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Robots delivering food…

Let’s be honest Bal, this isn’t really new is it? I’ve heard it before – and probably seen it on social media.

Yes, you’re right. We’ve seen robots being trialled in restaurants where they’re delivering food.

And following on from my post earlier this week – about having a lean process – and the missing piece is the robots delivering the food…. well, you would need some human intervention to ensure the customers are okay… and if there’s any problems or complaints, there’s a human on hand to deal with the situation.

Well, let’s be honest… depending on type of restaurant – you might want to talk to people! You might want to go out to a restaurant purely because of the people that work there and those that serve you! It all depends on the type of restaurant – if you want it quick, then you may not want the whole human interaction.

But this blog post isn’t about having an end to end process with no human intervention.

This blog post is about a story I came across – where it’s using folk who have limited use of their body, to command and instruct robots!

Dawn, is a cafe in Tokyo, Japan. The robots are developed by Ory, a startup that specializes in robotics for disabled people, the OriHime-D is a 120 cm (4-foot) tall robot that can be operated remotely from a paralyzed person’s home.

Even if the operator only has control of their eyes, they can command OriHime-D to move, look around, speak with people, and handle objects.

A true and inspirational marriage of technology and humanity!

Yes – it’s all about technology.

Yes – it’s all about a lean process.

However… when you inject some humanity, it all becomes emotional – and more importantly… helps to involve those, who would otherwise, would not be involved.

Don’t forget… It’s all about Process, Purpose….. and, People!

Here’s a video showing how it works… (apologies, it’s in Japanese – but just by watching it… you’ll understand!)

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Lean Process + Digital Enablement = Efficiency!

Efficiency – it’s what we all want, right?

From a customer perspective – we want a quick and easy process. We don’t want to waste time…

From a business owner perspective – where ever we can reduce cost, and save time – it’s only a good thing!

Unfortunately, I feel we don’t do enough of this Lean Thinking.

What does that mean, Bal?

Well – look at a process, understand the steps – and have a look how we can reduce the time from the moment the customer orders to the moment we’re paid.

Take the restaurant industry…

When the opportunity came to introduce digital payments – for example, pay by card – they were able to ‘save time’ by not having to spend time to count the money at the end of the day – ensure the books balanced, etc…

It was easy for the customer. Not having to carry cash. Just tap the machine or put in your 4 digit pin and done.

There’s now – as I’ve shared previously (available at Weatherspoons and many other restaurants), where you can order and pay via the app, whilst sitting at the table! That’s right – taking the whole process and making it even more ‘leaner’ using ‘digital’.

So now you don’t need people to take payments. You don’t need people to take orders. You just need people to bring out the food – and soon, you could have a few robots do that!

I appreciate, there’s some restaurants where the whole experience is based on the people working there… but then there’s times, where you just want to go in… order…. eat…. pay….. and go!

All industries should be doing this. Not ordering at tables…. but looking at the process… and looking at what digital tools are available to make it more efficient! – saving money and time!

And that’s the whole point of this blog of mine… to share experiences and highlight where this could be done.

It could be in the airline industry. It could be in the motor industry. There’s so many industries that can leverage the whole ‘digital enablement’. Have you looked at the processes that surround you recently?… not sure where or how to start?

Start by writing down in steps… what happens.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

New Year – New Start. Many of us set some goals for the new year….

How ambitious are your goals?

Are they really going to challenge you?

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His Masters Voice has gone Digital…

Well, Firstly, Happy New Year! – Hope you had a fabulous break over the festive period and were able to do what you wanted to do! – I wanted to relax, spend time with family and eat lots. I did all three – so I’m happy!

Also – I’m hoping you were able to listen to my first podcast, which was titled as… My First Podcast. It’s available on all major platforms – you could open up your podcast app if you have an iOS device, search for Think Lean Get Digital – and my podcast will appear! You can do the same for Google, Spoitfy and many many more.

And on my second podcast coming next week – titled (for the moment) My Second Podcast, I’ll be talking a little more about skills and jobs. How they’re changing – but more so how you don’t have to go down the traditional route – which is usually, school – college – University – Job – work – retire.

And this leads to me how behaviors are changing. Shopping behaviors – but also, our general behaviors for example, how we listen to music.

That’s right – you may have seen or heard, HMV (His Masters Voice)…. is closing.

