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?

For nearly 25 years, the Quebec Society for Quality (Mouvement québécois de la qualité) has been a guiding force for organizations, imparting expertise and facilitating the adoption of optimal and innovative business practices. Our outreach extends to business executives, quality professionals, and continuous improvement specialists across diverse sectors, including large and small enterprises, public and private entities, as well as manufacturers and service providers.

With over 50 training programs focused on operational excellence, we cover a spectrum that includes Hoshin Kanri Strategic Planning, Value Stream Mapping, A3 Problem Solving, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis, Agile methodologies, and ISO 9001 standards. Our instructors are highly skilled and meticulously chosen.

Recognized nationally, our Lean Master, Six Sigma, and Internal Auditor certifications underline our commitment to fostering professional growth. We go beyond mere certification, actively aiding our clients in appraising their performance levels through our proprietary Qualimètre method, which evaluates 7 crucial areas: Leadership, Strategy, Customer and Market Focus, Measurement Analysis and Knowledge Management, Workforce, Operations, and Business/Organizational Results.

Anchoring our commitment to knowledge dissemination is the Best Practices Annual Conference (Salon sur les meilleures pratiques d’affaires), the premier event dedicated to continuous improvement in Quebec. With over 60 booths showcasing improvement initiatives, keynote speakers, and more than 40,000 attendees, it stands as a testament to our dedication. The pinnacle of this event is the Quebec Performance Award (Prix performance Québec), bestowed annually by the Quebec Government upon organizations exemplifying excellence in management practices.

Membership in our program opens doors to mastermind-type networks of like-minded professionals, fostering knowledge exchange and collaborative problem-solving. Complementing this, our three workbooks on strategic planning, problem-solving, and coaching serve as invaluable resources, simplifying the path to achieving your business goals.

If you are serious about elevating both your career and organizational standing, we invite you to connect with us at www.qualite.qc.ca.

Sergio D'Amico, CSSBB

A real process simplifies. A fake one complicates with meetings. You can tell which one you’ve got.

If it’s hard to explain, it’s not a process.

If it takes a long file to explain…

You’ve lost before you start.

A process should save time.

Not drain it.

It should clear steps.

Not cause stress.

It should run on its own.

Not beg for your input.

If your team keeps asking "how?"

That’s not a system.

That’s your confusion in disguise.

The best systems work fast.

They don’t make people guess.

They don’t need hand-holding.

Or long talks to run.

Clear beats clever.

Simple wins every time.

***

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♻️ Share to help others clean up their messy steps.
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P.S. Fix it before you scale it.

I talk about continuous improvement and organizational excellence to help small business owners create a workplace culture of profitability and growth.

Office scene showing a man in a light blue shirt standing with his back to the viewer, scratching his head as he stares at an entire wall covered with dense, complex process flowcharts and tables. Above him hangs a large black banner with bold white text that reads: “IF IT TAKES LONGER TO EXPLAIN THE PROCESS THAN TO DO THE WORK, YOU DON’T HAVE A PROCESS, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM.” The contrast between the simple message on the banner and the crowded diagrams below suggests confusion and overly complicated procedures, reinforcing that unclear processes create problems. Image created by Sergio D’Amico.

You can’t fix what you can’t see.
SIPOC makes the mess visible.

And with 5 ChatGPT prompts in the comments,
You can build your SIPOC faster than ever.

SIPOC breaks a process into 5 key parts.
So you can spot gaps. And fix them fast.

S → Suppliers
Who gives you the stuff to start?

I → Inputs
What do you need to get going?

P → Process
What steps turn input into value?

O → Outputs
What do you hand off at the end?

C → Customers
Who gets the value you create?

Now why does this matter?

→ You get the full picture.
→ Your team works as one.
→ You find slow spots fast.
→ You keep the end-user in mind.
→ You make better calls, faster.

Want to build a SIPOC? Start here:

1/ Pick the process
2/ List the 5 parts
3/ Ask your team for input
4/ Keep it clear
5/ Tweak as you go

☕ Coffee Shop Example:

S: Coffee & bakery vendors
I: Beans, milk, tools, skilled staff
P: Receive, brew, mix, serve, clean
O: Drinks, snacks, joy
C: Walk-ins, mobile, office folks

When work feels messy.
SIPOC shows you why.

***

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♻️ Share to help others bring order to the chaos.
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P.S. A 5-box map beats 50 back-and-forth emails.
👉 Grab 5 ChatGPT prompts in the comments to build yours today.

Infographic on "The Power of SIPOC powered by ChatGPT" created by Sergio D'Amico. SIPOC streamlines supplier-to-customer processes by summarizing key elements for easier understanding and improvement. Five components: S-Suppliers (who provides inputs), I-Input (materials/resources needed), P-Process (steps converting inputs to outputs), O-Output (final product/service), C-Customers (who benefits). Creation steps: Choose Process, Define Components, Involve Stakeholders, Keep Simple, Review. Coffee shop example shows: Suppliers (coffee/dairy suppliers, equipment vendors, bakeries), Inputs (beans, milk, syrups, cups, water, staff), Process (receive supplies, grind, brew, prepare, serve, clean), Outputs (drinks, snacks, satisfied customers), Customers (walk-ins, mobile orders, catering). Benefits: Clarity, Alignment, Customer Focus, Problem Identification, Improved Communication.

