Lean Thoughts

Walk into almost any operations meeting today and you’ll hear it: “We should use AI for this.”“Can we plug in an LLM?”“Let’s add a copilot.” “This might be a stupid question… what is an LLM?”

Each Technology Island or Report-Out area has their own unique attributes, challenges and opportunities. The reality is that each Report-Out area is a Center of Gravity.

It takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to fully refocus on a task after a typical interruption,

How do we instill lean into our culture and make it part of our company DNA, engaging the whole workforce

Luck IS a Strategy? Of course it can be. Most likely not the best decision. Unfortunately a strategy more companies are taking than considering other options.

You know the "D" word I am talking about. The aspirational word uttered by about every leader I work with. That super-attractive, theoretical, ever-elusive, I-know-I-need-to-do-it-but-can-never-figure-out-how word. That word that will unlock the key to success or, at a minimum, sanity:

Looking at you, and your productivity style will be able to slot you into a specific Productivity category. None are either good or bad it just is you.

Alarm Bells were sounded, highlighting a critical concern that Standardized Work was eliminating Innovation within the workplace.

Going to See with a purpose. In lean management, we call this "going to gemba"—the actual place where value is created. Not to inspect, but to understand, support, and coach.

The infection rate of Emotional Stress dramatically increases when your processes are unpredictable..

Creator of your strategic Plan you are not only a forecaster. you are also a Futurist.

another AI Guru in a seminar who quickly advised me that even a mathematical formula is AI.

Chatbots such as ChatGPT can provide direct answers to your questions. But, compared to a regular Google search, the amount of knowledge gained is less.

I LOVE my Suppliers, I mean really LOVE them, so much so I am constantly wanting to hire them .

Whether you’re in retail, service or manufacturing, it is all about CASH! As much as things change… the one constant measurement of a successful business is the amount of positive cash flow generated.

Never forget: Your employees are a top asset, but if you botch your relationships with them, you could create a work environment with low morale and little productivity.

Leverage your Value Stream Mapping exercises to become more environmentally friendly.

Let me cut to the chase if you want Lean as part of your organizational DNA you need to start with Management Daily Report-Outs.

Some people are placed into Leadership positions but that does not make them a Leader until they have amassed a group of loyal followers.

Standard Work. My immediate response, was no friggin way !! No body is going to control every minute of my day by telling what to do, when to do it and why?