Genchi Genbutsu: Don’t Talk to the Inmates, Part 6

by Pete Abilla July 23, 2010

I write that title with tongue-in-cheek. But, in some cases, corporate leaders act as if employees are inmates and being seen with and talking with them is not good. This idea runs completely counter to the principle and practice of Genchi Genbutsu. We finalized the adoption of our baby girl recently. Our 9th child – yes [...]

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Genchi Genbutsu: Go and See, Part 5

by Pete Abilla July 22, 2010
This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series genchi genbutsu

The final aspect of Genchi Genbutsu I’d like to discuss is how it helps us accomplish the following: Genchi Genbutsu helps us to develop other people. Involving people in understanding the problem and at arriving at solutions is a powerful countermeasure to resistance; it is disarming; it is a wonderful way to teach others, to [...]

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Dear Mass Market: Promoter or Detractor

by Pete Abilla July 21, 2010

I received an email recently from Qwest Communications requesting that I complete a survey. I read the email, then the signature had the executive’s name, which caught my eye: Dan Yost Executive Vice President Mass Markets Is that what I’ve become? A Mass Market?  Does Qwest really call their customers “Mass Market”? Here’s that email: [...]

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Shoulders of Giants: The Automatic Loom

by Pete Abilla July 20, 2010
This entry is part 1 of 1 in the series shoulders of giants

We stand on the shoulders of giants. In other words, what we enjoy today – by and large – come from those that came before us. So, today I’m starting a new series I’m calling “Shoulders of Giants” to signify the gratitude we can show to those that have greatly influenced our current practice of [...]

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Visual Management: Lawn Mower Maintenance

by Pete Abilla July 19, 2010
This entry is part 7 of 9 in the series Visual Management Principles

While shopping at Lowe’s, I saw this nice visual management with the aim of answering two questions about lawn mower maintenance: What should I maintain? When should I maintain it? The chart is nice because it shows on one page the answer to both questions above; this is nice, especially for people with a poor [...]

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Lean Culture is about “How”

by Pete Abilla July 18, 2010

The Lean subculture talks about the tools of lean, often ignoring principle behind the tool, method, or practice. Another item that is often ignored is “How” things are carried out in an organization where true lean has taken hold. The debate between “true” and “fake” lean is a tough one to have and is difficult [...]

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The Seven Wastes of Human Resources (HR)

by Pete Abilla July 17, 2010
This entry is part 10 of 10 in the series Seven (7) Wastes

Pete’s Note: I’m pleased to have Jim Baran provide a guest post for us today on the Seven Wastes of Human Resources – in other words, within the Human Resources system, what and where and how does waste look like? Enjoy his article below and more about Jim Baran at the jump. Lean is a [...]

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Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Output, Customers (SIPOC)

by Pete Abilla July 17, 2010
This entry is part 13 of 28 in the series Lean and Six Sigma

A SIPOC is a high level process map that includes Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Output, and Customers. Here’s presupposition: Quality is judged based on the output of a process. The quality is improved by analyzing inputs and process variables. How To Create a SIPOC Diagram Create an area that will allow the team to post additions [...]

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Genchi Genbutsu: Go and See, Part 4

by Pete Abilla July 16, 2010
This entry is part 4 of 5 in the series genchi genbutsu

When we make decisions, cast judgments, or form an opinion without having observed, talked with, or experienced the situation first hand, it leads to poor decisions. In this article on Genchi Genbutsu, I’ll discuss the following aspect of Genchi Genbutsu: Genchi Genbutsu helps us develop empathy: “Go and See” helps us link high-level thinking with [...]

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