Powerful Podcasts for English Fluency | Episode 16

Summary

In this episode of English Pod, hosts Marco and Erica explore the Just In Time (JIT) philosophy, a business strategy focused on efficiency and cost reduction. They discuss the concept's origins, its implementation in companies like Toyota, and its impact on reducing lead times and minimizing redundancies. Key vocabulary related to JIT is introduced, including 'lead time,' 'workstation,' 'defective,' and 'redundancies.' The dialogue illustrates a company's plan to implement JIT to avoid layoffs and improve production efficiency, while the hosts provide language takeaways for business settings.

Takeaways

• 📈 The lesson focuses on the 'just in time' (JIT) philosophy, a business strategy aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing costs by minimizing inventory and streamlining production.
• 🔍 'Lead time' is a critical concept in JIT, referring to the duration between the start and completion of a process, such as production or delivery, which the company aims to reduce for better efficiency.
• 🏭 The dialogue in the script illustrates a company's plan to implement JIT to avoid redundancies, suggesting ways to reduce lead times and improve quality control.
• ⚙️ Reducing production lead times can be achieved by reorganizing workstations, reducing queue lengths, and enhancing the coordination between processes.
• 🚚 Delivery lead times can be minimized through close cooperation with suppliers, such as encouraging them to locate nearer to the factory or partnering with faster shipping companies.
• 🔍 The script introduces the concept of 'redundancies' in a business context, which refers to layoffs or making positions or people redundant to cut costs.
• 🛠️ 'Workstations' are defined as the areas where work is performed, and the script suggests optimizing their layout to improve workflow and reduce lead times.
• 🚫 'Defective' items, those with errors or imperfections, are a target for reduction under a JIT philosophy, with the implementation of a zero defects quality program.
• 🏢 The origins of JIT are attributed to the Toyota Production System, which was inspired by methods observed in the United States, particularly at a Piggly Wiggly grocery store chain.
• 🌐 The JIT philosophy is particularly beneficial in countries with limited space, like Japan, as it promotes efficient use of resources and minimal inventory holding.

Q & A

What is the main topic discussed in the English Pod lesson?

The main topic discussed in the English Pod lesson is the Just in Time (JIT) philosophy in business, focusing on efficiency and reducing costs.

What does the term 'lead time' refer to in the context of the podcast?

In the context of the podcast, 'lead time' refers to the time between point A and point B on a production schedule, which can be either production lead time or delivery lead time.

How does reducing lead time contribute to better overall efficiency in a company?

Reducing lead time contributes to better overall efficiency by minimizing the time a product spends in production and delivery, thus reducing costs and improving the speed at which products reach the customer.

What is the significance of the phrase 'at a given machine' in the dialogue?

The phrase 'at a given machine' is used to indicate any machine within a process, emphasizing that the statement applies universally to all similar machines or situations.

What is the purpose of requiring supplier quality assurance and implementing a zero defects quality program as mentioned in the dialogue?

The purpose is to reduce the number of errors leading to defective items by ensuring that suppliers meet quality standards and by giving workers the responsibility and authority to maintain quality and stop production if issues arise.

What does the phrase 'I'm with you on this one' mean in the dialogue?

The phrase 'I'm with you on this one' is used to express agreement with a particular point or idea being discussed.

Where did the Just in Time philosophy originate and how did it become popular?

The Just in Time philosophy originated from ideas developed by Ford Motor Company in the United States but became popular with Toyota, which implemented it as part of their Toyota Production System.

How does the Just in Time philosophy relate to the concept of 'redundancies' in a business setting?

The Just in Time philosophy aims to make processes more efficient, which can sometimes lead to redundancies, as more efficient processes might eliminate the need for certain positions or workers.

What is the potential downside of implementing Just in Time strategies mentioned in the dialogue?

A potential downside of implementing Just in Time strategies is that it might lead to redundancies or layoffs, as more efficient processes could reduce the need for certain workers.

What is the connection between the Just in Time philosophy and the Six Sigma methodology mentioned in the dialogue?

Both Just in Time and Six Sigma methodologies are focused on improving efficiency and reducing waste in business processes, though they approach these goals from different angles. Six Sigma specifically focuses on quality control and process improvement.

