Crossing the Chasm

By Pascal Dennis

The past twenty years Lean has gone from strength to strength.

Lean thinking started in automotive, spread across manufacturing, into construction, financial services and health care.

Each of these industries have exemplar organizations that are redefining what's possible in terms of Safety, Quality, Delivery and Cost.

What lies ahead?

I believe we're about to "cross the chasm".

The organizations described above have largely been run by men and women for whom Lean thinking is entirely natural.

"Of course," they say, "this is just common sense and good business!"

They are the innovators and visionaries, the so-called early adopters, who usually lead any profound change -- and they comprise 10 to 15% of organizations.

To cross the chasm and enter the "majority" we'll have to adjust our approach.

Later adopters tend to be very pragmatic. They favour references, structure, standards (and even certificates).

"Show me -- prove it works" is their attitude.

Here at Lean Pathways, we've responded with

1. Brain Booster Pocket Cards and apps,
   
2. Webinars and Images,
   
3. Training materials, and
   
4. Pascal's books
   

We connect newer clients with existing clients, often visionaries who've achieved and sustained breakthrough.

The trick is to sustain the soul of Lean -- that profound merging of East & West -- as we cross the chasm.

The Wizard of Oz gave the Scarecrow a diploma.

We can give people a Lean certificate, but can we give them a brain?

Of course no -- but we can and must help them learn to think, which is what Lean is all about.

Cheers,

Pascal

Lean Production Simplified -- 10 Year Anniversary!

By Pascal Dennis

Ten years ago I got a strange desire to write down all I'd learned about the Toyota Production System.

Not exactly sure why.

Partly to explain it to myself, partly because clients were asking for it, and partly because I just wanted to.

Anyhow, the result was Lean Production Simplified -- a Plain Language Guide to the World's Most Powerful Production System.

To my surprise, the book found an audience, won a Shingo Prize for Excellence, and is still going strong.

When I have a question, I still refer to the damned thing.

"That makes sense," I'll say to myself. "Why didn't I think of that?"

A few years back, my colleague Al Norval, and I, decided to make a series of webinars based on the book.

Our Lean Simplified Webinars have also, happily, found an audience and proved to be helpful.

Funny how things work out. (Where did the years go...?)

In any event, we'd like to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Lean Production Simplified with a series of special offers!

Look for them in the weeks & months to come!

Best regards,

Pascal