2020

The Board of Directors’ Role in the 2020 Crises

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 09-09-20

2020 has been a year to stress-test people, governments, and companies. On August 19th, 2019, the Business Roundtable shocked many with a statement that the purpose of business was not just to make money for shareholders, but all stakeholders have interests that mattered: “The CEOs of Business Roundtable adopted a

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Solving Complex Problems: Systems First, or Individual First?

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 08-31-20

Some problems in your organization permeate so thoroughly that you don’t know where to start. The problem statement usually starts with something quite broad, and of course, must be broken down to be solved. However, some of these large and complex problems are so invasive that the perspective we start

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Do You Delay, Adjust, or Redesign?

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 08-27-20

The COVID pandemic has delayed and deferred many important activities from projects to learning to networking. Many companies and individuals are facing decisions about what to do with those important but on-hold items. In this video, I provide a framework for sorting through options and making decisions, with the criteria

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Moving from RACI to RACIC

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 08-18-20

Does everyone on your team understand their role? Do your partners and other functions know there? Does role ambiguity lead to either gaps or overlaps in work? Most of you answered yes, and you are not alone.  Role clarity gaps are one of the easiest ways to drive waste into

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Lean and Personalities

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 08-11-20

Lean systems and processes can help take the personality out of a process. For much of our work, our personal styles and preferences can have a great impact on our work. However, this is based on what suits us based on our personality and not the needs of the work.

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Lean Whiskey Episode #18

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 08-07-20

In Episode 18, Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh return to our tried and true format of “just the two of us”, although that won’t last long as Mark will soon have a guest co-host and then we will record an episode live as part of the Colorado Lean Network Summit.

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Throw Away Your Favorite Lean Tool

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 08-06-20

Whether it’s problem-solving, or kaizen, or process optimization, or waste elimination…no matter what you’re trying to accomplish, you must have a firm understanding of the current reality. This doesn’t mean just the results, but the process or work or causes that lead to those results. Every lean thinker understands this.

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Working on the Very Big Problem [from the archives]

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 07-29-20

This article first appeared on JFlinch on 10-12-09. Problems will always be with mankind, read as Jamie asks some basic yet key questions to help you get to the root of your problems.   Do you have a starting point for your strategic plans? A very short post today, but

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Lean Teams Partnering with other Groups

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 07-28-20

Your lean team isn’t the only group that supports the company. Others do as well. You hope that you all have a unique value proposition, but there is likely overlap, and perhaps even the potential for greater value. Who should you partner with? How should you partner, and how might

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Your Lean Team Resources

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 07-23-20

You’ve decided to organize your people to help drive lean. Who should you select? Should you build (grow internally) or buy (hire experience)? How many people do you need? And what are the alternatives? In this 3rd video in the Organizing Your Lean Team series, we explore these questions. Watch

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