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From ISO 9001 to IATF 16949
From ISO 9001 to IATF 16949As consultants with expertise in ISO 9001 quality management systems, we are often asked how best to transition to IATF 16949. For suppliers, certification according to IATF 16949:2016 is an important prerequisite to participate in the...
Improving focus: Initial results from our survey
Improvement in focus: Initial results from our research Every year, organizations invest hundreds of millions, if not billions, in optimizing their operations. These efforts vary widely; from launching small-scale lean or agile projects to developing sophisticated...
Deepfake deception: The double side of deepfakes
Deepfake Detection: The double side of deepfakes A recent shocking incident has impressively revealed the dark side of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. In this disturbing event involving a financial employee in Hong Kong, he thought he was speaking to...
The benefits of Blended Learning
The benefits of Blended Learning At Symbol, we are constantly looking for innovative ways to make learning more accessible and effective for professionals worldwide. We are proud to introduce our Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training now in a Blended Learning format...
The application of AI in Lean Six Sigma projects
The application of AI in Lean Six Sigma projects Applying Lean Six Sigma has been used for decades to improve processes, with the goal of shorter lead times, better quality and lower operating costs. Companies and organizations around the world apply this method in...
The Lean Experience Center has been revamped
The Lean Experience Center has undergone a renewal We are excited to announce that our Lean Experience Center (LEC) has undergone an exciting transformation! After months of hard work and dedication, our center is now an even more powerful learning environment. Why...
Operational Management: the key to success in SME acquisitions
Operational Management: The key to success in SME acquisitions What is often overlooked in business acquisitions in larger SMEs is the maturity of the day-to-day operational processes at the new investment. Perhaps not sexy or intellectually challenging, but in...
15 percent discount
Symbol marks its 15th anniversary: Get now 15% discount on all courses In honor of our 15-year anniversary, we are offering you an exclusive opportunity to receive a 15% discount on any course registration Use the code 15years in the comments box and invest in your...
Navigating workforce shortages: How Lean can strengthen work force
Labor market shortage: How a Lean approach stenghtens the workforceIn today's competitive business landscape, companies in several sectors, including those in the Netherlands, are facing a pressing concern - a labor shortage. The scarcity of skilled workers has forced...
6 tips for a smooth return to work after summer vacation
6 tips for a smooth return to work after summer vacationSummer vacation is over and that means many of us are returning to the daily work routine. After weeks of relaxation and carefree days, the transition to work mode can be a bit challenging. But don't worry! By...
10 steps to develop your organization into a ‘Digital Champion’
10 steps to develop your organization into 'Digital Champion' It has been 12 years since the term Industry 4.0 was introduced. This was at the Hannover Messe in 2011, when Professor Wolfgang Wahlster, director and CEO of the German artificial intelligence research...
Study Trip Japan 2023
Study Trip:Japan 4.0Japan is a country known for its rich history, beautiful landscapes and fascinating culture. It is also a country that embraces innovation and is at the forefront of technological developments.The Symbol Japan trip was an interesting travel...
KSC Conference 2023
KSC Conference:The future of manufacturing with SymbolLast Tuesday, June 20, 2023, we participated in the KSC Manufacturing Conference 2023 along with other participants such as ASML, Thermo Fischer, Mitutoyo and Jingdiao. This year's event focused on innovation,...
Consultancy Day: Visual Management
Symbol's Consulting Day:Visual Management and Six SigmaAt Symbol, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our consulting skills and share valuable knowledge. We recently had an exciting consultancy day at Visual Workplace BV in Wijchen, where we focused on...
More than 100 solar panels
More than100 solar panelsAs champions of efficiency and continuous improvement, we decided to reinforce our commitment to a greener future by also installing solar panels on our 2nd building. We currently have a total of more than 100 solar panels on the roofs. ...
The future of process optimization
The future of process optimization:AI & Lean Six SigmaArtificial intelligence, or Artifical Intelligence (AI), has dramatically changed the way companies work and innovate. At the same time, Lean Six Sigma remains a popular methodology for process optimization and...
5 ways to improve your daily work routine
5 ways to improve your daily work routine continuously improve If several small improvements are visible each week, it creates a constant sense of success. This sense of success motivates the team, making it easy to create a culture of improvement. Continuous...
Symbol successfully implement Training Within Industry at Tecnotion
Symbol implement successfully Training Within Industry at Tecnotion Tecnotion is the global authority on direct drive motor technology. The Almelo-based company specializes in the development and production of direct drive motors. Tecnotion serves a number of...
Digitizing continuous improvement: here’s how Symbol tackles it
At Symbol, we believe it is always and everywhere possible to do things differently and better. Even in the best-performing companies and organizations, there are opportunities for improvement.Based on that vision, among other things, we assist clients in developing...
One picture says more than a thousand words
3 reasons to make work instructions (along with Symbol) visual...With transformer stations, energy storage systems, electric car charging stations and a diversity of other products and services, Alfen is the focal point and connecting factor in the power grid. For...
Are you a Lean Manager?
