10 Continuous Improvement Questions to Ask in Every Interview

KaiNexus: Continuous Improvement, Leadership, and More

#Lean #Kaizen #Healthcare #Manufacturing #MBA #KaiNexus #Leadership #Business #Continuing #Improv #IT Management #Think

22:08

Host Francesca Amiker sits down with directors Joe and Anthony Russo, producer Angela Russo-Otstot, stars Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, and more to uncover how family was the key to building the emotional core of The Electric State . From the Russos’ own experiences growing up in a large Italian family to the film’s central relationship between Michelle and her robot brother Kid Cosmo, family relationships both on and off of the set were the key to bringing The Electric State to life. Listen to more from Netflix Podcasts . State Secrets: Inside the Making of The Electric State is produced by Netflix and Treefort Media.…

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The blog post Companies dedicated to the practice of continuous improvement invest a lot of time and resources into training their employees and creating a culture centered around positive change. One way to make this easier and to smooth the path to improvement is to hire people who already have the right mindset. Bringing up continuous improvement during the initial interview and throughout the hiring process lets the applicant know how important it is to your organization, and helps you weed out people who will be resistant to feedback and change. If you ask the right questions, you can get a pretty good idea of whether the candidate is likely to be a good fit in your improvement culture and someone that the rest of the team will gladly welcome. Here are some ideas of what to ask...

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10 Continuous Improvement Questions to Ask in Every Interview

KaiNexus: Continuous Improvement, Leadership, and More

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#Lean #Kaizen #Healthcare #Manufacturing #MBA #KaiNexus #Leadership #Business #Continuing #Improv #IT Management #Think

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How Continuous Improvement Powers Operational Excellence in Healthcare 6:24

for 9 dage siden6:24

6:24

Read the blog post In this episode, we explore how continuous improvement serves as a key pillar within a broader operational excellence strategy in healthcare. While many organizations strive to enhance quality and efficiency, real progress happens when continuous improvement is not treated as an isolated initiative but as an embedded practice within a structured system. Operational excellence provides the strategy, alignment, and leadership framework necessary to sustain and scale improvement efforts across an organization. A critical factor in achieving operational excellence is leadership commitment. Senior leaders must do more than support improvement initiatives—they must integrate them into the organization’s strategic direction. This requires a shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to a coaching and mentoring approach, where leaders ask the right questions, remove obstacles, and create an environment where continuous improvement becomes a daily habit rather than a series of isolated projects. For continuous improvement efforts to be sustainable, organizations need a well-defined management system. Operational excellence replaces traditional project-based thinking with a structured approach that ensures improvement initiatives are aligned with long-term goals, also known as the organization's "True North." Without this alignment, improvement efforts risk becoming fragmented and disconnected from the larger mission of delivering safe, high-quality, and reliable care. Cultural transformation is another essential element of this journey. Operational excellence recognizes that meaningful change takes time, requiring organizations to "slow down to speed up." Rather than rushing through process changes, healthcare leaders must foster a culture where thoughtful planning and execution lead to lasting improvements. A common vocabulary around improvement efforts also helps ensure clarity, engagement, and a shared understanding among staff, reinforcing the connection between individual contributions and the organization's broader objectives. Prioritization is key to avoiding burnout and ensuring improvement efforts are impactful. Without clear priorities, organizations may scatter their resources across too many initiatives, leading to frustration and a lack of meaningful progress. Operational excellence encourages a focused approach, typically emphasizing three to four high-impact priorities that align with strategic goals and drive breakthrough improvements. Technology also plays a vital role in continuous improvement. Modern improvement platforms help teams collaborate, share data, and measure the health of their improvement culture. Real-time reporting and analytics enable organizations to identify challenges faster and address root causes more effectively, ensuring that improvement efforts lead to measurable and sustainable results. Ultimately, continuous improvement is most effective when embedded within an operational excellence framework. This integration helps healthcare organizations channel the passion of their workforce into practical, long-term solutions that enhance quality, lower costs, and improve patient outcomes. By fostering a culture where continuous progress is part of daily operations, organizations can achieve sustainable success and drive meaningful change for years to come.…

