READ AND LEARN
The Goal
"The Goal" is a business novel written by Israeli physicist Eliyahu M. Goldratt, first published in 1984. The book follows the protagonist, plant manager Alex Rogo, as he seeks to improve the performance of his struggling manufacturing plant while dealing with personal and professional challenges.
"The Goal" is a business novel written by Israeli physicist Eliyahu M. Goldratt, first published in 1984. The book follows the protagonist, plant manager Alex Rogo, as he seeks to improve the performance of his struggling manufacturing plant while dealing with personal and professional challenges.
Through his journey, Rogo learns about the Theory of Constraints, a management philosophy that identifies the most significant bottleneck in a system and focuses on optimizing that constraint to improve the entire system's performance. The book highlights the importance of clear goals, communication, and teamwork in achieving organizational success.
Key Takeaways:
Identify the system's constraint and focus on optimizing it to improve the overall system's performance.
Use the Five Focusing Steps - identify the constraint, exploit it, subordinate everything else, elevate the constraint, and repeat the process.
Reduce work in progress (WIP) to reduce lead times and increase throughput.
Avoid local optimization, which can lead to suboptimal overall system performance.
Measure performance using financial metrics such as throughput, inventory, and operational expenses.
Manage dependencies and ensure alignment among different parts of the organization.
Emphasize the importance of clear communication and collaboration among team members.
Use the scientific method to test and evaluate improvements.
Continuous improvement is an ongoing process that requires discipline and commitment.
The ultimate goal is to maximize profitability while satisfying customer needs.
"The Goal" is an influential business book that has had a lasting impact on manufacturing and supply chain management. It offers a compelling story that illustrates how the Theory of Constraints can be applied to improve organizational performance. Anyone interested in operations management or looking to improve their business processes can benefit from reading this book.
Drive: the surprising truth
"Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" is a book written by Daniel H. Pink, an American author, and speaker who is widely recognized for his work in the field of motivation and human behavior.
"Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us" is a book written by Daniel H. Pink, an American author, and speaker who is widely recognized for his work in the field of motivation and human behavior.
The book provides a comprehensive guide to understanding how to motivate and engage employees. The author argues that traditional motivational strategies, such as rewards and punishment, are not effective in today's work environment. Instead, he argues that people are motivated by autonomy, mastery, and purpose. The book is based on scientific research and real-world examples, and it provides practical advice on how to create a work environment that fosters motivation and engagement.
Key takeaways from the book:
"Drive" provides a comprehensive guide to understanding how to motivate and engage employees.
The author argues that traditional motivational strategies, such as rewards and punishment, are not effective in today's work environment.
The book argues that people are motivated by autonomy, mastery, and purpose.
The book emphasizes the importance of giving employees autonomy over their work, including the freedom to choose when, where, and how they work.
The book stresses the importance of creating opportunities for employees to gain mastery over their skills and knowledge.
The book teaches the importance of providing employees with a sense of purpose and meaning in their work.
The book emphasizes the importance of creating a work environment that fosters motivation and engagement.
The book provides guidance on how to implement these motivational strategies in the workplace
The book is based on scientific research and real-world examples, making it a valuable resource for understanding human behavior and motivation in the workplace.
The book provides actionable insights and recommendations on how leaders and managers can create a work environment that fosters motivation, creativity, and productivity.
Tiny Habits
Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything" written by BJ Fogg.
Tiny Habits: The Small Changes That Change Everything" is a book written by BJ Fogg, a renowned behavior scientist, and founder of the Behavior Design Lab at Stanford University.
The book provides a comprehensive guide to understanding how to create lasting change in your life by focusing on small, incremental habits. The author argues that by making small changes to your daily routine, you can create new habits that will lead to significant improvements in your life. The book is based on the author's research and experience in the field of behavior science and provides practical advice on how to implement tiny habits in your daily routine to achieve your goals.
Key takeaways from the book:
"Tiny Habits" provides a comprehensive guide to understanding how to create lasting change in your life by focusing on small, incremental habits.
