Workshops
JUNE 4, 2012
Download conference brochure | Download conference schedule
Workshop pricing:
Conference Attendee: Full Day: $250 | Half Day: $125 Click here for conference delegate registration
Non-Delegate (open to public): Full Day: $400 | Half Day: $200 Click here for non-delegate registration
Enjoy 14 highly interactive workshops that deliver leading edge methods and tools to drive out waste from your organization. This is the only opportunity for consultants and professional business advisors to participate.
Here are the 14 workshops attendees can choose from:
| Full Day | Half Day-Morning | Half Day-Afternoon |
| LEAN Strategy - FULL |
LEAN and Green 101 |
The Harada Method - FULL |
| LEAN Supply Chain |
Training Within Industry (TWI) - FULL |
LEAN Sales - FULL |
| Learning from the Masters | A3 Problem Solving - FULL |
LEAN IT |
| White Collar Kaizen | Employee Engagement - FULL |
Facilitation Skills - FULL |
| LEAN Product Development | Introduction to LEAN Principles 101 |
Tour Rating:
Beginner: For those preparing to embark on the LEAN journey
Intermediate: Early adopters with 1-2 years LEAN experience
Advanced: For those well along the LEAN path, looking for more advanced tools
A3 Problem Solving (Half-day) - THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
Deploying problem solving throughout your organization
Presenter: Vern Campbell, Process Management
Rating: Intermediate, Advanced
Structured and methodical problem solving, grounded in the scientific method (PDCA), provides the foundation for LEAN, LEAN Six Sigma or any continuous improvement initiative. Broadly deployed, systematic and methodical problem solving dramatically improves an organization's performance and is the foundation for developing the potential of its people. This workshop will provide an overview of the seven-step scientific problem solving method underlying A3 summaries and provide a strategy for deploying problem solving throughout your organization.
Bio:
Vern F. Campbell P.Eng, MBA
Vern Campbell's consultancy and management practice focuses on maximizing operational effectiveness, efficiency, employee fulfillment and results. Through his consulting practice, he assists organizations with strategy development, deployment and continuous process improvement systems. Vern's opportunities to learn from world experts in organizational improvement have led to his broad level of experience consulting to manufacturers, service industries, non-profit groups and health care organizations within Canada and the U.S. Vern is a Professional Engineer, earning his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, with distinction, from the University of Manitoba. He was awarded the Gold Medal from the Canadian Society of Mechanical Engineers, and went on to attain his Masters Degree in Business Administration from the University of Western Ontario. Mr. Campbell spent ten years at Manitoba Hydro, first in long term financial planning then leading their Quality Improvement Initiative.
LEAN Sales (Half-day) - THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
Seeing value from the eyes of the customer
Presenter: Mark Preston, Acuity Brands Lighting
Rating: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
The top LEAN principle at Acuity Brands Lighting is: "Seeing value from the eyes of the customer." This workshop will give clear understanding in the language of LEAN sales that can take your organization to the next level. With repeatable practice using a world-class set of LEAN ‘golf clubs', we are capable of winning in all areas of our enterprise. This workshop will define ways of improving your sales organization by using LEAN ‘clubs' that are structured and repeatable.
Bio:
Mark Preston, Director of Acuity Business System, Acuity Brands Lighting
Mark Preston has spent most of his career in manufacturing and sales environments promoting continuous improvement - LEAN initiatives. Mark was the Production Manager for TDK Electronics for eleven years where he managed the production of 5 million video tapes and 5 million CD-R. Mark studied Kaizen in Japan during TDK executive management training. After TDK he became the Manufacturing Manager for the Respironics Georgia facility and the Director of Operations for the Asthma and Allergy Division of Respironics. Mark was hired as the Director of ABS (LEAN Deployment) in 2006 where he has led the Deployment of LEAN in the Supply Chain for 14 plants and 5 Distribution Centers. He was also the Director of Supplier Development and Kaizen Engineering. Mark now leads LEAN initiatives with all of the Acuity sales channels and Customer Care.
