Comments on: A Different "Lock Box" http://www.leanblog.org/2007/01/different-lock-box/ Mark Graban's leanblog.org, Lean Manufacturing, Lean Healthcare, Toyota Production System Thu, 09 Sep 2010 09:01:18 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Anonymous http://www.leanblog.org/2007/01/different-lock-box/#comment-1839 Anonymous Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:56:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/01/a-different-lock-box/#comment-1839 I just found a locked suggestion box in our workplace. I asked a manager and she said they hadn't had the key in over two years. More of a black hole than a "lock box". I just found a locked suggestion box in our workplace. I asked a manager and she said they hadn’t had the key in over two years. More of a black hole than a “lock box”.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Rich http://www.leanblog.org/2007/01/different-lock-box/#comment-1620 Rich Mon, 29 Jan 2007 15:37:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/01/a-different-lock-box/#comment-1620 I think the locks on suggestion boxes date back to the days when most "suggestions" were gripes about management and/or fellow workers and thus were treated as confidential. In other words, old school management. In a lean culture I think the best systems are visual and managed at the lowest possible level. The system also has to give great consideration not about how ideas are implemented, but rather how ideas that don't make the grade are "rejected." Treating idea givers with the respect of an explanation about why their idea can't be implemented (cost, resources, etc)will go a long way in ensuring that employees share future ideas but also give them a better understanding of what makes for a good idea. I think the locks on suggestion boxes date back to the days when most “suggestions” were gripes about management and/or fellow workers and thus were treated as confidential. In other words, old school management. In a lean culture I think the best systems are visual and managed at the lowest possible level. The system also has to give great consideration not about how ideas are implemented, but rather how ideas that don’t make the grade are “rejected.” Treating idea givers with the respect of an explanation about why their idea can’t be implemented (cost, resources, etc)will go a long way in ensuring that employees share future ideas but also give them a better understanding of what makes for a good idea.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.leanblog.org/2007/01/different-lock-box/#comment-1613 Anonymous Fri, 26 Jan 2007 17:41:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/01/a-different-lock-box/#comment-1613 Wow, Jennifer that sounds like a great idea. The ideas I pull from lean blogs and other blogs are great.<br /><br />I cringe though at the political issues that might arise with that type of forum. Blogging and message boards are a different animal than your typical employee/manager scheme. Ideas can pickup momentum without the proper approval. Wow, Jennifer that sounds like a great idea. The ideas I pull from lean blogs and other blogs are great.

I cringe though at the political issues that might arise with that type of forum. Blogging and message boards are a different animal than your typical employee/manager scheme. Ideas can pickup momentum without the proper approval.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]> By: Jennifer http://www.leanblog.org/2007/01/different-lock-box/#comment-1612 Jennifer Fri, 26 Jan 2007 16:18:00 +0000 http://leanblog.bigbigdesign.net/2007/01/a-different-lock-box/#comment-1612 I've thought about creating an internal blog, for idea sharing that would act as a sort of "suggestion box". Not only would everyone be able to read the suggestions, office staff may be more inclined to read them if it was easily accessed on the computer (and it wouldn't feel like you were rummaging through other people's private suggestions either). Getting it out there might also encourage/inspire others to contribute, but of course a blog would allow for collaboration and discussion that a box never could. And management might have more motivation to implement the ideas generated there, since staff would be paying closer attention to what happened with their ideas. I’ve thought about creating an internal blog, for idea sharing that would act as a sort of “suggestion box”. Not only would everyone be able to read the suggestions, office staff may be more inclined to read them if it was easily accessed on the computer (and it wouldn’t feel like you were rummaging through other people’s private suggestions either). Getting it out there might also encourage/inspire others to contribute, but of course a blog would allow for collaboration and discussion that a box never could. And management might have more motivation to implement the ideas generated there, since staff would be paying closer attention to what happened with their ideas.

Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0

]]>