TRIZ - Periodic Action
The principle of Periodic Action is exactly as it sounds. This lens involves taking action in increments to improve efficiency. The principle is usually applied as follows: 1. Instead of continuous action, use periodic or pulsating actions a. i.e. Hitting a nail with a hammer 2. If an action is already periodic, change the periodic magnitude or frequency a. i.e. Replace a continuous siren sound with an alarm that changes in amplitude and frequency 3. Use pauses between impulses to perform a different action a. i.e. In cardio-pulmonary respiration (CPR), breathe after every five chest compressions In other words, you look at your problem, business, or product through this lens to determine whether a change in the action or a segmentation of the action will improve the product.
TRIZ - Continuity of Useful Action
Continuity of Useful Action essentially means working at full capacity and eliminating idle time. This lens is usually applied in one of two ways: 1. Carry on work continuously; make all parts of an object work at full load, all the time. a. i.e. A flywheel or hydraulic system stores energy when a vehicle stops so that the motor can continue running at optimum power 2. Eliminate all idle or intermittent actions or work. a. i.e. Print during the printer carriage's return Busy Bees In some ways, Continuity of Useful Action is similar to multitasking. For instance, if you listen to an audio book while driving, you are using that time efficiently and eliminating idle time.
TRIZ - Skipping
In Vince Poscente's book, "The Age of Speed, " he has a chapter called "Smelling the Roses" that starts as follows; Using speed to live a more meaningful life is counterintuitive for most people, because speeding up means compromising the journey, missing out on smelling the roses, right? Well not necessarily. Although this is true in some scenarios, not every experience holds deep intrinsic value. Not every experience presents us with an opportunity to develop ourselves, to make deeper connections, to find meaning. And when I suggest you embrace speed, I'm not recommending faster strolls on the beach or accelerated games of catch with your child.
The Life Blood of Any Catering and Hospitality Operation Is Its Staffing and People
The life blood of any successful business and operation is its people. Simple as that. It is no different with a catering operation and the hospitality industry. Your employees and their interaction with customers are your reputation. It's an old age that one customer who is unhappy will undo the good will that scores of happy and satisfied customers have developed. With all the restaurant equipment and investments of time and money that you have put in your catering business it all comes down in the end to the person at the front lines - operating the projector so to speak, which you are paying minimum wage to.
TRIZ - Blessing in Disguise
Blessing in Disguise is typically applied as follows: 1. Use harmful factors (particularly, harmful effects of the environment or surroundings) to achieve a positive effect. a. i.e. Use waste heat to generate electric power 2. Eliminate the primary harmful action by adding it to another harmful action to resolve the problem. a. i.e. Add a buffering material to a corrosive solution 3. Amplify a harmful factor to such a degree that it is no longer harmful. a. i.e. Use a backfire to eliminate the fuel from a forest fire Blessing in Disguise is essentially the idea of turning lemons into lemonade.
TRIZ - Feedback
The Feedback lens is technically applied as follows: 1. Introduce feedback (referring back, cross-checking) to improve a process or action. a. i.e. Automatic volume control in audio circuits 2. If feedback is already used, change its magnitude or influence. a. i.e. Change the sensitivity of an autopilot when the craft is within five miles of an airport Anti-skid brakes, heart-rate monitors, quality control systems, and prototypes are all relatively straightforward examples of feedback. These systems relate the necessary data straight to the user (or the machine) so that necessary adjustments can be made instantly.
TRIZ - Intermediary
An Intermediary is a temporary or nonessential, component of a product or system which can be easily removed. The intermediary lens can be applied in one of two ways: 1. Use an intermediary carrier article or intermediary process. a. i.e. Carpenter's nail set, used between the hammer and the nail 2. Merge on object temporarily with another (which can be easily removed) a. i.e. Use a pot holder to carry hot dishes to the table A consultant is an intermediary in a business environment. The consultant comes in to the company to evaluate a certain aspect of the business or solve a problem and then leaves.
TRIZ - Self Service
The lens of Self-Service is exactly as it sounds. This principle is usually applied as follows: 1. Make an object serve itself by performing helpful auxiliary functions a. i.e. A soda fountain pump that runs on the pressure of the carbon dioxide that is used to "fizz" the drinks. This assures that drinks will not be flat and eliminates the need for sensors 2. Use waste resources, energy, or substances a. i.e. Use food and lawn waste to create compost In other words, Self-Service implies that either the customer or the product serves itself. For instance, the Google algorithm used to generate search results applies the Self-Service lens.
TRIZ - Copying
The lens of Copying instructs users to use simple, inexpensive copies of their product or service. This lens is usually applied in one of three ways: 1. Instead of an unavailable, expensive, or fragile object, use simpler and inexpensive copies. a. i.e. Listen to an audio tape instead of attending a seminar 2. Replace an object or process with optical copies a. i.e. Measure an object by measuring the photograph 3. If visible optical copies are already used, move to infrared or ultraviolet copies. a. i.e. Make images in infrared to detect heat sources, such as diseases in crops, or intruders in a security system.
TRIZ - Cheap Disposables
Paper plates, disposable razors and cameras, and lighters are all inexpensive products that can be thrown away after one use. Obviously, there's no need to bring expensive china to a camping trip or picnic - and a disposable camera is usually preferred for a trip to the water park over an expensive digital version. Disposable diapers, plastic cups, and many medical supplies operate on the same principle. These objects are simple, inexpensive copies of the real thing serve their purpose, and can be thrown away afterward. This lens is technically defined as, "Replacing an inexpensive object with a multiple of inexpensive objects, compromising certain qualities such as service life, for instance.