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Lean Transformation Summit Highlights & Checklist Best Practices with Greg Jacobson & Mark Graban 22:29

for 16 dage siden22:29

22:29

Join Mark Graban and Greg Jacobson, CEO & Co-Founder of KaiNexus, as they explore the intersection of continuous improvement, checklist best practices, and the power of habit science. In this engaging episode of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast, the duo discusses:Checklist Strategies: How simple cues and error-proofing techniques keep processes on track—whether in a live webinar, office, or remote setting.Habit Science in Action: Practical insights from influential books like Atomic Habits, Tiny Habits, and The Power of Habit that explain how structured routines lead to greater reliability and success.Lean Transformation & Technology: Reflections on the Lean Transformation Summit, the role of technology in driving lean initiatives, and how integrating these concepts can boost both quality and efficiency.Real-World Applications: Anecdotes and lessons learned from diverse industries, emphasizing how a well-designed checklist and a culture that respects continuous improvement can transform both business and personal practices.KaiNexus Innovations: A look at how KaiNexus is breaking records with its upcoming KaiNexus conference and its ongoing commitment to empowering organizations through efficient improvement strategies.Whether you're a lean expert or just beginning your journey in continuous improvement, this conversation offers actionable strategies and thought-provoking ideas to enhance your processes.…

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The Evolving Role of Leadership in Operational Excellence - A Chat with Jeff Roussel, KaiNexus Chief Revenue Officer 13:48

for 23 dage siden13:48

13:48

Join Mark Graban on the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement podcast as he sits down with Jeff Roussel, KaiNexus’ Chief Revenue Officer, to explore the evolving role of sales, marketing, and leadership in driving continuous improvement and operational excellence within organizations. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Career Evolution & Leadership: Jeff reflects on his 11-year journey at KaiNexus—from a focus on sales to embracing a broader role that includes marketing, customer experience, and internal culture. The Importance of Commitment: A discussion on how leadership behaviors, particularly a sustained commitment to operational excellence, are critical to long-term success. Building a Business Case for Continuous Improvement: Insights into aligning improvement efforts with strategic business goals, showcasing how measurable outcomes support growth and innovation. Cultivating a Culture of Improvement: Real-world examples of embedding continuous improvement into job roles and driving organizational change, including the impact on employee engagement and operational results. Key Takeaways: Continuous improvement is not just about activity—it’s about achieving tangible business outcomes. Leadership commitment and accountability play a crucial role in overcoming obstacles and maintaining momentum in improvement initiatives. Integrating sales, marketing, and customer experience under one cohesive strategy can create a lasting impact on both internal culture and external performance. Why Listen? Whether you’re a champion of operational excellence or a business leader aiming to align improvement efforts with strategic goals, this conversation offers actionable insights and thoughtful reflections to help you build a more resilient and agile organization. Connect with KaiNexus: Explore the KaiNexus platform and learn how it can enhance your organization’s continuous improvement journey.…

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Webinar: What PE Teachers and PEX Professionals Have in Common - Coaching, Leading, Teams 56:35

for 28 dage siden56:35

56:35

Watch the recording Presented by Shawna Forst, Performance Excellence, Quality & Risk Coordinator at MercyOne Newton Medical Center What do physical education teachers and performance excellence professionals have in common? More than you think! This session will feature one former P.E. Teacher's perspective on the similarities between coaching kids and leading quality and improvement efforts in the workplace while also sharing how to leverage KaiNexus to support and encourage those endeavors. In this webinar, you'll learn: To explore the basic fundamentals of being an effective coach, regardless of field. To identify how KaiNexus can be leveraged in being an effective coach. To understand how Lean methodology, leveraging KaiNexus, can help eliminate waste, build teamwork, reduce conflicts, reduce or eliminate defects, create IDEAL processes, services, and products as well as improve client satisfaction. Shawna is the Performance Excellence Quality & Risk Coordinator and Lean Healthcare Coach at MercyOne Newton Medical Center. Shawna has been a Lean Healthcare facilitator since January 2007 and has two years of experience as a technician in a cardiac unit. Since then, she has had various roles in Healthcare Quality and Safety. Shawna graduated from Simpson College in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts in Physical Education and a Coaching Endorsement. In 2010, she became a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and received her LEAN Green Belt certification in 2014. She also received her Masters in Business Administration from Western Governors University in 2018. About the Presenter:Shawna Forst…

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What PE Teachers and PEX Professionals Have in Common - Webinar Preview via KaiNexus 6:37

for 30 dage siden6:37

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Register to view the webinar (live or the recording) Welcome to another engaging episode of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast, hosted by Mark Graban. In this session, we present a sneak peek into our upcoming webinar featuring Shawna Forst, a former Physical Education teacher turned Process Excellence professional. The webinar, scheduled for March 5th at 1:00 PM Eastern, will explore the fascinating parallels between PE teaching and process improvement in professional settings.Key HighlightsCareer Journey: Gain insights into Shawna's unique career path from physical education to healthcare process improvement.Coaching & Communication: Learn about the importance of adapting coaching and communication styles to different individuals, drawing from Shawna's experiences with sports and behavior disorder children.Lean Methodology: Discover how lean methodologies can be applied to reduce waste and enhance efficiency in various professional environments.Join us for this insightful discussion that promises to offer valuable leadership tips and process excellence strategies, applicable across diverse industries beyond healthcare.Don’t miss out on this valuable opportunity to learn how coaching strategies from the field of physical education can inspire and influence process excellence in the workplace. Register now and be part of the conversation!Prepare to be inspired by Shawna’s journey and the skills that transcend industry boundaries. See you there!…

