Burn Your TODO List

Busy Work?

Being busy and being productive are far from the same thing. Most people are trying to do too much. They measure a good day by the tasks that they check off their TODO list.

Getting things done and making progress toward a goal are far from the same thing. Most people overestimate what they can do in a week and underestimate what they can do in a year (or even a month). Making progress towards a goal means focusing your resources on the right things.

It's easy to let the urgent demands of life get in the way of important goals you have.

I have to admit to embracing the huge personal time waster - the TODO list. Yes, there is a better way.

First thing in the morning I would check my TODO list and set the days priorities (read as make a new list). I am even guilty of coming back from holidays and spending the first day prioritizing my lists. I spent so much time writing and re-writing lists, balancing the urgent vs the important, when that time could have been spent actually getting things done!

Now I know better. There is a better way. 

Here's what I do now …


// Norm www.normbain.com

The 5 Minute 5S

Lets face it - no-one wants to tackle 5S for their own closet. I mean seriously, there is so much emotion around those clothes we don't wear. You best friend gave you that ugly sweater. You had so much fun at the party in that suit. That sport jacket brings so many good memories. And you've vowed to fit into those pants again one day.

But if you are anything like me, your closet is full of stuff that you don't wear any more. So full, you've taken to stacking your clothes on the dresser? Or the treadmill?

Here's a quick fix.

Keep reading ...

Norm
web:   normbain.com

Seriously?

I'm not here to lie to you. Seriously.

Most companies don't do 5S properly. They don't understand what it is.

And it's not their fault.

If you search on line, or pick up any book about 5S, it will explain all the steps. They are quite simple and seem logical. And when you walk through the steps, you'll likely come to the same conclusion most people do. 5S is about organization of the workplace. That sounds a lot like a housekeeping system. And that's what many companies use it for.

But that's not the intent. It never was. And that's why most people who try 5S fail. It is misapplied.

Here's the dirty secret about 5S: Trainers don't really need to know anything about lean to teach 5S. Companies are usually quite satisfied with the progress and the program, because of the big visual changes that happen quickly.

However, there is a 98% failure rate within 3 years of implementation. Habits do not change and people return to the way they did things before.

That's why managers say they have done 5S before. Sometimes many times.

That's sad.

The simple truth is that most people don't understand why things are marked off in their work area? Why the lines on the floor? Why is this bin in this set location, instead of over there where I had it before? Why must my tools be on a shadow board instead of safely locked in my toolbox?

Do you think people are compelled to follow your 5S rules just because you send the '5S police' to audit them?

You've probably heard of a level 3 5S before? It usually takes about 3-6 months to reach a level 3 5S.

But your consultant trainer likely didn't understand or adequately communicate the organization change that takes place to reach level 3.

Or, to be honest and frank, the company didn't care. "We just want a 5S system in place, we don't want to do lean".

So it doesn't stick.

At level 1, you are learning the principles. You learn basic housekeeping. You clean up to discover the flow in the workplace.

Most 5S implementations never make it past level 1.

Yet I'm betting their audit scorecard says 90+

Get the 5S Playbook and discover 5S done right.

http://pctp.ca/page/5S-Guide

//Norm
http://normbain.com

Get started in 15 minutes and deliver results quickly

Many folks say they have heard about 5S. But some are confused about what it's really about and how they could benefit from it. Not to worry - here are just a few quick questions that may indicate 5S could be helpful for you, save you some time and even some money.

Are you frustrated with the time you spend time looking for, or waiting for, tools, equipment or information? Does this happen more than once per day?

Are you tired of the sore feet at the end of the day with all that walking? To the coffee machine, the photocopier, the printer, delivering reports, getting supplies?

Are you surprised that you constantly rush in parts or supplies?

Are you upset that work backs up in one department or in someone's inbox?

Are you disturbed that it takes more time or the quality of work depends on who you ask to do the task?

Are you worried about doing something just because you have nothing else to do? Like making kits or folding boxes - even though there are no orders for them?

Do you put work aside in piles, so you can "batch them" to be "more efficient"?

Do you notice employees just standing around? Are they waiting for a step in the process to be completed before they can do their part? Are they waiting for materials to arrive? Are they waiting for clarification on their next step?

Could you relate to one or two of these examples? More? I've discovered that in many workplaces, we just accept what's going on because "that's how we do things around here". What's even worse is when folks start to think "making that kind of change is above my pay grade".

You may be surprised and excited to discover a quick, 15 minute, do-it-yourself tool that I've used with clients to quickly point to areas that need attention or fine tuning. Most folks who try it say "Wow, Norm, that this was a real eye opener" for them and their workplaces. 

Register to getstarted right away with this quick, 15 minute, do-it-yourself tool.

http://pctp.ca/l210/

Norm
leanjourney.ca

The Guide To Successful 5S Implementation

When I was first introduced to the 5S system, I thought "this is pretty lame". What a convoluted process for workplace cleaning!

The more companies I visit, the more I see this thought reinforced. Managers tell me they have done 5S ... many times. They say they have effective visual management systems in place and TPM is running well. Yet, when I walk through the plant, I see little evidence of managing visually. When I ask about signals, check sheets and standard work instructions I get the "deer in the headlight" stare.

In many lean implementations, the leaders try to implement more complex visual systems, like kanban, flow lanes, or production boards, when the discipline of 5S is not in place. After all, that's the fun part of lean!

But you have to learn to walk before you can run.

After several of these struggles as a manager and a few years as a consultant, I came to realize the true power of the 5S system.

5S is not about housekeeping. It is not just keeping the workplace organized.

Click here to discover the true power of 5S, and more importantly, how to IMPLEMENT this system in your organiation.

http://pctp.ca/l201/

Norm www.normbain.com

It's Not What You Know

When you are a kid, just starting out, you think "what you know" will make you successful. It can be bigger than that ... read more

Norm www.normbain.com

Success, Productivity and Customer Service Hacks

The secret to success is surprisingly simple.

Granted, it requires discipline - you have to develop a discipline to feed and care for the system. Every time.

Yup, you have to do the work.

It's that discipline in actually doing the work that separates you from your competition. That's what grows your business. Customer perceived value.

Take my favorite stationary store. Here is an awesome example. I stop by with my mental list of stuff to pick up. Yet, invariably I forget the details. Exactly what printer cartridge, receipt printer roll or toner pack do I use?

Enter the card file. These brilliant folks keep a simple card file with every customer profile, account number and the supplies they commonly use. A low tech solution to exceptional customer service. That's why I keep going back. They demonstrate how they value my business and respect my time. They deliver perceived value beyond the product.

True, this information could be extracted from the POS system and built into a computer database. It may even become efficient. But that, friends, is part of the bigger problem. People are complicators.

Instead of spending thousands on software design and endless waiting for technicians to create an elegant solution, these folks simply adapted their rolodex to deliver results right away.

Just do it.

When I entered the restaurant business, the owners didn't even have a customer list. Can you imagine?

We all need systems. They can make our life easier. They don't have to be complex. They don't have to be on your phone.

Did you like this article? Interested in more simple success, productivity and customer service hacks? Here are 3 ideas for what you can do next:

You can sign up for more hacks and ideas

http://pctp.ca/j71/

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http://pctp.ca/l142/

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Norm www.normbain.com