Embrace the Principles of Next-Generation Manufacturing, and Prosper February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in manufacturing.Tags: manufacturing
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U.S. manufacturers face a host of challenges in the 21st Centurty. Among those are shortages of skilled workers and a competitive global market. Companies that wish to succeed in the next generation of manufacturing must be connected to the global economy, use technology to help boost production, and attract, develop, and retain talent. These, and other factors, will all contribute to a dynamic, global market, ensuring success.
Check out the other principles of next-generation manufacturing here.
Lean Chickens, 1, Fat Lions, 0 February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean, manufacturing, strategy, supply chain.Tags: lean, manufacturing, strategy, supply chain
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Bill Waddell presents an interesting study of production. Golden Bear, Ltd., has received the contract to produce Pride the Lion, the official mascot of the British Olympic Team. Pride is being produced in China because it has been argued that he is too expensive to produce elsewhere. Pride retails for $20. Meanwhile, Montana-based American company West Paw Design makes a sustainable, fluffy product called a Spring Chicken that is larger than Pride –and it retails for $14. The difference? Lean-based West Paw oversees everything itself, while Pride must be overseen by offices in both London and China.
For Bill’s very thought-provoking article, head here.
Kaizen on the Boeing 737 Line February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in manufacturing.Tags: manufacturing
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Mark Graban at Lean Blog highlights a Wall Street Journal article about the lean efforts of Boeing. Demand for Boeing’s aircraft is up 70%, so Boeing has turned to its workforce for ideas. One of the workers came up with a canvas cover to shield wheels on the assembly line from accidental punctures, saving Boeing $10,000 a tire.
Read the rest of Mark’s post to see what else Boeing has managed, here.
Tumbling Down the Slippery Slope February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in automotive, Lean Thinking.Tags: automotive, Lean Thinking
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Bill Waddell, writing at Evolving Excellence, writes about the demise of Toyota’s culture. Toyota, which has long prided itself on not firing employees to save money, has done just that in Australia. Despite the step back from a cornerstone of Toyota’s operating philosophy, Bill insists this has no bearing whatsoever on lean thinking itself.
Check out Bill’s Evolving Excellence post here.
Mental Models and How We View the Gemba and Workers: GM vs Dell February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques, workforce.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques, workforce
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Writing at the Lean Blog, Mark Graban reflects on his time working at General Motors and later, Dell. Dell workers wore antistatic straps that kept workers grounded to avoid static charges zapping production parts. A UAW union member wanted to know how Dell got away with tying their workers to workstations. The question revealed a lot about the UAW’s mentality, betraying the idea that the UAW doesn’t think workers want to work, and that the UAW doesn’t trust GM to treat its workers respectfully.
To read Mark’s enlightening post, head over to Lean Blog.
The Weigh-In: What’s The Best Way To Motivate Your Employees? February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in workforce.Tags: workforce
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Erin Schulte at FastCompany taps into an oft-asked question: What is the best way to motivate employees? Happy, motivated employees are important and good for business. Even simple changes to processes and procedures can mean a better, motivated workforce. Those simple procedures include recognizing achievement, offering rewards, and simply saying thank you to employees.
Although this article is primarily about extrinsic motivators, it still has some good tips. I would argue that the more powerful – and lean – way to think about motivation is designing work for better intrisic motivation.
For other procedures and Erin’s article, click here.
Lean Versus the Toyota Productive System February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean.Tags: lean
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Michael Baudin, writing at his blog, explains that there is a difference between lean and TPS –and has to do with packaging as well as substance. He contends that whereas TPS may be defined as a cookie-cutter approach to each company, lean is more dynamic and malleable, provided its core principles are not violated. Michael also notes that the label “lean” is slapped on just about anything these days.
To read his views on the distinction between lean and TPS, check out Michael’s post here.
Graphic Representation of a Lean Schedule February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean, Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: lean, Lean Tools & Techniques
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Michael Baudin has posted a visual representation of lean scheduling over at his blog. It is adapted from a real test data set, and is an interesting graphic to view.
Head on over here to view the graphic.
