Comments of the Week
Here are some of the best comments of the week. If you’re an RSS reader, come check them out. On my Podcast with Dr. Sami Bahri, there is some Q&A that I passed to Dr. Bahri and are posted under…
Year 2007
Boo Mattel, Hooray Mattel
Mattel is the latest victim in the “poison products from China” series (the “poison train,” as The Consumerist blog calls it). Victim is absolutely the wrong word to use, considering Mattel chose to source from China and admitted their own…
Lean Healthcare Survey
In support of the book I’m currently writing, I have created a comprehensive survey for hospitals about Lean practices and implementation. Click Here to take survey The intended audience for the survey is healthcare only, whether you are already implementing…
Not Blowing "Hot Air" About Lean
Fanmaker hot on local production — chicagotribune.com Ok, sorry for the headline. I think mine’s worse than the Trib’s. The article gives credit to Lean for an Illinois company’s ability to compete against cheap imports: “Through sophisticated cost controls, Lakewood…
"Easy to Measure" or Meaningful?
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart – Comedy – IFILM I’m not sure where I heard the expression, but I generally love the sentiment of the phrase:“Just because it’s easy to measure doesn’t mean it’s important.” Many of our metrics…
Overprocessing Example on the Bathroom Counter
Here’s a light hearted topic for Lean Thinkers. “Overprocessing” is one of the 8 Types of Waste that we talk about in a Lean context (it comes from Toyota and Taiichi Ohno). One way of describing overprocessing is that it…
Updated: Nardelli to Run Chrysler
I was completely stunned by the WSJ headline this morning that announced Bob Nardelli, formerly of GE and Home Depot, is going to be CEO at Chrysler. Many of the actual industry experts were stunned too, so don’t feel too…
LeanBlog Podcast #29 — Interview with Dr. Sami Bahri, The World’s First Lean Dentist, on How It’s Transformed His Practice
Listen: LeanBlog Podcast #29 features a very special guest, Dr. Sami Bahri, “The World’s First Lean Dentist.” If you’re thinking, “What can I learn about lean from a Dentist?”, please listen in. I think you’ll be amazed and will learn…
"Bad Systems in the News" Update
Here are some updates on the “Bad Systems” I featured last week, Northwest Airlines and the NBA. I know I promised more positive posts, but let me follow up on these stories… First, the NBA. I don’t have a link…
A Gemba Walk Example: How Senior Leaders Strengthen Lean Leadership
This is from a blog reader, Mike, in response to an earlier question about the role of senior leadership in a Lean effort. A Real-World Gemba Walk Example from a Lean Facility I’m posting this with Mike’s permission to get…
Sorry If I’m Complain-ey
I’m going to have some more positive posts in the coming days. Recently, Lee Fried, at the DailyKaizen blog, thought he was being negative, and I’m starting to think I’ve been the same way lately. I go through phases like…
Bad Systems in the News: PHX TSA
Serious Security Questions at Sky Harbor Airport New interim security director named at Sky Harbor Here’s another story from last week about bad systems, and bad management to boot. This one hits close to home since I used to fly…