The real threat isn’t the problem you see.
It’s the culture that tells you to shut up about it.

Ignoring problems is a bigger problem.
But it gets worse when you fear pointing them out.

Most teams don't fail from poor skills.
They fail from silence.

You may spot a red flag.
But culture says: "Stay quiet."

You may feel it's wrong.
But culture says: "Don’t stir the pot."

You may want to speak.
But culture says: "That’s not your job."

This is how big issues stay small.
Then break everything at once.

Strong teams don’t hide cracks.
They fix them fast.

Weak teams blame people.
Strong teams fix the process.

So don’t fear a problem.
Fear a place where truth dies.

***

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📌 P.S. Want a healthy team?
Make feedback normal. Not brave.

JSESSIONID

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Mohamed Mostafa

Stop micromanaging your team.
Train them to own daily audits with Kamishibai Boards.

Red cards don’t fix themselves.
But most teams still wait for someone else to act.

If you walk the floor each day...
And want less talk, more results, start here.

Kamishibai Boards help you spot issues fast.
And solve them without adding more tools.

Here’s what makes them work:

→ Pull a task card.
→ Do the task.
→ Flip the card green.

Red means it’s still a risk.
And risk stacks up until someone stops it.

Use them for:
→ Daily checks on machines
→ Safety rounds
→ 5S audits

Most shops start with just pen and board.
But now? You can go digital.

Track each task.
Get alerts when something's missed.
See how your team is doing.

Want to try it out?
Start small:

1/ Pick 5 key tasks.
2/ Train your leads.
3/ Add new checks as your team improves.

Kamishibai helps your team build one habit:
Fix fast. Don’t wait.

***

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P.S. Even Toyota still uses this system.
And they build some of the best in the world.

Are you ready to spot red before it spreads?

Kaci M.

PDCA works at home too.
Here's how to use it on small daily problems.

Most people fix big problems.

But the small ones eat your time.

Let’s change that with one idea.

It’s called PDCA.

Plan. Do. Check. Act.

It’s not just for work. It works at home too.

Here’s how it works:

PLAN
→ Spot the real issue
→ Learn what’s wrong
→ Think of 1-2 things you can try

DO
→ Try them in a safe way
→ Track the steps you take
→ Write what you change

CHECK
→ Look at the results
→ Match them to your goal
→ Keep notes of what worked

ACT
→ Keep what helped
→ Teach others if it’s a group thing
→ Then… find the next small fix

Examples?

Plant keeps dying?
→ Plan: It needs care
→ Do: Water on Tue/Fri
→ Check: Is it still green?
→ Act: Add plant food monthly

Electric bill too high?
→ Plan: Unplug unused stuff
→ Do: Use smart plugs
→ Check: Bill dropped?
→ Act: Make it your norm

Too much cooking stress?
→ Plan: Prep on Sundays
→ Do: Cut veggies in bulk
→ Check: Save 30 mins daily?
→ Act: Get better containers

PDCA is simple.

But if you keep doing it…
You fix more than you think.

***

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P.S. Try it for one task today.
Then come back next week…
And thank yourself.

Infographic created by Sergio D’Amico explaining the PDCA cycle for everyday continuous improvement. A circular diagram in the center shows four colored quarters labeled Plan (gold), Do (green), Check (blue), and Act (red) with arrows indicating continuous movement. The top reads "Everyday Continuous Improvement: Apply PDCA Anywhere" by Sergio D'Amico. Left section defines PDCA as Plan-Do-Check-Act, a continuous improvement tool promoted by W. Edwards Deming. Key benefits include lasting positive changes, fewer urgent crises, and teamwork becoming habit. Right section details each phase: Plan (define problem, study facts, design solution), Do (test solution, write changes, track results), Check (measure results, compare with goals, note what worked), Act (keep good changes, teach everyone, find next problem). Three examples appear: Meal Prepping Efficiency, Energy Saving, and Plant Care System, each broken into PDCA steps. Warm kitchen setting with copper pendant lights, shelves, etc.

Respect isn’t a culture poster. It’s every eye contact, every reply, every hard conversation done right.

Respect isn’t said. It’s shown.

It’s not a word you hang on a wall.

It’s how you walk through the door.

How you treat the janitor and the CEO the same.

How you listen, not just wait to talk.

How you own a mistake before you blame.

How you back someone even when no one else will.

In today’s world, people sniff out fake fast.

So if you only say it but never show it…
You lose trust before you earn it.

Real leaders show respect on the floor.
In the emails.
In the calls.
In the moments no one’s watching.

That’s when it counts.

***

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📌 P.S. Don’t just write respect in your values.
Let your team feel it every day.

How do you show respect in your work?

A group of six workers in gray shirts and blue pants, wearing hard hats, stand in a factory setting. They are smiling and engaging in a handshake with a man in a suit. Above them, a sign reads, "Respect isn’t a value on the wall. It’s a behavior on the floor." The scene conveys teamwork and professionalism in a workplace environment. Image created by Sergio D'Amico.

Everyone copies Toyota's tools. Almost no one copies their thinking.
That’s why most “Lean” transformations fail.

