Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays to all of our faithful subscribers and visitors! 2011 has been an incredible year for us and I thank everyone who has supported us during these turbulent times. I wish everyone a happy new year and trust 2012 will be prosperous for all. Happy holidays! Redge – Owner Lean Execution – Versalytics.com Until Next Time – STAY lean!

Are You Suffering from Fragmentation?

When Toyota arrived on the North American manufacturing scene, automakers were introduced to many of Toyota’s best practices including the Toyota Production System (TPS) and the well-known “Toyota Way”.  Since that time, Toyota’s best practices have been introduced to numerous other industries and service providers with varying degrees of success. In simple terms, Toyota’s elusive goal of single piece flow […]

Sustainability or Meltdown?

For as many years as I have been blogging here on Lean Execution, I have been increasingly concerned with the sustainability of our economy, business, and government at all levels – locally, nationally, and globally. To this day, these same interests are all struggling to define and establish models that will allow them to recover, sustain, and flourish in the […]

Sharp Minds – On the Cutting Edge or the Cutting Board?

I continue to be frustrated by the notion that the only way to reduce spending is by cutting services.  While the demand for change is high, few are willing to challenge tradition and conventional thinking to improve services and increase efficiencies that will enable us to do more with less, find new opportunities, and to create jobs instead of eliminating […]

Lean Thinking for Change – Is this Kaizen?

Image via Wikipedia Every lean organization recognizes the need for – and significance of – practicing Kaizen or continuous improvement.  That Kaizen is integral to any lean initiative is clearly evidenced by the numerous references, discussions, and success stories in two highly recommended and revered books:  “Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation” by James P. Womack […]

Rebuilding our Economy: Fragile – Handle with Care

We are presently faced with yet another federal election here in Canada.  According to recent polls voters have expressed a strong sense of frustration, overwhelming cynicism, and mistrust.  While I can appreciate the well-intentioned platforms of each of the respective parties, I am reminded that these programs and promises must be funded by an ever-growing shortfall of our tax dollars. […]

Managing Visually – A word from Daniel T. Jones

Visual Management is certainly one of the characteristic traits that sets lean organizations apart from all others. The success of Visual Management is predicated on relevant and current data. To be effective, Visual Management must be embraced and utilized by leadership, management, and employees throughout the organization. I also believe that “Knowledge is Power and Wisdom is Sharing it.”  For […]

Game On – Playing it Safe with Lean

Communicating a concept or methodology in a manner that doesn’t offend the current status quo is likely the biggest challenge we face as lean practitioners and consultants.  In all too many instances it seems that people are open to change as long as someone else is doing the changing. To diffuse opposition and resistance to change, it is essential that everyone understands […]