15Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

PDCA Thinking

Beginner~, Foundational~, Igniting Innovation~, Solving Problems~
The purpose of this hands-on workshop is to develop problem solving skills using a pattern of learning through alignment and experimentation.  Additionally, participants will build skills to demonstrate these best practices throughout their organizations.   This interactive workshop complements classroom learning with hands-on application exercises.  The exercises teach attendees how to incorporate PDCA concepts into daily practice to solve problems, attain business strategies, and achieve operational excellence in their organization. Key Concepts:  Understand Plan-Do-Check-Adjust Thinking.  Define each component and understand how to apply PDCA as a foundational element of learning and discovery. Effectively connect Strategy Deployment to real business improvement through alignment of focused daily/rapid PDCA experiments and learning cycles. Recognize how Plan-Do-Check-Adjust thinking impacts every level of the organization. Human development, leadership, strategy, organization design, system and process flow, project execution…
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15Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

Managing Change & Transition

Developing People~, Intermediate~, Leadership~
Change management is most effective when you’re able to integrate change and transition principles into existing change processes.  This ultimately helps employees adjust to change through knowledge of the big picture, the purpose of the plan, their part in the change, and the process that will be used to implement the change.  People struggle with change because little attention and space is given to the emotional and psychological impacts of change – the transition. This session demonstrates how to manage change and transition effectively by merging the work of change and transition expert William Bridges, Ph.D. with the Lean mindset, methods, and management systems. How you will benefit:   Learn the three phases of transition. Explore effective strategies for communicating change and facilitating transitions. Identify action steps to integrate transition…
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15Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

Leader Standard Work

Application~, Intermediate~, Leadership~
The true purpose of leadership is to empower and develop your employees so they can achieve awesome things.  To accomplish this, you need a standard way of working that will allow you to maximize your efficiency and impact while fulfilling your most important duty to your people. As the whirlwind takes over our day, we quickly lose control of our priorities.  Once we fall into firefighting mode, our ability to improve and sustain processes and activities becomes secondary.  This is where Leader Standard Work (LSW) comes into play.  LSW is the foundation for creating new leadership habits that will allow you to spend more time listening to your team, developing your team’s problem-solving abilities, and sustaining improvements. During this interactive session, you will: Gain an understanding of the value of…
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15Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

Lean 101

Application~, Beginner~, Foundational~
Join us on a journey to discover the basic elements of lean principles and see the impact they make when you put them into practice. Lean 101 is a beginning-level course that teaches participants the basic concepts of Lean Thinking in a highly interactive virtual environment. It is suitable for participants who work in office or manufacturing environments and includes many real-world examples from a wide variety of work environments. We will utilize a learn-do process where participants apply the concepts to a chosen "fix what bugs you project" each week between classes to help them practice the concepts in their own environment. We will cover: What is lean, where did it come from, and why does it matter? The behaviors and systems required to create a lean culture Standard Work…
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15Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

Improvement & Coaching Kata (IK 201)

Developing People~, Igniting Innovation~, Intermediate~, Solving Problems~
This four-hour class uses a puzzle building simulation to teach the 4-step pattern of the Improvement Kata.  Attendees will practice Grasping the Current Condition, Establishing a Target Condition, and using PDCA to experiment towards the established Target Condition.  Additionally, attendees will practice two Coaching rounds using information gathered in Current Condition, Target Condition, and experimentation. Key Concepts: Learn how the Improvement Kata differs from other Lean approaches Understand the 4-Step Improvement Kata pattern and practice within three of the four steps Practice two Coaching routines: One during Grasping the Current Condition and the second after a Target Condition has been established Understand the role of Learner and Coach and the responsibilities of each Audience: Those who are new to the Kata approach who want to learn the improvement pattern or…
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15Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

Intro to the Improvement Kata 101 (IK 101)

Application~, Beginner~, Solving Problems~
This class is an experiential introduction to the improvement cycle and coaching cycle of the Toyota Kata, a structured approach to continuous improvement that helps people develop a scientific mindset.  Designed for beginners, but some knowledge of lean is helpful. How fast can you lay out 24 cards in a precise sequence? You’ll discover that and more in this starter Kata class. You will be introduced to a structured improvement cycle that will let you discover how to reach a significant challenge in a series of incremental experiments. Led with a coaching pattern, you will learn how to take a step, make a prediction, observe the outcome and learn from it in a way that can inform your next step. You will leave familiar with these two patterns of working…
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15Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

Coaching for Engagement

Application~, Developing People~, Intermediate~, Leadership~
The true role of a leader is a coach. This includes coaching to develop, coaching to improve, and coaching to engage. Engagement comes when people feel supported and trusted to make decisions and to accept failures as learning opportunities. This class focuses on teaching the foundational skills required to create engagement within your team. When done effectively, coaching for engagement helps develop capability and creates motivation to innovate, improve, and solve problems. This course will teach you a different approach to conversations, one that focuses on development vs. just sharing information. This ultimately translates into a team that is motivated, engaged, and empowered to drive improvement and solve problems. Key Concepts: Why coaching is important, how we coach, what our role is as a coach The correlations between coaching, engagement,…
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