Tools don’t build teams. Thinking does.
But most firms skip the thinking part.

The book Bringing Scientific Thinking to Life explains why.

Written by Prof. Sylvain Landry. Give him a follow.

Enter Toyota Kata
A method to teach teams how to learn every day.

Here’s how it works:

☑︎ The Improvement Kata

A 4-step habit to work with facts, not guesses.

1/ Understand the Direction
→ Set a bold goal that feels out of reach.

2/ Grasp the Current Condition
→ Know where you stand, not where you wish you were.

3/ Set the Next Target Condition
→ Pick the next small step, 1 to 3 weeks out.

4/ Experiment Toward the Target Condition
→ Test fast. Fail small. Learn fast.

Obstacles are not blockers.
They are guides.

Each block helps shape the path forward.

☑︎ The Coaching Kata

Managers don’t fix.
They coach.

They use 5 questions to help the team reflect.

1/ What’s the target condition?
2/ What’s the current condition?
3/ What's preventing you from reaching the target?
4/ What's your next step?
5/ How quickly can we go see what we've learned?

They don’t lead with answers.
They lead with questions.

🔍 Why it works

It taps into how the brain builds habits.
By working in small loops.
With real-time feedback.
And clear roles for both learner and coach.

This isn’t a toolset.
It’s a mindset.
One that builds itself, day by day.

***

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♻️ Share to help others bring Kata into their daily work.
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P.S. Want your team to grow smarter each week
Start by asking better questions.
And build thinking like it’s your core skill.

Infographic on Toyota Kata methodology. Center shows book "Bringing Scientific Thinking to Life" by Sylvain Landry, PhD. Improvement Kata four-step model: 1) Understand Direction/Challenge, 2) Grasp Current Condition, 3) Establish Next Target, 4) Experiment Toward Target. Coaching Kata five questions: 1) What is Target Condition? 2) What is Current Condition? 3) What obstacles exist? 4) What's your next step? 5) How quickly can we test and learn? Why It Works: Practice develops scientific thinking habits; builds disciplined mindset through coaching; automates thinking to unlock creativity. Getting Started: Start small with short cycles; use deliberate practice with feedback; progress from imitation to mastery.
Key points: Most fail copying visible tools not underlying behaviors. Each organization needs tailored solutions. Success requires developing skilled coaches and decentralized practice. Created by Sergio D’Amico


If your processes don’t improve with time, your QMS isn’t working.
ISO 9001 builds continuous improvement into your daily workflow.

Your ISO badge means nothing.
If your QMS doesn’t work in real life.

Here’s your no-fluff ISO 9001 cheat sheet:

This is for you if.
↳ You run operations or quality.
↳ You own a small or mid-size business.
↳ You want ISO to drive real results. Not paperwork.

1/ What is ISO 9001?
↳ It’s a global rulebook for doing things right.
↳ One goal: Better systems. Happy users. Always improving.

2/ The 7 core principles that guide it:
↳ Customer focus
↳ Leadership
↳ Engagement of people
↳ Process approach
↳ Improvement
↳ Evidence-based decisions
↳ Relationship management

3/ Use the PDCA loop:
↳ Plan → Do → Check → Act
↳ It’s simple… but it saves you pain later.

4/ Know the 7 parts of ISO 9001 (Clauses 4 to 10):
↳ Context: Know your world
↳ Leadership: Lead with clear goals
↳ Planning: Spot risks + set goals
↳ Support: Back your team
↳ Operation: Guide the work
↳ Performance: Watch the results
↳ Improvement: Keep getting better

5/ Think like a system:
↳ Each process links to the next.
↳ Input → Process → Output → Feedback → Fix

6/ Risks and Opportunities
↳ What can go wrong?
↳ What can go great?
↳ Act before you react.

7/ Your documentation matters:
↳ Policy. Plans. Forms. Checks. Proof.
↳ What you aim for
↳ How you do it
↳ What went right/wrong
↳ What you changed after

8/ Spot the gaps. Then fix them.
↳ Find the root cause.
↳ Take action.
↳ See if it worked.
↳ Share what you learned.

9/ Audit it right:
↳ Internal audits
↳ Customer audits
↳ Certification audits

10/ Want it to work?
↳ Lead it from the top.
↳ Keep it simple.
↳ Train the team.
↳ Review often.

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P.S. You don’t need a thick manual.
You need a smart system that works for your team.
Start with one fix today.

ISO 9001 quality management reference infographic by Sergio D'Amico showing key concepts. Left side covers: What ISO 9001 is (international standard for customer satisfaction and improvement with pyramid diagram), PDCA Cycle (Plan-Do-Check-Act circular process), Process Approach (Input-Process-Output-Feedback flow), Risk and Opportunity Thinking (spotting failures, noting gains, deciding actions), ISO 9001 Audits (internal, customer, certification), and Corrective Actions (spot nonconformities, fix root causes, document, verify). Right side lists: Core Principles (customer focus, leadership, engagement, process approach, improvement, evidence-based decisions, relationship management), Structure (context, leadership, planning, support, operations, evaluation, improvement), Key Documents (quality policy, procedures, instructions, records), and Implementation Tips (start simple, involve people, use clear documents, train on examples, review progress, keep improving).