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KaiNexicon 2025, Preview of KaiNexus User Conference with Mark Graban and Dr. Greg Jacobson 16:01

for 6 weeks siden16:01

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Learn more and register In this engaging episode of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast, host Mark Graban welcomes Greg Jacobson , Co-Founder and CEO of KaiNexus, to discuss the much-anticipated KaiNexicon, the company's annual user conference. The conversation not only highlights the logistics and plans for the 2025 KaiNexicon but also dives into the essence of continuous improvement and the unique setup that makes this conference such a valuable experience. Key Discussion Points Introduction to KaiNexicon 2025 : Greg Jacobson shares his enthusiasm for the ninth annual KaiNexicon, emphasizing the conference’s goals and its role as a vital gathering for KaiNexus users. Reflections on 2024 and Forecasting for 2025 : Greg talks about how closing out the previous year impacts a small team and shares optimism regarding the financial outlook for 2025. Importance and Impact of KaiNexicon : The dialogue explores the significance of KaiNexicon, especially the cultural cross-pollination among industries that attend. Continuous Improvement and Engagement : Both speakers discuss the structured feedback process used to enhance the conference each year, reflecting KaiNexus' commitment to improvement. Unique Features of KaiNexicon : Key aspects such as the SpeedNexus session, as well as interactive opportunities available to users, are highlighted. Product Sneak Peeks and Innovations : Greg shares his passion for product development and how Kinexicon serves as a platform to preview upcoming advancements. Memorable Quotes: Greg Jacobson: "When you start realizing that you’re not copying and pasting even within industry, you can get a really excellent manifestation of what should lean or continuous improvement look like in your organization." Mark Graban: "It’s not the type of event where you sit there passively for the whole time. There are interactive sessions." Greg Jacobson: "At the fundamental core, all businesses are based on revenue, expenses, and people." Tune in next time for more insightful discussions on enhancing continuous improvement efforts.…

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[Webinar] Mistake-Proofing in Action: Real-World Examples Across Industries 58:45

for 7 weeks siden58:45

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To view the webinar recording, for slides, and more Presented by Mark Graban Hosted by Linda Vicaro Are you looking for practical ways to eliminate errors and enhance efficiency in your organization? Join us for "Mistake-Proofing in Action: Real-World Examples Across Industries," an insightful webinar showcasing how organizations across healthcare, manufacturing, and service sectors have successfully implemented mistake-proofing techniques. Discover innovative solutions that prevent errors before they occur, improve safety and quality, and save valuable time and resources. Through inspiring case studies and actionable takeaways, you’ll learn how to adapt these proven approaches to your unique challenges. Don’t miss this chance to gain practical tools and insights to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. Register today and see mistake-proofing in action!…

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Preview: Mistake-Proofing in Action: Real-World Examples Across Industries 3:16

for 8 weeks siden3:16

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Register for the webinar February 12 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET Presented by Mark Graban Are you looking for practical ways to eliminate errors and enhance efficiency in your organization? Join us for "Mistake-Proofing in Action: Real-World Examples Across Industries," an insightful webinar showcasing how organizations across healthcare, manufacturing, and service sectors have successfully implemented mistake-proofing techniques. Discover innovative solutions that prevent errors before they occur, improve safety and quality, and save valuable time and resources. Through inspiring case studies and actionable takeaways, you’ll learn how to adapt these proven approaches to your unique challenges. Don’t miss this chance to gain practical tools and insights to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. Register today and see mistake-proofing in action! Mark Graban, a senior advisor to KaiNexus, is an internationally-recognized author, speaker, and consultant. His latest book, The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation, is available now. Mark is also the author of the award-winning book Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Engagement and others, including Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More. He serves as a consultant through his company, Constancy, Inc. Additionally, Mark hosts podcasts, including “Lean Blog Interviews” and “My Favorite Mistake.” Education: B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University; M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s “Leaders for Global Operations” Program. About the Presenter:Mark Graban…

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Continuous Improvement vs. Operational Excellence: Streamlining Business Operations 26:07

for 15 weeks siden26:07

26:07

Read the blog post We are often asked if continuous improvement and operational excellence are the same. They are not, but they are closely related. Continuous improvement involves constantly improving your business processes to reduce waste, cut costs, improve quality, and maximize human potential. It focuses on making each existing process perfect. Operational excellence goes further. It involves setting the organization up for growth by understanding what the market wants and creating an uninterrupted value stream that continuously feeds the need. It is essential to understand the difference between these two complementary paradigms that guide business operations management so that you can apply elements of both to streamline operations and achieve your most critical strategic goals.…

