Lean production - doing more with less

http://www.1000ventures.com/business_guide/lean_production_main.html

youtube video on lean production:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GcJBgQ71TM&feature=related

youtube video on Kaizen:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q89qAbAAR3Q&feature=related

Another useful site which looks at the history of lean production:
http://www.strategosinc.com/just_in_time.htm

Kanban:
http://www.thetimes100.co.uk/theory/theory--lean-production--252.php

Prep to be completed for Monday 7th Dec

Complete Thames Water case study p.290/1 preliminary questions 1-5

Biz Quiz

6th Nov - http://www.tutor2u.net/business/bizquiz/061109/quiz.html

13th Nov - http://www.tutor2u.net/business/bizquiz/131109/quiz.html

The organisational costs of workplace conflict

(From the ACAS website)Workplace conflict – the organisational costs:
• the risk of time-consuming formal proceedings such as grievances and employment tribunal claims
• sickness absence costs as the individuals concerned take time off to deal personally with the effects of the conflict
• management time being diverted to dealing with the conflict instead of focusing on managing the business
• staff turnover and recruitment and re-training costs where conflict leads to the departure of those affected from the organisation
• lower staff morale leading to less commitment to exerting discretionary effort, leading to lower productivity
• poor working relationships within the teams affected
• loss of focus on corporate goals and common objectives as people are distracted by the disagreement
• the potential for a blame culture to develop, rather than one focused on innovation
• the employer’s external reputation could be compromised
Mediation

Employers' associations

E.g. Engineering Employers' Federation:


EEF is a trusted partner to businesses across Britain. We provide our members with business advice, resources and support services to help them operate more effectively and help them tackle a whole range of employment issues.

http://www.eef.org.uk/UK/default.htm

e.g. Police Federation of England and Wales:


The Police Federation of England and Wales is the staff association that represents all 140,000 police officers up to and including the rank of Chief Inspector. We have a statutory obligation to ensure that the views of our members are accurately relayed to government, opinion formers and key stakeholders. To ensure this we measure the work we do and what we seek to achieve against our organisational aims and objectives.

http://www.polfed.org/

e.g. British Medical Association (BMA)


They are the independent trade union and professional association for doctors and medical students, with over 140,000 members worldwide.

http://www.bma.org.uk/

Confederation of British Industry (CBI)

The CBI's mission is to help create and sustain the conditions in which businesses in the United Kingdom can compete and prosper for the benefit of all. The CBI is the UK's top business lobby organisation. Our specialist services and unmatched influence with government, policymakers, legislators, and unions mean we can get the best deal for business at home and abroad.

http://www.cbi.org.uk/ndbs/staticpages.nsf/StaticPages/home.html/?OpenDocument

Trade Union Congress (TUC)

With member unions representing over six and a half million working people, we campaign for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad.

http://www.tuc.org.uk/