Problem Solving

To Standardize, or to Not?

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 11-19-09

A frequent question that I get is how far to take standardization. This is particularly true for multiple locations. Then the question becomes how far do you go to standardize from site to site. As with anything, to key to avoid getting lost in questions like this is to get

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Are you stupid or something?

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 11-13-09

This is the thought process behind the reactions from managers more often than the words are actually spoken. Even if it were true, does that thought process help you improve? Does it help them? No, it just deteriorates the situation. Of course Forrest Gump had the ultimate response: “Stupid is

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How Smart Leaders Talk About Time

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 10-21-09

How do you talk about time? Time is like money. We invest both time and money. We spend both time and money. We should (although most do neither) budget time and money. We waste both time and money. The only difference between them is that I can always get more

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Put Down That Tool

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 10-15-09

This article was originally published by JFlinch on Oct 15, 2009. What tool should I use for solving this problem? What’s the right tool? There are many tools in the toolbox of lean for problem-solving and process improvement. When an organization teaches people to use the tools, there is often

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Deciding When to Dig

by Jamie Flinchbaugh on 09-29-09

If lean is about anything, it is about solving problems both large and small. Becoming a world class problem solving organization takes time. It requires learning new skills and developing the culture to truly invest in problem solving as a daily practice. But as you begin this journey, you can’t

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