Work/Life Balance is a Myth: Here is What You Can Do About It January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in work-life balance.Tags: work-life balance
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Writing at FastCompany, Craig Chappelow contends that the work/life balance –of even scales between home and work –is an idealistic myth. It is difficult to manage work and home, but there are some things that can be done to make it easier. Those include getting help on relationship problems, and to quit complaining about work –even if you have reason to complain.
To read Mr. Chappelow’s article, head here.
So You Want to be a Change Agent: Are You Weird Enough? January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in culture, leadership.Tags: culture, leadership
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Lonnie Wilson, the founder of Quality Consultants, has penned an interesting article over at Industry Week. In it, she discusses how those seeking to change a company must be a mix of two things: different enough to change the company, and credible enough to change the company. A simple, yet logical and credible way of being both, is asking questions about the company’s culture. By asking challenging questions, one can be viewed as both objective and “weird”.
Read Ms. Wilson’s article here.
Work/Life Balance is a Myth: Here is What You Can Do About It January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in work-life balance.Tags: work-life balance
add a comment
Writing at FastCompany, Craig Chappelow contends that the work/life balance –of even scales between home and work –is an idealistic myth. It is difficult to manage work and home, but there are some things that can be done to make it easier. Those include getting help on relationship problems, and to quit complaining about work –even if you have reason to complain.
To read Mr. Chappelow’s article, head here.
So You Want to be a Change Agent: Are You Weird Enough? January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in culture, leadership.Tags: culture, leadership
add a comment
Lonnie Wilson, the founder of Quality Consultants, has penned an interesting article over at Industry Week. In it, she discusses how those seeking to change a company must be a mix of two things: different enough to change the company, and credible enough to change the company. A simple, yet logical and credible way of being both, is asking questions about the company’s culture. By asking challenging questions, one can be viewed as both objective and “weird”.
Read Ms. Wilson’s article here.
5S First? January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S, Lean Tools & Techniques
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The Old Lean Dude writes about an Australian event heckler, who challenged him on the notion that 5S is a good starting place because it is easy. Bruce initially replied that different starting places were important for different companies. He later spoke with the heckler, saying that explaining TPS is easier when broken down, beginning with 5S. Sometimes, the wrong questions about a company are asked.
Check out the interesting anecdote here.
Flying Robots Build a Six-Meter Tower January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in new products and technologies.Tags: new products and technologies
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The FRAC Centre in Orleans, France, has released a video showing their flying robots constructing a six-meter tall tower. These flying robots perform what is being called “Flight Assembled Architecture” and it is easy to see why. Preprogrammed flight patterns and extended feet help the flying robots from crashing into one another, and performing their job.
Check out the astounding video here.
Kaizen Events vs. Daily Continuous Improvement January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in kaizen.Tags: kaizen
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Al Norval, writing over at Lean Pathways, deconstructs the myth that kaizen is only about improvement “events”. Mr. Norval explains that kaizen is a daily thing, and should embrace the scientific method, which causes people to question and see where things went wrong in an orderly and methodical way.
Check out Mr. Norval’s post.
5S First? January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S, Lean Tools & Techniques
add a comment
The Old Lean Dude writes about an Australian event heckler, who challenged him on the notion that 5S is a good starting place because it is easy. Bruce initially replied that different starting places were important for different companies. He later spoke with the heckler, saying that explaining TPS is easier when broken down, beginning with 5S. Sometimes, the wrong questions about a company are asked.
Check out the interesting anecdote here.
Flying Robots Build a Six-Meter Tower January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in new products and technologies.Tags: new products and technologies
add a comment
The FRAC Centre in Orleans, France, has released a video showing their flying robots constructing a six-meter tall tower. These flying robots perform what is being called “Flight Assembled Architecture” and it is easy to see why. Preprogrammed flight patterns and extended feet help the flying robots from crashing into one another, and performing their job.
Check out the astounding video here.
Kaizen Events vs. Daily Continuous Improvement January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in kaizen.Tags: kaizen
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Al Norval, writing over at Lean Pathways, deconstructs the myth that kaizen is only about improvement “events”. Mr. Norval explains that kaizen is a daily thing, and should embrace the scientific method, which causes people to question and see where things went wrong in an orderly and methodical way.
Check out Mr. Norval’s post.
The 5th Myth About the “Respect for People” Principle January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in kaizen, workforce.Tags: kaizen, workforce
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Adding to Jamie Flinchbaugh’s post about “Respect for People” myths, Jon Miller adds one of his own at Gemba Panta Rei: removing the “eighth waste” means utilizing creative ideas for kaizen. Good ideas must be separated from the bad, and focus must also be on the good that people can do for others. It isn’t just about the ideas.
Check out Mr. Miller’s blog post here.
4 Myths About the Principle “Respect for People” January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Thinking, workforce.Tags: Lean Thinking, workforce
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The lean principle which advocates respect for people has gained substantial support in the last few years, but there are myths about the principle which Jamie Flinchbaugh takes to task. Those myths include avoiding conflicts and giving people autonomy, but not requiring accountability. Mr. Flinchbaugh explains that conflict leads to resolution, and failing to hold people to account can have a variety of negative impacts.
To read the other myths and Mr. Flinchbaugh’s thoughts, please head here.
The 5th Myth About the “Respect for People” Principle January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in kaizen, workforce.Tags: kaizen, workforce
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Adding to Jamie Flinchbaugh’s post about “Respect for People” myths, Jon Miller adds one of his own at Gemba Panta Rei: removing the “eighth waste” means utilizing creative ideas for kaizen. Good ideas must be separated from the bad, and focus must also be on the good that people can do for others. It isn’t just about the ideas.