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15 Benefits of Standard Work 6:14

for 16 weeks siden6:14

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Read the blog post Taiichi Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System, once said, “Without Standard Work, there is no Kaizen.” That’s a pretty bold statement, but when you think about the continuous improvement cycle, it makes a lot of sense. How can you move from the current state to the desired state if the current state is a moving target? Standard Work , which documents the current best practice for performing a task or process, and ensures that everyone is applying it, is a prerequisite for improvement. Here are 15 ways that Standard Work benefits organizations that leverage it.…

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[Webinar] Creating Leader Standard Work (LSW) Across a Distributed Business Model 59:05

for 19 weeks siden59:05

59:05

Presented by Brent Loescher on Nov 19, 2024 Get slides and more TKMG Academy An exploration of implementing LSW throughout Sperber Companies, a distributed Landscape Maintenance business made up of organically-grown business and M&A (read multiple cultures). Covering everything from embracing current cultures, developing an organizational culture with a common language, level setting business leader responsibilities, introducing Lean thinking, and implementing daily rhythms, this webinar will discuss the efforts, hurdles, and learnings this 5-year-old business is living every day. Brent has spent more than 20 years working in and on the business, improving operations within high-speed manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, distributed-services environments, and governmental agencies. A Lean practitioner at heart, Brent received his formal Toyota Production System training while working for Toyota Motor Sales in their North American Parts Operations. While with Toyota, he was responsible for operational design of two new warehouses built in Puerto Rico and Mexico City. A certified TPS trainer, he developed strategic warehouse design standards, while also serving as the Toyota Customer Service Diversity and Inclusion Champion Coordinator. He helped develop a Lean program for the landscape maintenance industry, implementing and evolving continuous improvement programs across the country since 2009. This included co-leading a team focused on the operational integration of a $2 billion dollar merger. Brent is currently responsible for Learning & Development and CI for a start-up Landscape Maintenance & Construction company doing work in 14 states. He has a BA in Business Management from Mercyhurst University and is a retired military veteran, having served 21 years in the US Army and US Army Reserve.…

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Elevate Excellence: Unveiling 9 Quality Improvement Techniques 8:21

for 20 weeks siden8:21

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Read the blog post I often find myself falling into the common trap of believing that if something is worthwhile, it is necessarily difficult. I think we all expect that valuable things are hard. The truth is, however, that sometimes the most effective and impactful things we can do are really quite simple. When it comes to continuous quality improvement, this is absolutely the case. Here are 9 examples of quality improvement tools, techniques, and technology that are uncomplicated yet extremely valuable.…

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[Preview] Creating Leader Standard Work (LSW) Across a Distributed Business Model 7:50

for 21 weeks siden7:50

7:50

Mark Graban, from KaiNexus, chats with Brent Loescher about his upcoming webinar: It will be presented live on November 19 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET Register here An exploration of implementing LSW throughout Sperber Companies, a distributed Landscape Maintenance business made up of organically-grown business and M&A (read multiple cultures). Covering everything from embracing current cultures, developing an organizational culture with a common language, level setting business leader responsibilities, introducing Lean thinking, and implementing daily rhythms, this webinar will discuss the efforts, hurdles, and learnings this 5-year-old business is living every day. About Brent: Brent has spent more than 20 years working in and on the business, improving operations within high-speed manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, distributed-services environments, and governmental agencies. A Lean practitioner at heart, Brent received his formal Toyota Production System training while working for Toyota Motor Sales in their North American Parts Operations. While with Toyota, he was responsible for operational design of two new warehouses built in Puerto Rico and Mexico City. A certified TPS trainer, he developed strategic warehouse design standards, while also serving as the Toyota Customer Service Diversity and Inclusion Champion Coordinator. He helped develop a Lean program for the landscape maintenance industry, implementing and evolving continuous improvement programs across the country since 2009. This included co-leading a team focused on the operational integration of a $2 billion dollar merger. Brent is currently responsible for Learning & Development and CI for a start-up Landscape Maintenance & Construction company doing work in 14 states. He has a BA in Business Management from Mercyhurst University and is a retired military veteran, having served 21 years in the US Army and US Army Reserve. Brent is a girl-dad that, along with his wife, Kim, is anxiously awaiting the birth of their second grandchild. In his free time, he finds a way to see the Green Bay Packers wherever they play, enjoys boating, and spending time being creative around the house.…

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An Introduction to the Lean Concept of Catchball 5:17

