Better Ideas Through Failure December 19, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Creativity & Innovation, workforce.Tags: Creativity & Innovation, workforce
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In order to pitch for a prospective client for kitty litter, Amanda Zolten put a tray of used kitty litter under the meeting table. No one knew it was there until she informed them. Her risk – and the risk of others – is being rewarded more often now, according to an article at Wall Street Journal. Risk, the article notes, can lead to innovation and increases the chance of success. When failure occurs, it is shared and tolerated so as not to repeat the mistake. Failures are not condemned and covered up.
Head on over here to read the article.
Ikea’s Paper Pallet Challenges Wood Dominance December 19, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in new products and technologies, supply chain.Tags: new products and technologies, supply chain
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Swedish furniture-maker Ikea is dumping its wood pallets for thinner, paper-based alternatives beginning in January. This, according to Ikea, will take ten percent off transportation costs. Throughout the world, pallet-makers and other companies are considering shifts to more compact, sustainable shipping methods, including Air France. Other companies, like Sydney, Australia-based Brambles, say the paper pallets aren’t durable enough.
Read the Bloomberg article on the pallets here.
Cutting Hours Instead of Jobs December 19, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in economy, workforce.Tags: economy, workforce
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Rather than firing people to meet difficult financial challenges, companies like Rhode Island-based Pilgrim Screw Corporation are cutting work hours instead. In this “work sharing” process, employees receive partial unemployment to compensate for the lost income. Washington, D.C., and twenty-two other states have adopted the work sharing program. Rhode Island officials claim Rhode Island’s unemployment would be higher without the program.
Check out the Wall Street Journal article here.
Carnival Cruise Reviews: Toilet Poka Yoke December 19, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Mistake Proofing.Tags: mistake-proofing
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Much to the delight of Pete Abilla, writing over at Shmula, Carnival Cruise toilets have a system whereby men are not yelled at for forgetting to put the seat down. The upturned seat obscures the flush button; in order to flush the toilet, the seat must be lowered.
For some pictures and the amusing post, head here.
Four Destructive Myths Most Companies Still Live By December 19, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in personal productivity, strategy.Tags: personal productivity, strategy
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Tony Schwartz at Harvard Business Review has written an article about the myths that companies still cling to. He lists them and explains why they are myths. Among them is the idea that multitasking is a good, critical thing. Multitasking often involves what is called switching time. For example, instead of paying attention at a meeting, you might be checking your e-mail instead, thereby missing important information.
For Tony’s analysis of this, and the other three myths, head over here.
What Happened to Downtime? December 19, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in work-life balance, workforce.Tags: work-life balance, workforce
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In the digital age, quiet time is becoming increasingly rare. Social networks, the internet, apps, smart phones – all of it proves distracting and keeps us in a constant state of motion. Because of this, we deprive ourselves of creative pause, or disconnection. To combat this, we must take advantage of times when we do not have to be connected, and choose to remain unconnected.
Get connected to the FastCompany article here.
How to Change a Culture: Lessons from NUMMI December 19, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in automotive, culture, Lean Thinking, Workplace Design.Tags: automotive, culture, Lean Thinking
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In an excellent article at Sloan Review, John Shook analyzes the joint-GM/Toyota factory endeavor (the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.) which totally changed the workforce there. The Toyota Production System was employed, getting people to change how they behaved. Training, the way things are done, and organization all influenced a cultural change at the plant. The workforce there wanted to prove they could turn out quality products, so among the changes made was to use the stop-the-line andon process.
For a link to purchase the complete article, head here.
Cash Incentives Not Always King When Motivating Employees December 19, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in personal productivity, workforce.Tags: personal productivity, workforce
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Incentives other than cash can expand an employee’s imagination, according to a report from the Incentive Research Foundation and the Incentive Federation. Travel, entertainment, and merchandise are becoming increasingly employed to incentivize workers. This helps companies slash costs and motivates employees.
