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Ten Tips to Help You with Your Kaizen Continuous Improvement Strategy The Kaizen methodology encourages ongoing efforts to ensure continuous improvement throughout a facility. This improvement can come in many forms including waste elimination, improved efficiency, safer work environments and much more. To simply say that a facility is employing Kaizen strategies, is essentially meaningless if you don't have any concrete action items you are following. Whether you're just getting started or you are looking for ways to reinvigorate a Kaizen strategy that is not effective, the following ten tips will be very helpful. Each one can give you ideas on what you can do encourage improvement and allow that improvement to grow and expand long into the future. Tip #1 - Harness the PDCA Strategy One of the key concepts used in Kaizen is the "Plan-Do-Check-Act" strategy. This is a quality model that can be used when implementing any type of improvement in the facility. As you might expect, the PDCA strategy is a cycle of ongoing improvement that should never end. The steps are as follows: Plan - This step is where you identify an area where improvement is possible and make an initial strategy on what chance should be made to realize the desired improvements. Do - Implement the change, but only on a small scale. This may mean having one department make the change in some situations or for larger corporations, having one facility make the update. During this step it is also very important to be gathering as much data regarding the change so it can be properly evaluated. Check - Review the results of the change including the data that was collected. Looking to see if they had the desired impact or not is critical to know whether you should move forward with rolling the change out to other areas. Act - IF the data in the check step points to a success, it is time to push the change out on a wider scale. Once the change has been successfully implemented you wi

Workplaces today are extremely safe compared to what people had to endure generations ago. This is in large part because of the increased focus employers have put on workplace safety. Employers made this effort for a variety of reasons including regulatory pressure, the best interests of their employees, and of course, the fact that a safe workplace is a more profitable workplace. Despite all the great strides that have been made, many workplaces are still quite hazardous. The following 10 workplace safety mistakes illustrate just how far many industries still have to go. They can also help spur ideas for where improvements can be made in your facility. 1. Using Ladders Improperly One of the most common and most dangerous workplace safety mistakes is failing to use a ladder properly. People make many ladder-related mistakes in the workplace, all of which can be devastating. The following are just a few of the more common examples: Unsteady Ladders - If you don't take the time to properly steady the ladder when setting it up, it could easily slide out while you're on it, causing serious injuries. Leaning from Ladders - When working on a ladder, you should never reach off to the left or right as that can throw the center of balance off, which could cause the ladder to fall. Using Objects as a Ladder - Using scaffolding, chairs, stools, or other objects to reach high areas can be dangerous. These things aren't meant for climbing the same way a ladder is. Climbing too High on Ladders - One should never step onto the upper rungs of a ladder. Depending on how the ladder is placed, even several rungs down can be unstable. 2. Lack of Visual Communication The noise in many workplaces can be quite deafening at times, which can make it difficult to communicate. When it comes to safety, communication is essential. This is why it is so important to have visual communication options in any loud workplace. Visual communication can come in many forms including

In the business world, there is a constant need and desire for improvement. It doesn't matter whether a business specializes in the market of rare auto parts or in making the best enchiladas. The plain and simple truth is that improving business practices to meet the ever-changing and diverse needs of society is essential to the success of any business endeavor. However, with all this change and improvement often comes a little struggle. Sometimes business processes are changed so radically that employees struggle with the changes if they are not adequately informed about what changes are taking place or how the changes actually benefit the specific process or end product. Furthermore, in some cases the problem is not with the employees at all, but instead embedded within the actual process changes. When looking into making improvement changes, it is important to really take the time to evaluate the changes fully to make sure that they are win-win for both the employees and the desired business objectives. Employee Involvement In the improvement process, there are often many things to consider especially such as metrics, data, resources, etc. However, it is important to make sure that employees are also considered within the grand scheme of things. There are times when businesses make essential changes that are needed to stay current with the changing times, but often neglect to involve the actual employees in the process of determining changes, or in the reasoning why specific changes were made. This can leave employees feeling a bit resentful and also leave processes lacking in certain important fundamentals. For instance, the top managers in a business make the decision to improve a production line within the factory because many of the machines were getting older and not handling the work as effectively as needed. In order to update the production line to new standards, new machines were installed and tweaks were made to previous processes in order to help

