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 recent George F. Will column referenced the sign recreated at left. While I don't necessarily believe that the signage encompasses the complete definition of discipline, it certainly provides food for thought.
I've driven past the building pictured below well over a dozen times. It appears commercial in nature, but with the lack of descriptive visual controls, I had no idea, until now, what it is.
During a recent business trip to Mexico, I spied a hotel worker using the tools captured in the picture.
Lean is applied within time and space. That's where we "live" and add value, or not.
Several weeks ago, I was chatting with a colleague of mine. He shared his belief that lean is an "invention" that could and should be used for the greater good of humanity.
My teenage education was (maybe) enhanced by substantial doses of Monty Python. Occasionally, I discover a lean metaphor somewhere within their body of work. One of my absolute favorite scenes is from the movie, Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The three minute scene goes by two names: 1) the Bridge of Death, or 2) the Three Questions.
Companies just seem to love big initiatives. The thinking perhaps goes: If we hire an expensive consulting firm, we can transform the way we do business, we can start big projects, we can give ou
This is my third and final installment as part of John Hunter’s review roundup.
This is the second of my three installments as part of John Hunter’s review roundup.
This is the first of my three installments as part of John Hunter's review roundup.
