March Madness and Lean
As March Madness begins, many people’s eyes will be fixed to TVs and computer screens while they root for the favorite teams. Where’s the lesson for Lean in there? It comes in exactly the winners and losers – may the…
Tag Sports
Lean Thoughts: Feb 12
Not Jack Handey’s “Deep Thoughts” … more like Larry King’s old USA Today column… it’s Lean Thoughts for Feb 12, 2009… the byproduct of a three-hour drive and too much time listening to cable news on XM… Hello, caller from…
Great Piece on the Failings of Incentives
Why Incentives Are Effective, Irresistible, and Almost Certain to Backfire | Fast Company Just about when I start thinking “Is Fast Company magazine relevant anymore, should I renew my subscription?”, a gem like this appears. It’s a very old lesson,…
More Proof that Exhortations Don’t Work?
Singletary dropped pants at halftime – SF Gate Funny story here about new 49ers coach, Mike Singletary, during halftime of his first game. When his team hit the Candlestick Park locker room at halftime trailing the Seahawks 20-3, Singletary called…
Taking Responsibility for Mistakes – On the Field, and Off
Wildcats know they have room to improve — chicagotribune.com Those of you who know me recognize me as a diehard Northwestern Wildcats fan. Yes, it’s often a tortured existence. Our football team is 3-0. That’s nothing to get too excited…
Another Uniform Inventory Story
For now, Chad Johnson can’t wear Ocho Cinco Remember this story from last year? Another year, another NFL receiver, another Reebok “waste of inventory” story. “He’s legally changed his name, so we’re willing to recognize that,” [NFL Commissioner Roger] Goodell…
A Funny Example of Not Delivering "Value"?
How about that Lucas stadium view? | IndyStar.com A photo of the new football stadium in Indianapolis (Lucas Stadium) is shown, at left (click for larger view). To be fair, the Colts don’t plan on selling these seats for football…
Changing Glass vs. Pouring a Glass
One thing I observed at the Stars/Red Wings playoff game last Wednesday is that the arena crew could pretty much swap out one of the pieces of plexiglass behind the net faster than the concession crew could pour a glass…
Reducing the Waste of Waiting in the NFL Draft
NFL teams play hurry-up offense in draft – USATODAY.com I’m not a huge NFL Draft geek. It’s on right now, but I’m watching some hockey (Go Red Wings!). The NFL has cut the time allotted for each pick in the…
Lean Elements in NCAA Hoops?
Guest Post By Mike Thelen: New Offense Leads Calipari, Memphis Within One Win of National Championship Great article on the Memphis basketball team. Do you see the same Lean structure I see? By nature, coaching is a business of copycats.…
Safety, Quality (Starts), Delivery (to the Plate), and Coaches
Coaches grousing over mandatory helmets : Rockies : The Rocky Mountain News Happy Opening Day to baseball fans out there. I grew up a huge Detroit Tigers fan (and a highlight was that championship 1984 season) and still like the…
American-Made Footballs in the Super Bowl
At a Small Ohio Factory, Leather and Laces Mesh – New York Times It’s not a Lean story, per se, but it’s always nice to read about an American factory. The N.F.L. is the only major sports league whose balls…
