Lean manufacturing is one of the most misused terms in industry. It’s often pitched as a checklist of tools or a methodology you can buy off the shelf and plug into your production floor. But that belief is not just flawed — it’s dangerous. Thinking of lean as a toolbox leads to inconsistent results, frustration,…
Most leaders don’t realize they’re in the change business. They think they’re launching a new product. Rolling out a new process. Hitting a new revenue target. What they’re actually doing is leading change—whether they recognize it or not. And that distinction matters. Because when you treat an initiative like an isolated goal instead of the…
The Measurement Trap Companies love to measure things. Too often, they measure everything—without structure, purpose, or alignment. The result: a sea of metrics, bloated update meetings, and very little clarity. In Blog 1 (Operational Whack-a-Mole), we looked at how firefighting cultures erode long-term performance. Much of that chaos is fueled by how—and what—we measure. Let’s…
Why Firefighting Isn’t a Strategy Some organizations run on urgency. A late order. A machine down. A supplier miss. The team scrambles, pulls a heroic save, and celebrates. It feels productive. It isn’t. It’s operational Whack-a-Mole—and it erodes predictability, margin, and trust with customers. Lean Manufacturing exists to end this cycle. What a Firefighting Culture…
Building Lean Culture: Why Relationships Drive Team Trust & Engagement
Most operations leaders have felt it: that sinking moment when a production line grinds to a halt because one small component didn’t make it into the build plan. Suddenly, everything waits. Teams scramble. Deadlines slip. And you’re left asking, “How did we not catch this sooner?” This isn’t just about a missing fan blade or…
You want to scale. You want performance to be consistent, predictable, and repeatable. You want to build a team that doesn’t rely on heroics or tribal knowledge. You want accountability without micromanagement. That’s the promise of lean manufacturing; streamlined processes, empowered teams, and consistent performance. But those outcomes depend on one thing more than most…
Bryan Ward combines passion with proficiency to bring about transformative change in various industries. With over 10 years in consulting and a quarter-century’s association with Lean Manufacturing, Bryan’s expertise has consistently propelled organizations towards their desired performance goals operationally, financially, and culturally. Throughout his career, Bryan’s leadership roles within the U.S. Air Force and Raytheon…
Jorge Sandoval, a Principal Consultant at CBS, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience from over 20 years in manufacturing operations. His journey began in the U.S. Coast Guard, where he served for six years in various locations, honing his leadership skills. This military background would later prove invaluable in his consulting career, guiding teams…
With a career spanning over 25 years in public accounting, Jennifer Peoples, CPA, CGMA, serves as a Controller with a meticulous approach to her work. Renowned for her ability to gain comprehensive understanding of her clients’ operations and business environments, Jennifer has achieved extraordinary success in aiding her clients to reach their objectives and enhance…
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