LEAN Strategy (Full-day) - THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
The true nature of LEAN Thinking
Presenter: David Koichi Chao, Lean Sensei International
Rating: Beginner, Intermediate
Rated as one of the top workshops at AME conferences, this introductory workshop on LEAN strategy will open your eyes and bring new insights about LEAN strategy and Toyota Way execution. Come and discover the true secrets and insights to LEAN strategy, based on the proven and highly respected VALUES methodology (Vision, Alignment, Leadership, Unity, Execution, Sustainment). Learn how everything from visioning to extreme problem solving methodology can change the way you strategize and deploy LEAN.
Bio:
David Koichi Chao, President, Lean Sensei International
David Chao is an advisor to numerous organizations and companies world-wide, from local, family-owned businesses to Fortune 500 companies located in various parts of the world. His first appreciation of LEAN started when he began working for a Toyota Supplier in Japan, where he learned first hand the importance of quality and mistake proofing. As the first employee of GM/Suzuki joint venture operation in Ontario, he was instrumental in "North Americanizing" the Japanese-style LEAN programs and manufacturing philosophy when the word "LEAN" was still unknown. GM/Suzuki plant was the first "LEAN plant" in Canada and the most significant joint venture of its kind between a Japanese and Canadian manufacturer. He also worked as a consultant to Toyota as part of the Toyota CAPTIN aluminum wheel plant design team in BC. David frequently visits Japan to visit world's top companies, including Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Olympus, and many others. A recipient of seven scholarships from University of British Columbia, David ranked in the top 2% during his Engineering program at UBC, and is a graduate of an Executive Certificate Program from Sloan School of Management at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He has also completed Executive Programs at Harvard Business School.
LEAN IT (Half-day)
Operational Excellence in IT: Leveraging Information Technology to Support Continuous Process Improvement
How to enable your strategic objectives using Information Technology and actionable information
Presenter: Mike Orzen, Mike Orzen & Associates, Inc.
Rating: Intermediate
IT is the nervous system of most organizations, yet too often IT is a barrier to process improvement and the efficient flow of information. When information is incomplete, inaccurate, late or difficult to access, we pay a huge price. IT processes comprise as much as 80 per cent waste! This workshop will show you how to drive new behaviors, skills and innovation within your IT organization to adapt, improve, and keep the organization moving forward.
Bio:
Mike Orzen, CMA, CFPIM, PMP, President, Mike Orzen & Associates, Inc.
Mike brings an experienced-based blend of Operational Excellence, LEAN, Six Sigma, and IT savvy to any organization he works with. He has been consulting, coaching and teaching for over 20 years. His career includes the successful application of continuous process improvement in many environments including Healthcare, IT, Manufacturing, Insurance, Finance, and Supply-Chain. He emphasizes the engagement of people, the daily improvement of business processes, and the thoughtful application of information technology . . . in that order. Mike is coauthor of "LEAN IT, Enabling and Sustaining Your LEAN Enterprise" which was awarded the Shingo Prize for Research. He holds degrees from Stanford University and the University of Oregon as well as certifications in Management Accounting, Production and Inventory Control, Project Management and Six Sigma. Mike is a faculty member for the LEAN Enterprise Institute and was recently appointed Adjunct Professor with The Shingo Prize.
White Collar Kaizen (Full-day)
LEAN Transformation in Office, Service, and Knowledge Work Environments
Presenter: Karen Martin, Karen Martin & Associates, LLC
Rating: Beginner, Intermediate
While proven in manufacturing, deploying LEAN in office, service, and knowledge work environments is equally effective. However, these environments present unique challenges that must be considered when planning, executing, and sustaining improvement.
