It seems that at every Conference, Symposium, or other gathering of higher-learning and thought-leaders – where the topic is Lean Six-Sigma – many of the attendees, and almost all of the speakers, glorify and hold with the highest veneration the supposedly unmatched performance and prowess of Japanese companies and their management. Enshrined as proof-positive in…
It’s been a tough several years for Toyota. Information gained from the Toyota website indicates that, in 2013 alone (as of October), there have been almost 3.5 MILLION vehicles recalled. Considering the total units produced in 2012 (latest annual figures available) was 9.9 million; that’s an annual recall rate of over 1/3rd (35%) of vehicles…
We are living through testing times… Our governments are being tested as they try to enact programs to instill confidence in the economy and their constituents. Companies are being tested as they are forced to react to dramatic challenges in the marketplace that have seemingly materialized overnight and without warning. Individuals are being tested in…
Last October, I was at a manufacturing conference in Chicago during which I had the privilege of being invited to a dinner hosted by David Deutsch. And it was during this dinner that I was introduced to Ralph Keller – who is the President of the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME). Thank you, David… Ralph and I got…