Entirely Plastic-Free Stainless Steel Vacuum Insulated Fitness Bottle $29.95 The plastic-free water bottle is made of durable and high quality stainless steel to last you many years of enjoyment. It is extra special because its entire interior and exterior are plastic-free, even the interior of the lid! PLASTIC-FREE ALTERNATIVE TO SINGLE-USE BOTTLES The Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle is a plastic-free water bottle created as an alternative to the plethora of single-use bottles. Aside from creating waste, disposable plastic water bottles may leach microplastics and antimony trioxide, a possible carcinogen, so why take the chance if we can avoid it. MADE OF DURABLE STAINLESS STEEL This plastic-free water bottle is made of durable and high quality stainless steel to last you many years of enjoyment. It is extra special because its entire interior and exterior are plastic-free, even the interior of the lid! There is only a small food safe silicone ring in the rim of the lid to ensure an airtight seal. Beyond the safety aspects of keeping plastic out of bottles, this bottle won't absorb or impart flavors the way plastic might. VACUUM INSULATED DESIGN TO KEEP REFRESHMENTS COLD OR HOT This stainless steel bottle is insulated to keep your refreshments cold when you need them or hot for your tea, coffee or chocolate drink. The plastic-free, vacuum insulated, and stainless steel design make this water bottle a zero waste multi-purpose bottle! Additional information Dimensions: Height with the cap: 9.6″ Diameter at base: 3.15″ Materials: 18-8 (304) food grade stainless steel with a small food grade silicone ring in the lid. Health and Environment: BPA-free, phthalate-free. Packaging: Recyclable cardboard box.

The Foldable Stainless Steel Spork is super practical and handy. Great for meals on the go. Fits in your pocket, purse, or your child's lunch bag. The foldable spork features a deep spoon shape to enjoy your favorite soups or stews and small tines on the tip to pick up foods such as carrots or potatoes easily. The Foldable Stainless Steel Spork is super practical and handy. Fits in your pocket, purse, or your child's lunch bag. The foldable spork features a deep spoon shape to enjoy your favorite soups or stews and small tines on the tip to pick up foods such as carrots or potatoes easily. Simply move the little lock on the handle towards the front of the spork to lock and to fold slide it back until the handle is loose, fold and place in it's certified organic cotton pouch. The pocket sized spork is great for meals on the go. Bring it with you to your favorite food place. Every time you use it instead of take-out utensils, you will be preventing a plastic spoon and/or fork from polluting our planet. The foldable spork is made of high quality 18-8 food grade 304 stainless steel and comes in a certified organic cotton pouch. Additional Information Dimensions: Length when open: 6″ Length when folded: 3.5″ Weight: 0.07 lb Materials: Spork is made of 18-8 food grade 304 stainless steel; pouch is made of certified organic cotton and printed with silkscreen printing. Care Instructions: The spork is dishwasher-safe and the pouch is machine washable. Health and Environment: BPA-free, phthalate-free, PVC-free and lead-free. Spork is recyclable. Pouch is compostable.

