Reed Switch Developments Corp. (RSD), a woman-owned manufacturer in Racine, WI, specializes in magnetic reed switches and sensors. Recognized as last year’s Quality Plant of the Year, RSD has achieved a 25% increase in sales year-to-date, leveraging in-house technical expertise and automation to manage growth amid rising costs and economic uncertainty.

Many continuous improvement (CI) champions encounter resistance to adopting the necessary mindset, often perceiving individuals as closed-minded or too comfortable. Unlearning long-held beliefs can be stressful, especially for those whose careers depend on them, and psychologists note this process can often be harder than learning new skills—particularly for the most successful individuals.

American manufacturing is making a comeback, fueled by billions in investments and new technologies. This reshoring not only boosts job quality and economic opportunity but also mitigates supply chain risks exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic. But is there a catch?

In a world where every minute matters, a car rental turns into a frustrating ordeal of delays and inefficiencies. Will I reach my important meeting on time, or will I be exposed to the 8 deadly wastes?

The hype around "big data" has mainly aimed at niche market sales without delivering expected benefits. Similarly, the business world's obsession with Lean Six Sigma has shown minimal returns on investment. In contrast, over the last 25 years, I've leveraged small Excel files to significantly cut costs and increase profits, often by millions of dollars, through a reliable sequence I discovered.

The main difference between projects and programs is their scope and focus. Project management focuses on efficiently executing specific projects, while program management aligns multiple projects with overarching strategic goals.

For over 30 years, companies have relied on Lean thinking principles to drive successful business models and become more competitive globally. Lean Thinking, based on Japanese manufacturing techniques, aims to handle work more efficiently and create value with fewer resources and less waste.

Leaders prioritize efficiency and productivity over quality management, compromising long-term standards, evident in the widespread adoption of operational excellence programs like Lean and Six Sigma.

Quality professionals know that even a little data can be misleading for upper management, leading to bad decisions in industries.

While examining a privately-owned sailboat, as a certified Vessel Examiner with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, I realized the importance of profiling the Coast Guard's quality focus. What could it teach us about quality? It turns out, a lot.