This workshop presents a holistic approach to improvement and is structured from the macro (LEAN philosophy and strategic decision-making) to the micro (tactical tool application.) Through discussion and hands-on activities, workshop participants will experience the progressive transformation of a traditional office process to a LEAN process, and learn how to create metrics-based process maps for streamlining, standardizing, and error-proofing transactional, service, analytical, and creative processes. The workshop also touches upon the vital role of PDCA in problem-solving, how to deploy A3 management, how to use value stream mapping to make holistic improvement, unique considerations for using kaizen events in office and service environments, and the vital role workforce engagement plays in making the necessary cultural shifts for lasting transformation.
Bio:
Karen Martin, principal of Karen Martin & Associates, provides LEAN transformation, operations design, and performance improvement support to industry, government, and the not-for-profit sector. Karen is recognized as a thought leader in applying LEAN thinking in transactional, service, analytical, and creative environments, and has generated impressive results for her clients. In addition to her 16-years as a management consultant, she is a passionate LEAN educator. She frequently speaks at conference and serves as an instructor in University of California, San Diego's LEAN Enterprise program and an Industry Advisor for University of San Diego's Industrial and Systems Engineering Program. Karen is co-author of The Kaizen Event Planner: Achieving Rapid Improvement in Office, Service, and Technical Environments, co-developer Metrics-Based Process Mapping: An Excel-Based Solution, and is currently at work on a book about the commitments organizations must make to achieve the levels of operational excellence that they're capable of.
LEAN Supply Chain (Full-day)
Building a LEAN fulfillment stream
Presenter: Brad Bossence, LEANCor Supply Chain Group
Rating: Intermediate
As we begin focusing on waste elimination, inventory reduction and flow, we quickly realize that engagement by the "extended enterprise" is required to complete the LEAN journey. This workshop highlights the critical elements of LEAN as they apply to the Supply Chain and Logistics and provides opportunities to discuss what organizations need to do to successfully build a "LEAN Fulfillment Stream."
Bio:
Brad Bossence, Vice President, Customer Relations, LeanCor Supply Chain Group
Brad has over 15 years dedicated to LEAN supply chain consulting and operations management. At LeanCor, Brad teaches, consults, and supports LeanCor's customers at all levels of their LEAN journey. Prior to joining LeanCor in 2010, Brad held several logistics operational roles supporting Japanese manufacturers, including Toyota, Yamaha, Suzuki, Subaru, and Kubota. Well versed in the Toyota Production System, Brad held positions in Canada, USA, France, and Spain supporting the word class Toyota inbound logistics system.
The Harada Method (Half-day) - THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
The spirit of self-reliance
Presenter: Norman Bodek, PCS Inc.
Rating: Beginner, Intermediate
Every person is capable of expanding their abilities enormously. The Harada Method is rated as the number one improvement process in Japan today. Mr. Harada was a junior high school track and field coach at the worst school in Osaka, Japan. In just three years, the school went to number one out of 380 schools and 13 students won gold medals -- the highest achievement in all of Japan. In this workshop, learn how the Harada Method can help you to be an effective coach to inspire all of your associates to be successful.
Bio:
Norman Bodek, President, PCS Inc.
In 1979 Norman Bodek started Productivity Inc. - Press by publishing a newsletter called PRODUCTIVITY. In the last 28 years, he gone to Japan 78 times, visited close to 300 plants and published more than 100 Japanese management books in English. Norman was one of the first in the West to find and publish books, training materials and run conferences and seminars on TPS, SMED, CEDAC, quality control circles, 5 S, visual factory, TPM, VSM, Kaizen Blitz, cell design, standardized work, Poka-yoke, LEAN accounting, Andon, Hoshin Kanri, Kanban, and Quick and Easy Kaizen. He was selected into Industry's Week's Hall of Fame in December 2010. In the past ten years Norman has written/produced seven books: The Idea Generator, Rebirth of American Industry, Kaikaku the Power and Magic of LEAN, All You Gotta Do Is Ask, JIT Is Flow, Kaizen and the Art of Creative Thinking by Dr. Shigeo Shingo How to do Kaizen and is working on The Harada Method - the Spirit of Self-Reliance.
Norman Bodek founded the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence at Utah State University with Dr. Vern Buehler and is one of the few to be awarded personally the Shingo Prize.
