Dealing with Complexity makes us Stronger – with Lean, Agile and Digital Canadian manufacturers have an excellent reputation across the world for good business practices. We are also uniquely positioned to supply products to local markets. This includes all the small-medium-sized businesses selling to North America. However, catering to a larger customer base with smaller sized orders does add significant complexity such as balancing the need for efficient operations with the need to rapidly develop new products. This is where understanding and balancing important methodologies could make Cana ..read more

GO Productivity’s vision is for a thriving Canadian economy, and that means we need to work together during and after this pandemic to support and grow our fellow Canadian businesses. We can help: Meet (online) with one of our Productivity advisors to think through some key challenges and opportunities your organization is facing Stay connected with us through our monthly e-newsletter and our regional networks Get some help navigating the world of funding support We are open: We have converted our in-person workshops into virtual-delivery formats We are still able to come visit your facilit ..read more

Here is a collection of common Lean Six Sigma terms 5S is a five-step system for order and cleanliness in the workplace; Sort, Set in order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain. The 5 S’s are based on Japanese words that also starting with S: Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke. CI Continuous Improvement is a common term CT or C/T Cycle Time CVA Customer Value Add DMAIC is a data driven improvement cycle or framework that breaks down problem solving into five steps, Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve and Control DOE Design of Experiments using statistics to design controlled experiments targete ..read more

TIM WOODS 8 proven actions to increase profitability by reducing wastes, and improving productivity. Productivity improvements can begin in very simple ways. Look for activities that waste time and resources. Find ways to remove clutter and improve process that will save time and remove waste.  What is Waste? Waste = Non-value adding activities What is Value? Value is defined by the customer of the product or service. Value is the minimum number of activities required to move a product towards what the customer is buying. If the activity doesn’t add value, it’s waste. The key question to ..read more

It’s amazing how companies have been stepping up to help during this COVID-19 crisis. Here’s a great story of Albertans standing up to meet a need during this pandemic. Situated in Northeastern Alberta, Goodfish Lake Business Corporation is 100% Indigenous owned by Whitefish (Goodfish) Lake First Nation #128. Their services include a Garment Manufacturer, Laundry and Drycleaning. Here’s an interesting fact, Goodfish Lake’s dry-cleaning facility is the largest in North America! And, we’re all familiar with the blue industrial coveralls, Goodfish makes them right here in Alberta. At the onset of ..read more

DEFINITION AND INTRODUCTION TO DMAIC DMAIC is a data-driven improvement cycle or framework that breaks down problem solving into five steps as shown in the below diagram. Each step has key activities and tools/templates used to set up and execute a problem-solving activity. This framework can be considered as a stand-alone method but comes from the Six Sigma methodology/initiative and DMAIC is used as the framework for GO Productivity’s Lean Six Sigma Greenbelt course. DEFINE the problem with a clear problem statement and resulting project charter and other project management plans. DMAIC is ..read more

What is Value Stream Mapping and how can you use it to improve your business? Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is perhaps one of the most powerful tools available within the Lean toolbox.  However, if you are not a low-mix, high-volume manufacturer, does VSM apply to you?  In short, the answer is “yes”, but let us first look at traditional VSM: What is it? What can it do? What are its benefits and limitations? Traditional Value Stream Mapping VSM is a metrics-rich process map of your operations at either a high-level view or a more focused, lower-level examination.  It can illuminate ..read more

Four Steps to Build a Culture of Team Resiliency for the Post-COVID Workplace This crisis is surreal. There is no roadmap or clear timeline for returning to normal. What will “normal” even look like? But there is also room for hope. Our civilization is anything but weak and vulnerable, we are adaptable and dynamic. We are caring, progressive and have found our way through far worse. Despite the real and encompassing uncertainty of today, you know this will end. We will have some real work ahead of us to restart and get running again. One thing we’re trying to do at GO Productivity is get poise ..read more

Which style did you choose and how can you improve? We’ve seen when managers are not leaders. We’ve also seen leaders that are individual contributors. Leadership is a choice. Napoleon Bonaparte famously said: “Every corporal carries a field-marshal’s baton in his knapsack” What kind of leader are you? Are you a Structural Leader or an Entrepreneurial Leader? Structural Leadership Structural leaders are analytical thinkers. You get things done! Your strengths lay in improvement through procedural change. Your approach is measured and methodical. Your results are strong process details and clea ..read more

What is Lean? Many times leaders can feel that their team members have plenty good ideas but lack focus, or that some processes feel too clunky and inefficient. Have you ever asked “There’s got to be a better way?” Or perhaps you’ve heard of Lean before and are starting to do some reading on the topic in order to learn ways to help your business. In this article we’ll be discussing the The Three Fundamental Keys of Lean, and how you can apply them to your business.  Lean is a business improvement methodology originally from the Toyota Production System but is applicable to all businesses ..read more