Making Lean "Stick"
Why just applying Lean tools is not enough to sustain improvement

Many attempts at lean transformation are not successful because tools and techniques (such as 5S, Kanban, Quick changeover, etc) are implemented without truly addressing the skills, support systems and leadership needed to bring about sustainable change .

To make change stick, a stable change platform is required that simultaneously addresses the operating system, management infrastructure, and mindsets, capabilities, and behaviors of all people within the organization.

The learning will take place through a combination of short plenary sessions, group discussions and exercises linked together by a ‘lean simulation’. The simulation contains a number of stages on the journey from traditional ‘push’ system to ‘pull’ system. The participants will get the opportunity to apply a number of lean tools and understand what needs to happen to make the new practices and behaviors ‘stick’.

This half day workshop is designed to help participants:

• Understand the three essential building blocks of Lean transformation
• Operating system
• Management infrastructure
• Mindsets, capabilities and behaviors
• Experience moving from a traditional ‘push’ system to a lean ‘pull’ system through a fun, interactive, hands-on ‘lean’ simulation
• Discover why it is essential to address all three building blocks if transformation is to be sustainable

Mike Chamberlain is a Vice President for Simpler Consulting Inc. Simpler is an organization that assists companies with Lean Enterprise Transformations.

Mike began working at Simpler in 2001. In those years he has worked with a variety of organizations including discrete and continuous manufacturing, healthcare, military, government, construction, energy and banking.

Mike’s lean journey began under the coaching of the Shingijutsu Group, original architects of the Toyota Production System, while at HON Industries. HON was one of the first companies in the U.S. to embark on a true enterprise transformation. While at HON, Mike had a variety of positions in several facilities, each of which achieved significant improvements in quality, cost and delivery. Mike left HON in 1997 to work with Hickory Chair Company. Hickory Chair began one of the first Enterprise Transformations for the residential furniture industry and continues the success first achieved in the late 90s.

Mike’s leadership positions have included Factory Manager, Plant Manager, Director of Engineering, Project Manager and Director of Continuous Improvement. The various positions, combined with his experience in many industries, have given him the experience to deliver results in all areas and all levels.