Over the last several months I have been like a “dog with a bone” with my concerns and insistence that there is a risk that Factory 4.0 and the digital transformation will go the same route of many failed lean transformations. The foundation of my … Continue reading
I find it compelling and a bit disturbing that the more connected we become the more isolated we become. It’s no mystery that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social networks have connected more people together than could have ever been imaged 15-20 years ago. … Continue reading
As indicated in an article I posted in July, I am extremely interested and almost consumed with the role the lean community should and must play in the “digital transformation”. The more research I do the more convinced I am that we as a … Continue reading
When I was asked to help MAEX Partners in Germany develop a digital readiness assessment my first thought was “why me”. As many of you know I am not a technological pioneer or even very technologically capable. However, what I learned during a recent industry tour is that the digital … Continue reading
Hopefully this got your attention. I’m not suggesting that lean is dead and gone. What I am suggesting is that’s its dead and mummified, it’s not flourishing. More and more organizations are growing as they embrace lean and are more effective in their transformation. But is lean as … Continue reading
I recently had dinner in Amsterdam with a good friend and colleague who I consider one of the best management consultants I have had the opportunity to be associated with for many years. I always get some new insights when we chat but surprisingly … Continue reading
In addition to my consulting practice I own (and occasionally get involved in) my used car dealership (consultant and used car dealer—you can stop laughing now). What I have discovered is that the C-suite, BOD, or any senior leadership team of any large company could greatly benefit if they were … Continue reading
Lean doesn’t happen just because you want it to. There are enablers that make it possible. Trust is one of those enablers. In this brief conversation between Jamie Flinchbaugh and myself, we explore the relationship between lean and trust.
I was recently asked during The Lean Leadership Podcast hosted by Chris Burnham “What advice might I give an organization that is well on it’s way in their lean journey”. Not an easy question to quickly answer but I didn’t hesitate–DISCIPLINE. Jim Collins in his … Continue reading
The Law of Unintended Consequences has typically and historically referred to economic or political intervention into complex systems that creates unanticipated and often undesirable social outcomes. However, not all unintended consequences are negative; often there can also be unexpected benefits.
Every organization and every company is a very complex system … Continue reading