Amazon

Continuous Improvement Manager

Area Manager

Site Manager

Junior Site Manager

Syddansk Universitet - University of Southern Denmark

Junior Research Assistant

Kverneland Group Kerteminde A/S

Master Thesis Project

ForeFlight

Data Consultant

Odense University Hospital

Semester Project

Follow for daily posts about Lean, CI & Innovation | Continuous Improvement Manager @ Amazon

Hi!👋 Ivan here

I'm an industrial engineer with 7+ years of experience in Operations Management and Continuous Improvement.

I serve two main groups of people:

	• Business owners and executives who want to turn their broken processes into brilliant ones (and save so much damn money) through Kaizen and Innovation

	• Founders and consulting firm owners within CI, Lean or Innovation who want to promote their businesses and make LinkedIn a legit revenue channel

(DM me for the details) 


I started writing on LinkedIn in October 2023. 

Since then, I have been sharing actionable, educational, and entertaining content to support LinkedIn community members in their continuous improvement journey. This helped me grow my audience from 9,000 to 100,000 followers in a year.

Join my newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/ddQncJM5

Ivan Carillo

26 Kaizen Leadership Mantras

Here are the 4 principles that I believe are most powerful (and why):

1/ Gemba never lies; go and see for yourself.

I've seen leaders make terrible decisions because they trusted Excel sheets over their own eyes. The problems that cost us millions are often visible on the shopfloor, but nobody bother to look. Reports tell you what people want you to know. Gemba tells you what's actually happening. I think the moment you stop walking the floor is the moment you lose touch with reality. Your operators won't lie to you if you show up regularly, ask good questions, and actually listen to their answers.

2/ Without psychological safety, Kaizen dies.

I've watched brilliant Kaizen programs collapse because people were terrified to speak up. Companies that blame individuals for systemic problems get exactly what they deserve. Silence. Workers hide defects, skip reporting near-misses, and watch waste happen rather than risk looking stupid or getting punished. I think this is why most Kaizen initiatives fail within a year. You can't improve what people won't talk about, and people won't talk about problems in a culture of fear.

3/ The person doing the work knows it best.

I learned this the hard way early in my career when I implemented a Kaizen idea. The operators supported it, then immediately went back to their old method the moment I left. Every time I've ignored frontline expertise, I've wasted time and money solving the wrong problem. I think we underestimate how much knowledge lives in the hands and muscle memory of people who do the same task hundreds of times daily.

4/ Kaizen culture doesn't support strategy. Kaizen culture is strategy.

I spent years thinking CI was something that helped execute our "real" strategy. I was wrong. Companies with a strong Kaizen culture adapt faster, survive disruptions better, and outperform competitors with superior strategic plans. I think this is the principle most executives miss. Your competitors can copy your products in months, but they can't copy a culture where thousands of people solve problems every single day.

P.S. What's your fav one in the list?

Founder of Gemba Walk AI — I help executives cut waste and fix the broken processes costing them millions

Brutal truth: most Kaizen implementations fail within 6 months.

Here's why (and how to fix it):

Common failure pattern..

↓ Launch with great enthusiasm 
↓ Form improvement teams 
↓ Run some workshops 
↓ See initial results 
↓ Get distracted by other priorities 
 ↳ Kaizen activities fade away

The missing ingredient? 
Systems thinking.

Successful Kaizen requires these systems working together:

1/ Total Quality Management

+Customer focus throughout organization
+Process-oriented improvement mindset

2/ Just-In-Time Production

+Elimination of waste in all forms
+Flow-based operations

3/ Total Productive Maintenance

+Equipment reliability and efficiency
+Operator involvement in maintenance

4/ Policy Deployment

+Clear targets cascading from top to bottom
+Aligned improvement efforts

5/ Suggestion Systems

+Employee engagement in daily improvement
+Recognition of participation

6/ Small Group Activities

+Quality circles and improvement teams
+Collaborative problem-solving
 
Most companies try to implement Kaizen 
…without these foundations. 

Remember:

Success requires patience.

+Start with one system
+Build it thoroughly
+Connect it to others gradually

…and never stop improving!

Founder of Gemba Walk AI • I help executives cut waste and fix the broken processes costing them millions

Most companies create fantastic value stream maps.

Then file them away. (I've seen it dozens of times) 

Video credit to Krish Sengottaiyan. Give him a follow

Teams spend weeks mapping their current state. 

They identify waste. 
They draft the future state

Then ...nothing changes.

You know why?

No one is responsible for the customer experience.

Traditional organizations are function-based.

→ Finance reports to CFO 
→ Operations reports to COO 
→ Sales reports to CRO

Each leader knows their department.
But nobody understands how value flows end-to-end.

No single leader owns value stream performance.

"Everyone" is responsible = No one is responsible

VSM needs an owner with authority. 
One leader who can make decisions across silos.

CEO could, but they operate too high to manage CI.

So it's key to assign executive-level VSM ownership. 

Before you map your next value stream, answer this:

Who owns the complete customer journey?

If you can't name them...
save yourself the effort.

P.S. Does anyone in your organization have E2E accountability for value delivery?

Oracle

Appointed as a Business Generation Representative for Oracle Global Industries' new team, focusing on a value-driven approach.

- Currently lead strategic initiatives like webinars and events to enhance brand visibility and product understanding.
- Awarded a Certificate of Recognition for innovative territory campaign execution.

