I might not be able to blog much the next few days, so I'll pose this fun question. Has anyone heard of the Six Sigma winery, founded by a former GE executive?
What would a “Lean winery” look like, I wonder? Why can't we level load grape production throughout the year? That's a joke… :-)
I'm sure you could apply kaizen, waste reduction, and “respect for people” in a winery as much as any organization, be it a factory or a hospital.
Update Feb 20, 2015:Â I had a chance to have a Six Sigma wine last night at the hotel that's hosting the Society for Health Systems Conference, which seemed appropriate.
Proof that @MarkGraban likes six sigma with @MikeStoecklein @JoeKaizeneer pic.twitter.com/lGzH5h3ADU
— Isaac B. Mitchell (@IsaacMitchell) February 20, 2015
Last night's wine after #SHS2015 – w @MikeStoecklein @IsaacMitchell @JoeKaizeneer – #SixSigma Winery pic.twitter.com/EeyA9JMd4L
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 20, 2015
Wine from #SixSigma Ranch. Appropriate for #SHS2015 w @IsaacMitchell @MikeStoecklein @JoeKaizeneer pic.twitter.com/r67QkXsb8e
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 19, 2015
Please scroll down (or click) to post a comment. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Let’s work together to build a culture of continuous improvement and psychological safety. If you're a leader looking to create lasting change—not just projects—I help organizations:
- Engage people at all levels in sustainable improvement
- Shift from fear of mistakes to learning from them
- Apply Lean thinking in practical, people-centered ways
Interested in coaching or a keynote talk? Let’s start a conversation.
Sounds like an opportunity for a field trip to me… :)
I saw a job posting a few years back for a VP of Supply Chain job for a large California winery. My wheels started spinning about what jobs I would need to have my career path end up there (I even looked into “beverage industry” experience at the local soda bottling plant), I just filed the idea away.
I’d probably rather retire and have a small winery that focuses on quality rather than high volume, sort of like the six sigma guy might be doing.
Oh, to have role models!!
In my next visit to California, I’ll try to stop there and maybe I can do a podcast interview with him!
I blogged about this
So who is going to drink a million bottles and find out if there are only 3 defects???
[…] know, there’s nobody who would say they are a “Lean winery” (although there is a Six Sigma Ranch and Winery that I blogged about before that does use that methodology, interestingly […]