For the class that I teach at BYU, I’ve been doing some research on Supplier Code of Conduct (see the Apple Supplier Code of Conduct for an example), or the tenets by which a supplier can be accepted into a network; this is often called “Order Qualifier” — that is, the basic items that a […]
These pages contain Lean Manufacturing Principles, Tools, Concepts, Templates, Articles, and Leading Practices for Practitioners.
Process Cycle Efficiency Formula and Example
Process Cycle Efficiency Formula and Example is my attempt to explain a helpful metric. I will do so and provide several examples that I hope you’ll be able to apply to your own field of business. What is a Process? We all want to add value. And, for things that don’t, we wish to either […]
Clipart Microsoft – How to Create a Dumb Presentation
While at Amazon, we were all told by Divine Fiat that ALL PowerPoint Presentations — regardless of kind, cannot ever be on Powerpoint. Period. No PowerPoint Period. Bezos prefers prose and actual thoughts slapped in a report — an actual paper report with paragraphs, charts, sentences, an executive summary, introduction of problem, research approach and […]
The 8th Type of Muda
The 7 Wastes are common and known. But, there are other wastes that are important and less known, but very critical for any business to understand. These wastes are known as Mura and Muri. There are 3 types of activities, 2 of which produce waste: Steps that definitely create value. Steps that create no value, […]
Bill Marriott Leadership: The Gemba Walk
Bill Marriott launched a blog yesterday — and, it’s very good. Why? Well, Bill Marriott Leadership lessons – how he applies the concept of the Gemba in his organization. Here is what is good about it: “Now I know this is where the action is if you want to talk to your customers directly — […]
Toyota Motor Corporation: Company History
Podcast: Play in new window | DownloadSubscribe: iTunes | Android | RSSSince some of your are familiar, practitioners, or die-hard fans of the Toyota Production System, I thought this history would be a nice reminder of how the company came to be the leader that it is. The data is from 2001 — so it’s […]
Batch-and-Queue or Single-Piece Flow in Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Making
Batch-and-Queue or Single-Piece Flow in Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich Making. Having as large of a family as mine, we need all of our internal processes optimized. You know what I mean? To be able to effectively manage a large family, we run on a pretty strict routine — I didn’t say “schedule” here because […]
Role of Complexity in Business: The Silent Killer
Complexity in Business can be a silent killer. Yahoo’s Peanut Butter Manifesto reminded me of Systems Thinking. In Systems Thinking, there is a distinction between good complexity and bad complexity. Below are the following rules: End-to-End, systems is an organic ecosystem, with inter-dependent parts. From a business perspective, eliminate complexity that the customer is not […]
Kanban, Takt Time, & All-You-Can-Eat Meat
Last year sometime, while I was in Dallas, Fort Worth, for business, a few buddies and I ate at a highly-recommended restaurant called Texas de Brazil. It’s one of those all-you-can-eat meat places, with gourmet-style meats, a great salad bar, and just an excellent atmosphere. While I’m not a huge carnivore, I have to admit […]
Lean Management Folks Says Walk-in Clinic Improves Patient Care
I’d argue that walk-in clinics are great for business, great for patients, and great for the economy. In fact, it’s an application of Lean Healthcare. Let me explain. Wal-Mart and other retailers are opening clinics to capture the walk-in market. Bloomberg reports: To capture walk-in patients who will buy drugs and other merchandise, Wal-Mart Stores […]