ThedaCare’s “Business Performance System” – and a 10% Target February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in change management, healthcare, lean.Tags: change management, healthcare, lean
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Mark Graban speaks about the book On the Mend: Revolutionizing Healthcare to Save Lives and Transform the Industry by John Toussaint in a blog post at Lean Blog. Mark highlights the lean efforts of ThedaCare in a blog post by Toussaint as well, including the failure of achieving their goal of increasing productivity by 10% annually. This caused a period of intense self-reflection, and importantly, ThedaCare did not blame its employees but rather their system of management.
To read Mark’s post, head on over here.
If Your Company’s Culture Needs A Shot In The Arm, Do The Huddle February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in culture, personal productivity, workforce.Tags: culture, personal productivity, workforce
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A FastCompany article by Eric Ryan reveals that huddles can be a great way to motivate a company. A huddle is a company meeting that keeps everyone connected to the culture and the business. Things like objectives, sales wins, financial challenges, and personal success stories, births, birthdays, and other individual accomplishments are discussed and heralded. This builds trust, communication, and camaraderie between coworkers. Eric also offers some huddle tips, such as allowing a different person to lead the huddle each time.
Check out the rest of Eric’s suggestions here.
Lessons Learned From Kodak: Don’t Get Trapped by Your Core Business Model February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in strategy.Tags: strategy
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Kodak did everything it needed to do on the road to bankruptcy –just not enough. Kodak correctly predicted the emergence of electronic imaging over traditional film, and poured resources into making the change. But it didn’t go fast enough or far enough, and was thus forced to file for bankruptcy in January. Kodak put too many eggs in one basket, and didn’t move fast enough to meet the change in technology.
Read the IndustryWeek article here.
GE Opens New Plant, Says ‘Lean’ Helps Make U.S. Manufacturing Competitive February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in green business, manufacturing.Tags: green business, manufacturing
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General Electric, which once considered selling off its appliances division, has redoubled its efforts and has invested in its appliances division and in U.S. manufacturing. A new hybrid water heater plant has opened in Louisville, Kentucky –the first in more than fifty years. New wage structures, the implementation of lean, and the development of a one-team mentality culture are serving that new operation well.
For the IndustryWeek review of General Electric’s new operations, head here.
The Failure of “Don’t Bring Me Problems, Bring Me Solutions!” February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in change management, leadership, workforce.Tags: change management, leadership, workforce
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Jamie Flinchbaugh writes about the management line that solutions, not problems, should be brought to the management’s attention, saying this is wrong. Oftentimes, bringing attention to problems is conflated with whining. Rather, talking openly about problems and identifying problems is the only way to begin to solve them. And that takes courage.
Check out Jamie’s excellent post here.
Why Won’t They Tell Me There is a Problem? February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, workforce.Tags: leadership, workforce
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Jamie Flinchbaugh presents a list of reasons why people have trouble bringing attention to problems. Those reasons include fearful employees imagining they will be blamed, and the defeatist idea that bringing a problem to light won’t make a difference. These reasons must be overcome in order to properly address problems.
Head on over to read Jamie’s article here.
The Wikipedia Way of Motivating Your Employees February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in personal productivity, workforce.Tags: personal productivity, workforce
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Wikipedia’s success comes largely from its “workforce” of unpaid volunteers who write and edit. Wikipedia can manage this because its mission of freedom of information is clear. For a successful workplace, Julie Moreland, writing at FastCompany, suggests that a clear sense of purpose and a fulfilling workplace environment are essential. This includes listening to the ideas and concerns of workers, making work itself a journey of discovery.
Head on over to read Julie’s article here.
Gecko-Inspired Mess-Free Super-Adhesive Can Stick a TV to the Wall! February 27, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in new products and technologies.Tags: new products and technologies
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Using the extraordinary clinging and climbing power of geckos as inspiration, a DARPA-funded team of scientists have created “Geckskin”. Geckskin is a stiff, woven fabric with a soft adhesive pad woven into a tendon that resembles those on the foot of a Gecko. Geckskin is so powerful that an index-card sized square can hold up a 700-pound load -such as a television.
Learn more about Gecksin by visiting here.
