Over the last 15 years of my lean journey, there are two themes that I repeatedly learn, respect, and waste elimination. Both of these concepts are foundational to the Toyota Production System. I was taught that TPS tools and principles exist to expose waste, so it can be eliminated. I was also taught that the execution of these tools must be done in a way that is respectful to people. The latter is […]
At its best Lean can be a powerful catalyst for cultural transformation. In the short term, its implementation can change the way teams interact and how they create and deliver value to the customer and each other. In the midterm, new processes beget new routines that together engender behavior change. Over time, if the Lean effort is sustained, that behavior change gives rise to the fabled continuous improvement mindset […]
Oftentimes my efforts to help client organizations improve performance involves assessing the impact of their culture on productivity. For example, despite the fact that many of our days are over stuffed with appointments and conference calls, we don’t typically feel like we’re getting enough done or doing enough well. This article from HBR sheds some light on why that is.
I get the idea behind incentive plans –reward employees for extra effort related to achieving some sort of organizational goal. Typically one that has been hard to come by.
Sometimes they work.
When expectations are VERY clear.
When the goal isn’t too complex.
When employees have enough autonomy to affect ANY issues in their path that impede performance.
Most of the time they don’t.
First, because the issues incentive programs are intended to fix, aren’t […]
If you’re interested in learning more about why Continuous Improvement doesn’t stick (and getting it to) check out my session at the Lean Systems Summit: Conflict Is The Root Of All Waste
I’ll be speaking on August 8th and would love to meet up if you plan on attending.
Check out the event overview here.
Check out the post event comments and presentation here.
As featured in the June 2014 issue of Effective Flow Magazine:
It’s the elusive goal behind every Continuous Improvement initiative: Every organization wants to become a high performing workplace. But what does this entail? How does one go about achieving it? How long does it take? I’ve spent my career answering these questions.
I have read countless tomes on the subject of business success and how to achieve it, benefited from […]
If budget prevented you from attending our last Fundamentals of Change workshop good news: For qualified organizations, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) will grant up to half the cost of this training through their Express program.The EOLWD believes in FCC’s impact on the leadership and team building skills necessary to drive change and performance. Approved companies could get funding to kick off training in […]
Like many tortured souls in my line of work, I frequently enter places of business and during whatever wait there is, reimagine different elements of the operation from the layout and processes, to the product array, delivery mechanism and related possible revenue streams that would improve the customer experience, culture and / or profit.
This activity comes as second nature to me and so I can run through scenarios quickly. […]