Stop reacting to risks too late.
Learn how to see them before they strike.

Most people fear risk.
But the real danger is not seeing it coming.

There’s a tool that helps you stay ready.

It’s called a Risk Matrix.

And if you deal with projects, teams, or plans…

You need this.

Here’s why it works so well:

→ It ranks each risk by how likely and how bad it is.
→ It shows you what to fix first.
→ It makes risk clear for your whole team.

How to build it:

1️⃣ Draw a grid: 3 rows, 3 columns.
2️⃣ One side = Likelihood.
3️⃣ Other side = Impact.
4️⃣ Use colors to mark risk zones:
→ 🔴 = Critical
→ 🟠 = High
→ 🟡 = Medium
→ 🟢 = Low

Example:

→ System crash = High risk
→ Customer complaint = Medium
→ Late shipment = Low

But here’s where people go wrong:

→ They guess the numbers
→ They skip team input
→ They never update it

Here’s what to do instead:

→ Use real data, not guesses
→ Score risks the same way every time
→ Update your matrix as things change

When used right, a Risk Matrix makes things easier.

You act faster.
Your team sees what matters.
And big problems don’t catch you off guard.

Don’t wait for things to break.

Plan for them now.

***

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P.S. Simple tools like this are what smart teams use to stay ahead. Try building yours today.

Risk Matrix infographic by Sergio D’Amico. Title: "Simplify Risks, Maximize Results"
A tool to rank risks using likelihood and impact for visual risk assessment and decision-making.
Benefits: Spot critical risks fast, prevent costly mistakes, improve team focus, faster decisions, team alignment.
How to build: 1) List risks, 2) Rate likelihood 1-3, 3) Rate impact 1-3, 4) Create 3x3 matrix, 5) Plot risks, 6) Analyze placement.
3x3 matrix shows Likelihood vs Impact with color zones: Low (green), Medium (yellow), High (orange), Critical (red).
Examples: IT system failure, supply chain disruption, budget overruns, vendor performance issues.
Follow-up: Assign actions, monitor regularly, update as needed.
Avoid: Ignoring small risks, overrating unlikely events, forgetting team input, focusing one axis only, skipping reviews.
Tips: Be consistent in scoring, include whole team, keep updated, don't overcomplicate.
Uses: Project management, business strategy, workplace safety, product launches.


Stop optimizing random business processes. Start optimizing the ones that actually impact your profits.

Most businesses skip this.

But skipping this step costs you profit.

Here’s what you need to do:

Use Value Chain Analysis.

It helps you find the gold in your daily work.

Here’s how it works:

→ Spot what you do each day
→ Sort tasks that help the buyer
→ Cut what adds no gain
→ Improve what brings you sales
→ Repeat till results shine

Simple, right?

Now here’s what it gives you:

→ Makes your product better
→ Lifts your brand’s name
→ Keeps your buyers happy
→ Cuts waste in your work
→ Helps you grow fast

Let’s use an example:

→ A coffee shop buys good beans.
→ Trains staff to serve with care.
→ The cup tastes great.
→ The buyer smiles and returns.

That’s the chain in action.

Here’s your big clue:

→ Learn what part adds worth.
→ Drop what holds you back.
→ Use data to see what works.

Start today.
Look at how your work flows.
Change what must change.

Then keep one goal in mind…

Give more value than you take.

***

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P.S. Do you know what part of your work adds the most value?

Minh Nguyễn

You can’t delay improvement.
These 9 posts show you how to start today.

Your team grows when growth never stops.

But most teams wait for the “right time”.

The right time is now.

Here’s what you gain when you build a “get better each day” culture:

☑︎ Safer work and fewer errors
☑︎ Leaders who rise from inside
☑︎ Lower waste in time and cost
☑︎ Faster flow from idea to launch
☑︎ Stronger teams that think ahead
☑︎ A brand seen as sharp and stable
☑︎ Fewer fires to put out each week
☑︎ A workplace people want to stay in

Over the past few weeks, I’ve shared 9 posts to break this down. Here’s a recap:

---

1. Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement:

Link: https://lnkd.in/etVdxPzb

---

2. …Through Leadership Commitment

Link: https://lnkd.in/eX8F4PzD

---

3. …Through Employee Empowerment

Link: https://lnkd.in/eD_TJCbS

---

4. …Through Strategic Alignment

Link: https://lnkd.in/e_AFDeiR

---

5. …Through Talent Development

Link: https://lnkd.in/eJK-veGu

---

6. …Through Daily Operations

Link: https://lnkd.in/e96vCiMq

---

7. … Through Metrics and Incentives

Link: https://lnkd.in/e7V7nEVU

---

8. …Through Knowledge Management

Link: https://lnkd.in/e-JJZhzs

---

9. … Through Cultural Habits

Link: https://lnkd.in/eZJpjd-z

---

Growth isn’t about 1 big fix.
It’s about daily moves in the right way.

These 9 posts break it down.
Pick one. Start there.

***

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📌P.S. This is the kind of culture people stay for.