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Read the blog post Most of us have memories of playing the game of catch either as children or with our children. I really shouldn’t call it a “game” because there are no winners and losers. There is no defense because everyone is on the same side. One participant tries to deliver the ball to the other in a way that they will be able to grab and return it. The ability to catch and throw a ball is important because it is a foundation for success in many other, more complex sports. The Lean idea of catchball involves moving ideas and information from one person or team to another and, much like catch from childhood, it forms the basis for complicated decision-making and policy development.…

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The 7 Steps of Hoshin Kanri (or Hoshin Planning) 5:25

for 23 weeks siden5:25

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Read the blog post The process you use to develop your strategic plan is as important as the plan itself. Many organizations adopt the Hoshin Kanri method (also known as Hoshin Planning or Strategy Deployment), which integrates daily management with the strategic breakthroughs needed to propel the organization forward. Hoshin Kanri helps create specific, actionable plans and allocates the resources necessary to achieve them. An important element of Hoshin Kanri is not just the setting of top-down objectives but also ensuring a two-way dialogue between leadership and employees, known as "catchball." This ongoing feedback loop ensures that strategic objectives are both communicated effectively and adjusted based on input from all levels of the organization. The entire process becomes an iterative cycle that aligns with the Plan-Do-Study-Adjust (PDSA) framework, fostering continuous learning and improvement. Here are the seven steps typically followed in the Hoshin Kanri process:…

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Webinar: Embedding Change Management into your Continuous Improvement Initiatives 59:32

for 26 weeks siden59:32

59:32

Video, slides, and more Presented by Melissa Sherman Why is change so hard? Change is a complex and multifaceted process that often evokes a wide range of emotions and challenges. Despite these challenges, change is an inevitable part of life and is often necessary for growth, progress, and adaptation. By acknowledging the difficulties associated with change and providing support, encouragement, and clear communications, we can help individuals and organizations embrace change and Continuous Improvements more effectively. As continuous improvement practitioners, we don’t always think about the impact our continuous improvement initiatives will have on the employees. Learning objectives: Throughout this session, we will look at various ways to improve the sustainability of our projects. Let’s discuss the importance of making sure we are embedding change management into your continuous improvement efforts. We will look at what change is, the resistance to it, the journey/change curve an individual goes through, the various change models, and some strategies you can use to assist in your efforts. Accomplished Lean Leader and Sought-after Speaker recognized for driving continuous improvement initiatives and sharing change best practices, honed from 30 years of expertise in process excellence. Holistic ability to drive enterprise Six Sigma, Lean, and Kaizen deployments, delivering quantifiable productivity, efficiency, and waste elimination gains. Coached business teams during organizational adoption of agile solutions for high-level value delivery. Delighted business partners and stakeholders through strategic data-driven roadmap planning and creation.…

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Driving Progress: How to Promote Continuous Improvement in The Workplace 6:18

for 27 weeks siden6:18

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The blog post In this episode, we discuss how to create a culture of continuous improvement in the workplace. We'll cover seven surefire ways to promote improvement, including making it ongoing, involving all employees, removing barriers to improvement, celebrating all types of improvement, providing resources and recognition for improvement efforts, and leading by example. By following these tips, you can create a workplace where everyone is constantly striving to be better.…

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Yehor Skorodumov - Why I Joined KaiNexus 8:05

for 27 weeks siden8:05

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In today's episode host Mark Graban, a senior advisor with KaiNexus, chats with Yehor Skorodumov, a senior web application developer who joined our team earlier this year. In the episode, Yehor talks about his rigorous and analytical approach to researching companies, including KaiNexus. He also shares about the interviewing process, a little bit about what he does in his role, and what his first few months at the company were like. Learn more about KaiNexus: https://kainexus.com/ And KaiNexus careers: https://www.kainexus.com/continuous-improvement/kainexus-team…

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Embedding Change Management into your Continuous Improvement Initiatives - Webinar Preview 8:52

for 29 weeks siden8:52

8:52

Mark Graban of KaiNexus talks with Melissa Sherman to preview her webinar... Register here Why is change so hard? Change is a complex and multifaceted process that often evokes a wide range of emotions and challenges. Despite these challenges, change is an inevitable part of life and is often necessary for growth, progress, and adaptation. By acknowledging the difficulties associated with change and providing support, encouragement, and clear communications, we can help individuals and organizations embrace change and Continuous Improvements more effectively. As continuous improvement practitioners, we don’t always think about the impact our continuous improvement initiatives will have on the employees. Learning objectives: Throughout this session, we will look at various ways to improve the sustainability of our projects. Let’s discuss the importance of making sure we are embedding change management into your continuous improvement efforts. We will look at what change is, the resistance to it, the journey/change curve an individual goes through, the various change models, and some strategies you can use to assist in your efforts. About the Presenter: Melissa Sherman Accomplished Lean Leader and Sought-after Speaker recognized for driving continuous improvement initiatives and sharing change best practices, honed from 30 years of expertise in process excellence. Holistic ability to drive enterprise Six Sigma, Lean, and Kaizen deployments, delivering quantifiable productivity, efficiency, and waste elimination gains. Coached business teams during organizational adoption of agile solutions for high-level value delivery. Delighted business partners and stakeholders through strategic data-driven roadmap planning and creation.…