When people think about personal protection equipment, they typically think about hard hats, steel toed boots, and safety goggles. One of the most commonly used types of protective gear, however, is fairly normal looking protective apparel. Protective apparel from KleenGuard is used in many industries ranging from medical labs to manufacturing facilities and offers an excellent first line of defense from a wide range of different hazards that are commonly found in the workplace. Look Like Normal Work Clothing or Uniforms The apparel from KleenGuard is designed with safety first in mind, but it is also made to look and feel nice so employees will be happy to wear it. In fact, many people don't even realize that this type of apparel is a form of protective gear that is keeping them safer while at work. Depending on which apparel is chosen, these items can be buttoned up, zipped up, sealed with tape, or slipped right on to allow easy preparation at the start of a shift. Types of Protection KleenGuard makes a full lineup of protective apparel, so looking at each individual item is the best way to learn about what types of protective features it offers. The following, however, are some of the different ways that KleenGuard protective apparel help to keep those who are wearing it safe: Liquid Barrier - The material is made to stop liquids from soaking through and coming in contact with the skin. This is important when working with biological liquids (body fluids, etc.) or when working with chemicals that could cause skin irritation. Particulate Barrier - Stopping particles of materials from getting through the clothing is an important feature. Tiny particles of wood, metal, fiberglass, or other very small materials are kept away from the skin to avoid irritation or other issues. Antistatic - The material resists the buildup of static, and passes the NFPA 99 criteria for this feature. Avoiding static is important in many industries and can be a key safety featur

Eliminating Awkward Postures For most companies, the work that employees perform on a daily basis can be quite physical. This type of physical labor can lead to a wide range of injuries. Of course, to improve on workplace safety it is important to do all you can to help reduce the amount and severity of these types of injuries. One easy place where you can start is with the different postures that employees take while performing their day to day activities. In many cases, they put themselves in awkward postures, which increase the risk of injuries to the back, neck and other parts of the body. Fortunately, there are typically alternative ways to do things or even tools that can do those tasks for them so they can avoid injury. According to OSHA: Working in awkward postures increases the exertion and muscle force an employee must apply to complete a task and compresses tendons, nerves and blood vessels. In general, the more extreme the postures the more force is needed to complete the task. Examples of awkward postures include performing overhead work, bending or twisting to lift an object, typing with bent wrists, and squatting. The important thing is helping to identify the awkward postures, and help find alternatives for the employees. The following five positions should be removed from the workplace as much as possible so that employees can complete their work with as little risk for injury as possible. 5 Awkward Postures that Should be Avoided 1. Working with Arms above the Head The first awkward posture that is commonly seen in workplaces is trying to complete tasks with your arms above the head. There are many examples of this, some of which could include holding up a board while it is secured in place, or even painting a ceiling. Any time you are working with your arms over your head, you are putting added strain on your back. In addition, your arms are going to fatigue much more quickly than they would in a more natural position. This can put you at r

The Adventure of Reducing Risks and Hazards in the Workplace Whenever starting a new job, it can be difficult to figure out exactly what you should be doing, and how it needs to be done. When I started working at a new facility as a safety manager, I began my first day with a meeting with the facility manager. The meeting was set up so he could tell me what was expected of me in my new role, and provide other details of the job. I was quite surprised when the meeting took less than two minutes, and the only objective I was given was to 'reduce risks and hazards in the workplace.' I asked for some clarification or guidance in what exactly he was looking for, but he simply said that I was hired to improve safety, and he was leaving the task of finding out how to do it in my hands. He gave me a sheet of paper with some information about what resources I had available, including my annual safety budget and told me to get to work right away. I should point out there that I had several years experience as a safety manager at a large company, which is why I was brought in to this new facility. The facility had recently been cited by OSHA for a variety of safety hazards, and there were even some fairly severe injuries that occurred in the previous months. The facility owners made it clear that safety was a priority for them, and they were willing to do whatever it took to pass inspections, and keep the employees safe. Planning My Safety Program While that initial meeting was unique, to say the least, I was also quite excited about the opportunity. It is quite rare that a safety manager is given such flexibility, and I wanted to make sure the manager wouldn't regret that decision. I got to work right away planning my safety improvement program. OSHA Safety Sign Guide I wanted to make some quick changes to help improve safety in the short term, and then also plan out ways to create a culture change within the facility so everyone would be more safety focused. I kne

