Process Analysis Terms The following terms may be useful to an organization during the activity of process flowcharting, value stream mapping, and analysis. Blocking: Occurs when the activities in a process stage must stop because there is no place to deposit the item just completed Bottleneck: Occurs when the limited capacity of a process stage […]
In the global economy that is today’s business environment, there are no guarantees as indeed, survival is not mandatory! The need for best practices is present in every industry, but mandatory in both high technology industries and commercial manufacturing operations. Over the course of the next few weeks I will try to present some of […]
One of the fascinating things about lean is that it is occurring everywhere, and many times without the knowledge of the person or organization doing it! How can this be? I recently visited a small sheet metal fabrication company, and during the course of a discussion with the owner the topic of lean came up. […]
PRESS RELEASE March 7, 2014 Steve Williams Publishes Practical Implementation Guides for ISO & Lean Best practices guru writes blueprints for implementing lean practices & an ISO quality system. DB Publishing announces the publication of two new eBooklets by industry icon Steve Williams. The books are the latest addition to the company’s eBooklet series, called […]
In Summary After a very challenging 2012 for the domestic PCB industry, global business conditions are slowly improving. Let’s take a look back at 2013 and what we can expect as we move into the new year. Like many of you, I grew up in this business. I cut my teeth (and more than a few […]
As we all return from the holiday break and get back to business, is it time to take a hard look at what it will take to be successful in 2014? With an economy that is showing little ability for sustainable growth, at least for the foreseeable future, will 2014 be the year that US […]
Most lean principles fall under a very old-fashioned ideal that some of us still remember; common sense. During another recent visit with a wire harness and cable manufacturer, I had a great discussion with a fellow old-school manager on the merits of lean. He told me “Steve, I really don’t know what all the fuss […]
One of the most important decisions a company can make is the selection of the person that will be lead the quality organization. This person will most likely be the face of the company with customers, suppliers, and your ISO registrar as the organization’s ISO Management Representative. To differentiate yourself as a world-class organization, the […]
To paraphrase the great John Houseman, I grew up in an environment where you make money the old fashioned way, you earned it! What will be the impact on our business if the fast food protestors lobbying for a $15 minimum wage actually win? Old School I remember starting off in the manufacturing industry earning […]
10 “Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often.” – Johnny Carson 9 “If a fellow isn’t thankful for what he’s got, he isn’t likely to be thankful for what he’s going to […]
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