Business infographics collage on building a continuous improvement culture. Key sections: Leadership Commitment (demonstrate involvement, model behaviors), Strategic Alignment (align with business goals, prioritize customer value), Operational Integration (build into core processes), Skill Development (develop problem-solving abilities), Employee Empowerment (delegate decision-making, create psychological safety), Knowledge Management (share best practices), Metrics & Incentives (track indicators, establish feedback loops), Cultural Habits (root in core values), Talent Development (skills training, coaching), Daily Operations (incremental changes). Colorful backgrounds feature eagles, mountains, business imagery. Created by Sergio D’Amico.

What if your meetings were 15 minutes and actually drove results?
Build yours with the ChatGPT prompt in the comments.

Most meetings drag. This one drives action.
Here’s how a daily huddle can change your whole team:

What It Is
→ A quick meet. Same time. Same place.
→ Helps the team plan fast and act smart.

Why You Need It
→ To align tasks
→ Spot roadblocks early
→ Boost team speed

The Power Rules
→ Always stand
→ Keep it short
→ Follow the flow

Who Should Join
→ The full team
→ Led by the team lead
→ Support joins when needed

Best Time to Run
→ Start of shift
→ 15 mins max
→ No spillovers

The Winning Format
→ 2 mins: What worked yesterday
→ 3 mins: What’s the plan today
→ 5 mins: What’s in our way
→ 3 mins: What help is needed
→ 2 mins: What’s next

Simple Rules to Engage
→ No phones. No tech.
→ One speaker only
→ Use boards to show, not tell
→ Stay on task

How You Know It’s Working
→ It ends on time
→ Tasks get done
→ People speak more
→ You save time
→ Team feels good

Be Ready Before You Begin
→ Have your agenda up
→ Review KPIs
→ Set your tools
→ Prep the space
→ Check yesterday’s steps

And Lead Like This:
→ Be sharp with time
→ Don’t let talk wander
→ Keep the vibe high
→ Guide. Don’t control.

💡 Want a full ChatGPT prompt to build your own version?
Check the comments. It's all there.

***

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📌 P.S. Want your team to act faster with fewer meetings?
Try this huddle for 7 days. You’ll never go back.

"Infographic titled 'The Daily Huddle' by Sergio D'Amico showing how to turn 15 minutes into focus, clarity, and action guided by ChatGPT. Core Principles: Keep it brief (15 mins), focus on daily priorities, no detailed discussions, everyone stands, action-oriented outcomes. Key Benefits: Increased energy levels, improved participation, faster decision-making, better focus and attention. Time Management breakdown: 2min for yesterday's progress, 3min for today's plan, 5min for blockers/issues, 3min for resource needs, 2min for action items. Tips: Start on time, keep energy levels high, guide without dominating, redirect detailed discussions, monitor speaking time balance. Engagement Rules: No phones or laptops, one speaker at a time, use visual boards, stay on topic, park detailed discussions. Central image shows four workers in safety vests and hard hats standing in an industrial control room with monitors. Bottom text invites sharing and following Sergio D'Amico for more insights."

Stop guessing who does what. RASCI makes roles clear.
Use the 3 ChatGPT prompts in comments to run it right.

Roles don't need to be messy.

But if your team’s confused... results will slow.

Let me show you a tool called RASCI.

What’s RASCI?

It’s a 5-letter map for “who does what” on a team.

It helps you…
→ Clarify each role
→ Remove job overlap
→ Set clear lines of say and do
→ Move fast without fights

The 5 roles in RASCI:
→ R = Responsible → Does the job
→ A = Accountable → Signs it off
→ S = Support → Helps get it done
→ C = Consulted → Gives advice
→ I = Informed → Gets updates

Just one “A” per task. That rule keeps things clean.

Why it works?
→ You skip slow meetings.
→ You stop redoing work.
→ You avoid drama like “But I thought I was doing it.”
→ You know who’s in charge, not just who’s involved.

How to build one?
→ List each task
→ Map who plays which role
→ Share it with your team
→ Keep it fresh

Don’t skip reviews.

Mistakes to avoid:
→ Too many cooks (aka “R”s)
→ No clear boss (aka no “A”)
→ Vague roles
→ Big grid, no action
→ Never looking at it again

Examples
→ Event plans run smooth
→ Dev teams move fast
→ Budget talks stay clear
→ Crises stay calm

💡BONUS: 3 ChatGPT Prompts in Comments
→ One to build your RASCI from scratch
→ One to fix a broken one
→ One to guide your next team prep

***

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📌 P.S. Use the prompts below to build, fix, or run RASCI with ease.

The RASCI Matrix Guide infographic explains role clarification for project success. RASCI is for: Responsible (Doer), Accountable (Approver), Support (Helper), Consulted (Advisor), and Informed (Updates). Benefits include reducing overlaps, faster decisions, team alignment, clear expectations, and fewer conflicts. Use for complex projects, cross-team work, and new initiatives. How to build: list all tasks, assign R/A/S/C/I roles, create a grid, share with team, update regularly. Sample matrix shows Operations Manager, Logistics Coordinator, Quality Assurance, Procurement Officer, and Safety Inspector roles across tasks like Optimize Workflow, Manage Inventory, and Conduct Safety Audit. Origins trace to 1950s management tools for improved task clarity. Tips include training teams, keeping it simple, reviewing often, using clear labels, and focusing on goals. Common issues: roles not respected, missing approvals, overlapping tasks, poor communication, outdated matrix. by Sergio D'Amico.