Our experienced trainer and consultant, Master Black Belt, Thom Luijben, talks about the Lean Manager in this blog. Let me not start with doodlers like "the road is more important than the goal" but really try to give some direction on that. In fact, on April 6, I am...
A good project has only one improvement goal
Our experienced trainer and consultant, Master Black Belt, Joris van Solt discusses ten relevant criteria for a good project in a series of blogs. In any case, the advice to participants in our Lean Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Black Belt and Lean Six...
A good project has a small scope
Our experienced trainer and consultant, Master Black Belt, Joris van Solt discusses ten relevant criteria for a good project in a series of blogs. In any case, the advice to participants in our Lean Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Black Belt and Lean Six...
In a good project, there is priority
Our experienced trainer and consultant, Master Black Belt, Joris van Solt discusses ten relevant criteria for a good project in a series of blogs. In any case, the advice to participants in our Lean Green Belt, Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Lean Black Belt and Lean Six...
Making the stand-up meeting a success? If so, avoid these pitfalls
Have fewer meetings, get more done: that, in a nutshell, is what a daily stand-up meeting accomplishes. Not for nothing is the stand-up a well-known phenomenon in the world of Agile and Lean. But while this tool is being used in more and more organizations, there is...
Follow up on article about incorrect wait time calculations in the VSM
Some time ago, colleague Thom Luijben (consultant & Master Black Belt) published the article"Frequently seen: incorrect wait time calculations in the VSM" about the incorrect wait time calculations as he often encounters them in VSMs. This article was also posted...
A good improvement project improves an important problem?
Our experienced trainer and consultant, Master Black Belt, Joris van Solt discusses ten relevant criteria for a good project in a series of blogs. In any case, the advice to participants in our Lean and Lean Six Sigma Green and Black Belt training courses is to...
Commonly seen: incorrect wait time calculations in the VSM
In this blog, our Master Black Belt trainer and consultant Thom Luijben discusses waiting time calculation in a Value Stream Map (VSM). A bottleneck in your process can have significant impact on wait time. Thom charges you how this works. Let me just start by...
SME Training Voucher
From Feb. 10, 2021, the province of Overijssel will again make innovation and training vouchers available. For individuals, the training voucher amounts to max. € 1,500 and for an in-company trajectory it amounts to max. € 15.000,. Who exactly is this SME voucher...
What does a good Lean or Lean Six Sigma improvement project meet?
Our experienced trainer and consultant, Master Black Belt, Joris van Solt discusses ten relevant criteria for a good project in a series of blogs. In any case, the advice to participants in our Lean and Lean Six Sigma Green and Black Belt training courses is to...
Continue schools. Make use of the OOM crisis package 2.0
Are you working in the metal sector? Then there is good news! Because during this special time, you can take advantage of additional compensation for training and development. Because, especially in these times, it is important to continue to invest in the training of...
Working as a young professional, what does that entail?
Symbol likes to invest in new talents. That's why you will meet several young professionals in our office who are at the start of their careers. One of them is Judith Varenhorst. Because our young professionals are frequently asked what their jobs are all about,...
Young professional at work at Mogema: a success story
Annually, Symbol selects five junior consultants who use Symbol Academy to boost their starting careers. These young professionals take training courses to develop themselves, are mentored by a lead consultant and get to work in practice.So does Mathijs Rietveld, who...
Unique training approach thanks to Miro: exercises and games in online practice
In our trainings, participants never just receive knowledge, but put theory directly into practice through exercises and (serious) games. This makes tangible how they can apply key tools of Lean or Lean Six Sigma themselves in their own work practices. So we wanted...
Symbol trains online: “We are ready for the future. No matter what”
Many organizations have accelerated digitization because of corona. Similarly, Symbol. Just a few days after Rutte's speech on the intelligent lockdown, we were able to perform much of our consulting work online as well as conduct several physical training sessions in...
Labour market training grant scheme COVID-19 Fryslân
In Friesland, a grant can be obtained for training employees. Do you work in Friesland or is your organization based there? Then this may be an interesting scheme for you! In Friesland, a special grant is available for organizations that, despite these tough economic...
Symbol is Minitab Gold Partner
Minitab is the leading provider of software and services for quality improvement and statistics education. More than 90% of Fortune 500 companies use Minitab Statistical Software and many more students worldwide have used Minitab to learn statistics than any other...
Managing an improvement process? You as a leader make the difference
Are you on the eve of a major improvement project within your organization? Then chances are that you, as a change manager, will be confronted with the following question: "How do I get the people in my team on board? How do I get them to decide to do things...
SCRUM methodology: “Rocket science” or common sense
Many have heard about SCRUM. In fact, in a number of organizations, it is being used successfully. But what does SCRUM really mean and in what ways can it be employed? SCRUM is a very flexible but effective tool for product development. The SCRUM methodology can be...
Agile Scrum and Lean: a beautiful marriage!
Today, many organizations are improving their processes and their organizations. Often necessary due to digitalization, budget cuts or increased (international) competition. Being agile and achieving good results seems feasible only in excellently organized and...