Introduction to Quality Circles In the ever-competitive world of business, organizations strive for continuous improvement in processes, products, and services. A crucial approach to achieving these goals is the implementation of Quality Circles, a concept that integrates teamwork, problem-solving, and…
“If you change nothing, nothing will change.” Nailed it. This nugget of wisdom is a reminder that stagnation breeds more of the same. Progress requires action, and action brings about transformation. So, what’s one small change you think could make…
Overview Organizational culture is a fascinating blend of values, traditions, norms, and beliefs that shape how a company operates and interacts. It’s like the personality of the organization, influencing everything from employee behavior to overall business strategy. At its core,…
One of the most common business phenomena is also one of the most perplexing: when successful companies face big changes in their environment, they often fail to respond effectively. Unable to defend themselves against competitors armed with new products, technologies,…
In the 1920’s, scientific management swept US industries, ushering in the 2nd and 3rd industrial revolutions. By the 1940’s and 1950’s Continuous Improvement Methodologies such as Total Quality Management (TQM) and what is now referred to as Lean were already…
The difference between a good company and a bad company can be subjective and will depend on various factors such as the company’s infrastructure, nature of employees, marketing strategies, company reports, time required to complete projects, net worth, plans and…
A company is only as successful as the people working in it. Success takes place when all the departments of an organization – from product development and marketing, to supply chain and customer service, come together to solve a customer…
5 Whys Root-Cause Analysis Have you ever had a problem that refused to go away? No matter what you did, sooner or later it would return, perhaps in another form. These problems can be either work related or life related…
5S is a system for organizing spaces so work can be performed efficiently, effectively, and safely. This system focuses on putting everything where it belongs and keeping the workplace clean, which makes it easier for people to do their jobs…
Forklift safety is a key topic in any type of manufacturing and distribution facility. Forklifts are one of the most dangerous pieces of equipment that facilities like this have. If not used properly and with heavy precaution they can cause…
How do companies like Microsoft and Google update every single one of the products in a week or two while other companies take years? The short answer is: Agile project management. While teams following a “traditional” software development process like…
The goal of this article is to review the “WHY of 5S” along with the “TIME INVESTMENT of 5S”. A brief description of what 5S is given but the details of performing a 5S event are not. The details can…
Survival in today’s global market requires agility to sustainably deliver value to the customer. Lean is a business methodology that provides organizations with the ability to continuously deliver value to an ever-changing marketplace. Lean business development enables organizations to grow…
At work, one thing that always gets under my skin and annoys me to no end is when people present problems, or worse, complain about a problem but do not come with a solution or do not want to be…
Being in the “continuous improvement” business, like any role, has its challenges. My directive to reduce chaos tends to interrupt employees’ day jobs and has the tendency to create some interesting upheaval. The most pronounced being that co-workers just do…
Operational excellence is not just a goal; it’s a journey that requires meticulous planning, execution, and continuous improvement. It involves a comprehensive understanding of the organization’s processes, culture, and customer needs. The roadmap to achieving operational excellence is paved with…
Gemba Walks are a very important part of any lean embracing environment. They connect and bring to the forefront the good, the bad and the ugly. This knowledge gathering and change driving tool allows organizations to capture real opportunities through…
Below are 18 areas that mentally strong people practice. In each one I have researched tips or steps that can help to develop or strengthen that particular characteristic. As you read through this list you will notice some of the…
OVERVIEW Understanding the difference between a manager and a leader is key to any organization or entity. Both are needed but the expectations and outcomes are very different. Some people make better managers and others are better leaders. The talents…
Many organizations today that struggle with change and fall short of fulfilling their ultimate vision spend countless days, weeks and months – not to mention resources – trying to understand why they can’t seem to circumvent the barriers standing in…
The analogy is a relatively simple one, the role of a company CEO (Chief Executive Officer) is much like the Captain of a ship. They set a clear direction, they ensure key controls are in place, and they ensure that…
The safety card below is a very basic and simple card the outlines a few key guidelines for accident prevention. The goal is to create a safer workplace environment and this card can be used to start that process with…
The below Hearing Protection card summarizes the important aspects of protecting your personal hearing. Hearing damage can be a slow, unnoticeable process of loss if proactive measures are not taken. 85 dB is the point at which permanent hearing loss…
Understanding how to lift objects is very important and is usually performed incorrectly. This is especially important in the workplace where back injuries can sideline an employee for weeks or even months due to an incorrect lift. Proper form and…
The Revolutions that got us Here “How to think about Advancing Industry and Quality” expands on the fundamental concepts that underlie the subject and the management of Industry and Quality. Industry and Quality has undergone frequent revolutions in response to…
This article is titled “5 Keys to Safely Working Alongside Forklifts” because the focus is mainly on the pedestrian and not the forklift driver. It is important for forklifts and pedestrians to co-existing when an environments calls for forklift work. …
The Hierarchy of Controls features an inverted pyramid, it’s a framework and a visual guide for controlling workplace hazards and protecting employees. The hierarchy diagram below starts with the controls perceived to be most effective. Then, it moves down to…
Most of the techniques found in the Quality and Continuous Improvement toolbox have been around for some time. This can be accredited to several professionals performing groundbreaking work in the Quality Sciences arena. Below is an infographic showing the historical…
Want to know about the Kaizen method and how it can help you take your business to the next level? Then read on to see how this powerful yet simple concept can help you. One of the things that makes…