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How KaiNexus (Innovation Station) Helps You as a Leader 2:18

for 30 weeks siden2:18

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Welcome to the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast, hosted by Mark Graban, Senior Advisor at KaiNexus. In today's episode, we share insights from one of our YouTube videos , featuring two esteemed leaders from UMass Memorial Health. Cathy Burke and Jeff Marks discuss how KaiNexus, known internally as "Innovation Station," helps them drive leadership and continuous improvement in their organization. Cathy Burke shares her leadership approach of inviting team members to raise opinions, identify obstacles, and work collaboratively—values that Innovation Station enables through its platform. Jeff Marks adds how the platform supports their weekly commitment to optimize performance, leveraging both new ideas and past solutions to avoid redundant efforts. Together, Cathy and Jeff highlight the impact of empowering every employee, regardless of role, to contribute ideas that can affect change on a larger scale. Discover how Innovation Station tracks, monitors, and facilitates execution on these improvements, ensuring that opportunities lead to tangible successes. To learn more about how KaiNexus can support your improvement initiatives, visit www.kainexus.com .…

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Nexie Award Dinner 2024 - Polytainers! Top Turnaround. Discussion with Marc Haberer 14:04

for 31 weeks siden14:04

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In this video, Mark Graban, senior advisor at KaiNexus, chats with Marc Haberer, a process engineer at one of our customers, Polytainers. At KaiNexus, we believe our success is best reflected in the achievements of our customers. Each year at KaiNexicon, we honor some of our most outstanding customers through the Nexie Awards. This Annual Nexie Award Ceremony is a cherished highlight of KaiNexicon, celebrating our customers' dedication and exceptional accomplishments over the past year. Learn more: https://blog.kainexus.com/customer/announcing-our-2024-nexie-award-winners This year’s Award for Top Turnaround goes to Polytainers. The Top Turnaround is awarded to the organization that has displayed the most progress using KaiNexus to build its improvement culture since last year’s conference. The Polytainers team has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to collaboration and their willingness to work with us on redefining their processes has led to a fantastic partnership. Building from the ground up is never easy, but through exceptional leadership, teamwork, and dedication, they have made leaps and bounds forward in creating standard practices. Their commitment to excellence serves as an inspiration to us, reminding us of the incredible impact that determination, an open mind, and partnership can have on achieving success. Thank you for being an incredible partner to us.…

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Business Process Improvement Examples: 34 Actionable Ideas 9:19

for 31 weeks siden9:19

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Read the blog post When leaders consider implementing a structured business process improvement methodology , one of the challenges they often face is explaining to employees what types of opportunities to consider. Usually, there are some apparent needs that people attack immediately. Still, once those are addressed, it can be challenging to recognize the flaws in processes, especially ones you operate every day. A practical approach for overcoming this issue is providing employees with categories of improvement potential to keep in mind. Sharing a few examples with your team — and asking lots of questions — can help spark ideas, get people thinking creatively, and foster innovation. Of course, recognizing the opportunities for improvement is only the first step. Next, your team will need to leverage various improvement techniques to implement positive change. This post breaks down common improvement needs into several categories and then covers several practical tools for problem-solving .…

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[Webinar] Ask Us Anything! Psychological Safety and Continuous Improvement 59:08

for 32 weeks siden59:08

59:08

In this webinar, we’re mixing up the format a bit to maximize time for Q&A and discussion. Please watch this longer webinar first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wwlaxfN8AE In this video, Mark Graban will give a short presentation that recaps and updates his thoughts on some of these concepts. We’ll also conduct some live polling (and see the results) related to the level of psychological safety that attendees feel in their organizations. Mark is also joined by KaiNexians Kaleigh Krauss and Linda Vicaro for discussion and their insights and stories. The rest of the webinar was a Q&A discussion moderated by Morgan Wright, where you can ask your questions related to how leaders can cultivate a culture where everybody feels safe enough to speak up about problems, ideas, mistakes, and more. Learning Objectives: Define psychological safety and explain its significance in the workplace. Identify the relationship between psychological safety and continuous improvement. Develop strategies for leaders to cultivate psychological safety within their teams. Understand methods to assess and sustain psychological safety in the organization. Mark Graban is an author, speaker, and consultant, whose latest book is The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation. He is also the author of the award-winning book "Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Engagement" and others, including "Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More." He serves as a consultant through his company, Constancy, Inc, and is also a Senior Advisor for the technology company KaiNexus (and had his 13-year KaiNexiversary recently!). Mark hosts podcasts, including “Lean Blog Interviews” and “My Favorite Mistake.” Mark earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and an M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s “Leaders for Global Operations” Program.…

