The Daily Drumbeat: How Consistent Communication Drives Manufacturing Discipline
In manufacturing, most problems don’t start big — they start small.
A missed handoff.
An unspoken concern.
A quality issue that doesn’t get surfaced early enough.
Over time, those small gaps compound into safety risks, quality escapes, late deliveries, and frustration for both employees and customers. That’s why at Ripley Machine, we believe disciplined, daily communication is just as important as any piece of equipment on the shop floor.
Where the Idea Came From
In February 2025, members of our leadership team visited Viking Plastics and had the opportunity to observe their Daily Drumbeat meeting firsthand. Their approach to structured daily communication — influenced by Lean thinking and principles from 2 Second Lean — immediately resonated with us.
Rather than copying it directly, we adapted the concept to fit Ripley Machine’s culture, size, and operational needs. The goal wasn’t to add another meeting — it was to create a simple, repeatable way to keep our entire team aligned, informed, and continuously improving.
Why We Implemented a Daily Drumbeat
As Ripley Machine has grown, we’ve learned that consistency doesn’t come from working harder — it comes from working more deliberately.
The Daily Drumbeat exists to:
Keep safety, quality, and delivery visible every day
Surface issues early, before they become problems
Reinforce discipline in our systems and processes
Build shared understanding across the entire organization
Encourage continuous improvement at every level
It’s not about control. It’s about clarity.
How Our Daily Drumbeat Works
Our Daily Drumbeat typically lasts 15–20 minutes. On days with heavier discussion or important conversations — which we view as a positive sign of engagement — it may run longer, but we make a conscious effort to keep it focused and usually wrap up within 20–30 minutes.
Every agenda item serves a purpose.
People and Awareness
We begin by acknowledging guests, visitors, or new team members who may be in the shop that day. We also recognize birthdays and anniversaries. Starting with people reinforces that our success is built on relationships, not just processes.
Safety First
Safety is always discussed early. We review findings from our weekly safety walkthroughs, discuss any near misses, and invite the team to raise concerns. Everyone has a voice, and addressing safety openly helps prevent small issues from becoming serious ones.
Quality and QMS
Quality is reviewed daily. We go through nonconformance reports (NCRs) from previous days, discuss pressing quality matters, and ask for input from the team.
This is also where we reinforce our Quality Management System:
Reviewing our quality policy and objectives
Discussing KPIs
Conducting QMS training
Sharing progress toward AS9100 while reinforcing ISO and AS9100 standards
Quality isn’t something we check after the fact — it’s something we talk about every day.
Business Visibility: Daily Sales Update
Transparency matters. During the Daily Drumbeat, we share:
Dollar value of product shipped month-to-date
Our shipping pace for the month
Current backlog for this month and the next two months
Running total of orders booked for the month
New orders received the previous day
This gives everyone a clear picture of where we stand and how their work connects to the business as a whole.
Production Reality
We openly review:
Late orders
Hot or rush orders
Machines or jobs behind schedule
There’s no finger-pointing — just honest discussion and alignment on priorities. Addressing reality early allows us to respond instead of react.
Continuous Improvement
Improvement is a daily expectation, not a special project.
We review improvements from the previous day, working toward a goal of 100 improvements per month. Improvements can be small — like an ERP update — or large, such as investing in new process controls or equipment.
We also highlight improvements that could be applied elsewhere in the shop, reinforcing shared learning.
You Learn Something New Every Day
This portion of the meeting changes week to week and helps build culture and curiosity.
Once a week, we learn something new about our teammates — often centered on gratitude. Each week of the month also has a rotating focus:
Safety
Cybersecurity
Lean thinking
QMS, quality, and company updates
We also review emerging technologies and trends that world-class manufacturing organizations are adopting, keeping our team engaged with the broader industry.
6S and the 8 Wastes
Lean thinking is reinforced daily. Every team member can name the 6S’s and the 8 wastes — and we go around the circle to do just that.
We also invite ideas related to organization and waste reduction. Our 6S Sort table gives team members a place to set aside items that don’t belong in their area so we can find the right home for them.
Management Minute
We close with updates from management, including:
Important announcements
Schedule or planning updates
Observations or initiatives
Weekly trivia that gives team members a chance to earn an extra bonus
This ensures alignment and keeps communication two-way.
What the Daily Drumbeat Has Changed
The Daily Drumbeat has become the heartbeat of Ripley Machine.
It has improved communication, increased accountability, strengthened our culture, and helped ensure that safety, quality, and delivery remain front and center. Most importantly, it reinforces a mindset where problems are surfaced early and improvements happen continuously.
Discipline Builds Predictable Results
The Daily Drumbeat isn’t about meetings — it’s about discipline.
Showing up every day, communicating clearly, and improving a little at a time is how we build predictable results for our customers and a strong, engaged culture for our team. It’s a simple practice, but one that makes a meaningful difference.
We welcome customers, partners, and visitors to observe our Daily Drumbeat. There’s nothing staged or scripted — it’s simply how we operate every day.
If you want to understand how a machining partner communicates, prioritizes work, and addresses issues in real time, there’s no better place to see it than our shop floor.
