small objects like shoes still cost thousands of dollars per copy.
Check out the article here.
3-D Printed Shoes: Quite the Feet July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Creativity & Innovation, manufacturing, new products and technologies.Tags: Creativity & Innovation, manufacturing, new products and technologies
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3-D printing can do pretty much anything these days –from lamps to whole houses. Yet, an art student, Pualine Van Dongen, for her Master’s thesis in Arnhem in the Netherlands, created a line of printable shoes she called “Metamorphosis”. Despite their small size, the cost for small objects like shoes still cost thousands of dollars per copy.
Check out the article here.
Burgerville Offers Personalized Calorie Counts on Receipts July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in customer focus.Tags: customer focus
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Burgerville, a fast-food chain in the Pacific Northwest, has always focused on seasonal foods and responded to customers wishing to customize their orders. Now Burgerville, in incredibly creative fashion, is printing up personalized calorie counts on receipts –to make the customer aware of what he or she is consuming. Taken one step further, Burgerville offers tips on changing up meals. For example, a salad with Lite Ranch dressing rather than regular fries saves a customer 250 calories from the meal.
Check out the Burgerville article at FastCompany here.
Burgerville Offers Personalized Calorie Counts on Receipts July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in customer focus.Tags: customer focus
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Burgerville, a fast-food chain in the Pacific Northwest, has always focused on seasonal foods and responded to customers wishing to customize their orders. Now Burgerville, in incredibly creative fashion, is printing up personalized calorie counts on receipts –to make the customer aware of what he or she is consuming. Taken one step further, Burgerville offers tips on changing up meals. For example, a salad with Lite Ranch dressing rather than regular fries saves a customer 250 calories from the meal.
Check out the Burgerville article at FastCompany here.
Geoengineering Project Paints Peruvian Mountain to Restore Glacier July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Creativity & Innovation, green business.Tags: Creativity & Innovation, green
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Geoengineering –deliberate manmade manipulation of the earth’s climate –has gained traction in recent years. Eduardo Gold believes he can restore a glacier in the Peruvian Andes mountains by painting rocks with a mixture of water, lime, and industrial egg white. The idea is to change the climate of the mountain, making it cooler by reflecting sun away from it, creating a micro cold-climate in the area.
Check out the article here.
Geoengineering Project Paints Peruvian Mountain to Restore Glacier July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Creativity & Innovation, green business.Tags: Creativity & Innovation, green
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Geoengineering –deliberate manmade manipulation of the earth’s climate –has gained traction in recent years. Eduardo Gold believes he can restore a glacier in the Peruvian Andes mountains by painting rocks with a mixture of water, lime, and industrial egg white. The idea is to change the climate of the mountain, making it cooler by reflecting sun away from it, creating a micro cold-climate in the area.
Check out the article here.
The Relevancy of an Industry – Why Manufacturing is Cool! July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in manufacturing, workforce.Tags: manufacturing, workforce
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That the manufacturing industry needs a refreshed image is a given. In today’s society, culture frowns on the manufacturing industry for various reasons. But modern manufacturing is exciting, provides excellent career-advancing opportunities, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers has updated its Manufacturing is Cool website. The website invests heavily in the creative process of manufacturing, and account for all modes of manufacturing, from electronics (like iPods) to automotive (like Harley-Davidson).
As a long-standing member of SME, I can’t tell you how enthusiastic I am for their efforts to revitalize manufacturing and to help stimulate interest among young people to enter manufacturing, one of the most underappreciated and most valuable cornerstones of the American economy.
Check out the SME press release about the website here.
The Relevancy of an Industry – Why Manufacturing is Cool! July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in manufacturing, workforce.Tags: manufacturing, workforce
add a comment
That the manufacturing industry needs a refreshed image is a given. In today’s society, culture frowns on the manufacturing industry for various reasons. But modern manufacturing is exciting, provides excellent career-advancing opportunities, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers has updated its Manufacturing is Cool website. The website invests heavily in the creative process of manufacturing, and account for all modes of manufacturing, from electronics (like iPods) to automotive (like Harley-Davidson).
As a long-standing member of SME, I can’t tell you how enthusiastic I am for their efforts to revitalize manufacturing and to help stimulate interest among young people to enter manufacturing, one of the most underappreciated and most valuable cornerstones of the American economy.
Check out the SME press release about the website here.
ThedaCare, Lean, and Primary Care in the News July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in healthcare, Lean Thinking.Tags: healthcare, Lean Thinking
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Mark Graban over at Lean Blog highlights the efforts of, and praise for, ThedaCare – a Wisconsin health care provider – and their lean improvements in their four hospitals. Mr. Graban also brings to light that they are redesigning and improving primary and specialty care. Always aiming for better rather than good enough has led to exceptional standardized exam rooms, onsite lab testing, and centralized nurse and registration centers.
Check out Mr. Graban’s article here.
ThedaCare, Lean, and Primary Care in the News July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in healthcare, Lean Thinking.Tags: healthcare, Lean Thinking
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Mark Graban over at Lean Blog highlights the efforts of, and praise for, ThedaCare – a Wisconsin health care provider – and their lean improvements in their four hospitals. Mr. Graban also brings to light that they are redesigning and improving primary and specialty care. Always aiming for better rather than good enough has led to exceptional standardized exam rooms, onsite lab testing, and centralized nurse and registration centers.
Check out Mr. Graban’s article here.
How to Radically Increase Personal Productivity July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in personal productivity.Tags: personal productivity
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Meetings take up a lot more time than one would otherwise think. Ron Pereira, at LSS Academy, notes that a one-hour meeting with eight people would take away eight hours of productivity. By cutting down the number and duration of meetings, Mr. Pereira would go so far as to say that there would be a 25% improvement in personal productivity immediately.
Check out the post here.
How to Radically Increase Personal Productivity July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in personal productivity.Tags: personal productivity
add a comment
Meetings take up a lot more time than one would otherwise think. Ron Pereira, at LSS Academy, notes that a one-hour meeting with eight people would take away eight hours of productivity. By cutting down the number and duration of meetings, Mr. Pereira would go so far as to say that there would be a 25% improvement in personal productivity immediately.
Check out the post here.
An Up Close Look at a Toyota Assembly Line July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in automotive, Lean Thinking, manufacturing.Tags: automotive, Lean Thinking, manufacturing
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Jon Miller, over at Gemba Panta Rei, highlights a new Toyota web initiative, which gives viewers the chance to see the Toyota assembly line. Called, “Your Toyota is My Toyota,” six videos on the Toyota Europe website give an inside look at the Burnaston, UK factory. Mr. Miller notes that you can catch glimpses of lean in action, such as pitch lines and a color-coded fixed position stop system.
Check out Mr. Miller’s review here.
