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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15Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

Building Your Lean Management System

Application~, Intermediate~, Leadership~
Most initial attempts at lean and continuous improvement focus on tools and improvement events (aka kaizen events). Unfortunately, after a while, people notice that the “lean journey” has lost most of its momentum, energy, engagement, focus, and breakthrough results. The lean management system (LMS) is a framework for building a culture of continuous improvement and shared learning. Its focus is on developing people to solve problems to improve performance. In this environment, improvement is not driven by a few lean champions but by everyone. Now everyone has a dual focus: doing the work (results) and improving the work (process). In this workshop, we’ll use a series of hands-on exercises to build a piece of the LMS, experiment with it, receive coaching support, and repeat the process as you build a…
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15Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

Building Blocks for Trainers

Application~, Developing People~, Foundational~, Intermediate~
Lean Standardized Work and Training Within Industry Job Instruction ("what, how, why" training) methods have precise, technical formats and application approaches. This course is a blend of the two and is designed to deliver significant, actionable introductory learning aligned with the concepts and intent of these methods. The class will be delivered in two sessions with an expectation that participants will apply the learning to a "real-life" work process between sessions. The first session is an interactive, collaborative exploration and simulated application of job instruction and standardized work methods. The second session will provide participants the opportunity to present their application work and receive peer feedback and coaching. Key Concepts: Explore the “what, how, why” training method. What standardized work methods are and how they are related. How these methods…
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15Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

5S Workplace Organization

Application~, Beginner~, Foundational~, Solving Problems~
5S is a beginning/intermediate level course that teaches participants the value proposition of 5S through hands-on implementation in a real work environment. It is suitable for participants working in office or manufacturing environments. Attendees will alternate between learning and doing, resulting in hands-on application of 5S organizing/improving an area at a host company. Key Concepts: Understanding that 5S is a problem exposure tool Defining the 5 S’s (plus Safety) Documenting the current state, using the DOWNTIME concept to identify waste Planning a 5S event (event definition, leadership roles, steps for planning and executing the event) Putting the 5S into action Establishing visual controls, documenting standards, creating an audit process Prerequisite: Lean 101/Intro to Lean or exposure to foundational lean concepts within your work environment. Audience: Depending on the location of…
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04Jan 2023 by Jennifer Ayers

3H Leadership – Engaging the Heart, Head, & Hands

Application~, Developing People~, Intermediate~, Leadership~
3H Leadership is by far our most popular and impactful leadership course, offered each Fall. It is a series of five focused conversations for leaders ready to engage in the development of their leadership skills to connect with both the hearts and the heads of employees and, in doing so, create a truly high-performance organization. The series content focuses on the following: Personal Responsibility Personal Communication Leading People for Performance & Improvement Responding to Criticism and Constructive Confrontation Managing Change and Transition Each session builds on each other as we provide participants with the opportunity to learn and demonstrate valuable soft skills through interactions and simulations, teaching them how to become more effective leaders. Participants will gain a new perspective on how they show up and learn to use emotional…
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