How to Create Bumper Stickers for Your Sticker campaigns For everything from political campaigns to social causes and beyond, cars adorned with bumper stickers are a regular sight across the country. Regular stickers, even more common, are a staple of our world from a young age, and an easily recognizable object for even children. Have you ever wondered how they're made? Sure, there are many companies that print stickers and the like in bulk for a third party, but there are also countless custom sticker campaigns floating about with highly customized messaging, some of which sprang up nearly instantaneously from their creative parties. These aren't cheap, flimsy creations either, some of them are the backbones of grass roots organizations that have changed the way we think and live our lives. Whatever your idea or needs, you're reading this because you want to create your own stickers, labels, or some other similar creative piece with professionalism and reliability. Let's take a look at exactly how you might get that done. Step One - Get Your Printer Especially if you're going to be producing large quantities of whatever you're making, it will be important that you have a reliable printer that isn't going to break down on you. For this reason, I'd suggest a thermal printer. Thermal printers have relatively few moving parts compared to traditional printers. Thermal Printers 101: The primary way in which thermal printers differ from traditional inkjet type models is that they use heat to transfer or even produce text and images. There are two subtypes: thermal transfer and direct thermal. Thermal transfer printers heat an inked ribbon which is then rolled over a paper or high-graded vinyl, transferring an image. Direct thermal printers work with thermal-chromatic paper, but do not require any ink. A heating element is pressed against the paper in the pattern of the text or imagery desired, and the paper responds by changing color in those places.

When most people think of LEAN, they think of manufacturing, and it is no surprise why. A recent post by Mark Bridges in the "Lean Six Sigma and Continuous Improvement Group" on LinkedIn, brings up the idea of using Lean strategies in an office environment. His post looked specifically at how the office side of a manufacturing company can benefit from Lean concepts. His ideas, however, can be applied to any office environment. Taking active steps to eliminate waste can save companies money whether it is eliminating excessive inventory made by a manufacturing line, or eliminating the need for excessive drive space on an email server due to unrestricted storage policies. Northcote Parkinson's Theorem One of the most interesting parts of his post discussed what is called the Northcote Parkinson's Theorem. This theorem states that, "…Over and above a certain size, an office style organization can generate enough work to busy itself with!" This is a simple way of saying that while office work may be necessary, it can easily become a bottomless pit of inefficiency. One can't help but recall the scene from the movie, "Office Space" where the manager drones on and on about the importance of "TPS Reports." This scene is so memorable to many people who work in office environments because it is so relatable. So, how can lean help to eliminate 'TPS Reports' and other forms of inefficiency in the office environment? The post and the comments people made agree that Lean manufacturing strategies can be used in office environments with minimal adjustment. This is a perfect example of waste in the office, and how Lean strategies can help to avoid them. Office environments print off reports, spreadsheets, emails, and any number of other things. Many employees have the idea that as long as they recycle the paper when done, it isn't wasteful. While recycling may be better for the environment, it really doesn't help the company's bottom line. In

Dead Sea Mud Products Cleopatra is known to be 'a woman of surpassing beauty' having seduced two powerful Roman leaders. What were her secrets that made her a legend of beauty? There were no complete cosmetics or beauty salons during Cleopatra's reign, only the Dead Sea as her natural health and beauty spa. The Dead Sea is known for its unique minerals and salts, which can regenerate and nourish the skin. Not only the waters, but also the black mud found in the Dead Sea, are beneficial to the skin. The mud is a rich, homogeneous mixture of the sea's minerals, such as magnesium, calcium, boron, strontium, iron, and potassium. When applied to the skin, it can improve blood circulation, cleanse, and soften the skin, leaving it looking healthy and plump. Aside from skin therapy for common skin problems, Dead Sea mud has been found to treat skin diseases such as psoriasis, joint problems such as arthritis and rheumatic pains, relax muscles, and improve inner calmness and tranquility. The mineral-rich mud, although best experienced naturally, is being used to manufacture products containing essential minerals for the skin. These products range from body wraps to mud masks, exfoliates, and creams. Body wraps are basically done to envelope the body in warm, mineral-rich mud from the Dead Sea. The mud is evenly distributed and can reach all the problem areas. This procedure can result in relaxed muscles, moisturized and nourished skin, and improved skin elasticity. Body wraps are usually done at the spa, but a number of products have been manufactured to experience the same treatment at home. Home treatment can be done by placing the Dead Sea mud in the microwave up until it is warm enough for the skin to tolerate, applying it to the body, leaving it for half an hour and rinsing with warm water. Facial masks made from Dead Sea mud creates a seal over the skin. The face becomes warmer, the pores release sebum and toxins and at the same time, they absorb the

