...Six Sigma, Lean, and Kaizen J. Paul Seiberlich Siena Heights University Prof. Anderson February 5, 2015 Kaizen and Six Sigma are associated with the Quality Model for achieving success in business. The term Kaizen has many different uses ranging from referring to a principle of personal conduct to a company wide strategy for achieving business success (Imai, 1986). In the United States, one of its most common uses is as the name of a lean enterprise tool for improving work processes. In this use, it refers to a systematic and specialized application of problem solving to uncover and extract waste from a work process. Kaizen as a company wide strategy for achieving business success is derived from the writings of W. Edwards Deming although the completeness of that connection seems to be unrecognized. It abstracts from Deming’s work the ideas that improvements must benefit customers; that they must occur every day, everywhere, and be implemented by everyone; that management must lead the implementation and that managers must be models and agents of its adoption; and that management and non-management employees must operate cooperatively. (Vitalo, R. 2013) The term “Kaizen” has two uses. One use refers to the principle of continuous improvement and describes a fundamental element in the Quality Model and in Lean thinking. The second use refers to methods that either suggest (e.g., Teian Kaizen) or generate and implement improvement ideas. Of the methods...
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...“Creating Lean Suppliers” a Consider that the new corporate procurement strategy in support of your manufacturing business includes securing purchased critical parts and subassemblies from “lean” practicing suppliers. Your supply chain management in previous years has practiced the strategy of single sourcing as well as long-term partnering for critical purchased material. Prepare a list of bullets showing the advantages and disadvantages of staying with current suppliers (i.e. not switching) that currently do not have a “lean” in place and also define in the response your plan to achieve the new “lean” supplier requirement. I Advantage: * Better relationship – further involved in new production process * Better reputation (ethics) * Knowing the supplier better – its problems, cost-structure, and technology * Supplier may be more responsive * Creating “trust” II Disadvantage: * Cost of the BP team * Require extensive capital investment or extra personnel for suppliers * Time consuming (for the suppler to be lean) * Difficulty to change and sustain In order to achieve the new “lean” supplier requirement, I would want suppliers that have substantial responsibility during product development; the ability to accommodate and respond to the request of changes in product or manufacturing process; extensive capital investment or extra human resources. Also the suppliers that is reliable, and “self-reliant.” b Analyze Honda’s...
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...Final Case Submission: Avion Inc. 1. What parts of the supply chain are most closely involved with the situation in this case? What is the responsibility of each part in order to maintain a smooth flow of material? Procurement and Contracts: Should be responsible to amend the agreement that clearly defines what the service level requirements are, sets out the change control mechanism, the communication protocol and representative of both parties and review the agreement in conjunction with the supplier to remove any ambiguity. Category Management: Should be responsible for developing a SQM that will allow provide both parties with a forum to work in partnership and set targets and KPIs. Material Management: Should be responsible to understand the required and forecast inventory stocks and coordinate accordingly. Logistics: Should be responsible for transporting the product through the supply chain. 2. What initially appears to be the problem? What really is the problem(s) in this case? The problem initially appears to be that the vendor is not meeting the expected performance level required by the customer. However the problem is not with the vendor rather within Avion. It appears that the company does not have appropriate cross function engagement, rather working in silos. There is no obvious communication structure whereby the SCM understands the scope requirements and can translate this to the vendor. Also following contract award it is not clear what...
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...Have you ever had that feeling that you just know it’s right but you can’t explain why? It’s like bigger than a ‘gut-feeling’, it just sounds right in your mind. Although, you can’t really explain why, it’s quite confusing really. I’ll try my best to let you understand this feeling for you. For me, I was born in Gothenburg, a small, quiet place in Sweden. I had the pleasure of living there for nine years, I never really at the time thought what an amazing place it really is. I’m not trying to say it has everything because it doesn’t - it just feels like home to me. It’s where I was born and raised. When you’re born somewhere and live there for quite a long time, you genuinely start to make a connection with it. It sounds really silly, but if you move country, the connection you had with that place will become a lot more apparent. As if your whole life, your heart is developing a special, strong bond with that place, you just don’t know it until you’re gone. I remember how at the age of seven (when you start school in Sweden), I would take a bus and a train, I loved this, it made me feel really independent, as if my parents had built that faith in me. I felt like I really deserved it, I felt like an adult. It was a total of forty-five minutes journey to school, by myself. At the time, I didn’t think that was a big deal, everyone did that. When all your surroundings have the same routine as you, it’s as if that small, precious thing isn’t really that valued anymore. You...
