Comments on: Spend Less While Innovating More? Yes! http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/spend-less-while-innovating-more-yes-374/ Sports News - Tech Reviews - Entertainment - Life Tips for EveryJoe Tue, 08 Dec 2009 21:19:33 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Bob http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/spend-less-while-innovating-more-yes-374/comment-page-1/#comment-326439 Bob Wed, 02 Jan 2008 03:27:06 +0000 http://projectmanagement411.com/spend-less-while-innovating-more-yes/#comment-326439 Sensei- I've always found that a blank sheet of paper (or white board) is great for organizing thoughts together. I've used strategy mapping (a process that lays out goals, strategies to attain goals, and tactics to attain strategies, all in a "tree" format) to corral information in an executive level conversation. Definitely not fancy software. Sensei- I’ve always found that a blank sheet of paper (or white board) is great for organizing thoughts together. I’ve used strategy mapping (a process that lays out goals, strategies to attain goals, and tactics to attain strategies, all in a “tree” format) to corral information in an executive level conversation. Definitely not fancy software.

]]> By: ActiveEngine Sensei http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/spend-less-while-innovating-more-yes-374/comment-page-1/#comment-326392 ActiveEngine Sensei Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:17:18 +0000 http://projectmanagement411.com/spend-less-while-innovating-more-yes/#comment-326392 "carefully diagram" is a great choice - I have a vision of one large sheet of paper with just boxes, arrows and swim lanes to depict summary level steps. This diagram with the Juran graph becomes THE tools for describing what the business does, how it gets to the customer, and what value each department / business unit brings. You wouldn't even need Vision or any other fancy drawing app to do this - simple magic markers and post-its would do. “carefully diagram” is a great choice – I have a vision of one large sheet of paper with just boxes, arrows and swim lanes to depict summary level steps. This diagram with the Juran graph becomes THE tools for describing what the business does, how it gets to the customer, and what value each department / business unit brings.

You wouldn’t even need Vision or any other fancy drawing app to do this – simple magic markers and post-its would do.

]]> By: Bob http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/spend-less-while-innovating-more-yes-374/comment-page-1/#comment-326375 Bob Sat, 15 Dec 2007 16:13:05 +0000 http://projectmanagement411.com/spend-less-while-innovating-more-yes/#comment-326375 I agree that both large and small businesses can benefit from these concepts. I also agree with how tight resources focuses you- that's why I like to shop at Costco (less choice). The idea of customer focus is at the heart of lean; one lean manufacturing approach is to carefully diagram the operational times and steps, along with inventory at each step, and identify what is value added versus non-value added. Value added means what is important to the customer. All other work/inventory/process is non-value added and subject to elimination. Not all can be eliminated for various reasons, but the idea is to minimize non-value added work. I agree that both large and small businesses can benefit from these concepts. I also agree with how tight resources focuses you- that’s why I like to shop at Costco (less choice). The idea of customer focus is at the heart of lean; one lean manufacturing approach is to carefully diagram the operational times and steps, along with inventory at each step, and identify what is value added versus non-value added. Value added means what is important to the customer. All other work/inventory/process is non-value added and subject to elimination. Not all can be eliminated for various reasons, but the idea is to minimize non-value added work.

]]> By: ActiveEngine Sensei http://www.everyjoe.com/articles/spend-less-while-innovating-more-yes-374/comment-page-1/#comment-326386 ActiveEngine Sensei Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:25:58 +0000 http://projectmanagement411.com/spend-less-while-innovating-more-yes/#comment-326386 The highest degree of ingenuity is born from a high degree of lack of resources. Responding to a customers request is to truly acknowledge a change in the operating environment. The operating environment is really where a business or dies. Sometimes this comes in the form of servicing needs, sometimes in the form of solving a problem that is not of an immediate concern to the business but of great impact. Sensei's history is full of examples: http://activeengine.wordpress.com/2007/11/16/surely-you-must-be-joking/ I think that this concept applies to businesses large and small. At risk of over simplifying, the thought process should be shaped by questions of "what accomplishes these tasks for the customer?" as opposed to "how can I get this done without X?" With little to no wiggle room, your mind becomes more focused. With little funds you are forced to change the problem. The highest degree of ingenuity is born from a high degree of lack of resources. Responding to a customers request is to truly acknowledge a change in the operating environment. The operating environment is really where a business or dies. Sometimes this comes in the form of servicing needs, sometimes in the form of solving a problem that is not of an immediate concern to the business but of great impact. Sensei’s history is full of examples:

http://activeengine.wordpress.com/2007/11/16/surely-you-must-be-joking/

I think that this concept applies to businesses large and small. At risk of over simplifying, the thought process should be shaped by questions of “what accomplishes these tasks for the customer?” as opposed to “how can I get this done without X?” With little to no wiggle room, your mind becomes more focused. With little funds you are forced to change the problem.

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