Books
Lean Manufacturing: A Plant Floor Guide
By: David Stewart , Charles Robinson , John AllenThis guide to implementing lean manufacturing methods outlines the necessary elements, articulates the rationale behind the initiative, and provides an overview of the process. The book offers advice on identifying the causes of waste, profiling the business’ needs, mapping the value stream, crafting policies, problem solving, and applying lean tools. A five-phase framework for implementation [...]
Cultivating Communities of Practice: A Guide to Managing Knowledge
By: Etienne Wenger , Richard McDermott , William M. SnyderFrom the time our ancestors lived in caves to that day in the late ’80s when Chrysler sanctioned unofficial “tech clubs” to promote the flow of information between teams working on different vehicle platforms, bands of like-minded individuals had been gathering in a wide variety of settings to recount their experiences and share their expertise. [...]
Building the Awesome Organization: Six Essential Components that Drive Entrepreneurial Growth
By: Katherine Catlin , Jana B. Matthews , Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial LeadAn awesome organization is what every business aspires to be: profitable, growth-oriented – the kind of company where the most talented people want to work. But how do you build an awesome organization? The second in a series of books on business growth from the Kauffman Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership and Hungry Minds, this book [...]
Lean Performance ERP Management: Implementing the Virtual Supply Chain
By: Brian J. CarrollUntil now, Lean thinking has been narrowly focused on physical processes, causing serious shortcomings and failures in obtaining Lean benefits. Lean Performance ERP Project Management integrates strategy, people, process, and information technology into a project management methodology that applies Lean thinking to all processes. It uses Lean principles, tools, and practices to improve and then [...]
All I Need to Know About Manufacturing I Learned in Joe’s Garage
By: William B. Miller , Vicki L. Schenk.World Class Manufacturing Made Simple explains basic principles behind rapid service, high quality, low cost business management. This international bestseller is endorsed by reviewers from Business Week and other publications, and by business leaders such as Bob Lutz (author of Guts, former president of Chrysler Corporation).
Implementing World Class Manufacturing – A Shop Floor Manual
By: Larry Rubrich , Madelyn WatsonThis is a “hands-on, how-to” guide to making significant improvements in a manufacturing plant. Uniquely written in a step-by-step format for both managers and operators, Implementing World Class Manufacturing allows everyone in a facility to participate in making the business the best at what it does – now and in the future.
Manufacturing Handbook of Best Practices: An Innovation, Productivity, & Quality Focus
By: Jack B. ReVelleSometimes it seems as if there is no end to the number of new or nearly new manufacturing methods touted as the next big thing. Whether your goal is to improve organizational responsiveness, product design or quality, production scheduling, thruput or sensitivity to customer expectations, process cycle time or cost of quality, or variation in [...]
Build Your Own Garage: Blueprints and Tools to Unleash Your Company’s Hidden Creativity
By: Bernd H. Schmitt , Laura BrownInstituting an in-house “garage” is essential for companies that want innovation to flourish. The authors use parables of hypothetical companies, followed by specific tools to show how to encourage inventiveness in employees.
The Myth of Excellence: Why Great Companies Never Try to Be the Best at Everything
By: Fred CrawfordCrawford and Mathews argue that successful businesses are those that excel in one area, are good in another, and are at least average in the rest.
Future Capable Company: What Manufacturing Leaders Need to Do Today to Succeed Tomorrow
By: James A. TompkinsThe book covers most facets of modern day manufacturing, from change to cost containment, maintenance strategy, and human capital. A significant portion delves into the impact of the “new economy” and in particular how B2B, B2C, and “B2B2B2B2C” influence manufacturing operations. Of particular note are the “12 requirements of success for the future capable company,” [...]
