Mulally Pans `Paranoid’ Ford, Pushes Toyota-Style Production I criticized Alan Mulally earlier, via my criticism of Boeing. To be clear: I respect Mulally. I am really rooting for Alan Mulally. Mulally is such an outspoken promoter of the Toyota Production…
I saw this at a hospital lab last year, a great example of true error proofing vs. just putting up warning signs. “Cautions” and “Warnings” are lazy engineering, in general, with product design. Signs are not good problem-solving in any…
A few articles in the news today about bad bosses. Hopefully, more than a few have 2007 resolutions to get better. Chances are though, the bad bosses think they are great. If your boss has resolutions for becoming a better…
As Auto Prosperity Shifts South, Two Towns Offer a Study in Contrasts – New York Times Here’s a free Detroit News version of the article. My hometown, Livonia, Michigan is hurting with the prolonged slump in the auto industry. I…
Lean was on my brain traveling home yesterday. Mostly bad examples, but one thing jumped out at me, somewhat positive. I love the TPS notion of “explaining why” (and blogged about it here after touring NUMMI). In the Lean and…
I received an email newsletter from APICS the other day, an email I question the central premise of. The email headline says: “A Lean GM?” At least they put that in quotes. Maybe sometimes an editor does that to not…
WSJ.com – Ford and Chrysler Show Dark Outlook For U.S. Car Makers I received an email from a blog reader, Jack, from Tampa FL. I assume he’s from outside the auto industry and he wrote: In light of Mr. Womack’s…
WSJ.com – Toyota May Delay New Models To Address Rising Quality Issues: I posted this article last week, but I looked at it again before recording a new Podcast interview with Norm Bodek. This part at the bottom of the…
Kaizen and Lean Manufacturing thoughts | Gemba Panta Rei Good post from Jon Miller here on his blog. He’s right, most companies and leaders (especially before lean) don’t want to admit their problems or weaknesses. Corporate pride, if you will…
Construction Executive Lessons from the Toyota Visit :: Reforming Project Management Great post on the Reforming Project Management blog, notes on a TMMK visit, 23 good points and notes about the Toyota Production System. Here is one that mirrors what…
In the first-ever Lean Blog Podcast, Mark Graban talks with Norm Bodek about quick and easy Kaizen and how it differs from large, event-based improvement efforts. Bodek explains how simple, employee-led improvements–supported by trust, experimentation, and respect for people–can make…
WSJ.com – Kerkorian Motors Interesting quote in today’s WSJ regarding Kirk Kerkorian and the proposed GM/Nissan/Renault deal: He and Mr. York, his 67-year-old sidekick, have decided — it is clear from their actions, from Mr. York’s public statements and from…
