State of lean

All articles about State of lean

A lean view on... the media
September 28, 2020
A lean view on... the media

INTERVIEW – If we truly believe lean can change society, then we should use it as a lens through which to look into different aspects of our lives – even when those associations are hard to make. This month, we discuss the world of media.

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New Year loss and found
January 13, 2020
New Year loss and found

FEATURE – 2019 was another momentous year for the Lean Community. John Shook reflects on what we lost and what we gained in the last year of the decade.

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Better thinking for better lean thinking
February 7, 2019
Better thinking for better lean thinking

FEATURE – We tend to describe lean as a holistic approach to a transformation, but we won’t be able to truly embrace it until everyone starts to see the organization as a system.

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Making the Netherlands leaner and leaner
August 30, 2018
Making the Netherlands leaner and leaner

GETTING TO KNOW US – We continue our series of interviews with key Lean Global Network people with a chat with the President of Holland-based Lean Management Instituut.

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Easing the pain
March 31, 2023
Easing the pain

WEB SERIES – Today, we launch a new documentary series on lean around the world, with the first season focusing on lean in Brazil. In the first episode, we visit the lean clinic on a mission to reduce the burden on cancer in our lives.

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Lean Digital with generative AI
March 10, 2023
Lean Digital with generative AI

FEATURE – This year, PL will try to understand what the future of work looks like in a world with AI. To kick us off and make us think, we publish an article that is the result of a one-hour conversation between a human and a machine.

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The year that was
December 21, 2022
The year that was

ROUND-UP – In his annual review of the best content we published, our editor looks back at 2022 and what this year was like for the Lean Community.

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My gemba visits in Ukraine
March 11, 2022
My gemba visits in Ukraine

FEATURE – As the senseless war in Ukraine continues, the author looks back to his visit to the country in 2017, recalling and celebrating its vibrant lean community.

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Introducing the Lean Global Connection
October 25, 2021
Introducing the Lean Global Connection

VIDEO INTERVIEW - In this conversation with our editor, John Shook discusses Lean Thinking post-pandemic and its role tackling large-scale problems, and introduces an upcoming free event you don't want to miss.

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Developing lean thinkers – Lessons from Toyota
January 19, 2019
Developing lean thinkers – Lessons from Toyota

VIDEO - In this video from the recent European Lean Educator Conference, John Shook and Isao Yoshino draw on their experience at Toyota to reflect on the development of lean thinkers.

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Transforming people to transform the healthcare industry
October 20, 2017
Transforming people to transform the healthcare industry

VIDEO INTERVIEW – Last year, the Lean Global Network launched an initiative to leverage the knowledge of our institutes to positively impact the healthcare industry. We caught up with the group in São Paulo this week.

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Corporate world: how does lean work in large organizations?
August 19, 2014
Corporate world: how does lean work in large organizations?

RESEARCH - This interesting study, based on 44 Volvo plants and 200 Volvo interviewees, looks at how the implementation of lean thinking influences a plant’s performance over time.

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A fork in the road for lean research?
February 28, 2022
A fork in the road for lean research?

RESEARCH – The author reflects on several highly-ranked academic publications to paint a picture of salient lean knowledge, both past and present, and suggests several avenues for future lean research.

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Lean has changed the production line forever
February 28, 2018
Lean has changed the production line forever

WOMACK’S YOKOTEN – This month, the author looks at the production line, a century-old idea that still fascinates us, reflecting on how lean thinking has changed it.

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The impact of lean on the financial performance of an SME
October 18, 2016
The impact of lean on the financial performance of an SME

RESEARCH – What kind of financial results can a SME owner expect from a lean transformation? To find out, the author of this interesting research analyzed the performance of 100 Italian small and medium-sized companies.

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Awakening
February 8, 2021
Awakening

INTERVIEW – The extraordinary events of the past year have encouraged lean organizations around the world to ask deeper questions about purpose and value creation, says Josh Howell.

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Lean in SMEs
January 11, 2021
Lean in SMEs

FEATURE – SMEs represent the backbone of many economies, but few of them contemplate embarking on a lean transformation. The author discusses why and offers some tips to help them embrace lean.

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Hope in lean nation
December 21, 2020
Hope in lean nation

FEATURE – As 2020 finally draws to an end, our editor reflects on the year that was and discusses why the Lean Community is a such an important source of inspiration and hope.

