Year: 2010

198 Articles

What’s Next for Lean?

By Jon Miller - August 21st, 2010

Whether I am speaking about lean to an audience of one or one hundred if the conversation goes on long enough the question inevitably arises; what’s next for lean? I always manage an answer, typically tying it to the theme of the

Whom shall we serve?

By Ron Pereira - August 18th, 2010

Lot, a reader of LSS Academy, recently sent the following question in. “We are actually starting lean six sigma in our bank and I am in charge of the central processing unit of the HO. I am getting a bit confused as to who I shou

The Pros and Cons of Paced Conveyor Lines

By Jon Miller - August 16th, 2010

Steve asked in an e-mail: What are the productivity advantages, specifically in terms of operator efficiency, with respect to a moving, paced conveyor line and a non-moving, non-paced line? We’re looking at three scenarios: 1) No

Toyota Production System and the Three Dharma Seals

By Jon Miller - August 15th, 2010

According to the Buddha there are three characteristics of existence: Impermanence Dissatisfaction Non-self Becoming deeply aware of these “Three Dharma Seals” (三法印) is said to bring about wisdom and an end to the cyc

Seven Success Secrets of Small Teams

By Jon Miller - August 12th, 2010

Photo credit: Anoopkn, Wikimedia Commons American football coaching legend Vince Lombardi said: Build for your team a sense of oneness, of dependence on another and of strength derived from unity. United we stand. Divided we fall. Or s

Management Improvement Carnival #106

By Jon Miller - August 10th, 2010

The Management Improvement Carnival is a roundup of recent articles of interest on that subject. John Hunter has invited me to host Carnival #106. Read all past episodes here at the Curious Cat blog. I’ve not been able to enjoy c

How to Motivate Front Line Workers

By Jon Miller - August 9th, 2010

We are often asked the million dollar question, “How do we motivate the front line workers?” This is a high value question because people are any organization’s greatest yet often worst utilized asset. Understanding h

Wrong on So Many Levels

By Jon Miller - August 6th, 2010

Even as Apple’s stock price rises thanks to their star products and skill at supply chain cost control, chief supplier Foxconn Installs Antijumping Nets at Hebei Plants. Anti-jumping nets? Having built safety nets along its emplo

5S or 6S… which should it be?

By Ron Pereira - August 4th, 2010

I was recently asked the following question by a continuous improvement practitioner: “Should we make safety the 6th S, thus calling it 6S instead of 5S?” I offered my two cents but rather than sharing my thoughts at this time I am

Quadrillions of Dollars in Savings?

By Jon Miller - August 2nd, 2010

Here’s a very encouraging article about using GE’s continuous improvement expertise, specifically the Energy Treasure Hunt, to reduce wasted resource, environmental impact and cost: GE and EDF Partner on “Treasure Hun

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