Outlines

00:00

📚 Introduction to Just-in-Time Philosophy

The first paragraph introduces an advanced English lesson focused on the Just-in-Time (JIT) philosophy, a business strategy aimed at improving efficiency and reducing costs. The hosts, Marco and Erica, plan to discuss the basic points of JIT in a company and the relevant language used in a business setting. They provide a vocabulary preview, including 'lead time,' which refers to the time between the start and end of a production or delivery process. The dialogue in this segment revolves around a company's plan to implement JIT to avoid redundancies and improve efficiency by reducing lead times and implementing a zero defects quality program.

05:01

🔧 Language Takeaway and JIT Discussion

This paragraph delves into the language takeaway section, where the hosts explain the meaning and usage of words like 'redundancies,' 'workstations,' 'at a given machine,' and 'defective.' 'Redundancies' in a business context refers to layoffs, while 'workstations' can be any designated work area. The phrase 'at a given machine' is used to refer to any machine in a general sense. 'Defective' describes items with problems or errors. The dialogue is revisited to provide context for these terms, discussing the company's plan to implement JIT to reduce lead times and errors, and the potential for redundancies as a result of increased efficiency.

10:04

🏭 Origins and Implications of Just-in-Time

The third paragraph explores the origins of the Just-in-Time philosophy, tracing it back to the Ford Motor Company and its adaptation by Toyota, which became known as the Toyota Production System. The philosophy was inspired by the efficiency practices of a grocery store chain, Piggly Wiggly. The discussion highlights how JIT aims to make processes more efficient, reduce space usage, and improve the flow between production stages. The hosts also touch on the potential for JIT to lead to redundancies if it results in making certain positions or workers obsolete. The conversation includes a brief mention of Six Sigma, a similar efficiency-focused management strategy.

15:04

📈 Vocabulary Review and JIT Implementation

The final paragraph is a vocabulary review, reinforcing the meanings of terms introduced earlier, such as 'redundancy,' 'lead time,' 'workstation,' 'given,' 'defective,' 'inventory,' 'warehouse,' 'stock,' 'bottleneck,' 'efficiency,' 'cost-efficient,' and 'carrying cost.' The hosts provide examples of how these terms can be used in sentences to enhance understanding. The dialogue is revisited to emphasize the company's intention to implement JIT to avoid layoffs and improve overall operational efficiency.

Keywords

💡Just in Time (JIT)

Just in Time (JIT) is a production strategy that aims to improve efficiency and reduce costs by minimizing waste and inventory. It involves producing goods only as they are needed, rather than maintaining large stockpiles. In the script, the company is looking to implement JIT to respond to the credit crunch and global financial crisis, focusing on reducing lead times and requiring supplier quality assurance to avoid redundancies.

💡Lead Time

Lead time refers to the duration between the start and the end of a process, such as the time it takes to manufacture a product or deliver it to the customer. The script mentions reducing lead times as a strategy for improving efficiency, with examples like production lead time and delivery lead time. Reducing these times can lead to cost savings and better customer service.

💡Redundancies

In the context of the video, redundancies refer to layoffs or the elimination of positions within a company. The term is used when discussing the company's desire to avoid redundancies by implementing cost-efficient measures like JIT. It highlights the human impact of business strategies and the importance of efficiency in maintaining employment.

💡Workstations

Workstations are the specific areas where work is performed, such as a desk, a bench, or a position on a production line. The script discusses moving workstations closer together to reduce production lead times, which can enhance efficiency by minimizing the time and resources needed to complete tasks.

💡Quality Assurance

Quality assurance is a process that ensures products meet certain quality standards. In the script, the company wants to require supplier quality assurance and implement a zero defects quality program to eliminate errors that lead to defective items. This reflects the importance of maintaining high-quality standards in a JIT system, where any defects can disrupt the just-in-time flow.

💡Zero Defects

Zero Defects is a quality management approach that aims to eliminate defects in products and processes. The script mentions implementing a zero defects quality program, which would involve giving workers personal responsibility for the quality of their work and the authority to stop production if something goes wrong. This is a key aspect of JIT, as it minimizes waste and ensures that only perfect products are produced.

💡Efficiency

Efficiency in the script refers to the ability to produce something more quickly or with less waste. The company is seeking to improve overall efficiency by reducing lead times and implementing JIT practices. Efficiency is a central theme in the video, as it is a key driver for cost reduction and improved productivity.

💡Coordination

Coordination is the organization of activities to achieve a common goal. In the context of the script, improving coordination between successive processes is mentioned as a way to reduce production lead times. Effective coordination is essential in a JIT system to ensure that each step of the production process is synchronized and waste is minimized.