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Lean thinker, I salute thee
December 27, 2018
Lean thinker, I salute thee

ROUND-UP – As the year ends, our editor reflects on the state of the lean movement and looks back at the best articles published by Planet Lean this year.

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Living and breathing the original lean mission
November 29, 2018
Living and breathing the original lean mission

GETTING TO KNOW US – It’s easy to over-complicate lean thinking. This month’s Lean Global Network interviewee tells us why we should always start with the work and the people doing it.

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A lean take on trade
July 31, 2018
A lean take on trade

WOMACK’S YOKOTEN – As tariffs spread, the author explains where forcing production to move overnight is wasteful, particularly for lean producers.

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The post-Toyota future of the lean community in Australia
May 16, 2018
The post-Toyota future of the lean community in Australia

INTERVIEW – With the closure of Toyota’s operations in Altona, the land Down Under is left without its lean poster child. Alister Lee tells us who the community there should look to next.

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Orry Fiume on the two realities of lean that scare most CEOs
March 12, 2018
Orry Fiume on the two realities of lean that scare most CEOs

FEATURE – CEOs need to see people as assets and transform their companies’ product development systems if they are to tap into the full potential of a lean strategy.

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Why you need lean thinking in your digital transformation
February 26, 2018
Why you need lean thinking in your digital transformation

FEATURE – Organizations can only reap the full benefits of modern technologies if they pair up their digitalization efforts with an enterprise-wide lean transformation.

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A modern HR department must offer a dynamic work partnership
January 25, 2017
A modern HR department must offer a dynamic work partnership
talent retainment digital revolution

OPINION – The digital revolution has forever changed the nature of employment: today's workers have more choice and employers competing for them than ever before. It's about time our approach to HR reflected that.

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Writing Lean Thinking - the authors look back
September 21, 2016
Writing Lean Thinking - the authors look back

INTERVIEW – Twenty years ago a book started a movement that is growing stronger every day and that has changed the world in many ways. We caught up with the authors to sneak a peek behind the scenes.

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Womack: lean transformed automotive once and can do it again
May 30, 2016
Womack: lean transformed automotive once and can do it again
womack mobility 2.0

WOMACK’S YOKOTEN – In this month’s column, Jim shares an insightful analysis of the trends and dynamics of today’s automotive industry and looks at the opportunity that lean has to facilitate its next transformation.

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John Toussaint on lean thinking in healthcare
January 12, 2016
John Toussaint on lean thinking in healthcare

INTERVIEW – At the recent Lean Healthcare Transformation Summit in Brussels, Planet Lean editor Roberto Priolo sat down with John Toussaint to discuss the state of lean thinking in healthcare, its challenges and its opportunities.

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Is lean management more conservative or progressive?
January 29, 2015
Is lean management more conservative or progressive?

COLUMN - In political terms, is lean management more in line with conservative principles or progressive ideas? Michael Ballé reflects on a tough question.

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Lean as the management strategy of the future
August 25, 2017
Lean as the management strategy of the future

FEATURE – Lean is a people-centric system for learning that acts as an alternative to traditional management and financial capitalism. It represents the best strategy a company can adopt to meet the needs of the future.

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Jim Womack on where lean has failed and why not to give up
August 29, 2017
Jim Womack on where lean has failed and why not to give up

YOKOTEN – Lean has changed the world in many ways, even though the original vision of its founding fathers has failed to materialize. Jim discusses why, as a movement, we shouldn’t give up and review our strategy instead.

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Lean thinking transforming the lives of African children
July 10, 2017
Lean thinking transforming the lives of African children

FEATURE – At Malamulele Onward in Johannesburg, a do-it-yourself lean transformation is increasing the impact the nonprofit organization is having on South African children living with cerebral palsy.

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Where the Lean Community is and where it should go
April 28, 2017
Where the Lean Community is and where it should go

WOMACK'S YOKOTEN – As the Lean Enterprise Institute turns 20, its founder provides us with a bit of hansei on where we are and where we are going next as a community, and on what challenges we might tackle.

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Why there is no Lean Manifesto
February 20, 2017
Why there is no Lean Manifesto

FEATURE – Why doesn't lean have a manifesto? The authors highlight the core principles and values of lean thinking, but warn these can only go so far without the learning that comes from working every day towards solving the next problem.

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The 10 most read articles on Planet Lean in 2016
January 3, 2017
The 10 most read articles on Planet Lean in 2016

CONTENT ROUNDUP - Happy New Year, readers! Before kicking things off for 2017 with new, original content, we wanted to share with you the Top 10 of the most-read Planet Lean articles from last year.

