All posts from Mark Graban’s LeanBlog.org, including podcasts, announcements, articles, and more.
I’ve read the first chapter of Toyota Culture: The Heart and Soul of the Toyota Way. I’m obviously not going to get through the whole thing before my podcast interview with Jeff Liker tomorrow. If you have questions for the…
NPR: Airline Prices Depend on Airport I haven’t harped on this theme for a while, but I was reminded of it from this NPR story on airline prices. The report expressed such confusion (and almost outrage) that airline flight prices…
NWLEAN : Message: Why does Lean struggle to take hold in the U.S.? I’m a member of the Yahoo Group called NWLEAN, where there’s often some good discussion about Lean. The question was posed: “Why does Lean struggle to take…
Cubicle Culture – WSJ.com: Why Learn and Grow On the Job? It’s Easier To Feign Infallibility Free Version via CareerJournal.com In the Lean / Toyota Way mindset, we have the belief that we have to be open about our problems…
The Lean Blog is turning into a family affair… my dad, Bob, comments once in a while and now my mom, an elementary school teacher, is feeding me blog material. From an education newsletter she received (I can’t find a…
Listen: LeanBlog Podcast #34 is a discussion with Chris Harris, from Harris Lean Systems, and co-author of the book Developing a Lean Workforce: A Guide for Human Resources, Plant Managers and Lean Coordinators. If you enjoy this podcast, I hope…
As if explaining Lean to people at hospitals doesn’t stretch my brain enough, I sometimes find it’s a fun (or at least helpful) challenge to explain what it is I do to folks who’ve had no exposure to it (like…
Here are some of my recent posts at the Institute of Industrial Engineers blog, under my heading of “Everyday Lean.” Ballot shortages in New Hampshire Starting the new year with 5S Happy “heijunka holidays” Navigational nightmares at the airport Other…
“Help Wanted” highlights skills drain in U.S – Yahoo! News Here’s an interesting story about the shortage of machinists: While millions of jobs making everything from textiles to steel have moved to new powerhouses like China in recent years, precision…
Reflections on Lean Thanks to the folks at the LEI for giving me a copy of their new monograph. This slick little book is more like a collection of blog posts or little stories from Lean practitioners. It’s a combination…
Care and Chaos on the Night Nursing Shift – WSJ.com Free Version via CareerJournal.com The linked article is a virtual “gemba walk” for those of you who have asked how and why Lean is helpful and necessary in a hospital…
Technology Review: “You Don’t Understand Our Audience” It’s just one part of a very interesting article in the MIT magazine by John Hockenberry, a former reporter for NBC news. NBC (and NBC Universal) are a part of the General Electric…
