There are three ways to improve business performance of any organization: Technology – Processes – People. New technology may give you a sizeable performance boost. However, it will NOT guarantee you a lasting competitive advantage because your competitor will probably invest in similar equipment or technology. New equipment will not protect you in case of […]
Tag: organizational change
Performance Improvement History in Formulas
A very Lean process Improvement history, with key milestones from ancient times – to our days. Feel free to add important events or correct the math.
Always Stand Up for Your Real Team
As a leader, you have to always stand for your team, right? Wrong. Rather, first, you need to make sure you realize which team is “your team.” That may sound counterintuitive but that’s life. Being a manager (team lead, manager, director, etc.), you are in charge of a unit consisting of several individuals. If you […]
Analyzing the Purpose of Starbucks Training
In recent years, a widespread trend of racial-based training has affected numerous companies across the continent, often at significant cost and time investment. Although its popularity has begun to wane, many organizations continue to invest considerable resources in such initiatives, negatively impacting their overall performance. Starbucks was at the forefront of implementing racial-based training, exemplifying […]
Canada Cost Post-Saving Math
(On the photo, a post(wo)man delivering mail to the residents of Freising, Munich area) Door-to-door mail delivery to urban customers has been phased out in Canada in the last five years. This was a major cost-saving initiative of Canada Post. As a performance improvement specialist, I doubt its value for Canadians. Without a doubt, there is […]
What did I do to James?
I have not yet met a single manager who would not complain about ‘boring’, ‘endless’ and ‘useless’ meetings they have to host or attend on a daily basis. And yet most of them are literally just a few words away from making their meeting a really effective communication and teambuilding tool. I once worked with […]
Canoeing with Mintzberg
The CoachingOurselves Reflections 2017 – Rebalancing Society conference was an outstanding 3-day event filled with ideas, presentations and passion shared with us by the brightest minds: Henry Mintzberg, Philip Kotler, Dan Ponterfract, Ed Schein, Jonathan Gosling, Mitch Joel and many other prominent thinkers, businesspeople and coaches. This true feast of sustainable leadership was concluded with a savory dessert – The Great Canadian Canoe Trip, […]
Reflections 2017 Global Conference
To learn more about the critical role Leadership Development professionals play in society, come to the Rebalancing Society Event, hosted by Henry Mintzberg, Philip Kotler, Mitch Joel and many others. ““Leadership, like swimming cannot be learned by reading about it.” Henry Mintzberg. Register to see Henry and other thought leaders at Reflections 2017 Global Conference!
Why Most Lean Six Sigma Projects Fail?
Stats indicate that the success rate for Lean initiatives is hardly over 5%. That means that up to 95% of continuous improvement programs fail to rescue the operation and have no sustainable effect. The data and my analysis do not claim to be exhaustive but I believe the TRUE ANSWER to the question is […]
What Do Starbucks and Lean Six Sigma Have In Common?
In essence, both are not new. They are derivatives from older businesses or trends that have been in existence for at least some decades: Lean is a mass-market Toyota Production System and Starbucks is a mass-market coffee retailer.