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Jim Womack on what is holding lean thinking back
October 27, 2015
Jim Womack on what is holding lean thinking back

WOMACK’S YOKOTEN – On October 10, 1990 the book that introduced lean thinking to the world was published. Twenty-five years after Machine, one of the authors reflects on what the lean movement has achieved and on what is slowing it down.

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Analyzing the state and evolution of lean management in Russia
September 3, 2015
Analyzing the state and evolution of lean management in Russia

FEATURE ARTICLE - It is always fascinating to learn about the evolution of lean in other countries. This piece gives us the lowdown on the state of lean in Russia, a late adopter where interest is now growing fast in all sectors, from government to agriculture.

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Jim Womack comments on the Volkswagen scandal
September 29, 2015
Jim Womack comments on the Volkswagen scandal

WOMACK’S YOKOTEN – The Volkswagen “defeat device” scandal is the latest example of a company that has chosen to focus on growth rather than the customer. What can we learn from this, and what should we do when such a shift takes place?

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Lean's innovation? More than just effective processes
September 15, 2015
Lean's innovation? More than just effective processes

FEATURE – By offering an alternative approach to management, lean thinking has disrupted the business world in the past three decades. But in what way has it really innovated?

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Lean thinking and the challenges it will face
October 14, 2014
Lean thinking and the challenges it will face

ARTICLE - How can creativity and standards coexist? How do we move beyond silos? How do we fully understand the voice of the customer? Dan Jones reflects on three key questions for the lean movement.

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Banking on Lean
April 21, 2023
Banking on Lean

WEB SERIES – Episode 3 of our docuseries on lean in Brazil takes us to the second largest bank in the country. Learn how Bradesco is striving to improve its processes to provide more value to its customers using Lean Thinking.

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The gift of change
April 7, 2023
The gift of change

WEB SERIES – In Episode 2 of our docuseries on lean in Brazil, we learn how the pioneering efforts of a cancer clinic have inspired the city of São José dos Campos to transform into a lean healthcare cluster.

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Lean through four generations
August 12, 2022
Lean through four generations

FEATURE – Every lean generation has faced challenges, and it’s critical we understand the context around us if we are to continue to grow our Community, says Jim Womack.

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Reflections from a Norwegian lean road trip
October 21, 2021
Reflections from a Norwegian lean road trip

FEATURE – Fresh from a number of visits to Norwegian gemba, the authors share their reflections and discuss the importance of making the information flow visible.

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Prospering, not profiteering
August 26, 2021
Prospering, not profiteering

FEATURE – The impact of humankind on the environment is now beyond dispute. Yet, too little is being done to adapt our business models. This compelling read explains why we need to create prosperity beyond profit.

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Lean leadership and Industry 4.0
August 5, 2021
Lean leadership and Industry 4.0

RESEARCH – The authors explore the leadership traits that Lean Thinking and the implementation of Industry 4.0 practices call for and explore their synergies.

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The way to radical lean
August 2, 2021
The way to radical lean

FEATURE – Reflecting on Nomura-san’s recently published book on radical quality improvement, the author encourages us to embrace the spirit of “Dantotsu” to meet the challenges we face as a society.

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The paradox of learning
July 19, 2021
The paradox of learning

FEATURE – In this call to arms, the author encourages us to fight to prove the relevance of Lean Thinking in such difficult times and explains why only mastering it can truly address our problems.

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Lean as a path
July 12, 2021
Lean as a path

FEATURE – The author describes Lean Thinking as a path of discovery and explains why attempts to define it “once and for all” are destined to fail.

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30 years since Machine came out - Part 1
August 31, 2020
30 years since Machine came out - Part 1

INTERVIEW – In the fall of 1990, a book was published that would kickstart a revolution in business. This week we are catching up with the authors to understand where we are and where we are headed. First up, Daniel Jones.

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The world after Covid-19
April 17, 2020
The world after Covid-19

FEATURE – Looking to the future, the author encourages us to challenge obsolete ideas and seize the opportunity provided by Lean Thinking to make the world a better place for all.

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Lean thinking in 'Pole' position
October 30, 2018
Lean thinking in 'Pole' position

GETTING TO KNOW US – We continue our series of interviews with Lean Global Network directors with a Q&A with another veteran of the global lean movement, Poland’s Tomasz Koch.

