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Your source for continuous improvement learning opportunities has arrived!
Current issue of Connected highlights upcoming Breakfast and Workshop Series topics including “Seven Deadly Sins of Lean,” by Christian Wolcott, “The People Experience,” by Karen Sinette and “Five Day Lean Leader,” by Dave Lange. See more by clicking HERE.
Strategies for keeping employees engaged
By By Steven Hirt, President/Founder, Optima Associates, Inc.
Do you feel that your employees or teammates are just showing up for work (and sometimes not even that)? If so, you are not alone. A recent Gallup finds that only 13% of employees worldwide are engaged at work. In the U.S. the numbers are better, but it is still a paltry 33%. That means […]
Technology supporting human work in manufacturing future
By Steven Hirt, President/Founder, Optima Associates, Inc.
There is no doubt that the factories will look much differently in the next decade than they do today. One only needs to look at what some of the premier companies are doing with Augmented Reality (AR), Robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). For example, Amazon and AGCO are pioneering […]
TWI Certification Program and more highlighted in CONNECTED
It’s time to grab your 2018 calendar and register for these upcoming events including Optima’s TWI Certification Program and our special March workshop presented by Mike Hoseus. Click HERE
Factory of the future will use real-time information
By Roger Wolfe
The pace of change is moving so fast today that to pinpoint what manufacturing in the future may look like is difficult. The areas of change are numerous related to technical improvements, information, culture and economics. I would like to relate my opinions on information, culture and technology in the future factory. The companies which […]
What’s so special about 5S?
By Roger Wolfe
The 5S process is just about cleaning up and getting things neat and orderly, right? So, what’s so special about that? How can something so simple have a large effect on my business? Many of us have asked these same questions about 5S, so let’s talk about what makes 5S so special and how […]
Quarter Newsletter – Fall 2017
The fall issue of the quarterly newsletter is out! Click the image below to take a look.
Optima is a proud supporter of Small Business Saturday
Constantly seeking to improve is a vital component of all successful business models. Incorporating a continuous improvement culture as part of your business’s growth strategy is key to not only staying profitable, but providing a roadmap during times of uncertainty. As a small business owner wearing many hats, it’s often difficult to find the time […]
Requirements for effective engagement
By Dick Cole
Members of Optima’s Twin Cities Continuous Improvement Consortium met recently to share their thoughts on effective engagement and creating a culture of continuous improvement (CI). There is an undeniable correlation between creating a culture of continuous improvement and employee engagement. In any organization, implementing change will be an uphill journey if the company doesn’t embrace […]