Designed with a built-in wooden toggle and cotton rope lock that allows you to roll the whole bag into a portable little bundle, The reusable shopping bag features a flat bottom, making it perfect for bulk shopping and stacking purchases. This heavy-duty cotton reusable shopping bag has not been treated with any chemicals and is Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified. GOTS is the highest standard for textiles made from organic fibers. Additional Information Dimensions: Open: 18″ x 16″ Folded: 7″ x 3″ x 2″ Flat Bottom: 4″ x 13.75″ Materials: Made of 100% unbleached certified organic cotton and printed with environmentally-friendly, water-based pigments. Care Instructions: Machine washable in cold water. Hang dry. Health and Environment: BPA-free, phthalate-free, PVC-free and lead-free. Compostable.

$16.95 * Extra Strong, Leak-proof with gathered base * 100% biodegradable and compostable, made from corn starch. Ok for home composting as well. * Certified to EN-13432 and carry the European standard Seedling logo. * Bag Size: 25.6" x 23.2" flat * 13.2 gallon capacity * Extra strong, leak-proof with gathered base * 100% biodegradable and compostable, made from cornstarch * Suitable for home composting * Certified to EN-13432 and carry the European standard Seedling logo * Approved for food waste composting with most councils Materials & Packaging * 100% biodegradable cornstarch * 100% plastic-free * Comes in a 100% recycled Kraft box, which is 100% recyclable Link: https://viodyne.com/product/13-2-gallon-compostable-food-waste-bags-25-bags-pack/ Link: https://viodyne.com

* Extra Strong, Leak-proof with gathered base * 100% biodegradable and compostable, made from corn starch. Ok for home composting as well. * Certified to EN-13432 and carry the European standard Seedling logo. * Bag Size: 16.9" x 18.1" * Extra Strong, Leak-proof with gathered base * 100% biodegradable and compostable, made from corn starch. Ok for home composting as well. * Certified to EN-13432 and carry the European standard Seedling logo. Approved for food waste composting with most councils. Materials & Packaging * 100% biodegradable cornstarch * 100% plastic-free * Comes in a 100% recycled Kraft box, which is 100% recyclable

Vishnu Mukherjee frowned into his cup of tea.  The tea looked exactly as it had for the last 25 years. Everyday, at 6 a.m., he got up and made his tea, picked up his newspaper, dusted it to get rid of the ants in the veranda and settled down in his favourite chair to savour.....

Vishnu Mukherjee frowned into his cup of tea.  The tea looked exactly as it had for the last 25 years. Everyday, at 6 a.m., he got up and made his tea, picked up his newspaper, dusted it to get rid of the ants in the veranda and settled down in his favourite chair to savour.....

Here is the list of best social sharing WordPress plugins 2016. Social media marketing made easy with this social sharing WordPress plugins.

