Learning How to Get Lean

Working for a business that emphasizes improvement through software, the world of lean manufacturing and continuous improvement was quite foreign to me. Vague memories from past college lectures came to mind featuring colored cards across manufacturing floors, a rainbow of belts representing six sigma abilities, and Japanese terms like ‘kanban’ and ‘kaizen’.  The concepts were intriguing, but never explored until recently.

Upon making a routine prospecting call, I had inadvertently connected with the regional president of a group dedicated to embracing lean manufacturing. The organization is called the Association of Manufacturing Excellence and is a collection of manufacturers and non-manufactures dedicated to reducing waste in their processes, increasing efficiency, and delivering more value to their customers. Workshops, weekly ‘coffee meetups’, and free virtual tours are a sample of opportunities offered to members (and non-members at times) providing a great opportunity to dip one’s toe in or jump in headfirst into the world of Lean. I have been attending a variety of events over the past six months and find the experience energizing.

In the spirit of trying to understand these principles early on, Ablesoft formed our first book club and assigned The Toyota Way as our first read. The book describes the unique accomplishments Toyota was able to realize by growing and enforcing a culture aligned to lean practices. It is considered one of the foundational texts and speaks to the origin of the lean culture. In addition to the book club, minor initiatives have taken place to better organize the office space, re-think processes, and further mature our understanding of Lean.

1st book of our club

You may note that I am not offering up any details or specific tools in defining what Lean is. This is due to the incessant reminder by AME members that Lean is not a single tool or straightforward methodology, but rather a philosophy that instills a continued belief of improvement in its believers. Although we are in the early days of our lean journey, it is an exciting path to embark on. The goal of ascending to the best version of oneself is a noble one, and something that aligns well to the principles of lean.

Bring Your Art to Work

The workspace is the perfect place to ignore when one is seeking inspiration. Monitors replace framed pictures, gray walls replace color, and the ongoing trend of minimalism can turn the office into a person that looks presentable but has nothing to say. I, among others, can be guilty of this complacency in reasoning the scenic background of my laptop as art.

It really gets the juices flowing…

To contrast this, I have tried to be more aware of ways to spice up the visuals and comfort of the office. I mounted a cheap guitar on a wall, display a continuous stream of 4K national park footage on the break room monitor, and even purchased an artsy mug rack online (it barley counts I know, but small steps). My incremental steps recently evolved into an established one with the contracting of artwork by a local artist, and family friend, Chloe Gale.

After a quick tour of the office, and a rambling description as to what we were looking for, Chloe was armed with the appropriate amount of vagueness to create something great. In a couple of days, she shared examples of paintings that seemed to align with our descriptions followed with a rough sketch of what she envisioned.

The example piece and the mockup

Following our approval of her mock-ups, Chloe transformed the rough sketches into the impressive paintings below. All of them reflected the vibes we were going for in the office, the local beauty of Oregon, and something a little more inspiring than my computer’s background image.

Strategically placed across the office (note the coffee mug holder)

From the team of Ablesoft, thank you Chloe!

2020 A Year Reviewed

In reviewing the past year as a business, there are several measures to pour over in answering the question ‘How did we do?’. Metrics around revenues, margins, costs, customer satisfaction, and marketing activities can be tracked, compared, and are easy to obsess over in the pursuit of understanding whether progress was made. Yet, like many facets of life that are measured, the answer can easily feel empty without the broader context beyond the numbers. An excellent GPA is a worthy accomplishment, but its value diminishes when compared the story of the student who is also working to pay for schooling, has family commitments, and is participating in extra growth-oriented activities. 

This year brought many changes for the Ablesoft team. Outside of the life altering pandemic and shift to remote work came others. Others such as:

• Ablesoft families grew with the pregnancy of a first child, an engagement, and another bringing twin foster-children into their home.

• Careers shifted, as two new team members joined on in the Summer.

• Homes were bought, moved into, and rebuilt due to termite damage.

• Families were reinforced by our employees’ increasing adoption of personal duties at home with little ones and parents.

Many changes, but none of them reflected on Ablesoft’s balance sheet or income statement. 

