We need your input for scheduling, as I would like to set up a minimum of 3 video conference sessions as well. Please respond with dates that work for your organization as soon as possible so we can start working speaker schedules. Remember, your organization is asked to host at least 1 event each year, where you have the opportunity to: show what you've done, provide additional training for your employees, or seek input from other Lean practitioners around Aberdeen to help solve a problem.
We are also looking for someone to take on the website updates. It was the group's opinion that the website is a valuable tool, but only if regularly updated. Since NVC voluntarily provides the space, we need to maximize exposure. Suggestions were:
The thought was a benefit of a college class project would be that the website would be 'refreshed' under a new student's perspective every semester, which would help keep the site alive. Is there any professor interested or willing to do such a project?
As always, we are also looking for ways to expand exposure to the Aberdeen Lean Forum. There are numerous like-minded consortiums/associations throughout North America, but often in larger communities (examples include Jacksonville, FL and Toronto, Canada). What we are doing is very unique for a community this size, but is still only about 50% the size (in participating businesses) that it should be.
July 2009
July Forum discussion:
~ Banner Engineering hosted the July session and walked the group through some of the changes they have implemented. Being sensor manufacturers. Banner has established a unique, wireless andon system using their own sensors. Much discussion centered on the ability to utilize this in other organizations.
Top of Page
June 2009
June Forum discussion:
~ Wooden Mallet hosted the July session and walked the group through their facility. There was discussion on visual kanban levels, what to do with workers in a slow economy, and why overbuilding is not positive. Wooden Mallet owner Jim Kreber shared a situation where they chose to exceed a kanban level to keep people busy, only to discover a component was made outside of specifications, unfortunately increasing their scrap cost due to the overbuild decision.
Top of Page
March 2009
March Forum discussion:
~ Nancy Kinder from Hub City hosted the March forum, where she and several operators involved in a Kaizen Event discussed the successes, failures, opportunities and lessons learned, after utilizing what she learned from the Kaizen Event training session in February. Forum members were able to speak directly with the operators involved and discover what they felt, from beginning to end, during the week-long process.
Top of Page
February 2009
February Forum discussion:
~ Mike presented the material on Kaizen Event training, preparation and action on the NSU campus. There were a number of participants from both businesses and the University. The session ended with good Q&A and discussion. Unfortunately, the session was not videotaped.
Top of Page
January 2009
January Forum discussion:
~ Mike discussed the December video conference.
~ The group discussed the results of the videoconference surveys. One popular item is a how-to sessoin on Kaizen. Mike believes he can conduct this locally, if the group is interested. Dr. Broucek believes NSU can host this event if done in February. All agreed to move forward. Mike will begin the planning process.
~ The group discussed the TWI videoconference. Bryan Lund (presenter) needs more time to prepare. He would like to present in May.
~ The group discussed the 2009 calendar. Several organizations signed up to host monthly forums. Mike will contact BAE and Avera St. Luke's as neither were available today.
Top of Page
December 2008
Lean Accounting Videoconference:
Top of Page
November 2008
November Forum discussion:
~ Mike discussed the December video conference details and asked that all members share the press release both internally and externally to help facilitate interest in the session. Mike will be out-of-state during the video conference, so either Nancy Kinder or Kelly Weaver will introduce the speaker, Janice Frampton.
~ The group discussed potential interest groups and identified organizations not currently in the forum who may be interested in the December session.
~ The group discussed potential new companies for the forum, including MFG (Mike will need to contact the new plant manager when determined).
Top of Page
October 2008
October Forum discussion:
~ Jim and David started the monthly forum with an update on the DakotaMEP annual Lean conference in Fargo. They shared information gathered from speakers and session material.
~ Mike spoke briefly about the RBC Policy Deployment session hosted by Hub City last month.
~ Jim and David led the group on a tour of Wooden Mallet to share some of their recent improvements including: a new lift/transport cart for operators, bench improvements, inventory reductions/reorganizations and the improved visual kanban/schedule at a saw station (self-directed scheduling).
Top of Page
August 2008
August Forum discussion:
~ The August event was a video conference with Mark Graban, founder of www.leanblog.org, and the staff of Northampton Hospital, London, England. The call was sponsored by Avera St. Luke's, NESDRED, Subway and C&C Vending. Mr. Graban and the Northampton staff shared their Lean progress in a national healthcare system with forum members and three satellite facilities from the Avera Hospital network. The final moments of the forum were used for open Q&A from both sides of the ocean with many ideas shared. Special thanks to Gene Reich of Avera St. Luke's as the technology was much improved. Again, the video conference was a successful learning event overall.