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Preview: Ask Us Anything! Psychological Safety and Continuous Improvement 3:51

for 32 weeks siden3:51

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In this episode, Mark Graban previews an upcoming webinar live event. Register here I'm excited to invite you to join me on August 21st for a special webinar titled “ Ask Us Anything! Psychological Safety and Continuous Improvement .” This session, running from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET, is designed to be highly interactive, with a focus on your questions and insights. You can also view this as a LinkedIn Live streaming session . But we'll only be able to take and answer live questions from the Zoom Webinar crowd . Psychological safety is a crucial foundation for any organization striving to foster continuous improvement. When team members feel safe to speak up–whether it's to share ideas, report problems, or admit mistakes–they are more likely to contribute to a culture of continuous learning and improvement. Without psychological safety, the fear of blame or retaliation can stifle innovation and lead to missed opportunities for growth. In our previous KaiNexus webinar, I discussed the importance of psychological safety and how it ties into continuous improvement. If you missed that session, don't worry–you'll receive a link to the recording when you register . I encourage you to watch it before the August 21st webinar, as it will set the stage for our discussion. I'll kick off the session with a brief 15-minute presentation recapping the key points from the previous webinar and sharing some updated thoughts on fostering psychological safety. We'll then conduct live polling to gauge the level of psychological safety attendees feel in their organizations, providing us with real-time data to inform our discussion. The heart of this webinar will be the Q&A session, moderated by Morgan Wright. I'll be joined by some other “KaiNexians” to share their thoughts on our culture. This is your chance to ask anything related to building a culture where everyone feels safe to engage in continuous improvement activities. Whether you're curious about specific strategies, leadership behaviors, or methods for sustaining psychological safety over time, we're here to provide practical insights. By the end of this session, you'll be able to: Define psychological safety and understand its critical role in the workplace. Identify the connection between psychological safety and continuous improvement. Develop actionable strategies for cultivating psychological safety within your teams. Assess and sustain psychological safety in your organization. To sum up, my goal for this webinar is to help you develop practical strategies to build psychological safety in your teams. This is about more than just making people comfortable–it's about creating an environment where continuous improvement is possible because people feel safe to contribute, challenge the status quo, and learn from mistakes. I hope you'll join us and bring your questions, your experiences, and your ideas. Let's make this a lively and impactful session! Register: Ask Us Anything! Psychological Safety and Continuous Improvement Why This Topic MattersWhat to Expect on August 21stLearning Objectives…

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Celebrating Continuous Improvement: Justin Self's Journey at BJC Health | Nexie Award Winner 7:18

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Welcome to the Continuous Improvement Podcast with Mark Graban! In this episode, we celebrate Justin Self, Performance Improvement Manager at Barnes Jewish Hospital, and recipient of the prestigious Nexie Award from KaiNexus. Join us as Justin shares his decade-long journey in continuous improvement at BJC Health, highlighting the importance of standardization, grassroots efforts, and leveraging KaiNexus for both top-down and bottom-up improvements. 🎉 Key Highlights: - Justin's honorary KaiNexian award and its significance - The evolution of continuous improvement at BJC Health - Transition from paper idea boards to using KaiNexus - Importance of standardization in large health systems - Collaborative growth with KaiNexus' customer success team - Practical tips on managing continuous improvement portfolios 🔔 Subscribe for more insights into continuous improvement and learn from industry leaders! Learn more about KaiNexus: KaiNexus Website https://kainexus.com/ #ContinuousImprovement #LeanHealthcare #KaiNexus #NexieAward #BJCHealth #PerformanceImprovement #Standardization #HealthcareInnovation #CustomerSuccess…

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Lifetime Achievement: Mike McGowan's Journey at Memorial Health | Nexie Award Winner 8:10

for 35 weeks siden8:10

8:10

Welcome to the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast with Mark Graban! In this special episode, we celebrate Mike McGowan, Director of Process Excellence at Memorial Health System in Marietta, Ohio, and recipient of this year's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Nexie Award from KaiNexus. Join us as Mike shares his inspiring journey in continuous improvement, the evolution of process excellence at Memorial Health, and the impactful integration of KaiNexus into their system. 🎉 Key Highlights: - Mike's honorary KaiNexian award in memory of Chris Burnham - Transition from project-oriented work to a culture of continuous improvement - Incorporating KaiNexus for tracking projects, quality initiatives, and safety improvements - Importance of standardization and iterative growth in lean practices 🔔 Subscribe for more insights into continuous improvement and learn from industry leaders! 🔗 Useful Links: Learn more about KaiNexus: https://www.kainexus.com #ContinuousImprovement #LeanHealthcare #KaiNexus #NexieAward #MemorialHealth #ProcessExcellence #Standardization #HealthcareInnovation #CustomerSuccess…

