The article 'Required reading': As textbook prices soar, highlights triple-digit inflation and many other problems associated with the college textbook business. Since becoming a professor in 1999, I have always sought to avoid textbooks for many of the reasons cited in the article. Most large … [Read more...] about Textbook Games
The Academe and the “Real World”
"The Real Truth About the Real World" is an interesting and informative essay that argues against faculty making comparisons between the academy (the "ivory tower") and the "real world." While the article makes many good points, I found it unconvincing, perhaps because I have spent equal number of … [Read more...] about The Academe and the “Real World”
Henry Gantt and Lean Accounting
I would like to share with you some important words of wisdom from Henry Gantt (1861-1919), an esteemed associate of Frederick Winslow Taylor, the father of Scientific Management, the predecessor to Lean management. The following excerpts about financiers and accountants are taken from Mr. Gantt's … [Read more...] about Henry Gantt and Lean Accounting
Henry Gantt and Lean HR
I would like to share with you some important words of wisdom from Henry Gantt (1861-1919), an esteemed associate of Frederick Winslow Taylor, the father of Scientific Management and the predecessor to Lean management. The following excerpts about leadership and human resources are taken from Mr. … [Read more...] about Henry Gantt and Lean HR
The Back Story – Real vs. Fake Lean
This is the back story to how the phrases "Real Lean" and "Fake Lean" came about. I was trained in Toyota's production system by Shingijutsu consultants in the years 1994 through 1997. During that time it became apparent that most organizations were focused on Lean tools and ignored the people … [Read more...] about The Back Story – Real vs. Fake Lean
Eyes on Lean
In Lean, we are taught to observe. Here is something that I observed in the years 1994-2007. For decades, people’s focus was on continuous improvement - what in 2009 I called "The Toyota Half-Way." The focus was so strong that people, especially employees, often experienced very bad outcomes such … [Read more...] about Eyes on Lean
Visions for Change
I work in a university system beginning to undergo change in response to changes in its environment. I am a witness to this change in real-time. It is exciting to see, even if it is change borne of conventionally-minded leadership. The president of our Board of Regents for Higher Education has the … [Read more...] about Visions for Change
The Lean Case for Tenure
Critics of higher education often cast doubt or label as unconvincing the role of tenure in protecting academic freedom. Firstly, tenure is often misinterpreted as "lifetime job security," as I have previously noted. Secondly, advancing truth through academic freedom made possible by tenure runs … [Read more...] about The Lean Case for Tenure
The Profits Generator
A while ago I had a spirited e-mail exchange with a well-known and highly accomplished Lean practitioner, someone I have been friends with for more than 15 years. The former executive, now a very successful Lean consultant, was responding to a Lean Leadership News article in which I criticized … [Read more...] about The Profits Generator