Not long ago, I purchased a universal airplane/auto adapter. There was a packaging insert that exhorted me, the user, to NOT insert the plug the wrong way. There was even a “helpful” green line to help me line up the proper orientation (pictured at left, click for a larger view).
The problem was…. well, the plug was properly error-proofed. It was impossible to insert the wrong way. Great design.
So why the packaging insert? Why the green line? Seems like the “waste of overprocessing” to me. Extra helpful or unnecessary? How would you vote if it were your company? Do you do this to protect yourself from customer complaints, those who *do* try to force it together the wrong way?
About LeanBlog.org: Mark Graban is a consultant, author, and speaker in the “lean healthcare” methodology, focused on improving quality and patient safety, improving access, reducing costs, and fully engaging healthcare professionals. He is also the Chief Improvement Officer for KaiNexus.
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{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
“No one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public.”
–P.T. Barnum–
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Is it for the customers, or for the lawyers? Unfortunately, product liability law is so in favor of plaintiffs, or lawyers, and almost encourages frivolous lawsuits. Why does Drano say “don’t drink me”? Because someone would sue if it didn’t. For US manufacturing companies, measured as a % of sales, legals costs are higher than profits. Tort reform is badly needed, and until them, the only benefit is we get these silly labels. And there are even websites dedicated to the practice: http://www.rinkworks.com/said/warnings.shtml
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Don’t forget the annual “Wacky Warnings” contest:
LINK
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Even better!
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Who ever said the legal/regulatory systems uses Lean. There’s a “frontier” for Lean – funding appears to be adequate also.
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My favorite is cereal boxes that are only two thirds full with actual cereal but the big box is used more for visibility and marketing. That box probably costs more than the product inside. I mean it is full color and heavy duty card stock, custom folds, etc. that is one expensive box.
Sorry about not being quite on subject here, but with the food costs jumping up by 15% to 25% I am really looking hard at all the wasted costs in the name of marketing and visibility in the supermarkets. It is hurting my own personal bottom line. I would rather pay $2.50 for the actual product and not pay the extra $1.50 for a fancy (too big) box.
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Is this deja vu, or did you and Bryan plan a “connector dysfunction” theme this week?
http://trainingwithinindustry.blogspot.com/
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Total coincidence. That was a nice post there. Here is the exact link:
TWI LINK
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Bob, we covered the supermarket waste issue back in February… there are some pro’s and con’s that people pointed out about varying packaging size… still seems like waste to the consumer though.
LINK
Mark
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