I realize that I'm not doing well on personal inventory management when I'm sending out Mothers Day cards with Christmas stamps! At least that's just a few bucks worth of inventory the drawer. I don't send “snail mail” much anymore, at least with online bill payment. I guess that's lean, as long as I dont' repeat this mistake.
Whenever I have to mail a package, though, thank goodness for the USPS online shipping website. I can pay and print my postage label at home, which helps avoid the huge queue at the physical Post Office. I could avoid keeping stamp inventory altogether by using an “e-Stamp” service like my dad does, but again I don't mail much.
What good or bad inventory practices do you have in your own home? Here's a reminder about our “Everyday Lean” contest that continues through the end of the month.
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Mark Graban
Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker who has worked in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. He is author of the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, as well as The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen. His most recent book is the anthology Practicing Lean that benefits the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation, where Mark is a board member. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus. His latest book has been released as an "in-progress" book, titled Measures of Success.