Error Proofing Excel
I spend a good amount of time working in Excel, analyzing data and such. I often accidentally hit the “F1” key in a clumsy attempt to hit “Esc”. The keys are right next to each other and each key is…
Search Results for i'm reading
Bottlenecks in Buying
Seth’s Blog: Waiting in line Another thought provoking post from Seth Godin. Although he doesn’t write about lean, think about the examples he gives: Lack of “order taking” capacity (in two examples), leads to lost revenue (and/or the wasting of…
Muda and Kaizen in Customer Service
Here are two contrasting stories from my past week. The stories made me think of muda (waste) and kaizen, or at least the promise of kaizen. Waste in Customer Service: Last week, I wrote about the need to take my…
Here’s an Idea: Let Everyone Have Ideas
New York Times: Here is an interesting spin on the ideas of employee involvement and bottom-up problem solving: “Most companies operate under the assumption that big ideas come from a few big brains: the inspired founder, the eccentric inventor, the…
Come on MS, Let Dell Have Their Advantage
WSJ.com – As Microsoft Fumbles, Marketers Supplant Tech Managers: I could care less, personally, if Microsoft delays their next version, “Windows Vista.” But, there’s an interesting manufacturing related item toward the end of the WSJ article. “Analysts briefed by Microsoft…
Lean Blog mention on Slate.com
No Thanks By Melonyce McAfee Slate.com is a pretty well-known web news/commentary site. The Lean Blog was linked to today by a column summarizing blogs that commented on today’s news. There are other links there regarding the GM/Delphi buyout, check…
"Remaking" GM?
03/23/06 – The Detroit News (Welcome Slate.com readers. Click here or on the top banner to check out my main page and to learn more about lean and the Toyota Production System). It’s a rather optimistic headline in the Detroit…
We’re ALL Done With Batching?
I’m watching a web presentation on improving patient flow from the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI). I’m doing lean healthcare work now and the IHI is an excellent resource, including Steve Spear, formerly of Harvard (and referenced by Mike Lopez…
How Many Clicks to Get Home?
I’m on the road alot, as a consultant. I’m flying home to Texas today, so I’m about to check out of the hotel via the TV “On Command” menu. For all of the buttons on this remote, it sure would…
Everyday Lean
I’ve been very interested in applying lean to daily work routines and practices and have been (unfortunately very slowly) working on a series of posts that provide various ideas and examples on how lean practices can be applied to every…
Shingo Prize Winning Books
Financial News – Yahoo! Finance So is the Shingo Prize more indicative of book quality than it is for lean company performance? Either way, congrats to Jim Womack, Dan Jones, Freddy Balle, and Michael Balle for their Shingo winning books.…
Nissan Plant "Worst in the U.S."
djournal.com To those who like to lump all “Japanese” automakers into one category, here’s some news on Nissan and their Mississippi plant that opened in 2003. Open less than three years, the Nissan assembly plant in Canton, just north of…
