Management Improvement Carnival (Best of 2008)

Just as we did last year, we’re going to share a few of our favorite articles from around the blogosphere this past year.

To see more of these “best of 2008” style posts be sure to check out John Hunter’s blog where he has linked to a number of blogs who have done the same.  Alrighty then… are you ready?  Here we go.

Evolving Excellence

• Japan Kaikaku Experience – The Summary:  Kevin took us on the journey of a lifetime as he toured the best lean plants Japan has to offer.
• Is a No Layoff Policy Really Wise?: “I think a ‘no layoff from lean improvements’ policy is acceptable and necessary, but a fundamental ‘no layoff for any reason’ policy is a bit disingenuous and downright dangerous.”
• Accountability Wins… For Now:  “Yes this will be painful, as the markets clearly told us after the vote.  But creating a perception that there’s no accountability for poor leadership and even worse management will be even more painful in the long run.”
• Fun With Statistics, Carbon Footprint Edition:  “Most of us know by now that the carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases that are created when a product is created, shipped, stored, and eventually used.   But is it a reliable gauge?”

Gemba Panta Rei

• Jedi Kaizen: Is the Force with You?:  “Somewhat cryptically and in unusually clear language, jedi master Yoda said, ‘You will find only what you bring in.’ As in any endeavor, what you get out of it depends on what you put into it.”
• Kaizen and the Way of the Ninja: “The young ninja was taught to leap tall buildings by first jumping over a sprouting seedling. Easy, sign me up for ninja school, you might say. Well, each day this seedling grew taller until one day the ninja master required that you leapt over the giant spruce.”
• How to Sustain Kaizen?  Follow Up with the Tenacity of the Terminator:  “If you don’t yet have the tenacity of the Terminator when it comes to kaizen follow up, now is not a bad time to start practicing.”
• The Hard Sell for Cells: “Cells and flow lines are superior to disconnected processes, even with these disconnected processes are individually technically superior. The reason is that the connection of processes removes work in process inventory and other delays, resulting in shorter lead-times and improved on-time delivery.”

Curious Cat Management Improvement Blog

• Motivate or Eliminate De-Motivation:  “The danger is not in calling things motivation. The danger is so many managers think in a theory x way. That is the attitude that needs to change.”
• CEOs Plundering Corporate Coffers:  “I must say I am amazed at how brazenly those participating in looting companies from within are; and how it is accepted. It is a shame such unethical behavior is tolerated.”
• Better Meetings:  “Meetings are perennial problems. People sit through meetings and then complain about how big a waste of time it was. Here are a couple very simple tips to try and actually improve (instead of just agreeing that meetings are wasteful, but doing nothing to improve).”
• Righter Incentivization:  “Using extrinsic motivation less badly is possible but the correct answer is just don’t do it.”

Lean Blog

• To Layoff or Not To Layoff — That Really is a Question:  “I wish more leaders got creative and found ways other than starting the “death spiral” of layoffs and shrinking themselves into oblivion.”
• Explaining Lean at a Bar:  “The bartender asked what we do and I got the job of explaining. I told her we apply methods from Toyota, called “Lean,” for improving quality and efficiency in hospitals. She asked some questions and I tried relating it to her job.”
• No Loyalty or Responsibility from Dell – Don’t Call Them “Lean”:  “I’m angry. I try not to blog when I’m angry, so I’ll try to watch my words carefully. Probably won’t succeed.”
• Lean or ‘L.A.M.E.’ in a Hospital?:  “Then, the comments start shifting into wild accusations and potential hyperbole.”

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Ron Pereira

Ron has more than 20 years of experience in various manufacturing, supply chain, and senior leadership roles. Ron has held the titles of process engineer, engineering manager, master black belt, and director of manufacturing & continuous improvement. In 2002 Ron was the first American to win the Nokia Global Six Sigma and Overall Quality award in Helsinki, Finland. Ron holds a bachelor's degree in automated manufacturing and an MBA in technology management.