A leading indicator is a measure preceding a future event used to drive activities carried out to prevent and control process deviation. An example might be Scheduled Maintenance improvement opportunities identified and applied. Leading indicators are focused on future performance and continuous improvement. Companies dedicated to operational excellence are shifting their focus to using leading[…]

In 1994, a U.S. study was done on the shifts and scheduling in mining operations; http://buff.ly/1lbRHQD. Reading through it, I was impressed to see that even as far back as 1994, we recognized the positive impact of “involving” our workers in the scheduling and shift / rotation creation process. Evidence once again, that simply treating[…]

No single action as a leader has a greater impact in influencing the behavior of others than your own behaviors. While the old saying, “What interests my boss, fascinates me” may be true, the process only “runs” as long as it has fuel. In other words, your passing interest in a process as a leader[…]

When the dust settles, and the business improvement project is over, there is no longer a readily available team of consultants ready to train and coach each new team member. A process or way of work’s survival is based in it’s effectiveness as well as its sustainability. A well aligned and embedded process will make[…]

It seems the norm that meetings occupy a tremendous amount of valuable work time. Understanding the difference between a meeting and discussion requirement are paramount to removing the “clutter” that occupies your team’s time. A discussion can be had quickly, and at someone’s desk or over the phone where clarity between a few is necessary.[…]

Weekly? Monthly? Twice a year? Annual Review? How often should leadership offer guidance to employees? – How about every single opportunity that presents itself? “You’re doing well.” “Let’s work on these areas.” “Our department is headed in this direction.” Constantly shaping team members through effective communication is the only true method for ensuring that they[…]

It happens at more organizations than we can count, lack of effective communication. To be more precise – “Communication” whittled down to a system alert or an automated email. Effective communication makes up about 80% of the “secret ingredient” to any successful organization. Systems break down, Emails go unread, and buzzing or beeping is quickly[…]

The Silo approach to work management has long been held (even subconsciously in some cases) as a valid method. Valid with one caveat… it doesn’t work. A process or work “Silo” or “Empire” is a sure-fire way to set your company up for failure. When the Silo owner leaves for a day, a week, or[…]

Three Things – Employees want to know three things from an employer; 1. What do you want me to do? 2. How am I doing? 3. What’s my future? If you can answer these things, you have the foundation for an engaged workforce. If you can make the answers to these three questions part of[…]