Learning from the Masters (Full-day)
Sustaining a Culture of Performance Improvement
Presenter: Louis E. Schultz, Process Management LLP
Rating: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
To survive and prosper in today's economic environment, organizations must adopt new methods to optimize the system in which all work gets done. In the last 30 plus years we have seen many programs and tools to help us improve our work processes come and fade away, e.g., Quality Circles, Involvement Teams, Total Quality Control, Reengineering. What is needed is a cultural change that embraces all employees, customers, suppliers, and leadership.
This workshop will review the concepts, theories, and tools espoused by seven American and five Japanese management and quality leaders (Masters). Attendees are encouraged to write down any ideas gleaned by the review of the Masters that might be useful in their organizations. They can then go back to their organizations and conduct similar reviews of the Quality Masters with their leadership teams. They in turn write their thought on useful ideas on sticky notes. When finished these sticky notes are posted on a wall and an Affinity Diagram is produced. Titles of the sorted groups and developed in the form of a verb and a noun and these become Operating Principles for the organization. The Operating
Principles influence behaviour which in turn develops a long-term culture change.
With all employees and stakeholders understanding the Why, the new culture will ensure performance is sustainable over time.
Bio:
Louis E. Schultz, Owner, Process Management LLC
Lou Schultz is the founder and Managing Director of Process Management LLC. The company's mission is to assist organizations to achieve sustained, measurable performance improvement over decades. Mr. Schultz is recognized internationally as a leader in the field of quality improvement. Mr. Schultz was a friend and follower of W. Edwards Deming, the world-renowned father of quality and namesake of the Deming Quality Award. In addition, Mr. Schultz is a frequent speaker at national and international conferences and has written and published numerous articles on modern management. He is author of Profiles in Quality: Learning from the Masters and co-author of the Quality Handbook for Small Business. Mr. Schultz holds a bachelor-of-science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Nebraska and a master's degree of business administration from Pepperdine University.
LEAN Product Development (Full-day)
Practical Methods for Successful Deployment
Workshop Presenter: Ron Mascitelli, Technology Perspectives
Rating: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
This workshop provides step-by-step methodology for integrating the powerful waste-eliminating tools of LEAN product development into any product development process. In the current economic climate, doing more with less is a mandate for virtually any firm, particularly with respect to new product introductions. Unfortunately, much of the effort expended by product development teams is often unnecessary and potentially wasteful. In many cases, less than half of the team member's workday is actually spent creating value for their customers, and profits for their companies. In this highly practical, experience-based workshop, attendees will learn how firms from a number of different industry sectors have achieved substantial gains in time-to-market, profitability, and quality through successful implementation of LEAN product development. In addition, several new and powerful LPD tools will be introduced that can enable improved team communication (even for geographically dispersed teams), better understanding of voice-of-the-customer, and dramatically reduced project risk.
Firms that have embraced the practical, waste-eliminating methods of LEAN Product Development have reported up to 50 percent reduction in launch schedules, dramatic improvements in gross margin, and enhanced customer satisfaction. This workshop is based on the recently published book "Mastering Lean Product Development", by Ron Mascitelli.
Bio:
Ron Mascitelli, PMP, President, Technology Perspectives
Ron Mascitelli (MS Solid State Physics, UCLA, Project Management Professional (PMP)) served as senior scientist and director of R&D for Hughes Aircraft Company and the Santa Barbara Research Center. Since founding Technology Perspectives in 1994, Ron has worked with over 100 leading companies worldwide to implement LEAN product development tools and methods. He is the author of over two dozen journal papers and articles and five books including the bestselling "The LEAN Product Development Guidebook', and his most recent publication, "Mastering LEAN Product Development".
LEAN and Green 101 (Half-day)
Realizing Cost Savings by Uniting LEAN and Green Thinking
Workshop Presenter: Brett Wills, HPS Inc.
