Get the most out of each employee To measure the success of an organization, you don’t have to look much further than the employees that make it go. Are they happy to be there? Do they take pride in their work? Can they acknowledge they’re a part of something bigger? The answer to these questions will more often than not, be dependent upon your employee’s level of engagement. If you’re a Lean organization, then you …
Lean Manufacturing Visual Factory refers to lean manufacturing theory. It describes visual methods a factory or any manufacturing plant can use to communicate information about a process to everyone who needs to understand it as they work. What Exactly Is It? A visual factory uses a collection of conceptual tools that will convey information in a clear, accurate, efficient, and organized way to those who need to know it. Since this visual information is easier …
Designing a layout for your facility is a hefty project that really takes both sides of the brain to draw out all your creativity and scientific knowledge in order to be successful. The growth of Lean concepts and processes over the past decade has shifted many facilities to adopt a Lean layout on their floors. The results of a successful Lean layout can dramatically improve your facilities efficiency and flexibility when it comes to production …
For anyone outside of the Lean manufacturing realm, moonshine has a whole different meaning. However for those that do go to work everyday in a Lean based facility, a moonshine event might just be the best part of their job. What is Moonshine? Moonshine is not for everyone (no matter how you define it). It is intended for the those who are seasoned Lean and Kaizen practitioners who have a knack for creativity. The process …
For decades, the generation in charge has lamented about the day the youthful generation would come of age and wreck the world with their no good shenanigans and general sense of apathy. Historically, apathy is more a byproduct of adolescent hormones and growth than anything else, but there has been a phenomenon that researchers have been tracking since 2005. According to Fortune magazine, in the stretch from 2005 to 2010, the number of people reporting …
Just In Time (JIT) manufacturing describes the process whereby companies only acquire and produce items on an as needed basis. This process in contradictory to conventional thought that focuses on carrying large amounts of product inventory and merchandise on hand to create products and fulfill orders. While the conventional approach of amassing a large inventory and keeping the parts or stock items on hand to fill orders sounds practical, the reality is the process of …
When you are looking to improve your performance, whether it be for your job, during workouts, or for life in general, it is important to understand the crucial role that focus plays. Too many people wonder why they are not exhibiting the type of performances they are capable of, without realizing that they lack the ultimate focus to take one task at a time. Here we will take a look at the elements that make …
The Toyota Way To Problem Solving The art of problem solving is constantly trying to evolve and be re-branded by folks in various industries. While the new way might very well be an effective method in certain applications. A tried and true way of identifying and solving problems is the eight steps to practical problem solving developed by Toyota, years ago. The system is structured, but simple and practical enough to handle problems of the …
It’s a Love/Hate Thing Self-Checkout machines have come under a lot of scrutiny of late for many reasons. The biggest being the question of their efficiency. A recent report from Dechert-Hampe Consulting, notes that about 85% of American shoppers have used a self-checkout machine for a purchase (almost as many as have used ATMs), and surprisingly embraced the technology for its convenience and speed. I say surprising, because while I myself try to use self-checkout …
At the core of any Lean philosophy is the pursuit and sustainment of continual improvement. However, this continues to be a struggle for many Lean transformations as they attempt to implement these processes into their culture. Part of the problem, lies in the hands of the leaders that attempt to push new agendas into their organization. Leaders can make or break a Lean culture. With the help of Leader Standard Work (LSW) the make, is …