Carrying a Heavy Weight on my Shoulders
We had a challenging relationship between our hourly workers and management. I never realized how much it affected me, until I left and my neighbor saw the difference in me.
We had a challenging relationship between our hourly workers and management. I never realized how much it affected me, until I left and my neighbor saw the difference in me.
A Picture is Worth More than a Thousand Words - It's Priceless
The leadership team didn't seem too interested in what I had to offer, until we showed them the before and after photos from their sister facility. Then, things got exciting!
The leadership team didn't seem too interested in what I had to offer, until we showed them the before and after photos from their sister facility. Then, things got exciting!
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!
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.
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.
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.
When You Want Something Done Right - Outsource it
I learned that I could provide more value to the company by hiring an expert to perform the critical work.
Sometimes the Right Choice isn't the Convenient One
I made a significant rookie mistake. Luckily, I only made it once in my career!
Make it Real
I developed the Wheel of Sustainability and learned how to share it with teams in a way that was meaningful to them.
Image is Everything - Understand How Your Reflection Looks to Others
My inability to provide a clear image of how I could help kept me from acquiring an important client.
Blow it Up
I had to suppress my fear as I lit the fuse to blow up the side of a hill during a mining demonstration.
Knowing Your Product a Bit too Well
How did the mining operator know the clay was good? He took a bite!