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reading picks Lukas Breucha reading picks Lukas Breucha

Value Stream Mapping: How to Visualize Work and Align Leadership for Organizational Transformation

Value Stream Mapping: How to Visualize Work and Align Leadership for Organizational Transformation

"Value Stream Mapping: How to Visualize Work and Align Leadership for Organizational Transformation" is a book written by Karen Martin and Mike Osterling. Karen Martin is a leading expert in the field of value stream mapping and the author of several books on the subject. Mike Osterling is a consultant and coach in the field of Lean Six Sigma and value stream mapping.

The book provides a comprehensive guide to value stream mapping, which is a tool that can be used to visualize work and align leadership for organizational transformation. The authors argue that by using value stream mapping, organizations can identify and eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and increase customer satisfaction. The book is divided into three parts: the first part provides an overview of value stream mapping, the second part examines how to create and use value stream maps, and the third part provides guidance on how to implement value stream mapping in an organization.

Key takeaways from the book:

  1. Value Stream Mapping is a tool that can be used to visualize work and align leadership for organizational transformation.

  2. Value Stream Mapping can help organizations to identify and eliminate waste, improve efficiency, and increase customer satisfaction.

  3. Value Stream Mapping requires a deep understanding of the customer's needs and the value they are looking for.

  4. Value Stream Mapping requires the involvement of all employees in the process of creating and using value stream maps.

  5. Value Stream Mapping can be applied to any industry and any type of work.

  6. Value Stream Mapping requires a holistic approach that considers the entire process, not just individual activities.

  7. Value Stream Mapping is an important step in the Lean Thinking process and is closely related to the principles of flow, pull, and perfection.

  8. Value Stream Mapping can help organizations to create a sustainable competitive advantage.

  9. Value Stream Mapping is a powerful tool that can be used for both process improvement and organizational transformation.

  10. Value Stream Mapping requires continuous improvement and the need to measure and monitor progress.

This book provides a comprehensive guide to value stream mapping, from the principles and practices to the implementation and benefits. It is a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their organization. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding the customer's needs and the value they are looking for, the need to involve all employees in the process, and the importance of continuous improvement.

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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!

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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!

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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:

  1. Establish a clear and compelling strategic direction that aligns with your organization's purpose and values.

  2. Create a process for translating strategy into specific actions and metrics that are relevant to different levels of the organization.

  3. Use visual management tools to communicate goals, progress, and problems effectively.

  4. Develop a problem-solving culture that encourages everyone to identify and solve problems at the root cause.

  5. Align leadership behaviors and processes to support the desired culture and performance.

  6. Empower front-line employees to improve processes and deliver value to customers.

  7. Use data and analytics to measure performance and inform decision-making.

  8. Foster a continuous improvement mindset that encourages experimentation, learning, and innovation.

  9. Build a resilient and adaptable organization that can respond to changes in the business environment.

  10. 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.

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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!

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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.

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reading picks, lean management Lukas Breucha reading picks, lean management Lukas Breucha

How to create an Ishikawa

Reading Pick of the day! How to create an Ishikawa diagram - by Mickaël Réquillard.

Today’s reading pick:

How to create an Ishikawa diagram

And another one by Mickael Réquillard - Ishikawa's diagram is named after its inventor, Kaoru Ishikawa. It appeared in the 1960s and is a key tool in the quality improvement process.

Also known as a fish bone diagram, cause and effect diagram, 5M, 6M, 7M, 8M or 9M, this tool is both simple to use and allows a problem to be addressed quickly and effectively, by going to find its root causes using a methodical, clear and visual approach.

Moreover, it can be used at all levels of the organization and in a multitude of contexts: industrial, services, projects, innovation, marketing, the list is endless!

In this book, you will discover what an ISHIKAWA diagram is, its different representations and use cases, how to create one and how to effectively exploit the information gathered.

Enjoy the read and put it into practice!

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reading picks, lean management Lukas Breucha reading picks, lean management Lukas Breucha

Value Stream Mapping

Reading Pick of the day! How to build a value stream mapping (VSM) - by Mickaël Réquillard.

Today’s reading pick:

The Value Stream Mapping Tool

The value stream mapping tool was made famous by Mike Rother in his book 'learning to see'. This methodology enables the mapping of the entire value chain of a company, analyzing both physical and information flows. It is a powerful strategic tool that provides a current snapshot of what exists today, but also and above all allows you to project yourself into the future (with future mapping), checking the company's compatibility with its objectives and helping it to define the actions to be taken.
This book will show you how to carry out a VSM, both current and future, by explaining the key points (symbols used, KPI, 8 questions), useful tips when carrying it out, and application examples.

Enjoy reading and learning!

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