The book argues that by making small changes to your daily routine, you can create new habits that will lead to significant improvements in your life.
The book emphasizes the importance of starting small when trying to create new habits.
The book stresses the importance of making habits easy to start, to increase the likelihood of sticking to them.
The book teaches the importance of creating a trigger for your new habit, to make it easier to remember to perform the habit.
The book emphasizes the importance of celebrating every time you complete your new habit, to increase motivation and create a positive feedback loop.
The book provides guidance on how to make tiny habits sustainable, by creating a sense of accountability and seeking support from others.
The book is based on the author's research and experience in the field of behavior science, making it a valuable resource for understanding how habits are formed and how to change them.
The book provides practical examples and case studies, making it easy to apply the concepts in real-world scenarios.
The book encourages individuals to focus on small changes in their daily routine, to create lasting and meaningful change
The Lean Start up
"The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses" written by Eric Ries.
Today’s reading pick:
"The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses" is written by Eric Ries. He is an entrepreneur, author and speaker. He is the creator of the Lean Startup methodology and has advised startups, venture capitalists and large companies around the world. He is also the author of "The Startup Way" and "The Lean Entrepreneur”
The book provides a guide for entrepreneurs and business leaders on how to create and run successful startups using the Lean Startup methodology. The book argues that traditional startup methods are no longer effective in today's fast-paced, uncertain business environment and that a new approach is needed. The Lean Startup methodology is characterized by a focus on customer feedback, rapid experimentation, and continuous learning.
The book covers a wide range of topics, including how to create a culture of innovation, how to identify and prioritize customer needs, how to build and test minimum viable products, and how to measure and improve performance. The author also provides practical guidance on how to implement Lean practices in startups, including how to overcome resistance to change and how to scale Lean practices across the startup.
Key takeaways from the book:
The Lean Startup methodology is a powerful way for entrepreneurs to create and run successful startups.
To be successful, startups must create a culture of innovation that values customer feedback, rapid experimentation, and continuous learning.
Identifying and prioritizing customer needs is critical to success.
Building and testing minimum viable products is a key Lean practice that helps startups validate customer needs and preferences.
Measuring and improving performance is essential to ongoing success.
Scaling Lean practices across the startup is crucial for success.
Resistance to change is a common obstacle to the adoption of Lean practices, but it can be overcome with the right approach.
Lean Startup methods are not only for new ventures, but also can be used in established businesses to drive innovation.
Lean practices can be applied to a wide range of functions, including product development, sales, marketing, and customer service.
Continuous learning is the key to ongoing success with the Lean Startup approach.
Enjoy the read and have fun learning!
Taiichi Ohno
Reading Pick of the day!Toyota Production System - beyond large scale production. Written by the famous mechanical engineer - Taiichi Ohno.
Today’s reading pick:
Taiichi Ohno - Toyota Production System Beyond large scale production
Taiichi Ohno composed this fundamental book in 1978. As one of Toyota Motor Company's first mechanical designers, he was enlivened by the standards created by Toyota's author Toyoda Kiichirō. Part manual and part philosophical composition on productivity, Ohno's aide respects the Japanese auto trailblazer's developments in assembling. This 1988 release deciphers the first Japanese form into English. Its outline of the Toyota fabricating cycle will engage history specialists and to every one of those inspired by the "without a moment to spare" ethos that presently overwhelms the globalized economy.
Take-Aways
Toyota changed Ford's mass production system to incorporate "just-in-time" manufacturing
Toyoda Kiichirō made "Toyotaism" during the 1930s, setting the norm for Japanese auto fabricating
American grocery stores propelled Toyota's creative, in the nick of time creation framework
The kanban - or billboard - is a bunch of directions that decide the progression just-in-time manufacturing
"Smoothing production” flattens the "ups and downs" that lead to failure
Right away, laborers opposed evolving from "one operator one machine" to "one operator, many machines in various cycles”
The in the nick of time framework plans to wipe out squander at each phase of creation
Utilizing a norm "work sheet" assists supervisors with running the Toyota Production System
The just-in-time point of view empowers supervisors, mid mgmt. and operators to embrace flexibility
Enjoy the read and have fun learning!
