Archive for the 'asides' Category

This is quite funny. While The Dip made the hard-to-break NYT Best Sellers list, one of the editors shared how much muscle they're willing to flex. Don't I wish I had that much power.

Ask Fluor. They did that by cutting their injury rate from 100 to 9 in one year. Let's not settle for less.

Rosie the Riveter put TWI on the map. Toyota Talent explains how standard work, TWI-style, set Toyota apart. There are still spots available to attend the TWI Summit on June 5-6. Use "lci" as the promo code to save $300.

I couldn't let this one pass. The folk at Trizle (that's the name) bring a wonderful writing style with their strong opinions. Here's the latest: How to Finish Big Projects

I had the chance to speak with Seth about Toyota. He's quite interested in the idea of "stopping the line to fix the problem." He says it's one reason why Toyota is the best in the world. He took a moment to quote me, Jidoka.

Seth advises new grads either to take the entrepreneurial route or to join a company committed to mastery. Both routes will produce skills for facing The Dip.

But Gianna Clark takes them on one at a time. Whether it's Lean or Six Sigma, there are people who will get in the way. Gianna offers advice on what to do about them.

Toyota's website has a 10-question quiz on TPS basics. How smart are you?

The latest issue has just been published. Have a look.

Glen Alleman beat me to writing about HBR's article on Promise-Based Managing. Glen makes a strong case for Promise-Based Planning that couples the ideas in the HBR article with the design of a project in terms of its deliverables.

Moving Beyond Obsolete Theory

Get to the root of the problem. Begin using
The Five Whys Technique for Problem Solving

Johanna says it better, There is No Such Thing as Percent Complete.

You've heard the axiom: standardize before improving. There's no better way I know to create standard work than TWI. Learn about it at the TWI Summit where you'll also get to meet Norman Bodek.

I usually advise, "Don't try this at home." Ron has a different idea. Read, My "Sensei" Wife.

Raven shares her curiosity and interests at Raven's Brain as she explores the world of project management. Explore with her.

As project performers come and go you'll need a strategy for them to be successful. Johanna is ready to help. Read her latest posting, It's Too Hard to Bring New People Into the Organization to get started.

For my fellow bloggers, all you wanna-be bloggers, and those reading weblogs who want to understand what people like me are doing, then read Naked Conversations, by Robert Scoble and Shel Israel. (It only took me 13 months to get around to reading it.)

IW reports, "The report "Mistake-Proofing Six Sigma demonstrates how to eliminate the ambiguity (or 'fuzziness') involved in the human side of the equation, and put specific mechanisms in place to greatly reduce the potential for human error, according to its authors."

Read Six Sigma for Dummies. While it's written for the beginner, it will introduce you to the key 6σ concepts. Book reviews are mixed…mine included. So buy the book used!

With tongue-in-cheek, The Boston Globe writes, Creating Flawless Products No One Wants. Don't miss it.

There's a new kid (blog) on the block. He calls himself the Lean Six Sigma Academy, a.k.a. Ron Pereira. He's not afraid to share his opinions: Stop the Finger Pointing!The truth of the matter is that people would be much better served figuring out a way to work together instead of against one another. Keep an eye on this guy.

Good friend Michael Port offers a business-building tip: Get Started Developing the Promising Habit.