Top of Page
June 2008
June Forum discussion:
~ The June event was a video conference with Norman Bodek, sponsored by Avera St. Luke's, DakotaMEP and PCS Press. Mr. Bodek spent several hours discussing quick and easy kaizen and other lean methods anyone can use to improve their business. The video conference suffered some lag with the video technology, but was a successful learning event overall.
Top of Page
May 2008
May Forum discussion:
~ Anne and one of the leads led us on a tour of BAE Systems. They have continued to clean, organize and improve flow since the last visit. In addition, Anne explained the process of scheduling (both work and people) and employee/team involvement. BAE has weekly all-employee meetings where teams give updates.
~ Mike shared direction and intent with the forum and the website. He also asked for input on both, as the forum needs to be a community organization, not a dictatorship. Several organizations may benefit from joining the forum. Forum members will open dialogue with other business leaders who may benefit from forum participation. 4-Star Plastics, the Ethanol facilities, Molded Fiber Glass, Prairie Tool, Aberdeen Machine Tool and other organizations were identified as potential members.
~ Mike discussed the June video conference arrangements. There are requests beyond capacity for seating. Mike met with Rachel and Gene at St. Luke's Monday and determined the best seating arrangement. Mike again strongly urged conference participants to purchase books through DakotaMEP.
~ Mike still intends to pursue the possibility of hosting local "Kaizen Events" involving other organizations in the Aberdeen area. The plant G.M. has been out of town since the last forum, so he hasn't had the opportunity to discuss this potential. Several organizations expressed an interest, using Hub City as the test facility. There was discussion on a company "swapping" individuals during the event for more exposure, but Mike believes this would be counterproductive. Each participant would be committed to the event from 7:30am to 5:30pm minimum, Tuesday through Thursday, and 7:30am-10:00am Friday. The goals would be: (1) benefit the host facility when labor and time are at a premium, (2) get outside, or "child's eyes" view of the situation - which often leads to better improvements, (3) share knowledge and experience of the improvement process and Lean techniques with participating organizations, and (4) build a local base of talent for continuous improvement - thus reducing the need for travel expense.
~ Mike shared the results of a Changeover Kaizen Event conducted at RBC's Lincoln, MO facility last week.
Top of Page
April 2008
April Forum discussion:
~ Currently, we are trying to get available dates from Mr. Bodek for the video conference. We are hoping to get a date in May, which would take place instead of the BAE visit (which may mean rescheduling BAE again...Mike will work with Brad and Sarah on this when we know more.)
~ If you would like to conduct LEGO simulations in your facility, please contact Mike to schedule. It takes 1.0 to 1.5 hours to run (employee time), with .25 hours to set up and .25 hours to tear down (room time).
~ This is your forum, what would you like to do? Training was mentioned. Mike can train on concepts identified by reference material. However, it is not Mike's intention to 'force' training on the group. If you would like training, as host you can utilize that option. You can bring any number of guests to the training, but it requires coordination to make sure there is enough facility room for those attending (training can be done at your location or at an external facility if you need more space). If you would like additional training for your facility, Mike is willing to do additional training beyond the forum (and has done some in the past), but it has to work around his RBC/Hub City schedule. Late in the day is best (3:30-5:30pm), but other options can be arranged.
~ As with any organization, Hub City is constantly looking at ways to reduce costs tactfully and effectively. Currently, RBC sends Mike to other facilities every month to perform this activity, but Hub City has no sister-facilities in the local region (as Wisconsin and Missouri RBC facilities have), which requires additional travel expense for Hub City employees to get exposure. Thus, Mike is entertaining the possibility of hosting local "Kaizen Events" involving other organizations in the Aberdeen area. If there is interest, and Hub City management approves, Mike would like to coordinate activities similar to his RBC format, with organizations participating in the "host" facility Tuesday through Friday. Each participant is committed to the event from 7:30am to 5:30pm minimum, Tuesday through Thursday, and 7:30am-10:00am Friday. The goals would be: (1) benefit the host facility when labor and time are at a premium, (2) get outside, or "child's eyes" view of the situation - which often leads to better improvements, (3) share knowledge and experience of the improvement process and Lean techniques with participating organizations, and (4) build a local base of talent for continuous improvement - thus reducing the need for travel expense. Kaizen Events often focus on: (1) Process Organization [Layout], (2) 5S, (3) Standardized Work, (4) Changeover Reduction, or (5) TPM. If your organization would be interested in this opportunity, please contact Mike as soon as possible. Many details would have to be arranged, so it would take time to coordinate.
~ Mike shared a brief presentation on a Changeover Kaizen Event conducted at RBC's Lebanon, MO facility.
~ Hub City/Mike also has a small number of Lean books available in a Lean Library. If you would like to preview a book before making a purchase decision, please contact Mike.
Top of Page
