Potholes? There’s an App for That September 20, 2012
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, lean.Tags: government, lean
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Boston Mayor Thomas Menino has overseen the use of social networking, in the form of more than twenty venues, to allow citizens to be in touch with city hall to report problems and issues. The most popular is the application called Citizens Connect, in which vandalism, graffiti, and potholes can be reported. The program has been downloaded 23,000 times and has spawned 31,000 reports. Thus, city workers can actually focus on fixing real problems rather than looking for them.
To learn more about Boston’s efforts, and to learn more about their app process, head here.
Maryland’s Healthcare Solution: Regulate Prices November 17, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, healthcare.Tags: government, healthcare
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In Maryland, healthcare prices are regulated by the state. For the most part, according to Quality News Today, this keeps the healthcare system financially solvent. It also helps to keep prices low, in terms of both healthcare and health insurance.
Check out the Quality News Today article here.
Maryland’s Healthcare Solution: Regulate Prices November 17, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, healthcare.Tags: government, healthcare
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In Maryland, healthcare prices are regulated by the state. For the most part, according to Quality News Today, this keeps the healthcare system financially solvent. It also helps to keep prices low, in terms of both healthcare and health insurance.
Check out the Quality News Today article here.
The Absurd Cost of Complexity June 2, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, Lean Thinking.Tags: government, Lean Thinking
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Those who participate in lean see unnecessary complexity when it comes about, says Kevin Meyer on the Evolving Excellence blog site. He provides the United States tax code: a bungle of 72,536 pages. It costs on average $431 billion for companies to stay ahead of changes, complete the forms, comply, and enforce. Mr. Meyer also presents the case of a company seeking alternative energy –only to be confronted with 148 conditions before construction can begin. Such constrictive regulation not only stifles creativity, but wastes money.
Read Mr.Meyer’s post here.
The Absurd Cost of Complexity June 2, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, Lean Thinking.Tags: government, Lean Thinking
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Those who participate in lean see unnecessary complexity when it comes about, says Kevin Meyer on the Evolving Excellence blog site. He provides the United States tax code: a bungle of 72,536 pages. It costs on average $431 billion for companies to stay ahead of changes, complete the forms, comply, and enforce. Mr. Meyer also presents the case of a company seeking alternative energy –only to be confronted with 148 conditions before construction can begin. Such constrictive regulation not only stifles creativity, but wastes money.
Read Mr.Meyer’s post here.
Will the U.S. Finally Get a National Manufacturing Strategy? June 2, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, manufacturing.Tags: government, manufacturing
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America has lost 5.5 million manufacturing jobs over the past decade, and members of Congress are now introducing legislation to require the development of a national manufacturing strategy to curtail the trend. Representative Dan Lipinski and Senator Sherrod Brown have sponsored bills that have gained support on both sides of the political aisle to help America keep its competitive edge. America recently lost its title as the leading goods producer in the world to China –a loss that cannot be taken lightly.
Read the IndustryWeek article here.
Will the U.S. Finally Get a National Manufacturing Strategy? June 2, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, manufacturing.Tags: government, manufacturing
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America has lost 5.5 million manufacturing jobs over the past decade, and members of Congress are now introducing legislation to require the development of a national manufacturing strategy to curtail the trend. Representative Dan Lipinski and Senator Sherrod Brown have sponsored bills that have gained support on both sides of the political aisle to help America keep its competitive edge. America recently lost its title as the leading goods producer in the world to China –a loss that cannot be taken lightly.
Read the IndustryWeek article here.
Workshop Tackles Extreme Manufacturing April 20, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, government, manufacturing.Tags: economy, government, manufacturing
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According to IndustryWeek, Washington is paying attention to manufacturing in America. A workshop meeting conducted by multiple government agencies discussed what technological advances would make American manufacturing more competitive in the future. Key to the workshops was focusing on technology, and thinking in terms of big strategy, rather than incremental tactics. Among the conclusions? Rethink government funding, which is aimed at mission objectives rather than economic growth, specifically.
Check out the article here.
Workshop Tackles Extreme Manufacturing April 20, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, government, manufacturing.Tags: economy, government, manufacturing
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According to IndustryWeek, Washington is paying attention to manufacturing in America. A workshop meeting conducted by multiple government agencies discussed what technological advances would make American manufacturing more competitive in the future. Key to the workshops was focusing on technology, and thinking in terms of big strategy, rather than incremental tactics. Among the conclusions? Rethink government funding, which is aimed at mission objectives rather than economic growth, specifically.
