Authors of PERSONAL KANBAN Receive Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award

The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence, part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, has selected "Personal Kanban" by James Benson and Tonianne Barry as a recipient of the Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award. The authors own and operate Modus Cooperandi, an organization performance consultancy.

"Receipt of the Shingo Research and Professional Publication Award signifies authors' significant contribution to the body of knowledge surrounding operational excellence," said Robert Miller, executive director of The Shingo Prize. "The intent is to motivate others to learn from them."

While much has been published on manufacturing and health care in relation to "lean" - the practice of continuously improving an organization's operations and providing ever-increasing value to the end customer - "Personal Kanban" attempts to apply lean principles to knowledge workers as well as life in general. A "kanban" is a Japanese word that refers to a visual signal meant to elicit an action by the person that sees it. When better understood by individuals, the authors assert lean principles and tools, such as the kanban, can help today's workers develop an effective management system and assist the average person to better handle life's demands.

"Jim and Tonianne's "Personal Kanban" builds on Jim's groundbreaking application of the Lean-Kanban technique - invented decades ago in Japan to increase factory flow - to improving knowledge work and people's everyday lives," said Jim Sutton, president of Lean Systems Society and CEO of The Jubata Group. "As original kanban released the hidden potential in factory production, "Personal Kanban" is releasing great potential in individuals and families."

By "challenging" or applying for an award, authors invite a group of accomplished professionals and trained examiners from The Shingo Prize to thoroughly review their publications. The examiners select the publications they think are worthy of recognition.

Benson and Barry will receive the award during the opening social of the 25th Annual Shingo Prize International Conference held in Provo, Utah, the week of May 6-10, 2013. The opening social is the beginning of this four-day event featuring a selection of workshops, plant tours, keynote speakers and breakout sessions designed to provide ongoing knowledge, insights and experience for organizations in their pursuit of operational excellence.

The Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence is named after Japanese industrial engineer, Shigeo Shingo. Dr. Shingo distinguished himself as one of the world's thought leaders in concepts, management systems and improvement techniques that have become known as the Toyota Business System. Drawing from Dr. Shingo's teachings, The Shingo Prize helps companies and organizations increase their efficiency and effectiveness by developing cultures that better tap the talents of their employees. It also awards and recognizes organizations that demonstrate exceptional results from applying its philosophy and recognizes authors who have contributed important insights and applications of the principles it teaches. Those interested in more information about The Shingo Prize or in registering to attend the 25th Annual International Conference may visit www.shingoprize.org.

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