article thumbnail

The Failure of “The Livonia Philosophy” at my GM Plant

Deming Institute

Speaking of continuous improvement, my GM plant also had a very traditional “suggestion system,” not a Kaizen-style approach to improvement. The Livonia Philosophy (as written, not practiced) also sounds like Lean in the goal of utilizing of all people’s skill and creativity, as we practice in the Kaizen model.

Kaizen 28
article thumbnail

Why Dr. Deming’s Work is So Important to Me

Deming Institute

After escaping GM, I had an opportunity to attend graduate school at MIT, to study operations management, system dynamics, and other topics. Mark also co-authored Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Front-Line Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvements , which was released in June 2012 and also a Shingo Research Award recipient in 2013.

Deming 46
article thumbnail

Every Fast-Growing Company Has to Combat Overload

Harvard Business Review

In 2000, with more than $100 million in negative cash flow, the company agreed to be acquired by Star Cruises, a leading cruise operator in Asia. The difference between employees who operate with the owner’s mindset and those who don’t can be as great as the difference between devoted parents and restless babysitters.

Company 10