newsletter archive.
(Previously published under the title Extreme Profits
under ISSN 1925-8941)
Just in time, continuing the improvement
We have all experienced the "just in case" syndrome: “Let's purchase a few extra file folders, just in case we need them next month. Let's order an extra toner cartridge, just in case the one we now have runs out of ink too soon. Let's buy an extra steak, just in case George decides to come for dinner.”
While it is so wrong and so wasteful, many businesses still run on the "just in case" model. Instead, they should be running in the opposite direction - using "just-in-time" (JIT).
Loco-motion, less is more
Loco: Spanish term for "crazy," "insane," "mad"
Motion: The action or process of moving or being moved
How many times did you have to move today to accomplish one task at your workstation? In how many places did you have to look before you found the information you needed? How many steps did your roundtrip take to/from the photocopier or printer? If you answered, "More than necessary," you need to examine how motion is impacting your work day.