Summer at Lean Sensei is all about customized Executive programs

Even without the buzz of our regular Greenbelt/Blackbelt programs going on, Lean Sensei is having a busy summer with in-house and customized programs. Earlier this week we welcomed Walton International for an Executive Lean Strategy program. Customized Executive programs also provide credit towards Executive Lean Certification.

The combination of our experience and our unique approach delivers a faster return on investment, while maintaining long-term sustainability within your organization.
Our individualized coaching services include:

• Lean Diagnostic Assessments
• Lean Strategy and deployment
• Lean Continuous Improvement Projects

 

The Lean Academy’s Executive Certification program has been specially designed for Senior Executives and Leaders regardless of what level of lean journey they have embarked on. There is a strong correlation between organizations whose leaders have undergone lean training and their ability to succeed in implementing transformational change through Lean.  As such, the Executive Certification program focuses on developing the skills required to strategize, lead, direct and manage Lean activities.

The Executive Lean Certification program is designed for those who have greater responsibility for deploying Lean and managing Lean initiatives. The key focus is on corporate-wide topics such as strategy, people development, organizational problem solving, and leadership.

For more information on how to customize our programs for your organization, please visit our website here.

Catch of the Summer

As he gutted his fresh catch and sliced into the fish, he heard the familiar question from Majid, his fishing buddy, resonate once more.  “Is it red or white?”  This time – for the first time - he was staring at 35 pounds of white flesh. 

“You’ll get a very good price for that salmon at a local restaurant”, remarked the fishing guide.  Selling his catch hadn’t even entered David’s mind.

And so along with our whale watching excursion, the LSI retreat of 2014 will be remembered as the summer that David reeled in a 35 pound rare white King (Chinook) salmon. 

Appropriately,  known as “Ivory Whites”, these salmon differ from the red King Salmon.  Among the species of salmon caught in our Pacific Northwest waters, only the King salmon has the white variety.  This small percentage explains their $12 to $20 per pound price tag.  Known for their red or pink flesh, salmon get this colouring from the carotene found in the shrimp and krill that they eat.  Ivory Kings have an extra enzyme that processes the carotene instead of storing it.  This unique pale salmon was typically headed for the canning heap, but in recent times this fish (when chefs can get it) is now found on the menus of prestigious restaurants from Seattle to New York.  With its milder tasting, melt-in-your-mouth, silky, buttery  texture, it has been described as a cross between Chilean Sea Bass and Sea Perch. 

According  to a New York Times article, Alaskan Feast, a purveyor in NY City, was one of the first companies to offer the fish.   ''When we brought it in three years ago,'' said Dan Kim, a salesman, ''it was really hard to convince people to try it. Then they tasted it.' Now, it is difficult to bring in enough.”

Culinary advice on how to cook this rare delicacy abound.  Some chefs roast it slowly in an oven while others like to poach it gently.  For the LSI staff and their families, a simple smattering of seasonings and onto the grill or into a steamer was the simplest and most delicious way to go. 

Thank you David!  We dined like “Kings” this past weekend.   

Fall Greenbelt Programs 2014

We hope everyone is having a wonderful and enjoyable summer. Here are just a few of our favorite shots from our recent Spring and Summer Greenbelt Programs:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Fall programs are quickly approaching. Please contact us at info@leansensei.com, check out our website here or give us a call at 1-604-264-1000 for more information.

 

Greenbelt Operations (Vancouver – Fall 2014)
Module 1: September 7th – September 11th
Module 2: October 6th – October 10th
Module 3: November 3rd – November 7th

Greenbelt Service (Vancouver – Fall 2014)
Module 1: September 22nd – September 26th
Module 2: October 20th – October 24th
Module 3: November 17th – November 21st

Greenbelt Operations (Toronto – Fall 2014)
Module 1: September 29th – October 3rd
Module 2: October 27th – October 31st
Module 3: December 1st – December 5th

Greenbelt Operations (Edmonton – Fall 2014)
Module 1: October 6th – October 10th
Module 2: November 3rd – November 7th
Module 3: December 1st – December 5th

Toyota Retires the Andon Cord!

Toyota has recently announced that they have retired the andon cord, a tool essential to Toyota's concept of built-in quality.

The abolishment of the andon cord is a major shock because it has been coveted in North America as the ultimate symbol of true lean. A symbol of lean's capacity to empower employees to shamelessly ask for help, to prevent mistakes from being incorporated into the final product, to ensure the final product is immaculately pristine when it reaches the hands of the customer.

Yes. Toyota has abandoned the andon cord. Well, actually Toyota has kaizened the andon cord, opting for a wireless button. Ever true to lean, Toyota has upgraded to the wireless andon button to increase workplace safety and convenience.

Click here to read the full article.

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