A Challenging Place to Work
What appeared to be the hardest and hottest job in the company was the one valued most by the technician doing the work.
What appeared to be the hardest and hottest job in the company was the one valued most by the technician doing the work.
An Unlucky Break
Thanksgiving was always my nemesis at work. Things always seemed to happen over the holidays. This time, a water main break in the city of St. Helens Oregon shut our plant down and we had to figure out a way to get things running again without more disruptions.
Thanksgiving was always my nemesis at work. Things always seemed to happen over the holidays. This time, a water main break in the city of St. Helens Oregon shut our plant down and we had to figure out a way to get things running again without more disruptions.
Go to the Source
There were twelve different reports from eight different states all due at the same time. The only way to stay compliant was to contact each state agency and ask for their help.
There were twelve different reports from eight different states all due at the same time. The only way to stay compliant was to contact each state agency and ask for their help.
Like a Pro
One of our team members was shy and reserved and didn't want to present during the report out. We were able to convince him and he was so passionate about our improvements, the audience was inspired.
One of our team members was shy and reserved and didn't want to present during the report out. We were able to convince him and he was so passionate about our improvements, the audience was inspired.
Perfection Isn't Always a Good Idea
We brought robots into our dining room table factory, thinking that they could make a much better looking and consistent product than we could by hand. They succeeded, only to be rejected by our customers.
We brought robots into our dining room table factory, thinking that they could make a much better looking and consistent product than we could by hand. They succeeded, only to be rejected by our customers.
The Littlest Negotiator
When I was very young, my uncle taught me valuable business and negotiation lessons that I use to this day.
When I was very young, my uncle taught me valuable business and negotiation lessons that I use to this day.
The Sexiest Man in Pensacola
At the end of every Kaizen event, we created a report out and practiced it before sharing it with the leadership team. Team members were having so much fun that I didn't know if I would still have a job when it was over!
My First Process Improvement Project
When I started my career, I quickly learned how important it was to spend time out in the process and create good working relationships with the people doing the work. Go to Gemba!
The First Area Owner at the Furniture Company
When we started the Kaizen event, one of our team members thought we wouldn't accomplish much. In the middle of the week, he stepped up and took charge of a critical improvement area.
Charting the Course of Critical Information
We thought we had found all of the opportunities in our electronics lab 5S Kaizen. Until we realized that a critical communication was taking so long that the customer was waiting for their results unnecessarily.
All Night Long
This was my first IT Kaizen event. Our Gemba walk was scheduled from 9 pm Sunday to 1:30 am on Monday. Would the team find breakthroughs and would I be able to say awake?
The Journey of 100 Google Business Reviews
When I got my first Google Business Review, I was excited for the feedback I received. Now I wanted more! How was I going to get more, I wondered?
Five Lessons from my First Five Years in Business
Consulting is filled with ups and downs. Here's what I learned during my first five years.
Consulting is filled with ups and downs. Here's what I learned during my first five years.
Guiding Principles
Once we removed conveyer guides, we improved the performance at the world’s largest ceiling plant.
Once we removed conveyer guides, we improved performance at the world’s largest ceiling tile plant.
Scripting Changeovers Leads to Consistent Performance
Once we added another layer of communication, performance improved.
Once we added another layer of communication, performance improved.
Strengthening the Kaizen Culture
The story of how I was able to support CITY Furniture's Lean Journey
The story of how I was able to support CITY Furniture's Lean Journey
Three Principles for Funding
We had more requests than we could fund. Learn how our principles made these difficult decisions much easier.
We had more requests than we could fund. Learn how our principles made these difficult decisions much easier.
A Random Birthday Message Leads to a Strategic Planning Session
Sending birthday cards to all of my employees surprised them and strengthened our working relationship.
Weld it in Place to Sustain it
Before I developed the Wheel of Sustainability, I had to find other ways to sustain our Kaizen solutions. In this case, we used a welder.
Treat People with Respect
Sitting on the porch drinking lemonade with the property owner, I realized how much my manager truly cared for her and wanted to protect her interests.