Check out Mr. Miller’s blog post here.
4 Myths About the Principle “Respect for People” January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Thinking, workforce.Tags: Lean Thinking, workforce
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The lean principle which advocates respect for people has gained substantial support in the last few years, but there are myths about the principle which Jamie Flinchbaugh takes to task. Those myths include avoiding conflicts and giving people autonomy, but not requiring accountability. Mr. Flinchbaugh explains that conflict leads to resolution, and failing to hold people to account can have a variety of negative impacts.
To read the other myths and Mr. Flinchbaugh’s thoughts, please head here.
Value Stream Wrapping January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, A3, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S, 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques
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The Old Lean Dude recalls a lesson from a science professor who related to him that observation without sharing has no value. Value stream mapping doesn’t have to be a work of art, but it has to be legible, and it should focus on the subject, not making the map look good.
Read the Old Lean Dude’s post here.
Sharpen Your Focus by Selecting the Vital Few Breakthrough Objectives with Hoshin Kanri January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in culture, lean.Tags: culture, lean
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Tim McMahon, writing at A Lean Journey, talks about the two kinds of changes that occur: small, incremental changes, and large, dramatic changes. While both matter, sometimes the larger, more dramatic changes are what lead to real breakthroughs.
Check out Mr. McMahon’s informative post here.
The Case for Onshoring January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in supply chain.Tags: offshoring, outsourcing, supply chain
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Guy Morgan, writing at IndustryWeek, makes a compelling argument for onshoring. Morgan contends that clear thinking is important as U.S. companies move forward. They must consider the total costs of making a product. Logistics matter. As wages and labor costs rise in other countries, the United States is prepared to meet the change with highly sophisticated yet easy logistical systems for those seeking to work within the country.
Read Mr. Morgan’s persuasive article here.
It’s a Man vs. Machine Recovery January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in manufacturing, workforce.Tags: manufacturing, workforce
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While U.S. companies produce almost one quarter more goods today than it did in 1999, companies have been relying more and more on machines. Opinions vary. Some say that machines lead to wider unemployment. Others say that machines lead to greater productivity, and therefore, more wealth. Another problem with company production is a lack of demand. Machines can churn out products cheaper, meeting targets for smaller demand. But greater demand would mean companies hiring more people.
For the Bloomberg Business article, head on over here.
If You’re an Average Worker, You’re Going Straight to the Bottom January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in personal productivity, workforce.Tags: personal productivity, workforce
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Marketing guru Seth Godin relates that we are experiencing the end of the Industrial Age, and with it goes the average worker. According to Godin, companies can always find average workers doing average work for cheaper rates. Mr. Godin insists that workers must make themselves stand out in order to be hired and to get paid more.
For the Business Insider article, and a link to Mr. Godin’s interview, head here.
Value Stream Wrapping January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, A3, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: 5S, 5S & Visual Management, Lean Tools & Techniques
add a comment
The Old Lean Dude recalls a lesson from a science professor who related to him that observation without sharing has no value. Value stream mapping doesn’t have to be a work of art, but it has to be legible, and it should focus on the subject, not making the map look good.
Read the Old Lean Dude’s post here.
Sharpen Your Focus by Selecting the Vital Few Breakthrough Objectives with Hoshin Kanri January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in culture, lean.Tags: culture, lean
add a comment
Tim McMahon, writing at A Lean Journey, talks about the two kinds of changes that occur: small, incremental changes, and large, dramatic changes. While both matter, sometimes the larger, more dramatic changes are what lead to real breakthroughs.
Check out Mr. McMahon’s informative post here.
The Case for Onshoring January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in supply chain.Tags: offshoring, outsourcing, supply chain
add a comment
Guy Morgan, writing at IndustryWeek, makes a compelling argument for onshoring. Morgan contends that clear thinking is important as U.S. companies move forward. They must consider the total costs of making a product. Logistics matter. As wages and labor costs rise in other countries, the United States is prepared to meet the change with highly sophisticated yet easy logistical systems for those seeking to work within the country.
Read Mr. Morgan’s persuasive article here.
It’s a Man vs. Machine Recovery January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in manufacturing, workforce.Tags: manufacturing, workforce
add a comment
While U.S. companies produce almost one quarter more goods today than it did in 1999, companies have been relying more and more on machines. Opinions vary. Some say that machines lead to wider unemployment. Others say that machines lead to greater productivity, and therefore, more wealth. Another problem with company production is a lack of demand. Machines can churn out products cheaper, meeting targets for smaller demand. But greater demand would mean companies hiring more people.
For the Bloomberg Business article, head on over here.
If You’re an Average Worker, You’re Going Straight to the Bottom January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in personal productivity, workforce.Tags: personal productivity, workforce
add a comment
Marketing guru Seth Godin relates that we are experiencing the end of the Industrial Age, and with it goes the average worker. According to Godin, companies can always find average workers doing average work for cheaper rates. Mr. Godin insists that workers must make themselves stand out in order to be hired and to get paid more.
For the Business Insider article, and a link to Mr. Godin’s interview, head here.
Librarian vs. Archeologist January 30, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Michael Schrage, writing at the Harvard Business Review Blog, states that getting organized is mostly a waste of time. He states how IBM researchers who searched through e-mails found what they were looking for faster and more effectively than those who set up file folders to organize their information. Yet, at Timeback Management, Dan Markovitz explains that sometimes, not all information (like Etruscan pottery and carpet swatches) can be identified electronically. Mr. Markovitz contends different situations need different systems.
Read Mr. Schrage’s posting here. To read Dan Markovitz’s response and thoughts, head here.
