#182 – SEEING THE BIGGER PICTURE: WHERE OPERATIONS MEET BUSINESS – ANDREW CAMPBELL

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2a16987Those working on operational excellence are typically focused on optimisation, waste elimination, capacity utilization, process redesign and other operational challenges.  This focus can lead to a lack of business perspective.  How can operational excellence professionals keep the business in mind while making operational improvements?

The business model canvas is one widely used tool.  By laying out the main elements of the business in a simple canvas, operational excellence professionals can make sure that their work is always connected with the needs of the business. Continue reading →

#182 – RETHINKING RISK AND UNCERTAINTY – GEARY SIKICH

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Untitled1-150x150What is risk?  Think about it before you leap to answer.  Do we really know and understand risk?  Some facts to consider:

  • Risk is not static, it is fluid.
  • Risk probes for weaknesses to exploit.
  • Risk, therefore, can only be temporarily mitigated and never really eliminated.
  • Over time risk mitigation degrades and loses effectiveness as risk mutates, creating new risk realities.

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#182 – ENGINEERING LEADERSHIP LESSONS FROM JAPAN – GARY HINKLE

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02WEB-144x150-144x150Toyota’s ongoing success is often attributed to their legendary quality and manufacturing systems. Another important element that doesn’t get as much attention is the role of Toyota’s Chief Engineers.

I recently read The Toyota Product Development System (by James M. Morgan and Jeffrey Liker) where I learned that each Toyota product has a Chief Engineer who is responsible for the design, manufacturability and sales of that product. Yes, even sales, because Toyota’s philosophy is that the vehicle’s design has to be attractive to consumers, and if they don’t get design and manufacturability right, sales suffer. Continue reading →

#182 – TIPPING THE REPUTATIONAL SCALE – JAMES KLINE PH.D.

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aIMG_4231-150x150An organization’s reputation is important.  In the private sector it can account for twenty-five percent of its book value.  It can also make the difference between market dominance and slow decline. For government there is no good way to quantify reputation. However, having a good reputation may mean the difference between obtaining the needed funds and continuing to beg. Continue reading →

#182 – WHICH NON-FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT CERTIFICATION TO CHOOSE – ALEXEI SIDORENKO

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SIDORENKOThere seem to be a lot of angry talk about various risk management certifications on the web lately. Most such comments are coming from people who are very ill-informed about how certification, any certification, works in general. As a creater of 2 national risk management certification programs that have been hugely successful in Russia, here are my 5 cents. Continue reading →