IndustryWeek : Continuous Improvement
This is a new recurring column from Industry Week. The author makes the pitch that companies shouldn't “forget about” continuous improvement in the face of today's other manufacturing issues (competition from China, Chinese currency issues, etc.).
It's one thing to “remember” continuous improvement, but it's also important, I think, to create a culture and environment where people feel inspired and free to make improvements. This requires leadership, elimination of fear, and a genuine respect for people throughout the organization. Remembering Toyota's or Ohno's tools won't get you anywhere if you don't have the management structure to truly support such activities.
What do you think? Please scroll down (or click) to post a comment. Or please share the post with your thoughts on LinkedIn.
Don't want to miss a post or podcast? Subscribe to get notified about posts via email daily or weekly.
Mark's new book is The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation.
He is also the author of Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More, the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, and the anthology Practicing Lean.
Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus.