The Chronicle of Higher Education published the article "Senators in Both Parties Agree: States Must Do More for Higher Education" (25 July 2014). The article speaks to how states have defunded public higher education between 2008 and 2014. Here are a few excerpts and my comments: "Senator Harkin, … [Read more...] about Right Effect, Wrong Causes
Archives for July 2014
Lean In Higher Education
What's it like to be a Lean practitioner in higher education? I left industry in 1999 and began applying the Lean principles and practices that I learned in manufacturing to my work as a professor in higher education. I have always worked to improve administrative processes because that is … [Read more...] about Lean In Higher Education
Selling Change to Finance VPs
The Chronicle of Higher Education published the article "New Role for College Business Officers: Selling Change" (23 July 2014). It is remarkable. So, herewith are selected excerpts from the article and my critiques: "The college vice president agreed that some of the proposals discussed for fixing … [Read more...] about Selling Change to Finance VPs
Opportunity To Do Good
In a previous post, I said: "I am disappointed that, in general, the generation of executives who could have done the most good with Lean management did more harm that I ever expected they would. The baby boomers have learned little about Lean management and have essentially nothing to pass on … [Read more...] about Opportunity To Do Good
Priceless Small Improvements
Twenty-two years ago, I served on a strategic planning committee with 5 or 6 other up-and-coming young engineers. We carefully assessed the situation and told our leader that the breakthrough strategy he wanted was not attainable because we were not even able to do our fundamentals well. Our … [Read more...] about Priceless Small Improvements
No Call, No Response
Call-and-response is a fundamental feature of any creative activity. A call is made by someone or some event that elicits a response from another. The response could be simple acknowledgment of the call, but when it comes to creative work, the response is an informed response built up over time as a … [Read more...] about No Call, No Response
Fat Behaviors Forever
Every once in a while I run into a leader who brags they on the cutting-edge of Lean management. He inflates himself and his accomplishments to anyone who will listen. Behind the big ego and skillful manipulation of appearance, there are a multitude of wasteful behaviors. Sure, there is evidence of … [Read more...] about Fat Behaviors Forever
Who Needs to Improve?
Every organization needs to improve, but only some have to improve. The eight Ivy League schools need to improve, but they do not have to improve because theirs is a sellers' market. True, they must compete against themselves, so within the Ivies - if one can afford the tuition and living expenses … [Read more...] about Who Needs to Improve?
Lean Curiosities
Have you ever thought about how: Organizational politics (behavioral waste) turns bad ideas into good ideas, and good ideas into bad ideas? Traditional team-building exercises fail to correct illogical thinking and eliminate organizational politics, while kaizen succeeds? We might be more … [Read more...] about Lean Curiosities