Business Generation - Global Industries Awareness & Events

✔ Generated $684,876 in net new business revenue, with $156,150 from strategic outbound outreach

Business Development Consultant

Kleer

Kleer is a leader in dental membership solutions, offering cloud-based software that helps practices create custom care plans without relying on insurers. This makes dental care more affordable and accessible while improving revenue models and reducing insurer control over treatment and pricing.

✔ Generated ~ $2.4 million in pipeline revenue, resulting in roughly $271,000 closed annual recurring revenue.
✔Top Representative for 10/12 months, with quota expectations beat by 250% on average MoM
✔ Introduced and implemented a free tool to retrieve cell phone numbers & emails in a matter of minutes 
✔ Created a channel in a team of 8 that is used daily to share and provide feedback on recorded calls

Sales Development Representative

Sherwin-Williams

Territory Sales Manager - Lowe’s Business Unit

✔ Completed a 12 week development program in under 7 weeks due to seen participation and product knowledge

Sales Leadership Development Program - Consumer Brands Group

eBay

I started selling items on eBay as a hobby, focusing on retail arbitrage with most items sourced from second-hand stores. This turned into a successful venture with over 400 transactions worth $30,000+ and 100% positive feedback.

Top Rated Seller

Keeping Visionary Leaders Informed on Insights & Events | Knowledge is our Compass, and Research is the Map

Oracle Global Industries delivers world-class, cloud-based vertical operating solutions that have a profound impact on improving human lives. These solutions are developed for use in Communications, Construction & Engineering, Energy & Water, Financial Services, Food & Beverage, Hospitality & Leisure, Healthcare, Life Sciences, Retail, and State & Local Government.

As a Business Generation Representative for Oracle Global Industries, I drive value through industry specific brand and product awareness initiatives.

*All views are my own and not that of Oracle*

César Solís

Success isn’t about avoiding problems - it’s about pushing through them.
Every obstacle is a lesson that makes you stronger, wiser, and closer to your goals. 

Keep going - your future self will thank you.

Oracle | Keeping visionary leaders informed on insights & events. Follow me for daily posts on strategy, mindset, and professional development

Motivation is loud. Discipline is quiet.

One arrives when it feels easy.
The other arrives consistently.

Achievement doesn’t grow from random bursts.
It grows from steady practice, even on days you lack energy.

The reality?

Inspiration fades.
Consistency delivers.

Most people rarely hear their greatest ideas.

Not because they lack imagination.
But because they don’t sit still long enough to notice.

Brian Tracy suggests if you rest alone for 25–30 minutes without interruption, insights will begin to emerge.

Understanding comes when distractions fade.
Wisdom follows silence.

The gap isn’t generating ideas.
It’s building the environment to uncover them, and the commitment to pursue them.

8 TED Talks That Will Transform Your Communication

Great communication isn’t just about talking. 

It’s about connection, clarity, and impact.

Whether you want to hold attention, navigate tough conversations, or influence with confidence, these TED Talks will help you master the art of communication.

1. The Science Behind Better Conversations 
- Charles Duhigg
In a world of complexity and distractions, how do you truly connect? Duhigg, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author of The Power of Habit, breaks down the hidden dynamics of powerful conversations.

2. How to Speak So People Listen 
- Julian Treasure
Ever feel like your words go unheard? Treasure, a renowned sound expert, shares practical techniques to make your voice more engaging and persuasive.

3. How Not to Take Things Personally 
- Frederik Imbo
Misunderstandings happen but how you react makes all the difference. Imbo, a trained actor turned communication coach, reveals how to detach from criticism and stay in control.

4. 10 Ways to Have Better Conversations 
- Celeste Headlee
With decades of experience as a radio host, Headlee has mastered the art of conversation. She shares simple yet powerful habits that make every interaction more engaging and meaningful.

5. The Skill of Humor 
- Andrew Tarvin
Think you’re not funny? Think again. Tarvin explains how humor is a learnable skill that can break barriers, strengthen relationships, and even boost career success.

6. It’s Not Manipulation It’s Strategic Communication 
- Keisha Brewer
Communication is power if you know how to use it. Brewer, a strategic communications expert, reveals how to navigate conversations with intention, clarity, and influence.

7. Get Comfortable with Being Uncomfortable 
- Luvvie Ajayi
Your voice matters. Ajayi Jones shares three essential questions to ask yourself before speaking up, helping you find the courage to express your truth.

8. Reading Minds Through Body Language 
- Lynne Franklin
Can you decode thoughts just by observing body language? Almost. Franklin teaches how to read nonverbal cues and adapt your communication for different personalities.

Mastering communication is a game-changer.

Which TED Talk will you watch first? 
Let me know in the comments 👇

🔔 Follow me César Solís for more like this.
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8 Ted Talks to Master Communication

Most professionals were trained for a world that no longer exists.

The World Economic Forum projects that over 44% of 
workers’ core skills will change within the next 5 years.

Amazing carousel by Elise Victor, PhD (Give her a follow)

Harvard Business Review reports that adaptability and 
systems thinking are now top predictors of leadership 
potential.

And McKinsey found that traditional education systems lag behind in preparing workers for automation, AI, and hybrid work.

Yet many professionals were taught to:
- Memorize information
- Follow step-by-step processes
- Wait for instruction

That worked in the past.
But the AI era rewards something different:
- Learning without a playbook
- Rebuilding broken systems
- Thinking in uncertainty

Your diploma didn’t cover this part.
But your future will depend on it.

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