Some of the most successful companies in the world have a “hire from within” mindset, meaning that instead of recruiting high-ranking executives from other businesses, they train their existing employees. However, these companies need to nurture their employees and invest in them in order to create successful leaders. There are several ways businesses can do
Continue reading »Supply chains are complex beasts, involving a number of different partners with various roles in the production of goods. As a result, supply chains tend to be laden with wasteful processes and procedures at every step of the way, regardless of whether it's production, transportation or assembly. This negatively affects the delivery time of the
Continue reading »When setting forth to create a workplace that adheres to the 5S philosophy (sort, set in order, shine, standardize and sustain), it's also crucial that businesses – particularly manufacturers – also contemplate what many consider to be the sixth S: Safety. The Lean philosophies encourage the elimination of wasteful processes. However, that doesn't mean companies
Continue reading »For many companies, switching to Lean manufacturing means a lot of changes. To ensure everyone is on board, it often helps to have a person who's passionate about Kaizen and willing to champion the transformation. This individual – preferably a high ranking employee – will provide answers to any questions that others may have about
Continue reading »The Pallet Network (TPN), a network for all sizes of consignment across the U.K., Ireland and Europe, was recently honored in the environmental sustainability category at the recent Small Firms Association (SFA) Awards. The network cited its Lean processes as a major reason the company has been so successful. Hyland Express Cargo, an Irish member
Continue reading »There are frequently a number of ways to accomplish the same goal. Just as a company applying Lean manufacturing to its processes could approach the matter from a number of directions, so too are there a variety of strategies that can be used to train employees. One worker may learn best by reading a book,
Continue reading »For many healthcare organizations, the need to save money is a very serious one. Despite the various financial incentives available to hospitals and physicians for the integration of new technology, many are still seeking out new ways to reduce expenses. One report from HealthLeaders Media suggests that even with 55 percent of healthcare professionals noting
Continue reading »There are a number of considerations when running any successful manufacturing plant – the layout of factories, the complexity of operations, the role of suppliers and the demands of customers are just a few factors that must be taken into account. According to Dr. Richard Price, however, the top enemy of any manufacturing company is
Continue reading »HealthEast, a Minneapolis, Minnesota-based healthcare organization, recently employed Kathryn Correia as the organization's new CEO – its first new CEO appointment in upward of 20 years. The company has been in financial dire straits as of late, but the board believes Correia – a staunch believer in Lean healthcare – will be able to turn
Continue reading »NHS Lothian, an Edinburgh, United Kingdom-based healthcare organization, first implemented Lean practices in 2007. Since then, the hospital has observed several notable improvements, ranging from better patient satisfaction to improved efficiency, Public Service reports. For example, waiting times for CT scans have been reduced from 29 weeks to six. Substance abuse treatment times have also
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