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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Following Your Organization's Resolutions

Can you believe the first month of the year is coming to an end?
January marked a time of hansei from last year as a mechanism to strategize for this year, that is putting past performance, current and potential future state side by side. In doing so, you can assess the gap between where you are now and where you want to be.


A significant player in overall strategy is supply chain management. Supply chain processes are tightly integrated with numerous sub-processes. Reducing the total supply chain cost calls for a holistic approach integrating procurement, distribution, inventory management and heijunka into your strategy. Lean Procurement, Lean Distribution, Kanban and Heijunka in addition to Lean Supply Chain are examined in our Lean Supply Chain Kaizen.

Your first opportunity is March 4-8, 2013.
This course will run again on October 28-November 1, 2013.

Register online today: http://lsifuture.com/calendar/register/

For more information call 604-264-1000 or email info@leansensei.com






Wednesday, January 30, 2013

A Number's Game



Your manager is Lean, your shopfloor is Lean, you've gone Lean but it still seems like you're not getting much traction implementing Lean. For many organizations it is because the transactional side of the business hasn't gone Lean yet.

Lean Sensei coaches have heard this cry numerous times. We are happy to say that we have developed a Lean course specifically for accountants and finance. Appropriately entitled, Lean Finance.

Lean Finance is a 2 day event on March 14-15, 2013.
We are accepting registration now: http://leansensei.com/calendar/register

For a copy of the brochure email us: info@leansensei.com




Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Not Your Average Cup of Joe: Process-time Reduction and Pull Systems

A signature simulation in the first module of Greenbelt for Service is the coffee simulation. This simulation demonstrates the importance of drawing feedback from the customer to help detail processes and to create an efficient pull system.

The coffee simulation also highlights how a single step in the process that may seem insignificant can actually account for a substantial portion of process-time.

One of the teams also showcased the value of honest and transparent business practices.










Upcoming Greenbelt programs:
Calgary - February 25
Vancouver - April 8
Toronto - April 15
Winnipeg - April 23

Call us at 604-264-1000 or email info@leansensei.com for more information.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Weekly Hansei: Encouragement




It may seem trivial, but even a simple "thank you" can go a long way.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Winnipeg is Green

From West to East the nation is going Lean. This week is the first week of the first Greenbelt program in Winnipeg this year.

Below each team is proudly showcasing their inventions- an apparatus constructed entirely of a limited number of plastic straws and an arm's length of tape. The apparatus must protect a raw egg on impact. I'm happy to say we didn't have much cleaning up to do. Great job teams!

Next, the class will be challeged with a 5S kaizen and we will accept no less than a 20% improvement. Do you think you can you handle it.




Winnipeg is a little too far for you? That's alright, chances are we have a Greenbelt class near you.
Upcoming Greenbelt Programs:

Vancouver (Service) - January 28, 2013
Calgary (Hybrid) - February 25, 2013
Vancouver (Operations) - April 8, 2013
Toronto (Hybrid) - April 15, 2013
Winnipeg (Hybrid) - April 23, 2013

Register online today.

Monday, January 21, 2013

K-A-I-Z-E-N

Last week the Vancouver Winter Operations Greenbelt class had their first kaizen blitz. The main Lean methodology being applied was 5S.

The teams on average gained 30-40% floor space for the local enclosure manufacturer that hosted the kaizen. The Greenbelts also created new standards in work processes in the respective areas which will contribute to 30-50% gain in efficiency and productivity.

This shopfloor is a much safer work environment for the employees of the hosting company as well as for those walking through the areas.







Do want to host a Lean Sensei kaizen and have a team of Lean Practitioners transform your office?
Watch the video below to find out how!






Friday, January 18, 2013

Weekly Hansei: Do You Have Attitude?

With new year's resolutions in full swing, change can sometimes feel like a daunting task, let alone transformation. Remember that success is the sum of incremental changes. And as long as you have the right attitude nothing is impossible.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Who Says North America is Not Lean

It didn't used to be commonplace to find Lean in North America. Happily, this is no longer the case. Over the years a community of Lean has been growing in North America.

This video highlights the cities in North America that are leading the way to a wasteless, customer value focused business strategy. The Lean organizations in these cities are toured yearly by Lean Sensei. You can register for any of our upcoming tours on our website:

Florida Lean Tour - February 20-22, 2013
San Francisco Lean Tour - July 22-23, 2013
Vancouver Lean Tour - November 26-27, 2013

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Draw on All the Strengths in Your Team

This week the operation Greenbelts were endowed with they task of creating a TV commercial.

They were given limited props and a strict time limit. Under those limitations, the participants needed to pull from each other's strengths.

As today was only day 2 the participants still need to get to know each other. This exercise facilitated just that. Natural leaders emerged, the idea people kick started brainstorming and the speakers did the presenting.

Though all the groups had the same props and time limits, each group came up with completely different commercials to sell their fictional product- a live demonstration of the fruits of creative thinking.


Bob, Senior Coach debriefing the teams


A duck, a rainbow, the sun and a logo. Doesn't everyone want to be the winning ducky!


Reflection on the team dynamics.

What strengths do you bring to your team?


Monday, January 14, 2013

First Greenbelt class of the year!

Today is day 1 of Greenbelt Operations in Vancouver. This class is a balance of high performing individuals from healthcare, mechanics, fabrication and executives.

The first two days of the week will be intensive study on the history, philosophy and basic methodologies of Lean. The majority of the week will be hands on application. Stay tuned for the 5S kaizen.


Friday, January 11, 2013

Weekly Hansei: Leverage the Momentum of Success

Celebrate your successes and use it to encourage yourself during particularly tough issues to solve and to encourage others. Sometimes results are not apparent right away, let your past successes help you keep your eye on the prize.

Eventually others around you will want to know more about Lean and how they can "go Lean" too.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

It's not too late to get Green, belt that is


Start your most productive year yet with Lean Greenbelt certification in your skillset. It's not too late to join our Vancouver Winter Operations and Service programs.

Greenbelt Certification for Operations
Module 1 starts January 14, 2013

Greenbelt Certification for Service
Module 1 starts January 28, 2013

Register online to grab the last remaining seats at Lean Sensei's Lean Greenbelt program.

Each Greenbelt module focuses on a themed Kaizen blitz. This is an opportunity for participants to apply their Lean knowledge to solve real issues at real companies.


These are not easy feats, each kaizen must yield no less than 20% improvment.
Module 1 kaizen - 5S
Module 2 kaizen - Cycletime Reduction
Module 3 kaizen - Office Kaizen (Operations), Value Innovation (Service)

Monday, January 7, 2013

2012 Year in Review


2012 was a very busy year for us! 
At the start of of a brand new year, let's reflect on our past year's progress and get excited for another year of Lean!

Here is a quick look back at a few of the highlights of 2012:




Click play to view Lean Supply Chain simulation







Click play to view Lean Sensei's promo video



Wednesday, January 2, 2013

5 Steps for Benchmarking


Following up to the post on the Importance of Benchmarking, here are 5 steps for benchmarking.


It is important to realize that benchmarking is not limited to overall performance. Benchmarking involves understanding the processes behind an organization's performance and why they work.

Lean Sensei's Florida Benchmarking Tour will take you behind the scenes of world renowned Lean organizations such as Dr. Sami Bahri Dental Clinic, Medtronic and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

This event has limited spots. Email or click here for more information.

Credit: Lean for Dummies