Rating: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Learn how organizations across North America are using the LEAN and Green process to achieve significant cost savings while reducing environmental impact and helping ensure the long term sustainability of their business. There is much talk about "Green" and Sustainability from a 10,000 foot level but very little talk about practical solutions that can be implemented today. See how organizations are taking practical LEAN thinking to the next level by expanding this thinking to include environmental waste. By focusing in on the 7 Green Wastes and following the LEAN and Green Process, organizations are able to uncover the often hidden and costly environmental wastes that have traditionally been overlooked. Learn about the LEAN and Green process and take away specific and proven action items for each of the 7 Green wastes that will realize immediate cost savings, reduce environmental impact, involve little to no investment and can be implemented quickly. Best practice examples from companies who have implemented these action items will illustrate the potential savings that lay hiding in your organization.
Bio:
Brett Wills, Senior Sustainability Coach, HPS Inc.
Brett Wills is a former Plant Manager with over 13 years of experience in the sustainability arena and first-hand experience leading teams in the implementation of sustainability and continuous improvement initiatives. As a Senior Sustainability Coach with High Performance Solutions Inc., Brett now spends a majority of his time helping organizations across North America profitably accelerate their journey towards sustainability. As facilitator of four Sustainability Consortiums, Brett has the opportunity to regularly work with leading, sustainability minded organizations keeping him in touch with the latest innovations in Sustainability. A sought after speaker on the topic of Sustainability, Brett provides lectures and keynote addresses to crowds at conferences and seminars across North America. As Professor of Green Business Management at Seneca College in Toronto, ON, Brett is helping to prepare the next wave of Sustainability Change Agents to enter the workforce. Brett lives in Toronto and is the author of "Green Intentions: Creating a Green Value Stream to Compete and Win" (Productivity Press July 2009).
Training Within Industry (TWI) (Half-day) - THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
The Missing Link to LEAN
Workshop Presenters: Robert J. Wrona and Patrick Graupp, TWI Institute
Rating: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
In the Toyota Way Fieldbook, Jeffrey Liker and David Meier state, "The Toyota method for training is tried and true, and they have used it (Training Within Industry - TWI) for over 50 years." Learn and experience the TWI method of training that was created in the US in the 1940's and why it is still used at Toyota to train people in the Toyota Production System to consistently produce the highest quality vehicles in the world. An overview of Job Relations (JR), Job Instruction (JI), and Job Methods Improvement (JM), and the recently translated Japanese TWI Job Safety (JS) and Problem Solving Training (PS) will demonstrate how this training contributes to the creation of a positive, collaborative work environment. You will learn how operators can be trained to do a job quickly, safely and conscientiously, and why this JI method has been a cornerstone for standardized work at Toyota since 1951 by participating in an interactive classroom demonstration of this teaching method. You will quickly understand why hundreds of companies in countries around the world are increasingly using TWI in Manufacturing, Health Care, Construction, and Service Industries to provide their people with the skills they need to continuously improvement.
Bios:
Robert J Wrona, Executive Director, TWI Institute
Bob began his career in manufacturing working for General Motors and Kodak. After 10 years as Vice President of Organizational Development for retail discount chain, he returned to manufacturing as an independent TQM Consultant. He became interested in TWI while studying Kaizen and then made contact with Patrick Graupp who was a TWI Trainer for Sanyo. They partnered to reintroduce TWI in 2001 as outlined in their book TWI Workbook: Essential Skills for Supervisors, and co-authored their follow up book Implementing TWI: Creating and Managing a Skills-Based Culture was published by Productivity Press in 2010.
Patrick Graupp, Senior Master Trainer, TWI Institute
Patrick began his training career in Japan where he was certified as a TWI Programs Master Trainer while delivering TWI training around the world for SANYO. His work with the TWI Institute enabled him to train thousands of supervisors and hundreds of new trainers that deliver TWI for companies around the world. Patrick and Bob Wrona co-authored the TWI Workbook: Essential Skills for Supervisors, a Shingo Research and Professional Publication Prize recipient in 2007. Their new book Implementing TWI: Creating and Managing a Skills-Based Culture was published by Productivity Press in 2010.