Check out the article here.
To Encourage Small Business, Learn from Europe February 4, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, government.Tags: economy, government
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According to Scott Shane at Bloomberg Businessweek, American policymakers can learn a lot from European policymakers when it comes to small business. Whereas European small businesses are doing relatively well, American businesses –compared –do not. Among the reasons are lower European tax rates, lower regulatory barriers to starting small businesses, and loans are easier to obtain, among other things.
Check out Mr. Shane’s article here.
To Encourage Small Business, Learn from Europe February 4, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, government.Tags: economy, government
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According to Scott Shane at Bloomberg Businessweek, American policymakers can learn a lot from European policymakers when it comes to small business. Whereas European small businesses are doing relatively well, American businesses –compared –do not. Among the reasons are lower European tax rates, lower regulatory barriers to starting small businesses, and loans are easier to obtain, among other things.
Check out Mr. Shane’s article here.
How Apple’s iPhone Widens the Trade Deficit with China (And How to Fix It) January 22, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, government, supply chain.Tags: economy, government, outsourcing, supply chain
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Though the iPhone is an American invention, it is contributing $1.9 billion to the trade deficit with China. Developing countries export the high-tech products that affluent countries themselves invent. If Apple were to pursue American workers instead of Chinese workers, the manufacturing cost of a phone would rise from $6.50 to $68 per phone –but selling it for the going rate of $500 would still give Apple a more than-50% profit margin. And if the U.S. produced and sold its own phones, that $1.9 billion trade deficit would disappear –and the U.S. would add $5.7 billion to U.S. exports.
Check out the FastCompany analysis here.
How Apple’s iPhone Widens the Trade Deficit with China (And How to Fix It) January 22, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, government, supply chain.Tags: economy, government, outsourcing, supply chain
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Though the iPhone is an American invention, it is contributing $1.9 billion to the trade deficit with China. Developing countries export the high-tech products that affluent countries themselves invent. If Apple were to pursue American workers instead of Chinese workers, the manufacturing cost of a phone would rise from $6.50 to $68 per phone –but selling it for the going rate of $500 would still give Apple a more than-50% profit margin. And if the U.S. produced and sold its own phones, that $1.9 billion trade deficit would disappear –and the U.S. would add $5.7 billion to U.S. exports.
Check out the FastCompany analysis here.
Saving American Manufacturing: Easy Political Solutions Won’t Save Jobs December 13, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, government, manufacturing.Tags: economy, government, manufacturing
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As manufacturing jobs hang in the balance in an unstable economy, solutions about how not only to save the jobs – but to engender job growth in manufacturing as well – is the stuff of debate, especially since the midterm elections recently. In an Industry Week article exploring various avenues of the debate (what can be done), writers who were featured suggested everything from changing the language used in exports (from Americanized English to formal English) to elimination of certain tax breaks that count towards restructuring for outsourcing.
Check out the Industry Week article here.
Nanotechnology Presents Regulatory Mess December 13, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, new products and technologies.Tags: government, new products and technologies
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An Industry Week article reveals that Oregon State University conducted a test that studied 200 nanomaterials in pesticides for their safety risks. Though most nanomaterials did not pose any health hazards, some did. For this, regulations are on the way, from producers disclosing nanoparticle ingredients to rigorous tests to Environmental Protection Agency mandates. Add to that local, state, national, and international laws and regulations concerning nanomaterials, and a number of difficulties arise. However, efforts are underway to form a coalition of nanomaterial producers to address such concerns.
Read the Industry Week article here.
Saving American Manufacturing: Easy Political Solutions Won’t Save Jobs December 13, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, government, manufacturing.Tags: economy, government, manufacturing
add a comment
As manufacturing jobs hang in the balance in an unstable economy, solutions about how not only to save the jobs – but to engender job growth in manufacturing as well – is the stuff of debate, especially since the midterm elections recently. In an Industry Week article exploring various avenues of the debate (what can be done), writers who were featured suggested everything from changing the language used in exports (from Americanized English to formal English) to elimination of certain tax breaks that count towards restructuring for outsourcing.
Check out the Industry Week article here.
Nanotechnology Presents Regulatory Mess December 13, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, new products and technologies.Tags: government, new products and technologies
add a comment
An Industry Week article reveals that Oregon State University conducted a test that studied 200 nanomaterials in pesticides for their safety risks. Though most nanomaterials did not pose any health hazards, some did. For this, regulations are on the way, from producers disclosing nanoparticle ingredients to rigorous tests to Environmental Protection Agency mandates. Add to that local, state, national, and international laws and regulations concerning nanomaterials, and a number of difficulties arise. However, efforts are underway to form a coalition of nanomaterial producers to address such concerns.