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Travel Delays, Crowdstrike, Healthcare Impact, Learning From Mistakes - Mark Graban & Greg Jacobson 18:45

for 36 weeks siden18:45

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Welcome to the latest episode of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement podcast! In this engaging conversation, Mark Graban, Senior Advisor with KaiNexus, sits down with Greg Jacobson, CEO and co-founder of KaiNexus. They chat about various topics, including lean principles, continuous improvement, and the significant impact of the recent CrowdStrike software glitch on multiple sectors, including healthcare. Mark shares his personal travel delays caused by the glitch, while Greg discusses the broader implications, such as the disruptions in emergency healthcare services. They explore the importance of psychological safety and how KaiNexus fosters a culture where employees feel safe to speak up about mistakes. The discussion also covers the value of mistake-proofing, robust testing processes, and learning from both internal and external errors to enhance continuous improvement practices. Join Mark and Greg as they reflect on lessons learned, the importance of a kind and constructive response to mistakes, and the necessity of maintaining dynamic checklists in response to changing conditions like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Hashtags: #ContinuousImprovement #LeanPrinciples #Kinexis #SoftwareGlitch #HealthcareImpact #PsychologicalSafety #MistakeProofing #Leadership #GregJacobson #MarkGraban #LeanThinking00:00:26: KaiNexus Mid-Annual Meeting overview 00:00:44: Discussion about travel delays 00:00:55: Impact of Crowdstrike software issue 00:05:34: Software bugs and testing procedures 00:07:17: Psychological safety and response to mistakes in KaiNexus 00:11:02: Checklist usage and adjustments 00:16:00: Learning from Crowdstrike situation 00:17:46: Wrapping up and future Ask Us Anything session…

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[Webinar] Leveraging a Strategy to Execution Framework: A Journey of Transformation 8:10

for 36 weeks siden8:10

8:10

In this insightful webinar, Karen Friedenberg, Founder and Managing Director of Performance Improvement Consulting, explores how to leverage a Strategy to Execution Framework to achieve sustainable business results. The webinar delves into the critical aspects of strategy execution, emphasizing the importance of clear communication, organizational alignment, and operational consistency. Strategy Articulation : Karen emphasizes the need for strategy to be communicated in a clear and powerful way. This ensures that all stakeholders understand the direction and objectives of the organization, fostering a unified approach towards achieving goals. Organizational Alignment : The importance of aligning the leadership team and the entire organization to the company's goals is highlighted. Karen discusses methods to ensure that everyone understands how their contributions align with and support the overall strategy. Operational Alignment : Ensuring that processes and operations are consistent and aligned with the strategy is crucial. Karen shares insights on how to streamline operations to support strategic objectives effectively, reducing inefficiencies and improving performance. Executing with Excellence : Karen underscores the necessity of having a robust structure and method in place to manage strategy and key initiatives. This includes establishing clear roles, responsibilities, and metrics to track progress and ensure accountability. Organizational and Culture Change : Building a culture of performance improvement and bringing people along for the journey is essential for sustained success. Karen discusses techniques for fostering a culture that embraces change, continuous improvement, and innovation. Karen Friedenberg brings a unique perspective to strategy execution, combining her experience in consulting with her background in industry. As a former executive, she understands the importance of having executable plans that deliver results. She has led Strategic Program Management and Operational Excellence departments, overseeing large business and digital transformations. Karen is passionate about listening, connecting the dots, and using various disciplines such as Lean Six Sigma, change management, and design thinking to solve business problems and facilitate sustainable change. For more detailed insights and to access the slides, visit: Leveraging a Strategy to Execution Framework - A Journey of Transformation .…

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Process Improvement Techniques for Operational Excellence 18:29

for 37 weeks siden18:29

18:29

Link to the blog post Leaders who want to develop a culture of rapid continuous improvement have many tools at their disposal. So many that it can be challenging to keep them all in mind when deciding how to execute an opportunity for improvement or address a difficult challenge. Most organizations don't use all of these techniques simultaneously, but each can be remarkably effective when applied to the right situation. We put together a list of the most common and helpful business process improvement tools and techniques that you can start implementing today. Each will help your team improve product quality, increase customer satisfaction, and achieve optimal performance with minimal waste.…

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[Preview] Leveraging a Strategy to Execution Framework: A Journey of Transformation 7:52

for 37 weeks siden7:52