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?”

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.

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.

Disruptive Technology had to be distinctively different to make an impact.

BOM management is much more than just drawing up a list of items. Here is how to expertly manage your BOMs.

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

This post is not to question making changes but rather how. First, you when you decide to machine a part you would not start until someone had provided you with a drawing so you know what you will be creating. Similar if you decide to build a house I am certain you will start with some key requirements like the number of bedrooms and bathrooms ... the requirements will then be incorporated into a blueprint so the builder will understand what you want and the blueprint quanti

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.

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.

whether a product or service should be dual sourced. Before we explore the merits of both let us first place the provider in the proper context.

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.

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

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?

Why Does Mission Matter?

Manufacturers are masters of improvisation. We’re good at figuring things out on the fly.

Root Cause Analysis supports operations improvements by promoting the problem-solving culture of team communication.