Recent debate about employment in the U.S. has been focused in large part on how to bring back jobs that have been outsourced to cheaper markets. This is a particular concern in the manufacturing sector, as companies have looked to Asia and South America for more cost-efficient workforces. While rising labor costs in many of
Continue reading »Lean and continuous improvement methods are no longer solely the realm of manufacturing. Increasingly, procurement specialists, office managers and healthcare administrators are going “Lean” to reap the benefits of optimal performance. Mark Graban, chief improvement officer for Kai Nexus and author of “Lean Hospitals,” explains that Lean management empowers people to improve and drive organizational
Continue reading »The corporate environment is changing, and many of the innovations that have taken hold in recent years – social media, mobile tech, cloud computing and crowdfunding, to name a few – have had little or no time to grow in a robust economy. Now that the economy is finally showing signs of a significant rebound,
Continue reading »A recession is no time to expect rapid business growth. While the global downturn has since passed, its impact is far from gone. But one thing that savvy business owners have learned from the past few years is the importance of Lean management, operational efficiency and continuous improvement. By focusing on these strategies, businesses can
Continue reading »Business sustainability is no longer just a matter of environmental consciousness. Increasingly, savvy executives and corporate managers are acknowledging the operational benefits of sustainability, particularly as they relate to cost savings, procurement and public relations. However, new research suggests corporate leaders are ineffective in achieving sustainability goals, even as Lean practices take hold and revolutionize
Continue reading »In the wake of the global economic downturn, companies have shown increased interest in waste reduction programs such as Lean, Six Sigma and Kaizen. With widespread market uncertainty, rising energy costs and diversifying supply networks, the need to eliminate inefficiencies and operational excess has become an imperative. In regards to manufacturing, this concept has already
Continue reading »Many a book has been written about how to become an effective leader. But ask any experienced leader and they'll likely agree that leadership cannot be learned through a book – it must be harnessed through personal experience and responsibility. Most companies recognize this truth when it comes to developing their own managers and executives.
Continue reading »A growing number of organizations are adopting digital technologies to train their employees and improve operational efficiency. The advent of tablet computers has broadened the training possibilities for development managers, and the addition of traditional classroom work only expands learning potential. As technology builds upon itself, companies are forced to implement strategies for effectively teaching
Continue reading »Lean management and process improvement are often associated with private sector endeavors, but many professionals in public and nonprofit organizations are beginning to glean similar benefits from optimization efforts. Scientists have always trumpeted efficiency as paramount to good research, but now they are beginning to apply Lean techniques to laboratory workflow and procedures. However, there
Continue reading »Hospitals and healthcare organizations stand to benefit substantially from the implementation of Lean management and process improvement techniques. While such strategies originated in the private sector as a means of improving operational performance and efficiency, healthcare firms are beginning to glean similar benefits from Lean management. But many organizations fail to take full advantage of
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