Lean Thinking - Lean Consulting

Do you understand the variation in your organisation?

By Cameron Turner
In Process Improvement, Lean Thinking

It’s often said that ‘Variation is the enemy of Lean’. In fact, I’m guilty of saying it myself. But it’s not always true. As an organisation, we often don’t take enough time to understand the variation in our business and why it is there.

Why Lean Thinking is much older than you think

By Cameron Turner
In Lean Thinking, Process Improvement

I was a guest speaker at a Lean Conference recently and I made reference to the fact that Lean is hundreds of years old.

Accepting High Costs

By Cameron Turner
In 8 Wastes, Business, Finance, Improvement, Lean Improvements

‘Accepting High Costs’ Transcript 00:00:06:23 Recently, I’ve seen more and more examples of companies

This one thing can help get your process improvement approved

By Lee Houghton
In Lean Thinking, Problem Solving, Process Improvement

This is not a new concept – Edward De Bono, oneof the world pre-eminent leaders around ‘thinking and creativity’ developed this concept much more fully in his 6 Thinking Hats method. You can find out more about this great tool here

Every time I access the NHS it’s painful & wasteful

By Cam
In Customer experience, Customer Service, Lean Thinking

Such a vital service requires a better customer experience. On Tuesday I had a flare-up of an ailment I sometimes get (once or twice a year) in my foot. A simple medicine takes care of it – but it requires a prescription.

How information flows through a process is important

By Jason Elliot
In Continuous Improvement, Data, Lean Thinking

A good process flow has a knock on effect on the rest of a company. Yesterday I was reminded of the importance of having good processes that enable good information flow. I wanted to share the example with you…. consider this sequence of events

5 tools I never leave home without!

By Jason Elliot
In Lean Techniques, Lean Thinking, Process Improvement

I see plenty of lists containing tools and techniques used in Lean Six Sigma projects. I don’t always agree with every item on every list but that can often come down to a matter of opinion. The lists I see are general to the term Lean Six Sigma so I...

How to harness the amazing power of team work

By Jason Elliot
In Leadership, Lean Thinking, Management

Team work is one of the most important tools to achieving a successful result. I recently made a trip to the Snowdonia mountains with a group of friends to take in some of the fantastic mountaineering opportunities. Whilst we were out on day 1 in the heavy rain, attempting what...

When was the last time you observed processes?

By Jason Elliot
In Behaviour, Lean Training, Operational Management

It’s not a surprise anymore to hear people talking about “going to the Gemba” or “going to see how the work gets done”. This idea has been promoted by lots of improvements methodologies from Lean to Systems Thinking and as such is reiterated by students of these methods across the...

5 reasons you don’t have a culture of continuous improvement

By Cameron Turner
In Change Management, Lean Six Sigma, Lean Thinking, Lean Training, Management

Almost all companies want a culture of continuous improvement – yet so few have it. Why is that then?