LEI Webinars - Available Online

The Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI) has posted on their website several of their past webinars on Lean / Toyota Production System.   

http://bit.ly/sV4Ix6

This library is a good resource to learn about the basic tenets of Lean, ranging from Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to Standarized Work.

The Dumbest Idea In The World: Maximizing Shareholder Value

Steve Denning writes an insightful article about the conflict that CEOs of publicly traded companies usually face:   focus on customers vs focus on shareholders.   Focusing on customers is probably the adequate choice for ensuring the company stays in business in the long run, but focusing on shareholders increases the odds that the CEO maintains his job, as the usual performance measurement is based on stock price.

http://onforb.es/ufU1FG

A usual  conflict between the long run vs short run, and one which probably doesn't have a satisfactory solution, as long as your stock trades on Wall Street.

Incredible Things That Happen Every 60 Seconds On The Internet

Business Insider has posted a great collection of images summarizing significant events that happen each 60 seconds.

http://read.bi/w1usgJ

Defining Value

Russ Aikman wrote a couple of great blog posts about defining value (in terms of what the customer is willing to pay for) and the distinction between value added and non value added activities, that is proposed in the TPS / Lean methodology.

His definition is very clear to guide efforts on eliminating "waste" or non value added activities.

Part 1

http://bit.ly/tN9yBP

Part 2

http://bit.ly/vdGVia

Kaizen and Fabrics

John Miller explains a great analogy of the TPS / Lean mindset, using a "towel" analogy.

Could be a good alternative for the famous "chain analogy" used in TOC circles.

http://bit.ly/vAhsNv

The Death of the Spec

MG Siegler, of TechCrunch writes an excellent article about specifications, and how they have become irrelevant in the IT world.   In place of the spec, consumers now focus on simpler and more tangible things, such as "how fast the computer is", "how fast can I access the web", "what other services can I access with it".  

http://tcrn.ch/sWEZRp

Although the article is based on the IT world, there are many lesson to learn.  In summary, the marketing approach for certain products and services, in this new "flat" world, has changed forever.

Beyond Budgeting

For those of us who are looking for alternative to traditional budgeting, Henrik Matterson gives some suggestions.

http://bit.ly/vFWLns

As you know, even if traditional budgeting seems to give a "sense of control" to management, it also has some negative implications.