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...to follow the path wherever I go. You were the one who never gave up on me, You are the one who loved me truly. You are always there to guide me, You made my wishes come into reality. Mother I never thought living in this place, but for her, I am their cute received grace. In God, she always prays, to have a child a little bit same as her face. She never got tired of telling me, the person she wanted me to be. She never gave up on me, even if I am a brat dummy. She wants us to be together, sharing thoughts with each other. I will never find another, Cause she's the only person I can "Mother". Moving On It's really hard to say goodbye, to my one and only guy. It's really hard to tell a lie, when my friends will ask me why. My tears came running down, it can even make the people drown. And sadly I didn't have the crown, to be the girl he'll be proud of in our town. Time is running fast, but my love for him didn't last. All I remember is our past, but forgetting him is a must. Moving on is what I will do,...
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...second glance is a college student whose face is peeling due to the excessive amount of makeup covering her entire face. She is already starting to talk like she is a forty year smoker. I just saw her outside with a full 12oz. that she was rapidly finishing in order to get herself to as many of us young people would put it, “On Her Level”. I keep walking and feel my feet sticking to the floor with every step from the spilled 12oz., that someone spilled earlier in the night and has now dried up and become ant infested. As I pass the sticky ground, I make my way up the crowded stairs, trying to pass two people who have both of their arms around their friend, who is stumbling down the stairs due to her intoxication level. I think to myself “Why?” As I squeeze past the three of them. Many with...
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...where Maggie put the envelopes? 3.We need to print 200 newsletters this week—even more than last week! 4.Wow! 5.Randy looked at the ground, and sighed,it was all he could do. 6.The Train leaves in an hour;but you need to buy the tickets first! Write a letter to a friend about a movie you have seen or a book you have recently read. Dear Lindsay, I just read The hunger Games and Catching Fire, I cant believe I did it !They are so amazing,and good .I honestly recommend them to you; you like things like that action , horror, sci-fi and futuristic books .So I wonder why haven't recommended them to you before? Katniss is my new hero, Because even tho she got into trouble—didn’t expect to become such a role model in all of the district to cause that massive rebellion. This is some of the reasons why you should read them : They are a action packed intense ride, leaves you to wonder why do they do what they do, they have so much suspense , and leave you wanting more. Hope this has you pumped to read them love you miss you best friend. Sincerely,...
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...during the course of our employment. Now this friend of mine was obsessed with bodybuilding to the extent that he was willing to steal intravenous steroids from the pharmacy. As a friend I tried to warn and convince him to stop stealing but because he was consistently successful in doing so, he ignored my advice.[F3] When the Pharmacy Manager was beginning (verb form: “…Pharmacy Manager began to…”) to get suspicious due to loss in inventory, he took his crime to another level,(punc.: ;) he began changing the stock quantity by using one of the pharmacists’ login and password. At this point, I was becoming more and more adamant in my warnings and was even requesting shift changes just so I would not be witness to his actions. If he would ask me why I was changing shifts (punc.: ,) I would lie and say it was due to school. So not only was I withholding the truth from my employer I was also falsifying it to my friend. After a month the manager was sure that one of the employees was stealing from the company and was almost positive it was my friend, due to his now enormous size from the steroid injections. Knowing that I was close to this individual, the manager began to question me and even hinted at firing the both of us (word choice/phrase: ‘firing both of us’, or, ‘firing the two of us’) if no one came forward.[F4] I was confronted by a choice between loyalty to my friend and self-preservation of my job not to mention...
