Gregg Stocker's Page

When I am asked to help a company with a lean implementation, it is often because the initiative has failed in some way to meet expectations. In many cases, I find that the problem involves the company attempting to implement lean at an expert level rather than starting slowly and letting the process evolve and develop over time.

Read more at http://corporatedeathspiral.blogspot.com/2009/12/repairing-f… Continue

One of the most common beliefs in western business is the idea that, if it can't be measured, it can't be managed. This saying has been around for years and the philosophy behind it has guided decisions in actions in many organizations ever since.

I don't know who coined the phrase, but I'm guessing it has its roots in the mid-1940s when the Whiz Kids introduced the practice of management by numbers at Ford Motor Company. Although the Whiz Kids may have saved Ford from bankruptcy by increasing… Continue

The world of business has become increasingly dependent on layoffs as a response to a downturn in business. There are layoff announcements virtually every day by companies, along with statements about the expected benefits of a reduced headcount.

Does a layoff really result in the savings to an organization that we think it does?

There are hidden costs that are often not considered (or are ignored) when making the decision to institute a reduction in force. These costs are difficult, if not im… Continue

As we make our way to the other side of the economic downturn and confidence in the future increases, M&A activity will most likely return as a common fixture in the world of business. As this occurs, people involved in the process will make decisions like they always have, by evaluating deals in terms of market capitalization, cash flow, EBITDA, goodwill, etc. Unfortunately, many will ignore a critical element that can ultimately make or break the merger: culture.

Read more at… Continue

It’s encouraging to see the popularity (and staying power) of six sigma and lean manufacturing in American business these days. Both methodologies have been fairly mainstream for the last several years and it is not unusual for companies to list them among their high level strategic initiatives. It has also very common to see job listings with requirements for certifications in one or both methods.

With this high level of attention given to these philosophies, we should begin to see significant… Continue