Innovation doesn't start with an idea.
It starts by listening to real people.

Not in boardrooms.
Not in brainstorms.

But in streets, calls, homes, hospitals, schools.

Because people don’t need more features.
They need their problems solved.

That’s where design thinking comes in.

→ You feel what they feel.
→ You spot what they don’t say.
→ You build what they truly need.

It’s not about being right.
It’s about being useful.

Here’s what makes design thinking work:

→ Start with people
Talk less. Listen more. Learn how they feel.

→ Find the core problem
Don’t guess. Dig deep. Ask “why” five times.

→ Brainstorm bold ideas
No idea is bad. Go wide. Go weird.

→ Make fast mockups
Use paper. Use tape. Keep it light and cheap.

→ Test. Tweak. Try again.
The goal? Fail fast. Then win faster.

This works for all fields:

→ Health
→ Tech
→ Schools
→ Even your next business idea.

But here’s where most folks mess up:

☒ They rush steps
☒ They skip real user talk
☒ They fear flops and hate messy

Don’t do that.

Instead:

✓ Keep it fun
✓ Stay with the user
✓ Let things break and learn fast

Even giants like Airbnb and Tesla use it.

Why?

Because it works.

Simple tools. Sharp focus. Real impact.

You don’t need more slides.

You need more action.

***

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📌 P.S. Start small. Pick one issue and test this today.

Design Thinking infographic by Sergio D'Amico showing a circular process diagram with a lightbulb at center. The five-stage cycle includes: 1-Empathize (blue), 2-Define (dark blue), 3-Ideate (purple), 4-Prototype (pink), and 5-Test (light blue). Four corner boxes detail: What is Design Thinking (solve real human needs, iterative creative process, team-driven experiments); Benefits (drives innovation and adaptability, saves resources and cuts risks, builds teamwork and user focus); Key Principles (human-centered focus, learn by doing, optimism matters, embrace ambiguity, collaborate widely); and Tools & Resources (mind maps, user personas, storyboarding, sticky notes, feedback grids, prototyping apps). Bottom sections show Examples (Airbnb's user-first revamp, Tesla's Autopilot testing, Apple's first mouse), what to Avoid (skipping research, ignoring feedback, rushing steps, siloed teams), and Tips (listen actively, stay curious, involve users, think visually).

Being busy is not the same as being effective.
Your to-do list doesn’t know that. The Eisenhower Matrix does.

Your to-do list is lying to you.
It doesn’t show you what’s worth doing.

Try this instead:
Use the Eisenhower Matrix.

It splits all tasks into 4 clear quadrants.

Quadrant 1: Do now
It’s urgent and matters a lot.
→ Think deadlines, real problems, quick action.

Quadrant 2: Decide
It matters, but it’s not urgent.
→ Goals, skill-building, health, self-growth.

Quadrant 3: Delegate
It feels urgent but isn’t important.
→ Emails, messages, small requests.

Quadrant 4: Delete
It doesn’t help you at all.
→ Scrolling, distractions, busywork.

If you don’t take control of your tasks…
They’ll end up controlling you.

This one system clears your head.
And saves your time.

Start now:
Write down your tasks.

Sort them into the 4 quadrants.

***

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📌 P.S. Focus on the tasks that move your life forward.

The Eisenhower Matrix infographic by Sergio D'Amico showing a time management system with 4 quadrants. The matrix is displayed as a brown wooden organizer with four compartments. Top section explains: What It Is - simple decision-making tool to sort tasks into 4 groups and focus on what matters; Why It Works - saves time and energy, stops procrastination, boosts productivity; The 4 Quadrants - urgent vs. important framework with clear priorities.
Quadrant 1 (green, top-left): DO - Urgent and Important tasks that must be done right now, like deadlines and emergencies. Quadrant 2 (blue, top-right): DECIDE - Important but Not Urgent tasks to schedule time for, like goals and self-care. Quadrant 3 (red, bottom-left): DELEGATE - Urgent but Not Important tasks for others to handle, like emails and small requests. Quadrant 4 (orange, bottom-right): DELETE - Not Urgent and Not Important tasks to cut from your day, like social media scrolling. How to Start: Write tasks, sort them into quadrant1

D.O.W.N.T.I.M.E. is killing your productivity.
You just don’t see it… yet.

You’re not lazy, your process is.

But it’s not your fault.

Most teams bleed time, cash, and talent without seeing it.

Why?

They miss the 8 sneaky wastes hiding in their work.

Let’s break it down:

The 8 Time Killers (aka D.O.W.N.T.I.M.E.)

1/ Defects → You redo work
2/ Overproduction → You do more than asked
3/ Waiting → You stop and wait
4/ Non-used talent → Your people are underused
5/ Transport → You move stuff too much
6/ Inventory → You hoard more than you need
7/ Motion → You move more than the task needs
8/ Extra steps → You do work that adds no value

How to Spot Waste

→ Map your process
→ Track time
→ Watch how people move
→ Study delays
→ Go to the floor (Gemba)
→ Check what your team really does

How to Kill Waste

→ Use Standard Work
→ Start Pull Systems
→ Set up Visuals
→ Train your team in 5S
→ Cross-train for speed
→ Cut changeover time

Why This Matters

Wastes cost you…
→ More money
→ More time
→ More stress
→ Less happy clients

Fix one waste, and the rest follow.