💡Suppliers

Suppliers are the companies that provide the necessary materials or services for production. The script discusses the need for close cooperation with suppliers, possibly by encouraging them to locate closer to the factory or by working with faster shipping companies. Managing supplier relationships is crucial in a JIT system to ensure a continuous flow of materials and to reduce delivery lead times.

💡Defective

Defective refers to products or items that have errors or problems, making them imperfect or non-conforming. The script mentions the need to eliminate defective items and implement quality control measures to prevent such errors. In a JIT system, defective products can disrupt the flow and lead to increased waste, so it's important to maintain strict quality standards.

Highlights

Introduction to the 'just in time' philosophy in business and its focus on efficiency and cost reduction.

Explanation of 'lead time' in production and its significance in efficiency.

The impact of reducing lead times on overall production efficiency.

Strategies to reduce production lead times, including workstation adjustments and process coordination.

The concept of 'redundancies' in business and its relation to cost efficiency.

The role of supplier quality assurance in the 'just in time' philosophy.

Implementation of a zero defects quality program to eliminate errors and defective items.

Discussion on the origins of the 'just in time' philosophy and its development by Toyota.

Historical context of the 'just in time' philosophy's roots in the United States and its adoption by Japan.

The importance of space efficiency in the 'just in time' philosophy, particularly for countries with limited space like Japan.

The potential for 'just in time' to cause redundancies due to increased efficiency.

Comparison of 'just in time' with Six Sigma, another business efficiency strategy.

Invitation for listeners to share their experiences with 'just in time' and quality control measures.

Vocabulary review focusing on terms like 'redundancies', 'workstations', 'given', and 'defective'.

Practical examples of how to use the vocabulary words in business contexts.

The significance of 'lead time' in customer satisfaction and service delivery.

The role of 'workstations' in streamlining production processes.

Understanding the term 'defective' and its implications for product quality.

Transcripts

[Music]

