The name "Gemba Tales" is borrowed from Mark Hamel's two Shingo Prize-winning books, Kaizen Event Fieldbook and Lean Math within which there are dozens of tales. Each tale is based upon the experienced (some successful, some not) of the author and other lean practitioners and shared for the purpose of providing insight into the application of certain lean concepts. The purpose of this blog is really no different, just a bigger community for sharing and learning.
A friend and colleague provided me with this tattoo parlor photo. He was passing by and just couldn't resist the irony of it all.
The lack of permanence around the sign construction makes the whole thing even more entertaining.
Problem-solving tools are powerful things.
image from Wikipedia
Lean transformations might be easier if we possessed some measure of the sixth sense – extrasensory perception (ESP).
Recently, fellow-blogger David Ka
Several weeks ago, I reviewed Dan Markovitz's excellent new book, A Factory of One: Applying Lean Principles to Banish Waste and Improve Your Personal Performance. I also took Dan's work as a call to personal action.
Within virtually any serious lean transformation effort, there are moments of truth.
I never anticipated posting something about scrunchies (you know the decorative pony tail holding device) or quoting Coco Chanel. But, here I am.
Heck, it's Friday, why not share something light about lean?
Truth be told, I LOVE really simple and creative applications of lean. Even better when it's the voluntary work of a relatively new lean convert, like my friend Lisa.
Last month, I had the opportunity to read Daniel Markovitz’s new book, A Factory of One: Applying Lean Principles to Banish Waste and Improve Your Personal Performance. It is published by Productivity Press. My hopefully pithy review is now posted on his book website (where you can also get a FREE chapter):
Absolutely nothing serious here, or long. Just wanted to share this picture of a freshly returned rental car that pulled in next to mine.
Did the driver not notice an abnormality? Maybe did, but didn't care? Who knows, other than the "operator"?
During a recent trip to the great state of Texas, I heard some down-home wisdom, “Before you season your food, why don’t you taste
