Book review – Lead With Respect
REVIEW - Michael and Freddy Ballé’s new novel, which came out this week, will help readers to understand what it really means to be a lean leader and respect people.
Columns
Discussing online, practicing offline
OPINION - Lean people worldwide carry out improvement activities under a myriad of different circumstances, but ultimately they all struggle with the same thing: learning.
An I.T. mind – Saving your job
COLUMN - A lean transformation is not just a prerogative of top management, but a goal to be shared across an organization. Here's a few thoughts on how I.T. people specifically can contribute to a turnaround.
Business growth, human growth
FEATURE - In his latest article, the author explains why pursuing human growth as part of our lean efforts is meaningless until we fully master our pull systems.
Learning lean in Wroclaw
REVIEW - Roberto Priolo reviews the 14th Lean Management Conference, held earlier this month in Poland. With great presentations and speakers, the event left him with a lot to reflect on.
Attila Tószegi on running a lean elementary school
COLUMN - In the second article of our series, the director of an elementary school in Budapest tells us how using PDCA can help to improve education and provide students with the right skills.
Highlights from our lean summit in Budapest
REVIEW – Our editor attends the International Lean Conference in Budapest and shares some of the most important learnings of the day.
Understand Japan to understand lean thinking
OPINION - Yalçin Ipbuken, President of Lean Institute Turkey, looks back at a recent study mission to Japan and encourages every lean thinker to visit the country.
Still Toyota? What about Volkswagen?
COLUMN - Michael Ballé on why Toyota still inspires him in a way that no other organization can, and on the lessons lean thinkers can learn from the two most successful carmakers.
Looking at waste from an IT point of view
COLUMN - For those working in the I.T. world, identifying waste can be tricky. However, starting by tackling over-production will help you to eliminate every other form of waste.
John Bouthillon on his experience with lean in construction
COLUMN - In the first of a series of columns written by CEOs, John Bouthillon of PO Construction explains how lean has kept his company afloat through the recession.
What happens in our people’s minds as lean takes root
COLUMN - What does lean do for people in your organization? This column explores how their way of thinking changes as a culture of continuous improvement and problem solving takes root.
Food for thought
OPINION - The inspiring story of lean applied to food distribution to the New York City poor prompts the author to share her thoughts on the bigger problem of hunger and on what lean people can do to help tackle it.
Why national traits do not matter when it comes to lean
OPINION - How often have you heard the sentence, “Lean can’t work here – this isn’t Japan”? Probably more than you can remember. Here’s why national traits are simply another excuse for a failed attempt to change.
Michael Ballé on why lean thinking makes cost-cutting smart
FEATURE - What is the relationship between lean thinking and cost-cutting? Here's why you should focus on improvements as opposed to slashing a budget.