Corporate Culture

Transformational Change vs. Continuous Improvement

Tue, 14 May 2013 12:27:00 +0000

Lawrence M. Miller, author of "Getting to Lean - Transformational Change Management"

Sometimes revolution, rather than evolution, is called for.

It may sound like sacrilege to hear someone say that continuous improvement may not always be the right answer. Of course, it is the core process of lean management. But, there are times when more significant and more rapid change is required – sometimes revolution rather than evolution is called for.

Should the Safety Department Manage Safety?

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:23:00 +0000

Terry L. Mathis, founder and CEO, ProAct Safety

It's time to end the artificial division between safety and production.

The typical corporate organizational chart isn't what it used to be! It has gone from fat to flat, dotted lines have largely disappeared and the safety department has been moved around like a chess piece. However, in many organizations, the safety professionals still fill a subject-matter specific management role in safety. In such organizations, operational managers and supervisors tend to let the safety professionals manage safety while they take care of “business.”

How to Innovate Products Faster: It's All About the Culture!

Thu, 09 May 2013 14:51:00 +0000

John Carter and Scott S. Elliott

It's time to trade in bureaucracy and management meddling for trust and 'check-ins.'

Most product development managers associate innovation with risk; and risk is something that you need a lot of time to mitigate. Thus to get products to market quickly, they cannot be too innovative -- right? Wrong. Companies like Google, LinkedIn and Samsung have shown that incredibly innovative products can be developed and launched to the world market with very high quality and in a short time. How do they do it?

TV Producer Seeks Manufacturing (and other) Business Owners for Reality Show

Tue, 07 May 2013 17:23:00 +0000

Interested in showcasing your company on a reality TV show? Read on.

The Manufacturers' Agenda

The Myth of Profit or Loss

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 17:14:00 +0000

Manufacturing is the US is not a matter of profit or loss. The reality is more complex--more like American politics.

Is investment in R&D. An asset? Or a liability? Trick question--it's not an either/or answer.

Take Five with: Pete Selleck, Michelin

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 14:16:00 +0000

In leadership trials, Pete Selleck, chairman and president of Michelin North America, asks himself, 'What would Colin Powell do?'

BMW: Leading Sustainable Growth

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:19:00 +0000

Sustainable growth is best achieved through the crafting of an adaptive organization filled with players empowered to see and make change.

Demand for Six Sigma Talent Gains on Lean [INFOGRAPHIC]

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 22:04:00 +0000

Robust demand for continuous improvement talent remains concentrated on lean skill sets, but Six Sigma shows renewed strength in new study.

Robust demand for continuous improvement talent remains concentrated on lean skill sets, but Six Sigma shows renewed strength.

Is Demand for Six Sigma Talent Staging a Comeback?

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:47:00 +0000

Companies remain focused on hiring lean skill sets, but last year's lean dominance has been muted, according to the latest Avery Point Group study.

Have I Mentioned The IndustryWeek Best Plants Awards Program?

Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:48:00 +0000

Have I mentioned the 2013 IndustryWeek Best Plants Awards competition? It's IndustryWeek's annual salute to North American manufacturing excellence, and I am the coordinator of the competition.

Labor & Operations Leadership