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...Whitey's on the moon. Ten years from now I'll be payin' still while Whitey's on the moon. The man just upped my rent last night cuz Whitey's on the moon. No hot water, no toilets, no lights but Whitey's on the moon. I wonder why he's uppin me. Cuz Whitey's on the moon? I was already givin' him fifty a week but now Whitey's on the moon. Taxes takin' my whole damn check, The junkies makin' me a nervous wreck, The price of food is goin' up, And as if all that shit wasn't enough: A rat done bit my sister Nell with Whitey on the moon. Her face and arms began to swell but Whitey's on the moon. Was all that money I made last year for Whitey on the moon? How come there ain't no money here? Hmm! Whitey's on the moon. Ya know, I just about had my fill of Whitey on the moon. I think I'll send these doctor bills airmail special.... to Whitey on the moon. By GIL-SCOTT HERON A rat done bit my sister Nell with Whitey on the moon. Her face and arms began to swell and Whitey's on the moon. I can't pay no doctor bills but Whitey's on the moon. Ten years from now I'll be payin' still while Whitey's on the moon. The man just upped my rent last night cuz Whitey's on the moon. No hot water, no toilets, no lights but Whitey's on the moon. I wonder why he's uppin me. Cuz Whitey's on the moon? I was already givin' him fifty a week but now Whitey's on the moon. Taxes takin' my whole damn check, The junkies makin' me a nervous wreck, The price of food is goin' up, And...
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...BOOK REPORT TITLE OF THE STORY: 13 REASONS WHY AUTHOR: Jay Asher PUBLISHED: Thirteen Reasons Why (stylized as TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY) is a 2007 New York Times best-selling young-adult fiction novel written by Jay Asher. The book was published by RazorBill, a young adult imprint of Penguin Books. The paperback edition hit #1 on the New York Times bestseller list in July 2011. In May 2011, a website called 13RWProject.com launched where fans of the book can record their reviews and experiences as text, photo or video. Jay Asher's book has been published in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Russia, Denmark, France, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Israel, and Italy. CHARACTERS: Clay Jensen, Hannah Baker, Justin Foley, Alex Standall, Jessica Davis, Tyler Down, Courtney Crimson, Marcus Cooley, Zach Dempsey, Ryan, Shaver, Jenny Kurtz, Bryce Walker, Mr. Porter, Tony SETTING: Rosie's diner, High school, Gas station, Eisenhower Park, Blue Spot Liquor, Monet's Cafe Pretty much everywhere that she tells clay to go on the tapes. The places are all on the map found on the inside cover of the book. PLOT/ BRIEF SUMMARY: Bullying by students and the stigma of suicide are themes in the novel Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher. New to town, Hannah Baker hopes to have a new life. Unfortunately, rumors, betrayal, and revenge by her peers affect Hannah's life more than anyone knows. Though Hannah tries to reveal her pain to others, neither the school guidance counselor...
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...The Dave Matthews Band When I think of The Dave Matthews Band, I also think of their jazzy pop rock music that has helped them become a musical sensation. The band consists of jazz and classical musicians and of course, Dave Matthews. Their music and songs are very unique and have not been heard before the band came about. They have touched millions of people’s hearts, especially mine. The fact that they sing about real situations and real issues that are going on the world today is what makes them my favorite band. Whether I am happy, sad, or mad, The Dave Matthews Band’s album “Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King” always lifts my spirits and puts me in a better mood; their songs are inspirational. One of the songs that touch me the most is called “Funny the Way It Is”. This song is about the good and bad things going on in the world. The point being made is that even though many wonderful things are happening, bad things are occurring at the exact same time. “Funny the way it is, if you think about it/ One kid walks 10 miles to school, another's dropping out/ Funny the way it is, not right or wrong/ On a soldier's last breath, his baby's being born/ Funny the way it is, not right or wrong/ Somebody's broken heart become your favorite song/ Funny the way it is, if you think about it/ One kid walks 10 miles to school, another's dropping out” Not only does it discuss the fine times and poor times in life, but also how people take the privileges they have for granted. While kids...