Out of the Crisis
Reading Pick of the day! Out of the Crisis. A classic but now more valid than ever! Written by the godfather of good mgmt. W. Edwards Deming.
Today’s reading pick:
Out of the crisis - by W. Edwards Deming
Deming could be called the Majestro of quality control, the Grand Monsieur of business consulting, the Godfather of management science. Deming is the source of modern business thought. He helped engineer the rise of Japanese competitiveness in the consumer goods sector, thereby giving a major prod to globalization. Perhaps his only failure was not envisioning the extremes to which others would later push his ideas of “constancy of purpose” (e.g. continuous quality improvement). Then again, their own ideas often come back to haunt prophets and, on most points, Deming passes the test of time with flying colors. In this reprint of his 1986 classic, his arguments for single supplier sourcing and for leadership rather than supervision, and against production quotas and the absurd practice of management by walking around, ring as true today as ever.
Take-Aways
The US economy needs revolution, transformation and change, not a hot fix.
The theory that manufacturers have to choose between high volume and high quality is a lie.
Production increases as quality improves, because products require less “rework” and employees are more satisfied, which leads to greater productivity.
Japan has no natural resources; it succeeds due to its commitment to quality.
Like auto accident statistics, measures of productivity tell you what went wrong but not how to fix it.
Companies must guide workers’ efforts with a theory of management. Just having everyone try to do their best is insufficient and will lead to chaos.
You have to build quality instead of checking for it.
Quotas and management by numbers work against quality. Get rid of them.
Relying on a single source supplier will enhance quality in the long run.
If you hire consultants, give them the authority to visit any aspect of the company.
Enjoy the read and have fun learning!
A Manager's guide to coaching
Reading Pick of the day! A manager’s guide to coaching. Simple and effective ways to get the BEST out of your employees - by Brian Emerson and Anne Loehr.
Today’s reading pick:
A manager’s guide to coaching - by brian emerson and anne loehr
In this absolut useful book, two executive coaches, Anne Loehr and Brian Emerson, explain what coaching is, how it functions and how managers can learn to put it to work to improve employees’ productivity and morale. Often people are unaware of attitudes or behaviors that are holding them back or jeopardizing their careers. That’s where a good coach plays a crucial role. The authors delve into coaching’s methods, explain its benefits, and offer thoughtful instructions and examples. They devote the last third of the book to specific questions to ask while coaching. How you’ll react to the writing style, which is generally clear and serviceable, depends on if you think that “coachee” is a real word and that “everyone does their work” is good enough on the grammar front. Either way, this is a straightforward, practical book for managers who want to be productive coaches.
KEY Take aways
An employee’s success depends on “aptitude, attitude and resources.” Attitude matters most. In fact, a better outlook can make up for shortfalls in skills or materials.
Coaching helps staffers address behaviors and outlooks that hurt their productivity.
The “W.I.N. B.I.G.” process outlines steps to use with your staff members. In the W.I.N. stage, ask questions to help employees develop self-awareness about issues that are holding them back.
In the B.I.G. stage, help them plan and institute problem-solving action.
Effective coaches believe in employees’ potential, remain detached, heed their own instincts, set an easy atmosphere, don’t bog down and show alternative perspectives.
Coaches must “listen,” pay attention, offer “feedback” and “celebrate” victories.
Coaching offers employees an exciting journey of personal and career growth.
Enjoy the read and have fun learning!
Getting the Right Things Done
Reading Pick of the day!Getting the Right Things Done. A Leader’s Guide to Planning and Execution - by Pascal Dennis.
Pascal Dennis is a recognized authority in Lean management and a sought-after speaker, coach, and author. He has worked extensively in various industries, including healthcare, aviation, and automotive, helping organizations achieve operational excellence through Lean methodologies. In "Getting the Right Things Done," Dennis shares his insights and experience in strategic planning and execution for leaders who want to drive meaningful change and improve their organization's performance.