According to our metrics, as a company we did make some strides on improving. We were fortunate to gain stability in a time where stability is hard to come by. Despite the many changes, we were able to continue our pursuit of new technology and improved methods of serving our customers. 

Yet, when thinking about our progress in 2020, our balance sheet won’t serve as the ultimate measure of our success. Rather, it will be the endurance, accomplishments, and stories of the ASI team that will define our success in 2020.   

From the team of Ableosft, we wish you a highly successful 2021 and look forward to being a part of that success.

A Short ‘Tail’ of the Intruder

Sometimes, even the most state of the art security systems cannot prevent the unexpected from happening. Both physical and digital break in attempts are common for small businesses, leaving the occurrences of these violations as a matter of ‘when’ and not ‘if’. 

This week, Ablesoft experienced a break in. We left it to our top employee to investigate and identify the culprit. Here is that story:

Exhibit A:

An interior door to the basement left slightly ajar. Whoever, or whatever entered, utilized this passage to infiltrate Ablesoft’s HQ.

Our top employee, Doug, immediatley went to work identifying the path the infiltrator took across the office.

After the initial scan of the office, Doug noticed a peculiar scent underneath one of the desks.

Just a power adapter…

or was it? After further examination, it became clear the culprit was searching for a source of light. This led Doug immediately to the front of the building, knowing this to be the most lit location in the office.

Just then, Doug spotted the bandit in the front of the office in full display. The little chipmunks’ desperate attempts to hide were no match for Doug’s investigation abilities. Just when Doug was about to read him his rights and get him processed the unexpected happened…

The little chipper bolted right past Doug and into the vast office of Ablesoft…to this day his whereabouts are unknown as he remains at large. One day justice will be found, until then, Doug will be waiting.

The answer is ‘yes’. I have entirely too much time on my hands.

Just Like Maverick at Entre’s Tech X (video)

As an adult, rarely do moments exist when it is found acceptable to dress up and live out the actions of your childhood hero. Halloween is claimed to be an outlet for that opportunity, but in truth, it is reserved for dreamy children and outfit wearing adults that don’t take the get-up too seriously. Or at least pretend not to. 

Acknowledging this, the team of Ablesoft, like many adults, is left suppressing their childhood dreams year round. That is, unless an opportunity strikes. An opportunity such as Entre’s Virtual Technology Exposition. With a theme tied to the 2020 Top Gun movie (now to be released 2021) the employees of Ablesoft geared up with jumpsuits, aviator knock-offs, and fake dog tags to become top notch fighter pilots.

Depicted above, the various team members of Ablesoft living out their dreams of being pilots.

The fun did not stop there. Along with the attire, the team also got their kicks meeting new IT enthusiasts, talking technology, and getting to present in one of the many virtual break-out sessions. 

See below Eric and Ben’s presentation on ‘avoiding the danger zone’, and rising up to the demands of a virtual workforce.

Note: Revisions to the opening were made to avoid major legal consequences.

A House Divided

At the beginning of the MLB season, the team of Ablesoft welcomed a pleasant distraction from the year disrupted by COVID. But what began as a good spirited, mutual excitement for the sport quickly degenerated into an environment of competition. This became particularly clear the day that loyalties were displayed in full of our 'MLB' themed call.

To be candid, it had never been a secret as to which Chicago baseball team was supported by whom, but with such lopsided standings between the teams it made little difference. Everything changed this year. The Cubs started out of the gate red hot, and the White Sox are beginning to reap the benefits of their three (or ten depending who is asked) year re-build. Now, as we are heading into play-offs, the break room is featuring more games on the TV, winning streaks are being mentioned on calls, and tensions are continuing to build.

To be candid, it had never been a secret as to which Chicago baseball team was supported by whom, but with such lopsided standings between the teams it made little difference. Everything changed this year. The Cubs started out of the gate red hot, and the White Sox are beginning to reap the benefits of their three (or ten depending who is asked) year re-build. Now, as we are heading into play-offs, the break room is featuring more games on the TV, winning streaks are being mentioned on calls, and tensions are continuing to build.

Could this be the year that the White Sox and Cubs meet in the World Series? Not likely, but we will enjoy the ride along the way. Hopefully, the NFL season will provide us a shared team to bond over, or possibly jointly ridicule. Until then, the Ablesoft team wishes you great start to Fall. May your teams drive more cohesion in your household than ours.