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...Behavioural/Competency-based Interviews Behavioural interviews are based on the idea that past behaviour is the best predictor of future behaviour. The interviewer will want specific examples of when and how you demonstrated particular behaviours. Prior to interview each position is assessed for the skills/competencies and characteristics that relate to job success. Interview questions are then developed to probe into these areas. All candidates are asked the same questions and notes are taken in order to evaluate candidates. The word competency is widely used in business and personnel psychology and refers to the behaviours that are necessary to achieve the objectives of an organisation. A competency is also something you can measure and lists of competencies form a common language for describing how people perform in different situations. Every job can be described in terms of key competencies. This means that they can be used for all forms of assessment, including appraisals, training needs analysis and of course, selection. • Individual competencies – your personal attributes: Flexibility, decisiveness, tenacity, independence, risk taking, personal integrity • Managerial competencies – taking charge of other people: Leadership, empowerment, strategic planning, corporate sensitivity, project management, management control • Analytical competencies – the elements of decision making: Innovation, analytical skills, numerical problem solving, problem solving, practical learning...
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...INTERVIEW QUESTIONS – DIRECT CARE STAFF & SUPERVISOR SUPPLEMENT Behavior #1: Grounded (know who you are; confident, detachment; work/life balanced; have a sense of own identity) Targeted Questions: 1. What keeps you busy outside of (school, work, etc)? 2. Tell me about a sports team, activity, group that you belong to: a. Why do, or did, you enjoy this group? b. What needs do they meet for you? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Behavior #2: Tolerant of stress (can handle anxiety) Targeted Questions: 1. Tell me about a time when you had to overcome stress. How did you do this? 2. Tell me about the most stressful situation that you had to deal with. 3. Tell me about a time when stress overwhelmed you – and you failed because of it. How did you deal with it? 4. Have you ever had to help someone else overcome a very stressful situation? Tell me about it. How did you help? 5. Tell me about a time when you had to manage multiple responsibilities. How did you do it? 6. Tell me about a confrontation that you have had that made you feel uncomfortable. How did you deal with it? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Behavior #3: Team player Targeted Questions: 1. Have you been part of a “team” (sport, academic, social)? ...
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...Greatest strength * My time management skills are excellent and I'm organized, efficient, and take pride in excelling at my work. * When I'm working on a project, I don't want just to meet deadlines. Rather, I prefer to complete the project well ahead of schedule. * I have exceeded my sales goals every quarter and I've earned a bonus each year since I started with my current employer. * I pride myself on my customer service skills and my ability to resolve what could be difficult situations. Greatest weakness I’ve never been very comfortable with public speaking – which as you know, can be a hindrance in the workplace. Realizing this was a problem, I asked my previous employer if I could enroll in a speech workshop. He said “yes.” I took the class, and was able to overcome my lifelong fear. Additionally I have taken classes at Davenport on public speaking, and joined toastmasters online. Since then, I’ve given lots of presentations to large audiences– I still don’t love it, but no one else can tell! I've learned to make my perfectionism work to my advantage at work. I am excellent at meeting deadlines, and with my attention to detail, I know my work is correct. I like to make sure that my work is perfect, so I tend to perhaps spend a little too much time checking it. However, I've come to a good balance by setting up a system to ensure everything is done correctly the first time. I used to like to work on one project to its completion before starting...
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...action--perhaps honesty, integrity, being a team player, or determination. If you choose "team player" (maybe you're the star player on your team tennis group), you can tell a story about yourself outside of work that also speaks volumes about you at work. In part, your answer should make the connection between the two, such as, "I put my heart into everything I do, whether it be sports or work. I find that getting along with teammates--or professional peers--makes life more enjoyable and productive." Or you might describe yourself as someone who is able to communicate with a variety of people, so give an example from your personal life that indicates an ability to communicate also at work. This isn't a question that you can answer effectively off the cuff. Take some time in advance to think about yourself, and those aspects of your personality and/or background that you'd like to promote or feature for your interviewer. 2) "Why do you want to work here?" To answer this question, you will need to have researched the company and built a dossier. Reply with the company's attributes as you see them. Cap your answer with reference to your belief that the company can provide you with a stable and happy work...
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