See the EHS Today Magazine write up about the study here.
No Room for “Doubt” in the Vocabulary of a Good Leader December 19, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership.Tags: leadership
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In an interview with IndustryWeek, Larry Bossidy underscores a number of important points about what makes a good leader. Among them is the idea that to do something company-wide, a good leader must first him/herself understand it. Also important is that once a leader commits, he or she cannot harbor any doubts.
Check out the interview with Larry here.
Biodegradable, Compostable Wine Bottle Made from Paper December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in green business, new products and technologies.Tags: green, new products and technologies
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An alternative to wine boxes, paper bottles are now being offered by British designer Martin Myerscough. They have been dimensioned to fit in normal production lines, and are biodegradable and compostable. The trick will be convincing consumers and producers to buy into the idea.
To read more about this innovation, point your browser here.
What 164,312 Solar Panels Look Like From the Air December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in green business.Tags: energy, green, green business
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SmartPlanet is hosting a photo essay about the Long Island Solar Farm, a 32-megawatt power project at Brookhaven Labs. The farm produces enough electricity to provide power for 4,500 homes for a year.
Check out the amazing photos here.
You Are a Monument Machine December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean, personal productivity.Tags: lean, personal productivity
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The newsletter from Time Back Management (available to be viewed as a PDF) talks about how changing between tasks can create unproductive downtime. In order to avoid unproductive downtime, shut out interruptions like e-mail alerts. Close doors. Find somewhere quiet to work. In an analogous way, we can personally experience the same problems as machines, which experience costly “changeover time” to switch between tasks.
Head here for the site and a link to the newsletter.
The Personal Kanban: Not Just “Vocabulary Engineering” December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean, personal productivity, Pull Systems.Tags: lean, personal productivity, Pull Systems
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Writing on Time Back Management, Jim respectfully disagrees with Michael Baudin, a lean expert, who posted his view that personal kanban is “vocabulary engineering”. Jim says that work in progress – especially modern work – needs visualization to avoid overload. While he agrees with some of the weaknesses using kanban at a personal level, Jim’s personal experience leads him to conclude that the benefits outweigh the problems and that kanban methods can get results when applied at a personal level.
Read Jim’s arguments here.
Toyota’s True North Concept December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean, Lean Thinking.Tags: lean, Lean Thinking
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Art Smalley, writing over at the Lean Edge, talks about Toyota’s True North concept. He talks about his dislike of the use of the buzz word “True North”, believing it doesn’t help to clarify anything. What is at that northernmost point is the idea about what a company should do, not what it can do. Always driving at what should be done, rather doing what can be done, helps motivate and push businesses along.
For Art’s post and a graphic depicting the True North concept, click here.
Taming the “Bullwhip Effect” in Supply Chains December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Book Review, supply chain.Tags: Book Review, supply chain
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A review of the new book Systematic Risk and the Bullwhip Effect in Supply Chains explains that demand shifts can cause serious problems in the supply chain. These shifts in demand come in two forms: systematic, such as a bad economy or inflation rates; and second, idiosyncratic: specific company issues and shifts in consumer desires. Hedging in such instances is key, including product diversification.
For the Strategy+Business review of Systematic Risk and the Bullwhip Effect, head here.
How Not to Demotivate People December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, workforce.Tags: leadership, workforce
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In a refreshingly motivational video hosted at LSS Academy, Jim Collins, author of the bestselling book Good to Great, talks about how not to demotivate people. Jim recommends confronting the brutal facts, not ignoring them. He recommends getting thoughts from others rather than just declaring what should be done. Jim also says that success should be touted, because everyone wants to be part of something that works.
Watch the Jim’s video here.
Mapping Business Processes Need Not Be Rocket Science December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in Lean Tools & Techniques.Tags: Lean Tools & Techniques
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Inputs, defined as efforts (money, labor, e-mails, phone calls, etc.) is contrasted with output (which is what a customer gets at the end of the day). Process flow mapping can be used as a valuable continuous improvement tool. Brian Venge, writing over at Small Biz Kaizen, offers some valuable tips for the process, such as keeping it simple, using simple words, and defining starting and end points.
