If less than 1% of companies are successful with Lean

I have seen numerous times where Dr. Jeffrey Liker prominent author of the Toyota Way Series has claimed that less than 1% of companies are successful with Lean. I am not sure what criteria he bases this number on exactly but if he is even close why are we doing it? If you have studied Read More …

Lean and Six Sigma training for deployed Soldiers

Just received a copy of an article,  Resolute’ brigade provides Lean Six Sigma training to deployed Soldiers from Tim Fowler, a CPS Professional Services contractor assigned to Task Force Resolute at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Tim is teaching a group of U.S. Forces about Lean and Six Sigma. They are applying this training  immediately through improving Read More …

Is your Innovation a Gateway for Others?

Henry Chesbrough and Gary Hamel Talk Innovation Platforms in the video below posted on the site Innovation Excellence, Henry Chesbrough, originator of the concept of open innovation, discusses products as an innovation platform. MIX Maverick and award-winning author Henry Chesbrough discusses how Nokia had fantastic success in the 90s building products but got left behind Read More …

Do you understand where demand comes from

Maybe the better question is can it be created? Most of us believe it is though better or more marketing or sales. Where it really comes from is understanding your customers better! That should come as little surprise to the readers of this blog. My recent posts: Deming was just simply wrong about variation… Why Read More …

Proficient Drawing w Excel in 30 minutes!

Using Microsoft Excel as a drawing tool is a surprise to most of us. When we think of using Excel, we think of creating a spreadsheet and maybe if we are adventurous creating a graph. But there is a hidden power contained in Excel, the ability to draw. One of my most popular blog post Read More …

Sustain a Lean Culture, use Lean Tools

I worked the Systems2win booth this week at the AME Conference in Dallas, TX. I enjoy the opportunity tremendously as I get to spend a great deal of time with hundreds of Lean Practitioners in a variety of positions and industries. Discussing the Systems2win word and excel continuous improvement templates offers me the opportunity to Read More …