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With digital, lean finally reaches CEOs
November 6, 2018
With digital, lean finally reaches CEOs

INTERVIEW – At last month’s Lean Digital Summit in Lisbon, César Gon told attendees how, with lean digital, we have an opportunity to finally get the attention of CEOs and business leaders.

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Helping Turkey to thrive with lean management
September 27, 2018
Helping Turkey to thrive with lean management

GETTING TO KNOW US – Earlier this month, our editor visited Istanbul to learn about the work Lean Institute Turkey is doing to spread lean in Turkey and beyond. He sat down with the institute’s President for a chat.

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Lean thinking for the family business
August 28, 2018
Lean thinking for the family business

WOMACK’S YOKOTEN – The author discusses the benefits that the many family businesses making up our economies can harness from embracing lean management.

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Le lean, c’est fantastique!
July 27, 2018
Le lean, c’est fantastique!

GETTING TO KNOW US – We sit for a chat with the President of Institut Lean France. Not only has ILF created a vibrant community of lean CEOs in France; it also launched one of the most innovative lean events out there.

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Lean Thinking: ingredients, incubation and diffusion
July 24, 2018
Lean Thinking: ingredients, incubation and diffusion

FEATURE – The author offers an overview of the ingredients that made lean thinking what it is, of the 30 years of incubation it underwent at Toyota, and of its diffusion from 1980 onwards.

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Why the mining industry desperately needs lean thinking
May 7, 2018
Why the mining industry desperately needs lean thinking

FEATURE – Lean thinking is still largely absent from the mining industry. The author explains the great opportunities that lie ahead for an industry with a huge potential to improve.

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Jim Womack on what makes for a good lean employer
March 26, 2018
Jim Womack on what makes for a good lean employer

WOMACK’S YOKOTEN – What does a lean employer look like? In this month’s column, the author reflects on the long-term commitment to employees a company engaged in lean thinking should make.

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The value of gender equity to lean
February 16, 2018
The value of gender equity to lean

LEAN THINKING WOMEN – We speak with women lean leaders about the link between gender equity and the creation of value as well as the value of diversity to the global lean community.

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Jim Womack on the importance of spreading the lean word
December 21, 2017
Jim Womack on the importance of spreading the lean word

WOMACK’S YOKOTEN – Ahead of the holidays, for his last column of the year, the author reminds us of the power of sharing. Go out and spread the lean word!

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Arnaldo Camuffo discusses what makes lean a good practice
June 30, 2017
Arnaldo Camuffo discusses what makes lean a good practice

FEATURE – We tend to take the “goodness” of lean for granted, but – the author says – we should stop and think about what makes lean a good business practice. Why is it a way of thinking all businesses should adopt?

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The lean lessons from the United Airlines controversy
May 1, 2017
The lean lessons from the United Airlines controversy
Boaz Tamir on United Airlines

COLUMN – Last month a video surfaced of a passenger being forcibly removed from an overbooked United Airlines flight and the Internet went ablaze. What does this story tell us about the relationship between profitability and customer value?

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Picturing trade in a world of lean enterprises
January 31, 2017
Picturing trade in a world of lean enterprises

WOMACK'S YOKOTEN – Between the upcoming Brexit negotiations and the protectionist stance of the new US Administration, trade is making the headlines once again. But what would trade look like in a world of lean organizations?

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John Shook on failure, innovation and the resilience of lean
January 17, 2017
John Shook on failure, innovation and the resilience of lean

INTERVIEW – In this must-read Q&A, our editor sits down with lean guru John Shook to discuss the meaning of failure, the nature of innovation, and the resilience of our movement.

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Work as we know it is disappearing; how can lean adapt?
October 26, 2016
Work as we know it is disappearing; how can lean adapt?

WOMACK’S YOKOTEN – The rise of the robots may still belong in sci-fi books, but there is no doubt that work as we know it is fading away. What is the role of lean thinking in this world of drones and driverless taxis?

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Jim Womack takes on the legacy of Taylor and Ford
September 26, 2016
Jim Womack takes on the legacy of Taylor and Ford

WOMACK'S YOKOTEN – The author reflects on how the legacy of Taylor and Ford still poses challenges to the lean movement, and why critics should move past a simplistic view of lean as mere standardization.

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Why Western Labor Productivity has been slowing since 2004
June 30, 2016
Why Western Labor Productivity has been slowing since 2004

SEEN FROM OTHERS – In a new series, we ask experts from outside our community to share thoughts on lean-related topics. This month we meet an economist with an interesting take on the West’s productivity slowdown and its link to learning.

