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 […]
I was recently engaged by a VP of Operations to help him make the case for Lean to executive leadership. To that end, I was also tasked with convincing the CEO to revisit (and maybe refine) the organization’s values, purpose, goals. My recommendation was that an airtight business orientation would be essential to driving the organizational alignment necessary for Lean to flourish.
While I waited for my meeting to start, […]
Interesting article from Harvard Business School on creating value versus the more common occurance of claiming value. Leaders that are looking to cultivate this skill in their organizations would benefit by having some fundamentals in place. First, they need to ensure that the purpose, core values and strategic goals of their companies are also value oriented. As the article states, “…Companies that make their purpose just about profit often […]
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 […]
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. […]
The secret to success according to Bill Taylor of Fast Company, the man who has covered many of the great organizations of our time:
“But the most successful companies care more than everyone else — about customers, about colleagues, about how the organization conducts itself in a world with endless opportunities to cut corners and compromise on values. You can’t be special, distinctive, compelling in the marketplace unless you’ve built […]
Pixar’s focus on culture reminds us of how explicitly an organization’s structures and activities can impact its behaviors and attitudes and the significant role company values play in driving employee engagement. A great read for those that are looking to better understand the power of culture and reconcile the mindful effort it takes to cultivate and sustain – even among an employee pool of high performers. Unsure about how […]
Happy Friday! This is an oldie but goodie. A funny reminder that at the end of the day, CI efforts should focus on improving the means by which the business interprets and meets the needs of its customers. The impact of this effort is strongly enhanced by first taking the time to figure out what your customers want and expect. When was the last time you conducted a Voice […]
