@greenerflorist Yes, keep nostalgic tools around! Just put them in a barn or somewhere away from the production space. My advice is clearly define the production space and just keep a few (less than 20) most-used tools in that space. #britishflowers
I'm honored to be a guest at #britishflowers in a just half an hour. Lean is a powerful production system. It can give any size and type of farm a boost. Eager to hear your questions!
All we are doing is looking at the time line from the moment the customer gives us an order to the point when we collect the cash. And we are reducing that time line by removing the non-value-added wastes. --Taiichi Ohno #britishflowers
@flowerpotpolly @RubyBlooms2018 Lean says to hire out value adding tasks first--these are tasks like washing lettuce or delivering food that you know make money. Next hire out complex specialty tasks because specialists are more efficient in their trades than I am. #britishflowers
@RubyBlooms2018 Self-discipline is really key to success on a farm. I don't claim to get it perfect--I can procrastinate like anyone else!--but I do feel that business success--and my self-esteem--are tied to my ability to get jobs done on time, even ones I don't like.
@thenectarbar@pattfgarden Great question! We use a Japanese paperpot transplanter to plant. Here I'm planting green beans. These tools are all over Japanese and finding more popularity in the west. Also, I always wear articulated knee pants, like Khul! #britishflowers
@CFlowerFarm @RubyBlooms2018 I think of work in terms of 1) what is urgent and important versus 2) what is urgent and not important versus 3) what is important and not urgent. Make sense? π I strive to stay in the third category. Covey talks about this... #britishflowers
There are just two activities that happen in a workplace: value-adding tasks or waste. There is no third category, and businesses that thrive understand this point. #britishflowers
@ballicherry Great question. Without getting specific, here's a tip: spread work out as much as possible. This means prepare as much as you can in the winter. For example, this week we are setting up trellising wire for tomatoes. But we won't actually use the wires til June. #britishflowers
@freedoms101 Yes we roll up drip tapes but only use them from two seasons. We stove larger tools on tool hooks that we place around the farm... the rule being to store tools as close as possible to their points of use. #britishflowers
@CFlowerFarm Great question! In general, about 80 percent is farming and 20 percent is marketing and admin. Of course, lean encouraging more farming and less admin because farming where the true value is added. #britishflowers
@TeenyWeenyFarm We plan our production in the winter and again in June. This is when we talk to each of our customers and ask 3 questions: what do you want, when do you want it, and how much. The more precise we are, the better. #britishflowers
We have that we work most efficiently in 90-minute intervals. After that, and our productivity goes down. So our favorite schedule is to work two 90-minute shifts in the mornings, and one 90-minute shift in the afternoon. We get more done this way. #britishflowers
@FlowersfromtheP @TeenyWeenyFarm @flowerpotpolly Another way to put it: A tool should be in your hands or in its place. There is no third option.π#britishflowers