On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve. "The world's favorite season is the spring. All things seem possible in May."   —  Edwin Way Teale Impossible is a state of mind; what is impossible today may not be so tomorrow. What is impossible for us may not be so ..read more

Have you worked for or do you work for an organization that is growing exponentially. Our organizations are growing dramatically as it has become easier to expand operations globally either through acquisition or through addressing new markets. These fragmented segments and disconnected infrastructures can greatly impact radical transformation and business improvements. As the company grows waste and delay grow exponentially taxing the business more and more. If you’re looking for a way to be able to chip away at this complexity turn to Flow Engineering: From Value Stream Mapping to Effectiv ..read more

A selection of highlighted blog posts from Lean bloggers from the month of April 2024.  You can also view the previous monthly Lean Roundups here.     Strategy Digi-deployment – Bruce Hamilton shares a few potential (and common) pitfalls to avoid when digitizing your strategic deployment plan.   Simplifying Lean – Bob Emiliani discusses the problems from simplifying Lean in terms of method and in terms of objective.   Enhancing Organizational Efficiency through Supplier Process Improvement – John Knotts explains why working with suppliers to improve their ..read more

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve. "When done well, leadership communication inspires trust and positive change."   —  Moryah Jackson, linkedin Communication is more complicated than the simple mechanics of sending and receiving information — when leade ..read more

Good communication is a core leadership function and a key characteristic of a good leader. Effective communication and effective leadership are closely intertwined. As a leader, you need to be a skilled communicator in countless relationships at the organizational level, in communities and groups, and sometimes on a global scale in order to achieve results through others. Leaders must be able to think with clarity, express ideas, and share information with a multitude of audiences. They must also handle the rapid flows of information within the organization and among customers, partners, v ..read more

For my Facebook fans you already know about this great feature. But for those of you that are not connected to A Lean Journey on Facebook or Twitter I post daily a feature I call Lean Tips.  It is meant to be advice, things I learned from experience, and some knowledge tidbits about Lean to help you along your journey.  Another great reason to like A Lean Journey on Facebook. Click this link for A Lean Journey's Facebook Page Notes Feed. Here is the next addition of tips from the Facebook page: Lean Tip #3496 – Enhance Cross-Functional Collaboration Many organizations find tha ..read more

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve. "In teamwork, silence isn’t golden. It’s deadly."   —  Mark Sanborn Teamwork is the force behind every successful business. Only when employees come together, share a common vision of the goal, put together their stren ..read more

A system without a goal is like a marathon without a finish line. But a system with a bad goal will result in a bad outcome. Traditional goal-setting methods use the SMART framework. Specific. Your goal should be well defined, clear, and unambiguous. Measurable. You can easily measure your progress towards the accomplishment of the goal. Achievable. The goal should seem attainable and not impossible to achieve. Relevant. The goal should be aligned with your current priorities. Timely. Your goal should have a clearly defined timeline, including a starting date and a ta ..read more

Communication is an essential part of our lives, and it's something we do all day, every day. However, have you ever found yourself in a conversation where you feel like the other person isn't really listening? Or have you ever been so focused on what you want to say that you're not paying attention to what the other person has said? We've all been there, but the truth is, listening is the key to effective communication. Listening is one of the most powerful tools you possess as a leader – and can help build trust and loyalty with your team. Hearing and listening, though synonymous, are com ..read more

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve. "Honesty is the most single most important factor having a direct bearing on the final success of an individual, corporation, or product."   —  Ed McMahon Leadership with honesty is essential for building trust, foster ..read more