Three Ways To Cut Non-Value Adding Processes From Your Business
When running any business, it’s important to trim the fat so-to-speak by minimizing wasted costs, materials, and labor hours. In many cases, however, it can be hard to identify areas in which things can be cut without stepping on the toes of your customers by compromising the value they receive. The key, then, becomes eliminating…
Tony Ferraro | January 29, 2014 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean
Why A Scorecard Is Not A Dashboard
Many businesses today use visual or progress indicators to help keep track of how operations are running. Some of the more popular methods involve using scorecards and dashboards to keep abreast of current happenings. The two terms are often used interchangeably, but they have some distinct differences that are definitely worth noting. In this blog…
Tony Ferraro | January 23, 2014 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean
Lean Manufacturing in a Nutshell
Lean manufacturing is a topic which has been talked about a lot over the past few years, and it continues to get more attention almost every day. While there can be no doubt that lean strategies in manufacturing and other industries are extremely important, and effective, they can also be confusing. It is impossible to…
Tony Ferraro | November 15, 2013 | Lean | Lean, Lean Manufacturing
Chaku Chaku & Other Lean Terms You Should Know
We’re constantly told that change is a good thing, and, depending on the details of your current operation, most lean experts would also agree with that sentiment. Take the concept of Kaizen, for example. Kaizen is the environment of constant improvement and elimination of waste – in both time and materials – that lean operations…
Tony Ferraro | November 11, 2013 | Lean | Chaku Chaku, Kaizen, Lean, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma
On the Constraints of Bottlenecks
In its simplest form, a bottleneck limits flow. In its original meaning, this is referred to how the neck of a bottle, regardless of the size of the rest of the container, limited how fast it could be poured. This same principle occurs in business, when one stage of production is slow, your entire process…
Tony Ferraro | October 16, 2013 | Lean | Bottlenecks, Lean
The JIT System
When running any sort of physical production based business, you will often have stock on hand. Instead of only stocking for a short time, there will be a “backup” supply of products that can be called upon as demand changes. This is known as “just in case” manufacturing and is highly common in most industries.…
Tony Ferraro | October 3, 2013 | Lean | JIT, Lean
Improving Workplace Efficiency: One Lean Step at a Time
I like to think of a working environment as one body of movement, a system of metaphorical cells, organs, and subsystems working together to create life. In business, this “life” usually comes in the form of customer value and/or product output, depending on the industry in which you reside. Just as we think about healthy…
Tony Ferraro | September 13, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Facility Efficiency, Lean, Lean Manufacturing
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…
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…
Tony Ferraro | July 12, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean
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…
Tony Ferraro | June 25, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean
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…
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…
Mike Wilson | April 10, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean
5S Factory
When you think of a 5S factory, what comes to mind? Do you think simply about organization or does your mind paint a picture of a fully functional, well-ordered, and efficiently run work environment? If you are thinking the second option is correct, you are on the right track. When it comes to a factory…
Mike Wilson | March 28, 2013 | 5S | 5S, Lean
Improvement: Make a Win-Win Situation for Both the Business and it’s Employees
In the business world, there is a constant need and desire for improvement. It doesn’t matter whether a business specializes in the market of rare auto parts or in making the best enchiladas. The plain and simple truth is that improving business practices to meet the ever-changing and diverse needs of society is essential to…
Mike Wilson | March 26, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean
Customer Service: It Can Make or Break a Business
When you enter a place of business, who do you expect to interact with? An employee or one of the actual business leaders? For most of us, we expect to work with a trained employee who is essentially a representative of the company. It would be somewhat odd to walk up to the check-out lane…
Mike Wilson | March 20, 2013 | Lean | Continuous Improvement, Lean