Guidon Performance Solutions Blog: The Ascent
Jul 14, 2010
Culture Trumps Reorganization Every Time
In his recent editorial column in Government Executive... read more...
Jul 13, 2010
Healthcare Embraces Lean Principles
A recent article from the NY Times Sunday business section... read more...
Feb 25, 2010
Ron Wince on the Key to Improving Healthcare
I was excited to be able to contribute a guest post on the Center for Health Transformation (CHT) American People’s Online Health Summit blog this past week. In my post (titled, “Ownership is the Key to Improving Health Care”) I talk about the need for new thinking and perspective as it pertains to health care reform. read more...
Feb 09, 2010
“Undercover Boss” – Waste Management Uncovers Waste
Normally I don’t watch much reality TV, but Sunday as I was watching the Super Bowl (congratulations to the New Orleans Saints and all of their fans!) there was a commercial for Undercover Boss and I decided to give it a try. This new show is about C-Level executives who go undercover as employees in their own organizations to find out how things are really done. read more...
Dec 14, 2009
Using Lean Six Sigma for Fast Track SG&A Reductions
In today’s challenging economy companies continue to search for opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of their overhead processes. What has changed recently is a shift from focusing on cost reductions to a focus on holding the line as the economy recovers. In nearly every discussion with senior leadership over the past few months they have mentioned the need to keep staffing levels constant while continuing to improve the service levels even as they see growth on the horizon. read more...
Oct 14, 2009
The ‘WIIFM’ Factor with Lean Six Sigma
One of the most frequent conversations that comes along from Lean Six Sigma and other Continuous Improvement practitioners is around their frustration with senior leaders and sponsors who “don’t get it” regarding Lean and Six Sigma or business process improvement. Most of the time the conversation is about a gap in sponsorship, buy in, leadership, etc. and the people I am speaking with are venting their frustrations. read more...
Aug 19, 2009
Carpe Diem
This time of year, I spend a significant amount of time with clients framing their business strategies for next year. In the midst of those discussions, invariably the executives turn to a comparison of their competitors and how they might gain ground on the front-runner (assuming it is not themselves). read more...
Aug 03, 2009
“Cash for Clunkers" Doesn’t Have to Be a Lemon
Over the weekend my father-in-law decided to take advantage of the Cash for Clunkers program and went car shopping. read more...
Jul 29, 2009
Government Efficiency: CPR for Our New CPO
With the recent confirmation of the first federal Chief Performance Officer (CPO), Jeffrey Zients, a sprig of hope has emerged among the performance management and improvement crowd. read more...
Jul 22, 2009
Stimulus Spending Needs Jidoka – The Proof Is In the Pork
Information on recovery.gov recently reported that the Department of Agriculture was paying $1.2 million for 2 pounds of frozen ham. read more...
Jul 20, 2009
Stimulus Is No Place For Pork!
While government is clearly not a business, many of the tools and methods that work in business can also work in government. read more...
Jul 17, 2009
Preparing to Manage the Stimulus
In a recent survey completed by Government Executive Magazine’s research arm, the Government Business Council, data revealed that only 66% of government managers who were aware of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) anticipated meeting or exceeding the expectations of the funding program. read more...
Jul 15, 2009
One Size Does Not Fit All With Lean Six Sigma
Over the last few weeks, there have been multiple blog posts regarding the success of Lean Six Sigma in government agencies. More often than not, discussion focuses on the frustration with not achieving the potential of Lean and Six Sigma within public sector and military organizations. As a result, the people in these agencies, branches, etc. become complacent and begin to lose passion and a sense of urgency. read more...
Jul 13, 2009
Stop Second Guessing About the Stimulus Package
As pundits debate the effectiveness of the stimulus package, a new study released by the Government Business Council (GBC) says that agencies feel “overwhelmed” and “anxious” about the ability to successfully implement designed programs. read more...
Jul 10, 2009
Top 5 Leadership Characteristics for Process Improvement Success
Recently during a visit to the GSA conference held in San Antonio, I had the opportunity to speak with several people in the federal government about Lean Six Sigma. read more...
Jul 08, 2009
Lean Six Sigma Can Help Agencies Manage Stimulus Funds
In a recent interview on Fox Business channel, I had the opportunity to discus how effectively the stimulus funds are being deployed. read more...
Jun 26, 2009
Leadership Lessons from the Past
Recently while waiting to board a Southwest Airlines flight I was watching passengers come off the plane that had just arrived. read more...
Jun 25, 2009
Begin the Ascent
Welcome to the Guidon blog where we will offer insights and learning from our work with public and private sector clients and how they are navigating the current economic crisis. read more...