Author’s Note: The Ablesoft team is back to being unified following the first round playoff eliminations of both the Cubs and White Sox. Though, it is the shared disappointment of Chicago baseball which brings us together.

Go White Sox.

Choosing Your Family

“You can choose your friends but you sho' can't choose your family, an' they're still kin to you no matter whether you acknowledge 'em or not, and it makes you look right silly when you don't.”
- Harper Lee, Author of To Kill a Mockingbird Author

In most circumstances, I am not one to challenge the renown quote of an American Literature Icon, especially when at risk of looking 'right silly'. However, Harper Lee failed to consider the state of family-owned businesses when speaking to the inability to choose family members (particularly ones in software). I may have no choice but to tolerate my Dad's stressful antics, criticisms from my brother, and attempts of sheltering from our primary investor (and my mom). But occasionally, I get to be a part of the process in bringing on a new team member and growing the family. 

Harper Lee provoked into deep thought in considering the exception of family owned businesses in choosing family (imagined by me).

Recently, Ablesoft has brought on two developers to aid in our goals of supporting customers with creative solutions delivered on a personal level. One as a full-time developer, the other as a part of our intern program.

Andrew

Edgar

Andrew has been a long-time developer, building and supporting applications from banks to manufacturers across his career.

Entering his Freshman year at Rock Valley College in pursuit of a Computer Science degree, Edgar has been building applications for the past two years and has joined on as our intern. 

To read more about the team, click (here).

Ben + Hanna

Though not a developer, or particularly comfortable with computers overall, Hanna recently accepted my proposal to become a member of the immediate Bruns family, and ultimately an extension of the Ablesoft family as well. 

As the new members are settling in, we are excited by Ablesoft’s path forward in continuing to grow the family. Something I think Harper Lee would even appreciate.

—Ben

Ablesoft’s Home Invasion Pt.2

As the world remains cautious and the Summer season is coming to pass, the Ablesoft team is continuing to invade each other's homes with our daily Microsoft Teams check-ins. Fortunately, the call hiccups including setup woes, spotty internet connections, and abrupt pauses to avoid talking over each other have subsided with time, but the surprises have not. Below is a glimpse of some of those surprises, and observations, over the past few months.

New Avatars

Facing the turmoil of a working mom with two children at home, Lisa, our head of design, is continually in a balancing act. Team meetings may feature her kids’ eager requests to say hello, wrestling matches, or simply using her as a chair to gaze into the camera. Recently, it was discovered that these meetings were having another impact on them as well. Below, Lisa is introducing a new companion of their household who is also named "Noel" (the President of Ablesoft), courtesy of her two sons. The team all agreed that the Noels shared many similar characteristics.

Noel, visibly excited to be recognized by Lisa's children in gnome form. Eric disappointed with the lack of a yard decor avatar.

Workspace Envy

Remote meetings have enabled a variety of 'office setups'. Attended from bedrooms, kitchens, garages, and even outdoors, the key to the home office is being comfortable, mildly isolated, and if possible, having a decent view. Michelle, our head of Marketing, created the optimal work environment which includes all the major elements. Nestled in her basement, Michelle's home office features a beautiful view of Oregon forestry featuring visits by her occasional wildlife friends.

Deer, wild turkeys, and friendly squirrels are known to stop by to say ‘hello’ in Michelle's working environment.

New Skill Development

What started as an excuse to cook outside, blossomed into the realization of a new calling when Alan took up the art of smoking. From coals, to wood chips, to a full smoker upgrade, the team of Ablesoft has witnessed Alan's ascension to that of a grill master. Ribs, pork hunks, and even bacon wrapped pineapple have all found a role in Alan's play of smoked foods. Unbeknownst to him, he has earned himself a new role as Ablesoft's 'head of catering’ for our future office cookouts. 

The art of smoking is embraced by all in the Arian’s family. The reasons as to why are depicted above.

Recent office space adjustments have brought the ASI team back together once again. Which means for now, the daily check-in theater will have to be postponed. Despite the entertainment value they may bring, the team remains quite alright with the new setup.