hello English Learners welcome back to

English pod my name is Marco and I'm

Erica and we're bringing you a very

Advanced lesson today that's right um

we're talking about another business

topic aren't we it's a topic that's kind

of popular these days all about

efficiency and reducing costs so we're

going to be talking about the just in

time philosophy um I don't know much

about this philosophy uh so good thing

we've got Marco here well what we are

going to be looking at is not really in

depth we're just going to be looking at

some basic points of what adjus in time

philosophy would be like in a company

mhm but what we're really going to be

looking at is the language to do with

this philosophy right exactly we're

going to be looking at some uh technical

terms some uh and some other useful

phrases that you can use when you

talking in a business setting okay well

why don't we get started with the

language then okay let's take a look at

vocabulary preview vocabulary preview on

vocabul preview today we have the word

lead time lead time lead time l e ad

lead lead time right like lead this is

something that factories usually would

use yep yeah I guess lead time is the

time in between point a and point B on a

production schedule right right so you

could have for example production lead

time so that's the time between when you

make an order um and when the the

product is finished exactly and you

could also have delivery lead time so

the time between when you place an order

and when uh the product gets delivered

to you so depending on the companies you

have different lead times some are 3

days other are 5 days other are 45 days

and we at English pod have a two week

lead time for our our podcast right but

our delivery lead time is every other

day that's true nice okay that's all

we're going to be previewing today so

why don't we just listen to the dialogue

and then we'll come back and explain

some of these uh tricky vocabulary words

that we'll see I called this meeting

today in order to discuss our

manufacturing plan as I'm sure you're

all aware with the credit Crunch and the

global financial crisis we are obligated

to look for more cost-efficient ways of

producing our Goods we don't want to

have to be looking at redundancies so

we've outlined a brief plan to implement

the just in time philosophy we have two

basic points that we want to focus on

first of all we want to reduce our lead

time why would we want to do that I

think this is not an ARA that really

needs to be worked on well we want to

reduce production and delivery lead

times for better overall efficiency

right production lead times can be

reduced by moving workstations closer

together reducing Q length like for

example reducing the number of jobs

waiting to be processed at a given

machine and improving the coordination

and cooperation between successive

processes delivery lead times can be

reduced through close cooperation with

suppliers possibly by inducing suppliers

to locate closer to the factory or

working with a faster shipping company I

see that makes sense the second point is

that we want to require supplier quality

assurance and Implement a zero defects

quality program we currently have far

too many errors that lead to defective

items and therefore they must be

eliminated a quality control at the

source program must be implemented to

give workers personal responsibility for

the quality of the work they do and the

authority to stop production when

something goes wrong I'm with you on

this one it's potential that we reduce

these errors we've got to force our

suppliers to reduce their mistakes

exactly well let's look at how we're

going to put this plan into action

first okay so they're going to implement

just in time in their company yes yeah I

guess they're putting in some some cost

control measures so so Marco there's

some great language in here um why don't

we look at it now in language

takeaway language

takeaway okay the first word today

redundancies

redundancies redundancies redundancies

so this is kind of a strange word

because usually a redundancy is when

you're speaking right um yeah maybe when

you you say something that's already

been said exactly you say something that

has already been said but we also use it

in the business world right and it comes

from the base word redundant right okay

um meaning extra more than what's needed

okay so when a person or position is

made redundant um basically it means

they get laid off right right so

redundancies are a synonym of of layoffs

exactly okay all right let's take a look

at our next word workstations

workstations workstations workstations

so workstation could be anything from

your desk yeah or maybe a workbench a

workbench or even a place on a

production line right so you're a

certain machine or something like that

so basically a workstation is the area

where you work okay okay so you can say

can we get a new workstation for the new

team member mhm or I could say um I want

to move my workstation closer to my

employees all right so workstation mhm

okay let's take a look at our next word

at a given machine at a given machine at

a given at a given this is an

interesting way to say at any machine

exactly um okay yeah given here is

operating exactly the same same as here

the word given is operating exactly the

same way as any as any yep okay so let's

listen to some examples of of how we can

change it up a little bit and we can use

this given word example

one in this Factory how many cars are in

production at any given

time example

two on any given day about 40 million

people use the

internet example three

firefighters have to be ready to attend

an emergency at any given

moment all right so any given time at

any given moment yep um any given day

okay now let's take a look at our last

word today defective defective defective

defective so if something is defective

it has a problem with it it has a

problem yeah we can say defective is an

adjective right and the noun is defect

defect y so if something has a defect it

is defective right so for example maybe

you produce chairs and and you you make

one and this chair is missing a wheel

okay so it's defective yes the defect is

the missing wheel the defect is the okay

so before we listen to our dialogue

again I want to take a look at this

phrase I'm with you on this one I'm with

you on this one I'm with you on this one

I'm with you on this one so what is that

what does that mean exactly I'm with you

on this one I I agree with you I agree

with you on this point exactly okay so

if you agree with somebody on on a

certain point you would say oh I'm with

you on this one I agree with you exactly

okay so now let's listen to our dialogue

again and uh we'll come back and talk a

little bit more about the history of

this just in time called this meeting

today in order to discuss our

manufacturing plan as I'm sure you're

all aware with the credit Crunch and the

global financial crisis we obligated to

look for more more cost-efficient ways

of producing our Goods we don't want to

have to be looking at redundancies so

we've outlined a brief plan to implement

the just in time philosophy we have two

basic points that we want to focus on

first of all we want to reduce our lead

time why would we want to do that I

think this is not an ARA that really