Read the Industry Week article here.
Former Lean U.S. Senate Candidate Launches LeanAmerica.org September 14, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, leadership, lean.Tags: government, leadership, lean
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Paul Akers, Republican primary candidate for senator for Washington, may have failed in his bid to break into politics, but he seems prepared to succeed with the launch of his new website, LeanAmerica.org. The website seeks to apply lean concepts and lean improvements to the United States government. The objective is to put a lean leader in every government organization and department in order to effectively curtail and eliminate waste. Lean Thinkers: This is your Call to Arms!
Check out Jon Miller’s analysis here and Paul Aker’s website here.
Former Lean U.S. Senate Candidate Launches LeanAmerica.org September 14, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, leadership, lean.Tags: government, leadership, lean
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Paul Akers, Republican primary candidate for senator for Washington, may have failed in his bid to break into politics, but he seems prepared to succeed with the launch of his new website, LeanAmerica.org. The website seeks to apply lean concepts and lean improvements to the United States government. The objective is to put a lean leader in every government organization and department in order to effectively curtail and eliminate waste. Lean Thinkers: This is your Call to Arms!
Check out Jon Miller’s analysis here and Paul Aker’s website here.
State Solar Subsidies Fall Victim to Economic Downturn August 12, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, government, green business.Tags: economy, government, green business
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State and local subsidies for the upfront costs of families seeking to make their homes go green are being scaled back or eliminated. In some cases, taxes are being raised on those who have gone green. But, as the Smart Planet article points out, the cost of solar arrays are becoming more affordable as time goes by.
Check out the Smart Planet article here.
State Solar Subsidies Fall Victim to Economic Downturn August 12, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, government, green business.Tags: economy, government, green business
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State and local subsidies for the upfront costs of families seeking to make their homes go green are being scaled back or eliminated. In some cases, taxes are being raised on those who have gone green. But, as the Smart Planet article points out, the cost of solar arrays are becoming more affordable as time goes by.
Check out the Smart Planet article here.
China Is Overtaking U.S in the Clean Energy Race July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, green business.Tags: energy, government, green business
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A report from the Pew Charitable Trusts finds that China has overtaken the United States in clean energy and technology investments. In 2009, Chinese government-funded initiatives meant China invested $34.6 billion in clean technology. The United States came in second with $18.6 billion; and the United Kingdom in third with $11.2 billion. However, since 2005, investment in clean energy has increased by 230%.
Check out the FastCompany analysis here.
China Is Overtaking U.S in the Clean Energy Race July 16, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, green business.Tags: energy, government, green business
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A report from the Pew Charitable Trusts finds that China has overtaken the United States in clean energy and technology investments. In 2009, Chinese government-funded initiatives meant China invested $34.6 billion in clean technology. The United States came in second with $18.6 billion; and the United Kingdom in third with $11.2 billion. However, since 2005, investment in clean energy has increased by 230%.
Check out the FastCompany analysis here.
Companies See Mixed Results Implementing Energy Efficiency Measures June 18, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, green business.Tags: energy, government, green business
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Companies worried about pending carbon emissions legislation are looking to preempt new laws by looking for energy efficient production alternatives. Either production costs or increased energy tax rates –or both –will strain companies. While some companies may find it easy to reduce energy consumption, other companies will find it difficult to make energy changes, with costs ranging in the range of hundreds-of-millions of dollars. The steel industry, for example, has cut emissions by a third over the past two decades –but the technology they need to continue cutting emissions hasn’t progressed enough yet –and the pending carbon emissions legislation doesn’t allow enough time.
Check out the New York Times article here.
Companies See Mixed Results Implementing Energy Efficiency Measures June 18, 2010
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in government, green business.Tags: energy, government, green business
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Companies worried about pending carbon emissions legislation are looking to preempt new laws by looking for energy efficient production alternatives. Either production costs or increased energy tax rates –or both –will strain companies. While some companies may find it easy to reduce energy consumption, other companies will find it difficult to make energy changes, with costs ranging in the range of hundreds-of-millions of dollars. The steel industry, for example, has cut emissions by a third over the past two decades –but the technology they need to continue cutting emissions hasn’t progressed enough yet –and the pending carbon emissions legislation doesn’t allow enough time.
Check out the New York Times article here.
