As companies eliminate waste from their core activities, itÔÇÖs time to look at the recruitment process the same way, argues Thomas R Cutler. Executives are famous for describing their employees as the companyÔÇÖs greatest asset, yet hiring and training remain the most neglected processes in business.

Six sigma master black belt David Lengacher warns about a common oversight in change management programs. Managers must address beliefs and behavior, he says, not culture. Browse the business management section at your local bookstore and you will find many top selling management books proclaiming that all measures of performance should be directly traceable to the objectives of the organization. It is hard to argue with this, but it is often overemphasized to the degree that it can cause significant organizational side effects.

US Army Research, Development and Engineering CenterAs Keith Regan reports, winning the coveted Baldrige Quality Award is only one of many journeys toward excellence at the US Army Research, Development and Engineering Center. The US Army Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) develops 90 percent of the ArmyÔÇÖs armaments and ammunition, including warheads, explosives, all sizes of firearms, battlefield sensors, and advanced weaponry based on high-power microwaves, high-energy lasers, and nanotechnology. The center, based in Picatinny Arsen

Bruce Silberman tells Martin Ashcroft about the distinctive features of the Haldex Way, and how lean and six sigma complement each other. One thing I find fascinating when talking to people about their lean journeys is that every one of them is unique. They all start at a different time from a different place, of course, but although they tend to pass the same signposts and landmarks (5s, value stream mapping, kaizen, etc) they are not always in the same order, and are viewed from different perspectives.

Chris Bujak tells Martin Ashcroft how Air Products applies the tools of continuous improvement to the CI process itself, to create a high performing organization. ÔÇ£From the very beginning, it was never just a manufacturing thing for us,ÔÇØ says Chris Bujak. ÔÇ£It was always a quest for creating a high performing organization.

Brian Montanari, director of global operations for HID Global, tells Martin Ashcroft how a lean implementation, starting with a focus on culture, has produced world class results. Rip Van Winkle wakes up in a parking lot. Cars are arriving at the start of another working day. Office workers balance briefcases, handbags, coffee cups, and paper sacks from DunkinÔÇÖs or McDonaldÔÇÖs, and totter towards the door with their hands full. How can they possibly open it without putting all their packages down?

Martin Ashcroft and Thomas R. Cutler report on the key plant floor performance indicator ÔÇö overall equipment effectiveness. The ability to incorporate real time manufacturing data into operational decision-making is important in the quest for operational excellence.

Scott Theune and Scott Brown of Plexus tell Martin Ashcroft about the unique supply chain design capabilities necessary to provide world class electronics manufacturing services. Plexus designs and manufactures electronic products, mainly for original equipment manufacturers in the medical, telecommunications, industrial, defense, security and aerospace markets.

While companies have responded to globalization with admirable internal initiatives, says Jim Lawton, the real business of supply management happens outside your own four walls. Whenever an actor or musician makes it to the top of his game and debuts in a world-class venue, there are always going to be surprises. Performing at the Met is never the same as performing on a local or regional stage.

Farm to forkThomas R. Cutler outlines the traceability solutions we need to deal with the increasing incidence of food contamination. The most susceptible to food-borne illness are the very young, the elderly, and people with weakened immune systems. Most people who eat food tainted with E.