needs to be worked on well we want to

reduce production and delivery lead

times for better overall efficiency

right production lead times can be

reduced by moving workstations closer

together reducing Q length like for

example reducing the number of jobs

waiting to be processed at a given

machine and improving the coordination

and cooperation between successive

processes delivery lead times can be

reduced through close cooperation with

suppliers possibly by inducing suppliers

to locate closer to the factory or

working with a faster shipping company I

see that makes sense the second point is

that we want to require supplier quality

assurance and Implement a zero defects

quality program we currently have far

too many errors that lead to defective

items and therefore they must be

eliminated a quality control at the

source program must be implemented to

give workers personal responsibility for

the quality of the work they do and the

authority to stop production when

something goes wrong I'm with you on

this one it's essential that we reduce

these errors we've got to force our

suppliers to reduce their mistakes

exactly well let's look at how we're

going to put this plan into action

first so Marco I mentioned at the

beginning of the lesson that I don't

know much about Justin time um but

luckily you do right yeah I know a

little bit about it so so tell me a

little bit about where this philosophy

came from what are the origins of this

idea it actually became really popular

with Toyota and it was called the Toyota

production system so many people think

it's Japanese but in reality the

Japanese got it from the United States

it's a philosophy that was thought up by

Ford mortar company Y in order to

improve their production line but when

the Japanese visited Ford Motor Company

it wasn't fully implemented yet and

oddly enough they found this philosophy

working already in a Piggly Wiggly

what's a Piggly Wiggly Piggly Wiggly was

a chain of uh of grocery stores in the

United States okay uh I'm not sure if

they're still around but um but yeah

they were really and basically Piggly

Wiggly was using this to improve their

whole system of shipping and of stocking

and everything okay so how does it work

so basically what you try to do is make

your processes more efficient reduce the

amount of space you're using Etc and

this was really important for Japanese

because of course they don't have that

much space in Japan to have this huge

warehouses like in other countries so

what you're saying is they're producing

Goods um just for the time they need it

right right exactly so trying to not be

overstocked or or have like a long lead

time or something long lead times where

you have to keep something in a

warehouse exactly so that's why it's so

efficient and also it's about improving

the efficiency between processes so uh

what's sometimes called a bottleneck you

can have really good processes in the

beginning but in the end maybe you have

only one workstation that's taking all

these orders and everything gets bottled

up and and it causes delays so in the

dialogue they want implement the Just in

Time Strategy um as a way of avoiding

redundancies but it sounds to me like

actually this might cause redundancies

sometimes well yeah sometimes it does

sometimes um sometimes when you make

workstations more efficient or when you

make all your processes work more

fluidly sometimes inevitably you will

have to lay off some people that are

that are redundant okay have you ever

worked in a company where they've

implemented uh just in time no actually

I've never really worked at a place

where this philosophy was working but uh

I did used to work at a place where we

had Six Sigma which is uh kind of which

is a little bit similar yeah well I

guess we'll need a lesson on Six Sigma

in the future yeah we'll see if we come

up with a Six Sigma and what it means

and it's kind of interesting but uh we

want to hear what you think yes have you

guys worked in a place where um they

were they use just in time exactly or if

you have any quality control measures or

how do your company avoid having

defective items or defective services so

visit our website uh englishpod do.com

and Marco and I are always around to

respond to your comments and answer your

questions exactly so until then it's

goodbye

[Music]

bye the English pod audio

review listen to the meaning then say

the vocabulary

word make a person do something because

it is the right thing to

do

obligate cheap not

expensive cost

efficient layoff the ending of workers's

employment

redundancy put a plan into

action implement

the time between the beginning of a

process and its

end lead

time the ability to produce something

more

quickly

efficiency an area where a person works

and does his

job

workstation used to refer to a specific

time place or

thing give

given having a mistake or error that

makes something not

perfect

defective a mistake or error that makes

something not

perfect

defect supply of goods stored in a

place

inventory the cost of holding

inventory carrying cost

large building where products or goods

are

stored

Warehouse the supply of goods for sale

or

available

stock something that slows a process

down

bottleneck let's try that

faster having a mistake or error that

makes something not perfect

defective large building where products

or goods are

stored

Warehouse the supply of goods for sale

or

available

stock something that slows a process

down

bottleneck the ability to produce

something more

quickly

efficiency cheap not expensive

cost

efficient supply of goods stored in a

place

inventory put a plan into

action

Implement a mistake or error that makes

something not

perfect

defect an area where a person works and

does his

job

workstation make a person do something

because it is the right thing to do

obligate the time between the beginning

of a process and its

end lead time the cost of holding

inventory carrying

cost layoff the ending of workers's

employment

redundancy use to refer to a specific

time place or thing given

now say the word and hear it in a

sentence

redundancy our company is restructuring

and it looks like we will have

redundancies

redundancy I am sorry to inform you that

you have become

redundant redundancy

we have to prepare a plan to handle

potential

redundancies lead

time we offer a very low lead time at

our Factory you can get our products in

less than 3

days lead time

the standard lead time for manufacturing

tires is about one

week lead

time customers are complaining about our

delivery lead time we should try and get

the products to them

faster

workstation we need to increase the

number of workstations available for our

employees

workstation we have a total of 20

workstations but two of them are not

functional work

station Jim you should clean up your

workstation you have papers and garbage

everywhere give

given in this Factory how many cars are

in production at any given

time

given on any given day about 40 million

people use the

internet

given firefighters have to be ready to

attend an emergency at any given

moment

defective can I return this defective TV

it doesn't

work

defective we try to reduce the number of

defective products by having strict

quality

control defective

it seems that a defective light bulb was

the cause of the fire

[Music]