Toyota as a “People Development Company”
When I had the chance to go back to Japan last October with Honsha, there was a big focus on what the former…
Browsing Tag
Liker
What Do the “The Toyota Way” Books Say About Visual Metrics?
As I've been writing about "process behavior charts" - a simple, yet effective method for charting and reacting to…
Variation in Definitions of #Lean (The Good, the Bad, and the Different)
One challenge with teaching Lean is that there isn't aways a consistent definition that's used by everybody. Some…
Congratulations to Jeff Liker on his Retirement from the University of Michigan
Mark's Note: Last month, I was notified about Prof. Jeff Liker's retirement from the University of Michigan after…
Lessons Ford & the UAW Learned in Japan in 1981 Still Apply (Even in…
I continue sharing documents from the Don Ephlin library archive. What did Ford and the UAW learn when they visited…
Wise Words from Mark Twain on Continuous Improvement and Perfection
A hat tip goes to Brian Buck for sharing this quote via email recently. Samuel Clemens, aka Mark Twain, was a pithy…
Great Lean Leader Interview Series at Shmula.com
My friend Pete Abilla has started a nice series of "Lean Leadership Interviews" on his site, shmula.com.
I…
Lean is a “Generic” Term for TPS (and The Toyota Way), Says Dan Jones
People often say Lean is pretty simple (or that it's just "common sense"). Yeah, some of the concepts are simple...…
Toyota, Respect for People (or “Humanity”) and Lean
A principle that has been often discussed (and hopefully practiced) in the Lean community over the past few…
Just Call it “5S Six Sigma” Instead of “Lean Sigma,”…
My whole career, I have worked with the Lean methodology (aka the Toyota Production System). I've just really never…
Proof that 100% Inspection is Knot 100% Effectiv
It's sometimes said (and I believe this to be true) that "100% inspection isn't 100% effective" (it seems like Dr.…
“The Lean Edge” Authors on Teamwork
Here is the latest set of discussions from the authors at The Lean Edge, site that has participation from some very…
Fox News Channel Understands “Lean” Better than the WSJ
On Friday, there was yet another Wall Street Journal article about Lean (fixating as they always do on the "Just In…
From The Lean Edge: Alternatives to Hospitals Spending, Building, and Hiring More
Today, I'm linking to a response I gave on TheLeanEdge.org's blog that features some really well known Lean authors…
Podcast #115 – Eric Ries (@ericries), The #LeanStartup
Episode #115 is a discussion with Eric Ries (@ericries), entrepreneur and author of the book The Lean Startup:…
Interviewed by Mike Wall on Lean Healthcare
Thanks to Mike Wall, the host of the "Radio Lean" online program for interviewing me on Lean Healthcare.
You…
Living in Your Customers’ Shoes – Airport Car Rentals & Lessons…
This might seem like a random topic, but what the heck, it's a Friday. I arrived in Orlando yesterday for the …
Podcast #111, Jeffrey Liker on Toyota’s Challenges and His New Books
Episode #111 brings us some time with Professor Jeffrey Liker from the University of Michigan, the…