Continuous Improvement

Overproduction is Overrated

There’s just something about having a neatly organized, fully stocked inventory that still appeals to some business owners. It may be because they have a fear of running out of products, or it may be due to the belief that since they have the space (warehouse) that they must fill it up with products. Whatever the reason, overproduction is overrated. Overproduction is a phenomenon that occurs in…

Tony Ferraro | August 16, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Overproduction

Talking Kaizen and Lean with Mark Hamel

Mark Hamel In this week’s interview, we are highlighting the expertise of Mark Hamel, a leader in lean and six sigma implementation, as well as an established author and blogger. He authored a book entitled, “Kaizen Event Fieldbook” and is an avid blogger for kaizenfieldbook.com. In this interview he answers questions related to Kaizen and Lean in the field of Healthcare. In addition, he also discusses the key…

Tony Ferraro | August 12, 2013 | Kaizen | Continuous Improvement, Healthcare, Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma

TIMWOOD at Work!

Take a look around your business; are the processes and procedures running as efficiently as possible? Are deliveries being made in a timely manner? Are all workstations organized and ready for production? If you find your business floundering in any of these areas, the elimination of TIMWOOD may help. TIMWOOD is a helpful acronym to help remember a specific set of 7 different wastes: Transport, Inventory, Motion,…

Tony Ferraro | July 31, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, TIMWOOD

Let’s Talk Jidoka and Juice Boxes

Don’t you just hate when you make a purchase only to find that some of the items purchased are defective or missing something? Last week, I purchased a large pack of juice boxes for a family picnic and when we opened them up we found that over half of them were missing straws. Missing the straws while at home is one thing, but missing straws while away…

Tony Ferraro | July 30, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Jidoka

Going Lean: Five Common Misunderstandings

The practice of implementing lean is becoming increasingly popular and it looks like lean might be here to stay. However, it is important to remember that lean isn’t just a quick fix or “extra” program. Instead, implementing a true lean mindset takes time. When lean is done correctly, it will help your business to grow and flourish exponentially. The keyword here is “correctly.” The primary goal of…

Tony Ferraro | July 29, 2013 | Lean | 5S, Continuous Improvement, Healthcare, Kaizen, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma

NASA Embraces Technology through Continuous Improvement

NASA or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration has been known for its great accomplishments in technology and space travel. However, recently NASA has pushed the envelope of continuous improvement just a little further by using additive manufacturing (also known as 3D printing) to design and create a rocket jet injector. Rocket jet injectors are a critical component within nearly all rocket engines. The use of this…

Tony Ferraro | July 17, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean

Can Data Collection Streamline Operations?

Data, data, data… The word data can be a scary word if you don’t really know what it means or how to use it. First off, when it comes to data, do you use ALL your data, or just bits and pieces? Or, gulp; maybe you don’t use any data at all? The simple truth is that no matter which way you look at data it is…

Tony Ferraro | July 12, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean

Made in the USA – Reshoring with the Help of Lean

Many items these days are manufactured overseas. Take a walk around your house, pick up some items like a decoration or a random article of clothing and see where each was made, were they made in USA? The sad truth is that they probably were not. One of the most common markings to see is “Made in China” on items. Why is this? One of the biggest…

Tony Ferraro | July 10, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing

Continuous Improvement: Mail Delivery of the Future?

Continuous improvement is everywhere and we see the effects in all areas of life. For instance, we see it in how cell phones have evolved from the simple flip phone to the everything-in-one smart phone, and from the large 50 pound computer monitors to the now sleek flat screen monitors that are nearly as light as a feather. Improvement is occurring everywhere and is now even affecting…

Tony Ferraro | June 25, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean

10 Continuous Improvement Strategies that Work!

Continuous improvement is the task of frequently seeking out ways to improve processes, products, or services. However, it is important to remember that persistence and perseverance are vital when it comes to the ongoing and ever-changing task of continuous improvement. For instance, when cell phones first came out they were oversized, bulky, offered less than desirable service, and neglected any sense of style. However, through continuous improvement…

Mike Wilson | April 17, 2013 | Safety Solutions | 5S, Continuous Improvement, Kaizen, Kanban, Lean Manufacturing, Organized Workplace, Six Sigma, Tool Organization

Improvement Comes from People Who Feel Secure

When it comes to improving any process or facility there is nothing more valuable than the open exchange of ideas and a motivated workforce which is willing to try new things. In the past many managers tried to improve production using fear as a motivator. While in the short term it can be effective to use threats to get people to do the work that needs to…

Mike Wilson | April 12, 2013 | Training | Coaching, Continuous Improvement

Understanding True Alignment

The competition is fierce out in the world of business, there is always the drive to make things bigger (or smaller), better, and cheaper. Consumers demand quality products that actually deliver the results promised. Upon such a competitive playing ground, what separates the business “haves” from the business “have nots?” The answer may be as simple as alignment. When referring to alignment in terms of business, it…

Mike Wilson | April 11, 2013 | Training | Continuous Improvement, Lean

The Importance of Lean in the Office

People who read about or study the lean techniques will find that most of what they read is about how to apply these standards to a manufacturing facility. This is where the concept really got its roots, and also where it is most commonly implemented. It is important to realize, however, that in addition to manufacturing facilities the lean concepts can be used anywhere that has any…

Mike Wilson | April 10, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean

The Benefits of Lean Management

When people make changes on the floor of a manufacturing facility the benefits are often immediate and obvious. Whether this is a reduction in wasted time or a streamlined method of moving a part through the production process, it is a clear improvement almost right from the beginning. When looking at the benefits of lean management, however, it may be more difficult to identify what is working…

Mike Wilson | April 9, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing

How Does Flow Minimize Waste in Production

When you’re producing goods or services in a business the worst thing you can have is waste. Waste is anything that does not provide value to the company and specifically to the end customer. It could be anything from the time someone wastes at work because they have nothing to do to extra parts for a project which need to be discarded. It can even involve inefficiencies…

Mike Wilson | April 8, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean Manufacturing