Employee Engagement (Half-day) - THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
Creating a Culture Where Employees Will Strive & Thrive
Workshop Presenter: Val Monk, Val Monk & Associates
Rating: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Do your employees wake up excited about what is ahead of them in their work day? Would they recommend your business as a great place to establish a long term career? Have you heard your employees say they are proud to be a member of your organization? Attracting, retaining and engaging dedicated employees is an essential priority in today's global economy. Business success and employee satisfaction can be established by finding a balance between concern for employees and concern for production & profit. There is much research which supports specific practices that create a culture where employees are engaged, happy, productive and willing to grow with the company.
This workshop is based on Dr. Deming's teachings of Continuous Improvement. It will provide practical and easy to apply ideas that will increase your awareness of the essential leadership skills which create a culture where employees strive and thrive. Lots of real life examples to learn from.
Bio:
Val Monk is a business advisor, specializing in Managerial and Behavioral Sciences. Her academic background includes a rare combination of Psychology, Organizational Learning, Leadership Development and Family Business Systems. She has had the opportunity to study directly with Dr. Edwards Deming. During the course of her career, Val has worked with companies that range from small, medium to large conglomerates across North America. Her keen insight in the psychology of people and behavior lends itself to creating strong corporate cultures. Val is known for her energetic and enthusiastic facilitation style. Growing up in a family owned business, she is an entrepreneur at heart. Val's strong belief in lifelong learning has built the foundation of her successful business, established 28 years ago.
Facilitation Skills (Half-day) - THIS WORKSHOP IS FULL
Essential skills for effective team facilitation...
Presenter: Janice Goldsborough, President/Co-owner, G2G HR Solutions Inc.
Rating: Intermediate
To be an effective and efficient LEAN leader, it is important to know how to work with teams and individuals and help them reach their full potential. For organizations involved in continuous improvement, highly developed facilitation skills are crucial. With facilitation skills, you will be able to identify and eliminate obstacles and enable your team to grow and to accomplish its mission. Through discussion and case study application, this workshop will help you learn and experience the essential skills for effective team facilitation.
Bio:
Janice Goldsborough has a wide range of experience in human resources spanning 20 years. Janice focuses on the Human Systems of LEAN implementations including team development and change management. Janice has her degree in Labour Studies from the University of Manitoba and her Certificate in Human Resource Management from Red River College. She is a Certified Human Resource Professional and Certified LEAN Six Sigma Yellow Belt. She also teaches at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College.
Introduction to LEAN Principles 101 (Half-day)
Intro to LEAN Principles 101
Learning the LEAN Basics
Presenter: John Chaput, LEAN Facilitator, Canadian Manufactures and Exporters
Rating: Beginner
Learn the LEAN Basics through presentation, discussion and simulation. In this hands-on, interactive workshop, you will learn the meaning and origins behind some of the commonly used LEAN terms. You will leave the workshop with a better understand of the basic principles for closing gaps in business performance through the structured use of LEAN methodologies and employee engagement. Presentation and discussion will be followed by two hours of LEAN Simulation. The simulation will walk you through an organization as it transforms from traditional manufacturing to a LEAN enterprise.
Bio:
John has worked in manufacturing for 19 years. His LEAN journey started in 1999 at Parker. He then spent 6 years at Westeel where he held a role as Business Redesign Manager charged with using LEAN Principles and the power of teams to double output from within the same square footage at a near capacity site. In 2008, John started work at CME as a LEAN leader in the role of consortium LEAN Facilitator. In this role he works closely with Manitoba organizations including: New Flyer, Viterra, Kitchen Craft, Winnipeg Police Services, to name a few. He has worked on or directed LEAN projects across Canada, USA, Europe, South America, and Japan. Recently he has been working with Manitoba Aerospace to create a LEAN Executive program called "The Executive Edge". John completed his LEAN Master Black Belt in October 2009.