It has been a little over a year since I took the role as Master Black Belt (essentially a continuous improvement manager) for a division in my company. In this function, I am responsible for setting the strategy for Performance Excellence in our division and ensuring successful execution and results. I lead a small team… Continue reading Lessons Learned as a New Continuous Improvement Manager
Respect for People and Racial Injustice
It has been months since the world witnessed the murder of George Floyd, a black man who was killed at the hands of the police, but the underlying issue of racial injustice remains. I share in the feelings of outrage, sadness, and frustration that many have felt in the aftermath of this tragedy. Much has… Continue reading Respect for People and Racial Injustice
Using Negotiation Techniques to Influence Change
Let's create a hypothetical situation. Say you are trying to make a positive change in your business or organization. In this scenario, you want to reduce the time and effort required to purchase supplies by removing some of the layers of approvals required. To do this, you need buy-in from a key stakeholder - in… Continue reading Using Negotiation Techniques to Influence Change
Continuous Improvement in a Time of COVID-19
I am fortunate to be working for a company that is making essential products during these challenging times. This is a privilege that I know is sadly not the case for many whose jobs have been affected by the economic impact of COVID-19. But for those of us who continue to work in the field… Continue reading Continuous Improvement in a Time of COVID-19
Improving My Personal ‘Hoshin’ Strategy
Many of us have been there. As the end of one year draws to a close, we begin thinking about what we want to accomplish the following year. We might reflect on what we accomplished in the past year, perhaps even chastising ourselves for not achieving some of the goals we set at the beginning… Continue reading Improving My Personal ‘Hoshin’ Strategy