Tim Gebauer shares his thoughts on applying Value Stream Mapping (VSM) to a thrift store. He feels that one of the first things to do to improve a store is visualizing and understanding how things are really being done now. A VSM can identify the flow of raw donations through the facility. Once they arrive, […]
Tim Gebauer writes a weekly blog about his experiences working in a thrift store. He shares tips and reasons why turning donated goods into sellable items helps bring back recurring customers, and why processes and systems are key to long-term success. He doesn’t talk specifically about Lean, but mentions backlog, wasted steps and motion (touching […]
Written by Brion
Habitat for Humanity ReStore encountered a challenge with keeping track of donated items and purchased items they sell in their store. This is required in order to keep track of sales for tax purposes. After some struggle, one manager came up with a simple solution. By changing the last number on the price, they could […]
Written by Brion
This is an interview with Chris Pletcher, Deputy Director at Finger Lakes Reuse, about how he uses metrics and data to improve sales and manage expenses. He walks through his decision making process to address sales issues based on leading indicators such as staffing levels, price discounts and shelf availability. He also talks about how […]
Written by Brion
Toyota partnered with Goodwill Industries of Connecticut to get the 200+ donations to the sales floor faster to improve sales. Toyota involved staff in improving their work which in turn helps Goodwill fund services that help people achieve independence and self-sufficiency through job training and other services. Reduced safety and ergonomic issues for workers Reduced […]
Written by Brion
by Brion Hurley An interview with Lynn McCullough and Joe Wojniak about their improvement work at TRU Hospice Thrift Shop in Boulder, Colorado. TRU Thrift Shop sells donated household items and clothes to raise money to provide hospice care services for those in need. Despite some initial resistance to the process changes, they were able […]
Written by Brion
Volunteers from nearby Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) helped build bicycles that were being donated to foster children in need. They setup an assembly line and simple conveyor system to make it easier and more streamlined. Check out the video below to learn more…
Written by Brion
As government funding shrinks and many corporate donors also cut back on charitable giving, it’s a challenging time for the nonprofit world – and more organizations are turning to direct-mail solicitations. That makes things particularly tough for the rescue mission, which has traditionally brought in a strong share of direct-mail donations in the Charlotte area. […]
Written by Brion