Pick the worst one today.

Cut it tomorrow.

***

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The 8 Wastes DOWNTIME Decoder infographic by Sergio D’Amico shows how to identify, measure, and eliminate productivity killers. DOWNTIME acronym breakdown: D-Defects, O-Overproduction, W-Waiting, N-Non-utilized Talent, T-Transportation, I-Inventory, M-Motion, E-Extra-processing. Waste Detection Methods include Time Studies, Process Mapping, Spaghetti Diagrams, Gemba Observation, and Value Stream Analysis. Measurement Tools: OEE, Process Time Tracking, Work Sampling, First Pass Yield, Travel Distance, Quality Metrics, Inventory Turns, Takt Time Analysis, and Wait Time Analysis. Impact on Business: Increased Costs, Lower Quality, Longer Lead Times, Employee Frustration, and Customer Dissatisfaction. Success Metrics: Improved quality, Higher employee engagement, Decreased cost per unit, and Reduced lead time to deliver. Elimination Strategies: Pull Systems, Cross-Training, Standard Work, Quick Changeover, 5S Implementation, and Visual Management.

McDonald’s uses them. Toyota scaled with them.
These are the 5 principles of Lean that any business can adopt and thrive with.

Lean is not about doing more.
It’s about doing less, but better.

Here’s a quick take on the 5 Lean principles:

1/. Know what your buyers value
→ Don’t guess. Ask.
→ They don’t pay for features. They pay for results.
→ Value = what they want + what they hate losing.

2/. Map what adds (and kills) value
→ Look at every step from “order” to “done.”
→ Ask: Does this add value? If not, cut it.
→ Cut noise. Keep flow.

3/. Make it flow like water
→ Move from one step to the next, fast.
→ Fix slow steps that stop the pace.
→ Build teams that don’t wait. They act.

4/. Pull only when it’s needed
→ Work on real orders, not hopes.
→ Don’t pile up work.
→ The less you store, the more you win.

5/. Never stop fixing
→ Let teams tweak. Small wins, big gains.
→ Track what’s slow, off, or wasteful.
→ Keep your eyes on the goal: better, faster, leaner.

Here’s Lean in a coffee shop:

→ Ask what kind of coffee they want.
→ Cut steps that don’t help.
→ Make each step smooth and fast.
→ Brew only when ordered.
→ Keep finding better ways.

***

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P.S. Lean isn’t just for shops or plants.
You can use it in work, life, and teams.

What will you cut to make room for better?

Lean in Action infographic on 5 core principles, created by Sergio D’Amico. Lean Thinking creates more value using fewer resources, with benefits of increased efficiency, reduced costs, improved quality, and customer satisfaction. Lean Culture encourages employees to identify waste and suggest improvements. Five principles: Value - identify what customers value and will pay for; Value Stream - visualize process steps and eliminate non-value activities; Flow - ensure smooth product movement through production; Pull - produce only what customers need when needed, reducing inventory and waste; Perfection - continuously improve to deliver flawless value. Coffee shop example: customers want quality drinks made quickly; steps mapped to identify waste; tools near barista for seamless flow; drinks made only when ordered; staff seeks improvements like precise steamers and clearer order systems.

Toyota taught us the tools. Mark Forkun teaches us the behavior.
16 habits. 45 years of wisdom. Real Lean starts here.

Lean won’t work without these daily habits.
But most leaders still chase tools, not behavior.

GENBA IKIGAI Leading to Serve flips that.

Written by Mark Forkun. Give him a follow.

He's a coach with 45+ years in:
→ Toyota Production System
→ Engineering & Finance
→ Leadership & Culture Building

This book blends lean tools, values, and purpose so leaders can build real, lasting change.

Before you start a Lean transformation, read this.

And then live these 16 habits every day:

1/ Hansei: Reflect each day
→ No time to pause? No time to grow.

2/ Stay humble at the Genba
→ People follow leaders who listen.

3/ Match your words with actions
→ That’s how trust is built.

4/ Build trust with real respect
→ It's not a buzzword, it's the base.

5/ Show what matters, clearly
→ Clarity beats chaos every time.

6/ Lead a tribe, not just a team
→ Great leaders walk the talk.

7/ Mendoumi: Care for your people deeply
→ Support them where they stand.

8/ Celebrate the small wins
→ Little joy fuels big change.

9/ Fix the flow first
→ Stop chasing speed. Fix the path.

10/ Be a coach, not a boss
→ Help them solve. Watch them grow.

11/ Know your numbers well
→ Link data to the “why”.

12/ Use facts. Spot future foxes
→ Stay ahead by seeing signs.

13/ PDCA. Climb step-by-step
→ No leaps. Just steady gains.

14/ Solve together, always
→ Teamwork saves time and stress.

15/ Show up fast when help is called
→ No blame. Just support.

16/ Yokoten: Share the best with all
→ One win should lift many.

Organizational success starts with you, your habits, and your behaviors. — Mark Forkun

📚 Want a lean culture that actually sticks?
++ Start here: [GENBA IKIGAI: Leading to Serve]
++ Follow the author: Mark Forkun
++ Apply one habit per day and watch the shift happen.

