Clinton gets close-up glimpse of nurse’s life – USATODAY.com It’s probably all just political posturing, but Hillary Clinton recently spent two hours shadowing and observing a nurse at a hospital in Nevada. The New York senator spent more than two…
How would you error proof this material handling / logistics situation? I have a few ideas, but thought this would make for interesting discussion. I won’t set up a “spend no money” rule, but cheaper and simpler ideas are always…
I’ve fallen behind in my blogging the past few days, but I’ll be back on track. I saw a number of news stories that did catch my eye, non-manufacturing stories about systems (or lack thereof) and blame. What do the…
Georgetown News-Graphic: News This was already announced, so maybe his retirement has just now taken effect, Gary Convis, the former leader of the Toyota Georgetown plant (TMMK): “Gary really knows how to listen,” Steve St. Angelo, Georgetown plant president, said,…
How H-P Reclaimed Its PC Lead Over Dell – WSJ.com Today’s WSJ article doesn’t focus on the Dell layoffs (although it does mention them, as did the Evolving Excellence blog post on the layoffs), but rather the competitive dynamics between…
Toyota Talent Update 5/6/07: The book is now shipping from Amazon I had the pleasure of reading a pre-publication version of this new book from Prof. Jeffrey Liker and David Meier. You know Jeff from The Toyota Way (and my…
Press Named to Toyota Board – The Car Connection Toyota’s Gary Convis, a leader who I have admired greatly, is retiring in June: Toyota also announced that Gary Convis will retire in June from his positions as a managing officer…
Starbucks Gossip: I know Starbucks would never allow a sign like this to be posted… One blog I follow sometimes is one run primarily for the purposes of allowing Starbucks “baristas,” to bitch about customers. They are coming dangerously close…
Here’s another example of what you might call “L.A.M.E” (“Lean” As Misguidedly Executed) instead of “Lean.” I received a disturbing report in my email inbox two weeks ago, a report that tries to co-opt Lean and the Toyota Production System…
TL;DR: Many so-called “Lean failures” aren’t really Lean at all. They’re examples of L.A.M.E.–Lean As Misguidedly Executed, where organizations misuse Lean to justify understaffing, layoffs, bureaucracy, or demeaning management practices. Real Lean, rooted in the Toyota Production System, focuses on…
Tip of the hat to Jon Miller for finding this first. I have to chime in. I’m sure a lot of us have joked about it, a book called “Lean for Dummies.” Unfortunately, now it is here: Lean For Dummies.…
A few of you may know that a couple weeks ago I did a webcast for Industry Week. For those of you attended, thank you for the great comments. As part of it, the sponsor, Infor, asked me to answer…
