There are three different learning types: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Most people are some combination of the three, although they may prefer one type over the other two. According to Prime Infographics, the majority of workers (65 percent) are visual learners, meaning they associate concepts and knowledge with visuals they saw when they first learned
Continue reading »The term “sustainability” has a variety of meanings. For some companies, it refers to the ability to stay in business and maintain prosperity. For others, it could mean ecological preservation through the minimization of waste and pollution. When discussing Lean manufacturing, however, it takes on a different definition altogether – it's a balance between the
Continue reading »Continuous improvement is a core concept of Kaizen, with Lean businesses always looking to reduce waste and generally improve operations. But how can companies improve when they are already best-in-class? This is a question that Harmen Dubbelaar, general manager of Hotel Okura Macau, frequently asks himself. According to China Daily, the hotel has a high
Continue reading »Deborah Edwards, a logistics management specialist in the Army Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command (AMCOM) Competition Management Office (CMO), recently undertook a Lean training course through the Department of the Army. With this knowledge in hand, she hopes to be able to cut through much of the red tape that bogs down the execution
Continue reading »Financial institutions are often characterized by their perceived inefficiency and red tape. Customers are frequently frustrated by having to wait in long lines to take care of the seemingly easiest of tasks, whether it's opening an account or making a deposit. Great Western Bank heard its customers' complaints and is in the process of applying
Continue reading »There are a lot of commonly held beliefs about what leaders should be. In the minds of many people, the ideal business owners and managers are smart, innovative, well-spoken, compassionate, driven and level-headed. They work together with their employees and motivate and empower them to achieve great things with their work. For inexperienced leaders, it
Continue reading »Companies across the globe are waking up to the benefits of Lean and Kaizen. Whether they are in the healthcare sector or the manufacturing industry, they know about the advantages Lean can bring to the table, from increased efficiency and reduced expenses to greater sustainability. As a result, business leaders around the world are looking
Continue reading »There is much talk about going green in today's business world, with both regulators and consumers expecting businesses to clean up their acts. However, that isn't necessarily a bad thing, as data from Accenture suggests companies that utilize Lean sustainability actually profit more than those that don't. In other words, utilizing Lean to go green can
Continue reading »Leadership has always been an important quality for companies. Successful companies such as Microsoft and Apple are known for their innovative and effective leaders. When it comes to developing skills and attributes, leadership is frequently at the top of the list for many managers and executives. Continuous improvement isn't just a concept for processes and
Continue reading »AtheroNova, a biotech company that researches treatments for plaque, recently brought a Lean specialist aboard. The firm hopes Joan Shaw, the new senior director of clinical operations, will help the business undergo a Kaizen transformation. Between 2002 and 2012, Shaw served as the executive director of clinical operations at AstraZeneca. Her group was pivotal in
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