In this book, Dennis offers a practical and actionable framework for leaders to identify and prioritize the most critical business opportunities, align their teams' efforts, and execute their plans effectively. He draws on his experience in Lean management and business strategy to provide a systematic approach to strategic planning, execution, and continuous improvement. The book covers topics such as strategy deployment, visual management, problem-solving, and performance measurement, among others.
The key takeaways from "Getting the Right Things Done" are as follows:
Establish a clear and compelling strategic direction that aligns with your organization's purpose and values.
Create a process for translating strategy into specific actions and metrics that are relevant to different levels of the organization.
Use visual management tools to communicate goals, progress, and problems effectively.
Develop a problem-solving culture that encourages everyone to identify and solve problems at the root cause.
Align leadership behaviors and processes to support the desired culture and performance.
Empower front-line employees to improve processes and deliver value to customers.
Use data and analytics to measure performance and inform decision-making.
Foster a continuous improvement mindset that encourages experimentation, learning, and innovation.
Build a resilient and adaptable organization that can respond to changes in the business environment.
Focus on developing people's skills, knowledge, and engagement to drive sustained improvement.
"Getting the Right Things Done" is an excellent resource for leaders who want to learn how to align their team's efforts and achieve their organization's strategic goals. It offers practical guidance and tools that leaders can use to improve their strategic planning and execution processes and build a culture of continuous improvement. The book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to enhance their leadership skills and drive meaningful change in their organization.
GRIT The Power of Passion and Perseverance
Reading Pick of the day! GRIT - The Power of Passion and Perseverance - by Angela Duckworth.
Today’s reading pick:
GRIT- The Power of Passion and Perseverance
University of Pennsylvania professor of psychology and MacArthur Genius Angela Duckworth founded an award-winning summer school for low-income children and created “The Character Lab”, has advised the World Bank, NFL and NBA teams.
This book goes straight in the help yourself section. With Duckworth’s combination of advices and how to guidance this book is worth a read.
I love the simple and easy to read writing. Each chapter can be seen as a standalone reflection of ideas. There is no need to start from the beginning, you can start from each chapter and go forward. If you want to read the complete book from the beginning to the end, it might be a little bit tedious.
In the book its all about grit, Angela describes with the help of the “Grit-Scale” how she can predict someone’s success. On one example she forecasts who will drop out before the end of the first year at West Point. Quiet exactly…
Grit is made up of passion and perseverance. If you care about what you do, you’re more likely to keep on going. If you keep doing something you love, you’re likely to grow on loving it more and more. But if you lack either dedication or love, you’ll have difficulties getting things done. If you dislike what you do at work day after day, you won’t care about getting better at it.
Looking for personal growth and life hacks, this book gives you useful hints and tricks.
Have fun reading it!
Mindset The psychology of success
Reading Pick of the day! Mindset - The new psychology of success. How we can learn to fulfill our potential - by Carol S. Dweck.
Today’s reading pick:
Mindset - The New Psychology of Success
This book divides humanity into two groups - the one that are willing to keep on learning and those who are not. The author a psychologist professor Carol S. Dweck writes in her book, based on research about the pros and cons of the two mindsets. You will find several stories about famous business and sports persons that made it in this book. The deep dive has an eye on the impact of the very own mindset on people. She explains even the flexibility of mindsets in regard on topic and personal traits. This complexity of mindsets brings it down to the two points either your mindset is fixed and won’t move or you have a growth mindset willing to further develop.
KEY TAKE AWAYS:
Persons who have a strong believe in themselves and their qualities have an unchangeable mindset
Persons that believe in the continuous improvement of their own mind have a “growth mindset”
Persons with a “growth mindset” believe that the future has a lot of opportunities no matter if good or bad times
A persons mindset defines their view on the world
Athletes with a “growth mindset” never stop challenging themselves
C-Level executives with a fixed mindset of themselves do not build great teams
We hope to get some taste of the book! Have fun reading it and improving yourself.
Stay connected
Ad
We want information fast and in a nutshell. We from OI recommend Blinkist* - because it’s simply the best.
* = Affiliate link