These tasty mini-meatloaves are made in a muffin tin, so there is no messy cutting involved. Try serving these delightful little entries with sweet potatoes or squash.

http://myvigour.com/make-blue-cheese-spinach-mini-meatloaves/

Technology Congestion is a not a recent phenomenon but the urgency around Digital Innovation and Digital Transformation has brought it front and center. Technology Congestion is a point in the Digital Journey where multiple technology initiatives, executed in parallel become entangled with each in a state where none of the initiatives, hampered by inter dependencies, prioritization, and cost, is able to complete, make progress and deliver business value. Modern Experiences Require Multiple Technologies Building a consumer driven, customer centric experience that truly delights and moves business KPIs requires several technologies to come together in almost a magical experience. This means that not on boarding and deploying multiple technologies is not an option or possibility. Enterprises have to build competencies in multiple technologies (and they have multiple strategic options to do so) and this can be a daunting task. Managing Technology Dependencies Often, an app-centric methodology requires a complete focus on the user and customer's experience. Delivering that experience can requires technologies that leverage each other or are inter-dependent on each other. Inter-dependencies can be sequential i.e. Technology A is required to be installed and operational before Technology B can be initialized. Inter-dependencies can also be matrixed i.e. a service X might require service Y to be complete and Service Y requires Technology B. Inter-dependencies can also be circular where System M feeds information into System N and System N, in turn, provides feedback to enable System M to iterate and improve. Innovation To A Screeching Halt Technology congestion can stall innovation. Sorting out dependencies can delay innovation and new product development and cause the enterprise to become anti-app-centric. The net impact is lost time and energy in technology installation and deployment with less than ideal focus and attention on customer value and user experience.

It's not too late to jump on to the Blockchains trend. We often hear from customers whether it is too late to get behind blockchain. The number of startups in this space is growing rapidly and the number of large ISVs and SIs providing blockchain capability and expertise is also increasing. However, the market and the technology space for blockchains is far from saturated, settled or stable. Here are three reasons why now is a good time to get into blockchains Early Mover Advantage Blockchains are bound to disrupt fundamentally how business is done. By enabling trust in an otherwise trust-deficient environment, blockchains enable transactions between two or more enterprises who otherwise might not know about each other. Blockchains offer solutions to several common problems faced by the enterprise such as Digital Identity, Secure Data Storage, Secure Data Sharing, Distributed Ledger, Distributed Databases etc. Blockchains are based on strong cryptographic standards based in mathematics, cryptography, and encryption. Building blockchains as a core competency requires a deep understanding of the mathematics behind it and an internal process for deploying, managing and developing on top of the blockchain. Early mover advantage can be generated by taking small steps in this area and targeting simpler scenarios initially. Nascent Technology It is going to take another few iterations of the blockchain technology before it can truly be enterprise-ready. There is a lot of ongoing work to make blockchains more secure, scalable and performant. Innovations are constantly being made and added to the core blockchain technology that is constantly increasing the type and complexity of applications that it can support. As the technology matures, enterprises can be well suited and ready to leverage the advancements by building a core competency in not only the blockchain technology but by becoming a member of the blockchain community, standards and keeping up to date with th

Lean has been helping companies streamline their production, eliminate waste, and generally improve the way things are done for many years. Initially, the concepts behind lean were primarily used only in companies and facilities that were directly involved with physical product creation, such as manufacturing plants, factory floors and things of this nature. However, over time the lean methodologies have been adapted and implemented in almost every other type of business, ranging from health care to information technology, and many more. When done properly, lean can help improve virtually any work environment to help eliminate waste, improve communication, and to help ensure that the products or services being developed are indeed something customers will be interested in. For instance, when working in an information technology environment, it is important to be able to understand how lean strategies can be implemented, and why they are so important. The following are some of the most significant reasons why lean IT strategies should be taken seriously by any company that uses technology in their business (which is almost all of them!). Lean Promotes Ownership One of the things about lean strategies in an IT environment is that virtually every task completed is owned by an individual. Even if a person does not do all the work for a particular project, he or she will be directly responsible for overseeing it. This creates a sense of ownership, which can help in a variety of ways. It will give other teams a single point of contact for obtaining updates, providing feedback, or requesting changes. This will also allow the owner of a specific project to drive the progress directly, rather than having to rely on large committees or other types of groups to receive pertinent information. It is important to note that just because one person owns a process or project does not mean that he or she can simply dictate things to other groups. Instead, that person is there to