Here's the latest installment of “Key Tweets,” a (usually) weekly post that presents some of my tweets (or retweets) from the week, including pictures and other interesting stuff.
In this post, I'm sharing tweets from my recent trip to Japan. I've added a few photos I posted on Instagram, as well.
You can follow me @MarkGraban and join the fun and the conversation, but you don't need a Twitter account to view any of this.
See the previous installments of Key Tweets.
Good morning Tokyo! View from the elliptical machine 26 stories up. https://t.co/WYBZzyinkg pic.twitter.com/FikQs0DOVO
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 23, 2018
I have been enjoying Tokyo as a tourist before heading to Nagoya for a week of learning with @Kaizen. I enjoyed a bowl with 5 types of uni. It’s so hard to find back home, I overdid it here. pic.twitter.com/NYdVo6Zz5w
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 24, 2018
An adorable monument between the new Sony AIBO dog and a little girl. pic.twitter.com/jUu7YOij0t
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 24, 2018
The Toyoda “Type G” weaving loom that started many #Lean concepts: it stops automatically when a thread breaks, which builds in quality and boosted productivity 30x because one person could monitor more than a single machine. Better process = better results. #lean pic.twitter.com/amgEusdZu1
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 25, 2018
Mr. Furuya, Toyota TQM Promotion Office: "The only solution is to solve your own problems with your own wisdom and ideas; listening to other people's examples should not be of any help." Is there a middle ground where we can learn from others without just copying? #Lean #Kaizen
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 26, 2018
Probably not the best Google translation on this book about TPS and #Lean pic.twitter.com/4TWqRga8iC
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 26, 2018
Off to visit two hospitals today in the Nagoya area with our @Kaizen group that includes people from across Europe and Morocco. So much to learn from each other in our pursuits of #Lean and #Kaizen.
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 26, 2018
Visiting a Japanese hospital: their goal is to include everyone in #kaizen activity, but “to be honest, doctors do not participate much. Some younger doctors show interest now, which pleases us.” #Lean
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 27, 2018
From a Japanese hospital presentation about improving materials management and supply chain. #lean #kaizen @kaizen pic.twitter.com/InNdBJl4II
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 27, 2018
A fishbone diagram on outpatient oral surgery delays at a Japanese hospital. Universal problems and universal improvement methods. #Lean pic.twitter.com/uDp0dByoxq
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 27, 2018
When asked if TQM/#Lean would continue at the hospital after his retirement, the Japanese CEO said, “Yes, because it makes people happy.” They have done it for a long time and have all seen benefits across their balanced scorecard.
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 27, 2018
A Japanese manufacturing company president leads by example by cleaning the floor every day st 7 am. A culture of respect and teamwork. Cleaning and maintenance of machines extended life from 6 years to 28+. @kaizen #lean pic.twitter.com/f0Xh5hOlW4
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 27, 2018
Participants in our @Kaizen Japan tour cleaning the floor and equipment at a host company. pic.twitter.com/jP4ns19v4b
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 28, 2018
.@firthsuburbia enjoying matcha tea at a host company pic.twitter.com/AdNYjBiJIc
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 28, 2018
Visiting a company in Japan, the company president speaks to our group on #Kaizen https://t.co/YgEeFJNKVQ
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 28, 2018
With a Japanese surgeon who, in a partnership with Toyota teaches MDs about A3 problem solving and #lean. pic.twitter.com/KpvrBpc9Iq
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 28, 2018
Quick blog post — Updates from Japan; Other Articles & An Upcoming Webinar – #Lean Blog https://t.co/2Uaq2s5jIP
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 28, 2018
Cleaning the factory floor in Japan at 7 am pic.twitter.com/T8A5fKIv4P
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) February 28, 2018
I saw some of this equipment at a hospital in Japan in Thursday…
Toyota to commercialize robots for physical therapy market in 2015 | The Japan Times https://t.co/stLzsDyQ1A pic.twitter.com/Sfgbr4yVbf
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) March 1, 2018
Prof. Hideo Kunisawa (former Toyota): "#Kaizen should not be something you do because you are told to do it." #Lean
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) March 1, 2018
Interesting observation from our @Kaizen tour group in Japan – the organizations we visited who seem most successful with improvement methods have charismatic leaders. Is that transferrable or scaleable? #Lean
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) March 2, 2018
Good advice on the Shinkansen train: “Please be careful not to miss your stop.”
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) March 3, 2018
“Lean Cafe” in Tokyo pic.twitter.com/hWVy4Pg40m
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) March 3, 2018
Sunday morning in Tokyo pic.twitter.com/ZPaLUHaEqx
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) March 3, 2018
Assembly line style omelette making. Pans flow sideways on the grill. pic.twitter.com/8aVYq1cWkV
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) March 5, 2018
Tourist mode before flying home. I love uni. Have never eaten it directly from the sea urchin before. pic.twitter.com/EghjC1yCD6
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) March 5, 2018
Me to @DFWAirport ambassador: “The signage after international arrivals is really bad.”
Her: “I know. We’ve taken photos and sent it in a lot, but it doesn’t get fixed.”
— Mark Graban (@MarkGraban) March 5, 2018
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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.