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A few lean government lessons from South Africa
June 2, 2016
A few lean government lessons from South Africa

FEATURE – By looking at the state of lean management in the South African government sector, the author shares a number of important lessons that apply to public service organizations all around the world.

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Greg Lane tells PL what Western management is getting wrong
April 27, 2016
Greg Lane tells PL what Western management is getting wrong

INTERVIEW – We asked Greg Lane to reflect on his experience with lean transformations and to share his thoughts on the leadership behaviors that best support them.

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Womack: why lean is an opportunity for today's aerospace
April 25, 2016
Womack: why lean is an opportunity for today's aerospace

WOMACK'S YOKOTEN – As a new age in aerospace dawns, with a need to move from huge and bespoke designs to affordable and high-volume production, lean thinking has a key role to play. But will the industry listen?

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The information value stream: analysing the state of lean IT
March 31, 2016
The information value stream: analysing the state of lean IT

FEATURE – Lean thinking is increasingly applied end to end, reaching virtually every area and function of the enterprise, and yet in many companies IT is still left out of the lean transformation. Isn't this dangerous in a world that is going more and more digital?

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Womack and Jones: the fathers of lean thinking interviewed
December 22, 2014
Womack and Jones: the fathers of lean thinking interviewed

VIDEO INTERVIEW - At last month's UK Lean Summit, we sat down with Dan Jones and Jim Womack, founding fathers of lean thinking, to discuss the evolution, current state and future of the methodology.

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UK government needs a holistic approach to lean management
November 26, 2015
UK government needs a holistic approach to lean management

RESEARCH – A recent report by the National Audit Office looks at what works and what doesn’t when lean management is applied in UK government organizations.

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Watch Dan Jones speak at the 2014 Lean Summit in the Netherlands
August 7, 2014
Watch Dan Jones speak at the 2014 Lean Summit in the Netherlands

VIDEO - Dan Jones was one of the keynote speakers at this year's Lean Summit in The Netherlands. Here's a 15-minute excerpt of his talk, with some great insights into the state of lean thinking.

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The state of lean construction
October 2, 2014
The state of lean construction

INTERVIEW – Brian Swain, Director of the Lean Construction Institute UK, has supported some of the largest construction projects in Britain, including London’s Olympic Village. Here he talks about the evolution of lean in the industry.

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The role of leadership in a lean journey
March 13, 2014
The role of leadership in a lean journey

INTERVIEW - What does "leading through incompetence" mean? Peter Willats discusses the role of leadership in a lean management system and the evolution of lean thinking.

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Lowdown on lean management principles applied to healthcare
February 19, 2015
Lowdown on lean management principles applied to healthcare

RESEARCH - In the last 10 years lean has made its way in many hospitals and healthcare systems, often with impressive results. Professor Dan Jones looks back at the lessons learned throughout the decade.

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Jim Womack discusses Uber and Airbnb
August 25, 2015
Jim Womack discusses Uber and Airbnb

WOMACK’S YOKOTEN – The sharing economy came with a very “lean” promise – underutilized resources made available to those who need them for a reasonable fee – but not all that glitters is gold.

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Interview with Dan Jones, René Aernoudts and Michael Ballé
June 3, 2014
Interview with Dan Jones, René Aernoudts and Michael Ballé

INTERVIEW - In this video interview, René Aernoudts, Michael Ballé and Dan Jones answer a few key questions on what's next for the lean movement.

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Interview with Helen Zak on lean healthcare challenges
November 6, 2015
Interview with Helen Zak on lean healthcare challenges

INTERVIEW – At the recent European Lean Healthcare Transformation Summit, we sat down with Helen Zak for a few minutes to discuss the state of change in the healthcare sector.

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Impressions of China
August 6, 2014
Impressions of China

NEWS - Back from his annual trip to Shanghai, Anton Grütter, CEO of the Lean Institute Africa, shares a few interesting insights into the Chinese culture.

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Dan Jones reflects on lean management in the digital age
May 20, 2014
Dan Jones reflects on lean management in the digital age

FEATURE - Professor Dan Jones looks at the unique challenges the digital age presents the business community with, and explains how lean thinking can help us to effectively address them.

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Auditing UK government’s adoption of lean thinking
November 17, 2014
Auditing UK government’s adoption of lean thinking

FEATURE - Britain’s National Audit Office looks at how well taxpayer money is spent, gaining invaluable insight into the use of lean management in central government.

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