• Five Lean Games Every Company Can Benefit From

    Five Lean Games Every Company Can Benefit From0

    In recent years, several training simulation games have been developed by academic and industry experts to support the teaching and learning activities of Lean philosophy. Using simulation games to teach Lean philosophy is an effective tool to convey the concepts. Games use multiple communication means and create engagement. More importantly, they help people to memorize

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  • Merry Christmas – The Neverending Christmas Card Factory

    Merry Christmas – The Neverending Christmas Card Factory0

    I know Christmas is over but there is still something to learn from making Christmas cards.  The following video explains Lean thinking principles from kids making cards for their families. Now this video is not too different than many others that explain the difference between the traditional push and a better pull manufacturing process. But

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  • 5S Factory Game Teaches the Basic Benefits in a Fun Exercise

    5S Factory Game Teaches the Basic Benefits in a Fun Exercise0

    5S is a prerequisite for most other Lean tools.  Well-implemented, 5S can open up entry points into flow and pull, equipment reliability, standardized work, and value analysis. 5S is a process and method for creating and maintaining an organized, clean, and high performance workplace.  It enables anyone to distinguish between normal and abnormal conditions at a

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  • The Practice of Lean and the Marshmallow Problem

    The Practice of Lean and the Marshmallow Problem0

    At the Northeast Shingo Prize Conference I had the pleasure to meet Mike Rother, author of Toyota Kata.  If you haven’t read his book or reviewed his material online you are missing some valuable learning. During Mike’s presentation he talked about Lean as a practice of continuous learning through discovery and experimentation. This is what

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  • Change is Difficult

    Change is Difficult0

    To survive and thrive, we must be prepared at a minimum to modify, adjust, adapt and then adopt.  It’s a little like trying to go up the down escalator. Stand still and you can be assured of moving backwards, farther away from your goal.  Change is necessary if organizations want to continue to improve and

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  • Lean Exercise on Continuous Improvement using Tennis Balls0

    During a recent training event we had a team building exercise to break the ice and get to know each other as part of the introductions. This was a simple exercise but it taught a powerful Lean lesson of team work, direct involvement, and continuous improvement. I am always looking for great exercises to use

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