Bump into a 'Cover'? Where the Elite Meet to eat? Are you a Turtle?

[Hershal]

Randy,

Make sure you get down to the Riverwalk.....good restaurants on both sides of the river.....

 

[Wes Bucey]

Anyone coming to Chicago for the Assembly Technology show at the Rosemont Convention Center?
Exhibition: September 27-29, 2005 Conference: September 26-29, 2005
Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, Rosemont (Chicago), IL

There is at least one free keynote address which interests me:

FREE Session: Outsourcing Should Be Your Absolute Last Resort
George Elliott, President Elliott-Luepker & Associates
Tuesday, September 27, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

While outsourcing is certainly one of many cost savings alternatives, it is also one that forever alters the basic "value fabric" of an organization, while often times delivering far less than expected results. In addressing this timely and important issue, Mr. Elliott will present a hypothesis, and supporting data, that except for the largest of all organizations, in the toughest of internationally competitive markets, that the decision to outsource is also a decision to walk away from the very strength of the organization. This session, presented by a vastly experienced international operating executive and consultant, will present a provocative alternative to outsourcing,

Participants will be welcome to listen and then challenge Mr. Elliott hypothesis and experience that says there is a far better alternative to outsourcing and that management’s can do more to avoid “outsourcing one’s legacy”.

and another which piques my interest

FREE Panel Discussion: The Human Side of Lean
Chair: Pascal Dennis, P.Eng., M.Eng, Lean Productivity Systems
Wednesday, September 28, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Panelists Include: Ford Motor Company, Stoneridge, Lean Affiliates

Lean implementation has proven harder than expected. Lean is 90% people and 10% tools. A panel of lean professionals will share their experiences on how lean has changed the way they do business. You will hear compelling discussions on their successes and failures and on what their Lean journey has taught them. Experiences will vary from small to large companies and from six months to many years of lean practice.

 

[Randy]

Won't be around Wes I'll be in TORONTO!!!

 

[Randy]

Won't be around Wes I'll be in TORONTO!!!

I've got an 18001 Lead course to give that week.

Anybody in the area (TORONTO) I'll be at the Valhalla Inn around 7PM or so every evening.

For you unlearned out there Toronto is in Canada. Ontario Provence actually. Nice place full of strange people and when I get there it will be a bit stranger.

 

[asutherland]

Wes,

I would be interested in hearing your perspective of "the human side of lean" when you get back from this lecture.

I thought lean was 98% people and 2% tools, but I have never really compiled the data to to support this statistic.

 

[David Hartman]

Anyone coming to Chicago for the Assembly Technology show at the Rosemont Convention Center?

I will be there on Tuesday and Wednesday (good Lord willing and the creek don't rise). I will be looking at AOI and X-ray equipments as well as what the latest developments are in laser etched bar codes.

I too am interested in the outsourcing keynote address, since I have recently been given the responsibility for this effort at our plant (and am totally against it at this time).

 

[Steve Prevette]

I thought lean was 98% people and 2% tools, but I have never really compiled the data to to support this statistic.

It depends on your definition of "Lean". I've made the comment on a number of platforms that "lean" started as an operations research problem - minimize the total cost of inventory. If you can get the administrative ordering costs down, and the shipping uncertainties under control, you can drop your inventory levels without risking stock-outs. To do this, you may actually have to hire more truck drivers for example.

"Lean" now seems to have morphed into a general "Fat-cutting" exercise. Just as we make claims that all Congressional projects outside of our own district are "pork", it is interesting the definitions of "fat" that are not supported by tools or data.

 

[Wes Bucey]

It depends on your definition of "Lean". I've made the comment on a number of platforms that "lean" started as an operations research problem - minimize the total cost of inventory. If you can get the administrative ordering costs down, and the shipping uncertainties under control, you can drop your inventory levels without risking stock-outs. To do this, you may actually have to hire more truck drivers for example.

"Lean" now seems to have morphed into a general "Fat-cutting" exercise. Just as we make claims that all Congressional projects outside of our own district are "pork", it is interesting the definitions of "fat" that are not supported by tools or data.

I am a charter member of Lean Enterprise (Forum/Division) of ASQ.
In point of fact, we are in the process of trying to create a Body of Knowledge for Lean.

If you have ideas or comments, you can address them to me or to the BOK chair

The interest in creating a Body of Knowledge for Lean is on the rise. George Alukal, Past Chair, is heading up that committee. If you are interested in helping please contact him at galukal (AT NO SPAM) hotmail.com

All current and prospective ASQ members interested in Lean are encouraged to add this Division to their membership.

 

[Randy]

If ya'll are looking for "lean" don't look to Wes...he makes me appear slim and trim

 

[Wes Bucey]

If ya'll are looking for "lean" don't look to Wes...he makes me appear slim and trim

the image I was looking for was "rough and tough and hard to bluff!" not "fluffy and puffy!" Must have been garbled in translation