Four Lean Strategies for Uncertain Economic Times

Too often the response of business in uncertain times is to do nothing and “wait and see”. This approach unfortunately means that the business is unprepared when the underlying direction of the economy (upwards or downwards) becomes clear. Instead we recommend businesses take proactive steps during uncertain time to prepare them for whatever future conditions …


Lead Metrics and Lag Metrics for Visual Controls

Metrics are a key ingredient for improved communication in a visual Lean workplace and are essential for good Lean Daily Leadership. It’s also important to review your metrics to make sure they are still supporting your goals. Here we will look into different types of metrics that may be suitable to support you, and discuss the importance of understanding which metrics are leading and which are lagging, and how to determine a balance between the two types of metrics.


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What is Industry 4.0 – Something New or Just “Ground Hog Day”?

If you listen to the business media there is a revolution coming to manufacturing. It is called Industry 4.0, a fourth industrial revolution based on emerging technologies such as “the internet of things”, “big data”, advanced automation and additive technologies. So what is new and different about Industry 4.0, what does it change and what should you be doing about it?


Webinar – Sustaining Lean Gains by Taking a (Gemba) Walk.

I recommend you catch this webinar. Jim is a good speaker and understands the Toyota leadership way.

The good thing about being on our time zone is we can watch the replay. Simply register, and then receive a link by email and watch it next week at your convenience.  Webinar start at 4am Friday morning is a bit difficult (2am in China). If you have any questions, just ask


Lean Manufacturing – Turning the Tide of China Sourcing Cost Increases

It has almost been a sourcing certainty over the past 10 years that, whatever it is, “you can make it cheaper in China”. While there have been exceptions and problems (Intellectual property protection, Quality etc.), overall the past decade has seen a huge transfer of the world’s production in to China.  However, if you have been watching closely over the past two years things have changed. the next two decades


How To: Solving Problems Every Day

The SPED (Solving Problems Every Day) method is about solving many small problems every day. Most problems can be simply analysed using 5 Whys. The outcome your staff need is to have common language about Concern, Containment, and Corrective Action (ref “Getting The Right Things Done” by Pascal Dennis).

Engage your staff by asking “What are your frustrations?” I learnt this from an innovation consultant, Roger La Salle. This