Check out the complete list here.
Data Without Context Isn’t Very Helpful; Don’t Overreact to Each Up & Down December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in healthcare.Tags: healthcare
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Mark Graban, writing over at LeanBlog, has some cautionary and some reassuring thoughts for readers. He says that reacting to data without understanding context is not helpful at all. He cites an example of hospital quality panel score where the Year-to-Date Actual is 3.58, while the Year-to-Date Target was 3.59. At face value, it is a failure to reach the target. But he cites that missing elements include what a quality panel is, what the best score is, how this score compares to other hospitals, and other keys for establishing context and turning the data into useful information.
Check out Mark’s helpful and informative thoughts here.
Illogical Progression December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean, strategy.Tags: lean, strategy
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The Old Lean Dude follows up his September post on policy deployment (also known as a roadmap for improvement) with another where he defines that it is important to know where you are going. Furthermore, the road map must be concurrent with the lean journey. As the journey progresses, so does the map.
For more of Bruck Hamilton’s thoughts on policy deployment, head here.
Instead of Whining About the Skills Gap, Use Training to Close It December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in workforce.Tags: workforce
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Donna Wells, writing at FastCompany’s blog, talks about the lament of a skills gap in the workforce. Companies insist they simply cannot find qualified people. Donna suggest that instead of complaining and not hiring anyone, companies hire people and train them to do the needed jobs. Though costly, and not always successful, on-the-job training will lead to better bottom lines than leaving jobs open and unfilled.
Check out Donna’s informative thoughts here.
Financial Incentives Won’t Deliver Culture Change December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in culture, workforce.Tags: culture, workforce
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In an interview at IndustryWeek, lean expert and writer Lonnie Wilson explains that cash incentives are not always the best way to handle changing culture. Often, cash incentives are actually short-term fixes, and don’t properly address poor management. Often, finding ways to make work meaningful in order to give workers a sense of accomplishment works far better. An environment to encourage creativity and productivity must be properly maintained.
Check out the IndustryWeek article here.
Building Manager Standard Work December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in lean, personal productivity, Standard Work.Tags: 5S, lean, personal productivity, standard work
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Jamie Flinchbaugh, writing for IndustryWeek, explains how standardization creates more free time that can be used effectively. He provides a number of helpful suggestions for doing this, including using 5S to handle time, and not spending time standardizing what is obvious or routine.
Read Jamie’s article and his thoughts here.
Kaizen for Kids December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in 5S & Visual Management, kaizen.Tags: 5S & Visual Management, kaizen
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In a lighthearted post that also makes a point, Mark Graban talks about kaizen in schools. Taking the initiative to make small improvements in your life can have an overall powerful, positive change. Mark also provides a video about visual improvement being implemented in a simple school classroom.
Watch the video and read Mark’s thoughts here.
How Bad Plans and “Good Ideas” Ruin Meetings December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in leadership, strategy.Tags: leadership, strategy
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David Allen, writing at FastCompany for the magazine’s Leadership Hall of Fame Series, talks about planning and ideas. David defines five steps your brain takes when tackling just about any task, including defining the purpose and principles, and outcome visioning. These steps should be taken and understood in order to plan correctly.
I’ve used David Allens techniques for a couple years now, and it has had a remarkable impact on my productivity and organization.
For the complete list, and David’s full article, head here.
Six Steps Toward an Employee Recognition Program December 18, 2011
Posted by Jeff Fuchs in workforce.Tags: workforce
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John Mills, writing at IndustryWeek, talks about how manufacturers consistently need to recognize their employees, and provides six steps for doing this. Boosting employee morale by letting employees know they are valuable and important is crucial, as is tracking day-by-day the successes of the company and employees.
Read John’s article and see his steps here.
