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Small Business Economics: Helping you succeed Where Others May Fail

Small business Economics isn’t something you find in the back of a library, imprinted in a 30 year old dusty book, nor is economics a black art, understood by the vital few. It is however, an integrated cog for the small business strategy. In fact, getting it right can mean excelling in a tough old…

The FMEA tool: Prevention is Better than Cure!

Failure Modes Effects Analysis or FMEA tool is a powerful method for understanding potential issues and problems to processes, before they happen. Think of it as being a forecasting tool, to allow the team using it, to design quality and safety into a product and process, by eliminating the possible problems that could happen, before…

5 Step Problem Solving Approach

The 5 Step problem solving approach assists in the identification and elimination of root causes to problems, but what is a problem? A problem is a deviation from the standard. It is something that wasn’t expected and could be something like, poor on time delivery, poor quality, taking too long in the process, poor information…

TQM Tools for Effective Problem Solving and Root Cause Analysis

TQM tools have been around for more than 50 years, and revolutionised the concept of quality and process conformity. They are still used today, and successful companies appreciate that building quality into the process is the only way to be competitive. More than just quality control Quality control traditionally focused on 100% inspection. That is,…

7 Steps to a Fishbone Diagram and to Identifying Those Causes

The fishbone diagram is a simple tool that allows quick and effective root causes to be understood, in the pursuit of corrective actions. Often referred to as a cause and effect diagram, or Ishikawa, it is a simple root cause analysis tool that is used for brainstorming issues and causes of particular problems and can…

3 Steps to Using 5 Whys Problem Solving and Finally Eradicating those Pesky Problems

5 Whys is a simple problem solving tool that can have a dramatic impact on helping you get to the root cause of problems. Often, when we encounter a problem, we paper over the cracks by reacting to it, and creating a work around. You know, the, “just give it to me…” or the “check…

What are the Critical Six Sigma Tools?

Six Sigma tools are used to drive quality improvements, strategically and systematically within a company, which is focused around the DMAIC model. Most of these tools used are nothing more than quality methods that have been around for years and some for centuries. They are used under the DMAIC roadmap, to bring together years of…

Systematic Problem Solving Strategies: Improving Customer Satisfaction and Efficiency

Problem solving strategies are common place in business and it is essential that the right tool is used for the specific problem in hand. Process improvement and effective problem solving strategies are two weaknesses of many companies. Every company has problems. Every single one. The difference between the outstanding, world class performers and the average…

Creating a Lean Culture – It’s Not Just the ‘What We Do’, but ‘How’

When creating a Lean Culture, most Lean Practitioners often describe it as the use of Lean Tools’. – ‘What you do’. The problem is, that a successful lean implementation, which focuses on a Rapid ‘Kaizen’ can have dramatic improvements at first, but often falls down later. – Picture an implementation of a new Cell: It…

Lean Six Sigma: Use It to Turbo Charge Your Processes

Lean Six Sigma is one of the latest trends for continuous improvement. Its aim is to combine both lean principles with six sigma, in one framework. It makes sense: Lean and six Sigma both share the goal of improving processes. So, when you’re improving your own processes, why not combine the two tools to get…

What are lean manufacturing tools and their Applications?

There is a myriad of lean manufacturing tools to help drive out waste and improve efficiency in your business. In fact, there are possibly Hundreds of what are referred to as ‘Tools’ to assist you in your drive for continuous improvement and an embedded Lean Culture. There are arguably, though, about 5-10 key tools, which…

Lean Manufacturing Principles

Lean Manufacturing Principles form the underpinning roadmap of Lean. No plan can be achieved without a roadmap: a plan of action, which supports clear guidelines and principles – and when incorporating lean, the same applies. Lean Manufacturing Principles are derived from the Toyota Production System (TPS) and follow five concepts. Understand value in the eyes…

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