Why?… well, simple really. When was the last time you bought a CD? When was the last time you went on the high street to buy a DVD?

These habits are changing.

We stream our music. We have so many platforms to do it on. Even YouTube now have a music/stream app – where you can listen to music.

It effectively means – we don’t need to own music. We don’t need to have the space for it. We don’t need to own a physical copy.

Indeed – there’ll be some DJ’s, musicians, etc… experts in the field that will own, that will want the physical copy… and that is absolutely fine – as that is their ‘bread and butter’. But they’ll soon shift to the on-line streaming behaviors of the consumers. Similar to how photographers moved from 35mm film to Digital.

I’ll continue to share updates of the high street – and how digital, how technology and how thinking lean – is changing our environment. I’m sure we’ll have more and more well known names from the High Street disappear over 2019….

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Happy New Year!!

New Year. New Start… wish you a Very Happy New year – hope you have exciting plans for 2019 – and that all your dreams turn into reality.

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Bal’s ‘End of Year’ Thought…

What a year 2018 has been – as shared in my recent blog post.

And for many of you – I’m sure over today and tomorrow you will also reflect on 2018.

For some – it’s been challenging.

For some – it’s been celebratory.

Many set new goals and look at the new year to change and improve. To enable oneself to control what they can and look for the positives in life.

I hope in these few days of reflection you know that the story isn’t over… let the next chapter begin.

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My First Podcast!

That’s right folks – after talking about it (no pun intended) I have only gone and recorded myself talking and therefore created my first podcast!

It’s mainly about Robots, Workplace – how the skills we need will change for future needs and I interview Nico Orie – asking him about robots, millennials and the next Kodak.

I will get better at these – I’ll try to find some better intro music, and work on those sound levels!

Now, if you’re on apple – you can catch it via this link (or open the podcast app on your phone and search for ‘Think Lean Get Digital’) – https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/think-lean-get-digital/id1447639190?mt=2&uo=4

If you are on an Android device, you can either use Google or Spotify – links below..

https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80NzZkMjFjL3BvZGNhc3QvcnNz

And please… I appreciate feedback, so if there’s particular topics you’d like me to talk about, interview certain people… please let me know in the comments box below this blog.

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Bal's Friday Thought

Bal’s Friday Thought…

My final Friday Thought of the year…

It’s the only way we can learn. From mistakes. If you’re making them… you’re learning. And you’re working your way to success. Don’t stop.

Make plans for 2019… and I hope it’s full of success for you.

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What a year, 2018 has been!

Indeed. What a year. 2018. What a fabulous year. Achieved a lot. Travelled even more. Met some wonderful people. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

Back in February, I started with my ‘Thursday Throwbacks’… with the first one being of me outside Kodak (my first ‘proper’ job)

Yep – I continued those throughout the year – every month… every first Thursday of the month, I would share a Thursday Throwback.

I also kept up with my Friday Thoughts! – these have somewhat become a little popular, with folks talking about them and asking me about them.

My personal favourite, was this one…

Isn’t it true!

Then.. in May, I had the opportunity to speak at the Nottingham Trent University with some very important people.

Here’s me hold a nerf gun, with the inventor of the Nerf Gun, the Sheriff of Nottingham and her guards! – at the top of Nottingham Castle!

I have always appreciated the love given to me –

And then came the Summer of 2018… and wow, what a summer. The football, the hot weather… but for me, it was reading a particular book – that has changed my way of thinking and is now, one of my favourite books of all time.

Thank you to everyone who’s supported me throughout 2018.

As I shared at the start – it’s been fabulous.

What does 2019 have in store Bal?

Well…. you’ll be excited to know, my first podcast went live only recently. So I will be recording more of them…. then there’s my YouTube channel, which I’ve set up and will be sharing more on there.

I’ll off course continue with this blog… and for those asking, about my Friday Thoughts… they’ll be available to buy on Canvas Prints early 2019! – Perfect for you home, study, office…. to keep you inspired and to keep you going!

So I just wanted to say a HUGE… THANK YOU!

For the love and support. Thank you… Bal.


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Merry Christmas…

Just wanted to wish you all a very, Merry Christmas. Hope you able to switch off for a while, take some rest and spend time with loved ones… oh, and consume copious amounts of food.