***

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P.S. Which habit do you need to grow in right now?

Book cover and infographic for "Genba Ikigai Leading to Serve" by Mark Forkun, second edition, subtitled "Aligning Meaning with Performance: Lean Habits for Leadership and Operations." The cover shows stacked stones on water. Surrounding cards display leadership principles: Hansei self-reflection for learning and kaizen; Humility and Gratitude for engagement; Building Integrity by aligning words and actions; Flow by seeing real work and removing friction; Developing Respect and Mutual Trust; Building and Leading the Tribe through shared values; Visual Management for focused teamwork; Caring for Others Menoumi; Celebrating small wins; Climbing the Mountain with PDCA-Kaizen; Yokoten for sharing best practices; Knowing the Numbers; Focus on Facts and Foxes; Engaging Others; Supporting Others Andon without blame; Become a Problem-Solving Coach. Includes compass and Mark Forkun quote about organizational success. Created by Sergio D’Amico.

You’ve seen Deming’s 14 Points one by one.
Now, here’s the full path to true quality leadership.

Save this post for later.

In a world chasing speed, Deming chose quality.
Not just in products, but in how we lead.

His 14 points weren’t old-school; they were timeless.

Today, they feel like a roadmap we forgot to follow.
Now’s the time to return to what works.

Below is the full series: clear, simple, and ready to shape better systems:

---

An Overview of Deming's 14 Points

Link: https://lnkd.in/ej9DnZ8w

---

Point 1: Create a constant purpose for long-term improvement.

Link: https://lnkd.in/e4YgfK3U

---

Point 2: Adopt the new philosophy; we are in a new age.

Link: https://lnkd.in/ehQs9XBE

---

Point 3: Stop depending on mass inspection to achieve quality.

Link: https://lnkd.in/eDdb6Dxc

---

Point 4: End awarding business based only on price tag.

Link: https://lnkd.in/e5gwrrD5

---

Point 5: Improve constantly and forever the system of production.

Link: https://lnkd.in/eCZ4tC3S

---

Point 6: Institute modern methods of training on the job.

Link: https://lnkd.in/eQY_x5bC

---

Point 7: Adopt and institute leadership to help people do better.

Link: https://lnkd.in/erdaV7nu

---

Point 8: Drive out fear so everyone can work effectively.

Link: https://lnkd.in/e2GbxpAv

---

Point 9: Break down the barriers between different staff areas.

Link: https://lnkd.in/eyPtrQed

---

Point 10: Eliminate slogans and targets for the workforce.

Link: https://lnkd.in/eFpSxChy

---

Point 11: Eliminate quotas and management by objective (MBO).

Link: https://lnkd.in/egRPNeyy

---

Point 12: Remove barriers that rob people of their pride.

Link: https://lnkd.in/e7Rjb7FH

---

Point 13: Institute a program of education and self-improvement.

Link: https://lnkd.in/e8TWDdTg

---

Point 14: Put everybody in the company to work.

Link: https://lnkd.in/eCrzgh2q

---

Quality isn’t a goal. It’s a mindset.
Deming gave us the map. We just have to walk it.

---

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P.S. Which of the 14 points shaped your thinking most?

Collage of 15 colorful infographics showing W. Edwards Deming's 14 Points for Quality Excellence. Created by Sergio D’Amico. Points include: 1) Create constancy of purpose 2) Adopt new philosophy 3) Stop mass inspection 4) End price-based business awards 5) Improve production systems constantly 6) Institute training methods 7) Adopt leadership 8) Drive out fear 9) Break down barriers 10) Eliminate slogans and targets 11) Remove numerical goals 12) Remove barriers to pride 13) Institute education programs 14) Put everybody to work on transformation. Central image displays all 14 points with detailed bullet points on topics like building quality in, training people well, creating safe workplaces, removing quotas, stopping slogans, helping everyone learn, and making change everyone's job. Various color schemes used throughout.

What happens when you automate a mess?
You get an expensive mess, at scale.

Automation hides your problems.
It doesn’t solve them. It just makes them more costly.

If your process is broken, speeding it up won’t help.
You’ll just fail faster… and spend more doing it.

Here’s what smart automation should do:

→ Solve the real problem
→ Make good systems better
→ Save time and money
→ Support people, not replace them

But here’s what often happens:

→ Automate a bad system
→ Hope tech will fix the rest
→ Buy more tools than needed
→ Forget why the problem exists

Before you invest in new software…

Ask: “Will this fix the root issue?”

Because speed isn’t progress.

If you're moving in the wrong direction.

***

This post was sparked by a post from Roch Lefrançois.
And the comment I left on his post? It pushed this idea further.
Give Roch a follow. His work will challenge how you think.

***

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📌 P.S. Clean up the process first.
Then make it faster.

Industrial factory setting showing a conveyor belt with metal gears and mechanical parts. A robotic arm drops a defective metal component into a large barrel labeled "DEFECTIVE PARTS". Above the scene, a whiteboard displays the quote: "Automating a problem doesn't solve it. It just makes it more expensive." attributed to Sergio D'Amico. The image illustrates the concept that automation without addressing root causes simply scales up existing problems and their associated costs.

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