Sergio D'Amico, CSSBB's Linkedin Analytics

Knowledge management fuels real improvement. Without it, your team repeats the same mistakes. Your team won't grow without shared brainpower. But ideas die fast when they’re not saved or spread. Here’s how to build a team that learns fast and shares faster: 1/ Capture what works → Write lessons down → Keep them neat → Save what wins 2/ Share what you know → Open space for chats → Kill info walls → Make sharing easy 3/ Learn as a habit → Plan the way to grow → Use feedback to shape → Grow by self-check 4/ Use tech to help → Share on one tool → Use what folks use → Make it fast to find 5/ Build safe spaces → Hubs where ideas meet → Chats that spark trust → Rooms made for minds 6/ Map your stars → Know who knows what → Set up mentor links → Get smart folks to meet 7/ Keep it fresh → Toss the old stuff → Fix what’s not true → Keep minds sharp 8/ Guard your gold → Lock the key stuff → Back it up fast → Don’t lose what matters 9/ Praise the wise → Shout out smart tips → Show love to sharers → Cheer the best minds 10/ Stay curious → Ask why, not what → Start new talks → Dig one layer more Smart teams don’t just work hard… They share, learn, and grow on repeat. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others learn and grow. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. What’s one lesson your team should write down today?

Lean is not a list of things to do. It's a mindset. Lean isn't a rulebook. Shigeo Shingo also said so. But most people treat it like one. They print out checklists. They recite buzzwords. They chase labels like “agile” or “efficient.” But Lean isn't in the list. It's in the lens. It means you look at work in a new way. You hunt waste. You chase flow. You stop asking “What do we do next?” And you start asking “Why are we doing this?” You spot slow steps. You question loops. You care more about value than volume. Lean isn’t a fix. It’s a shift. And when you get it, you’ll never run work the same again. *** ♻️ Share to help others shift their mindset. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Do you use Lean like a lens or a list?

You can’t fix what you don’t see. And you won't see it from a desk. No Gemba? No clue. If you lead from a screen, you're already lost. *** You can’t fix the floor from five floors up. You can’t feel the pain if you don’t stand in it. You don’t lead with tools. You lead with sight. And you only get that by walking the floor. By asking why. By watching close. By seeing what your team sees… in real time. The best bosses don’t guess. They go. They watch. They ask. They listen. And they learn what no dashboard ever shows. So next time someone tells you Gemba's a waste? Ask them how well their chair knows your team. *** ♻️ Share to help others lead with their feet. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more insights on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Your team sees you when you show up. Go see. 📌 P.P.S. This post was inspired by a comment from LeanSuite.

Flowcharts expose hidden messes. Even the ones no one talks about. Flowcharts aren’t fancy tools. They’re just clear maps for messy minds. Here’s why you need one: → You’ve got tasks that feel out of hand → You need to show your team how stuff works → You want to fix things… but don’t know where to start Then: map it. → Use a chart. Not a chat. → Symbols, steps, and flow. That’s it. Why it works so well: → Clears up your mess in one glance → Shows gaps no one noticed → Saves hours of team talks → Gives you room to grow Here’s your fast guide to build one: → Ask: “What’s the end goal?” → List all steps — even the boring ones → Mark key points where you need to choose Use basic shapes: 🔵 Oval = Start/End 🔲 Box = Task 🔷 Diamond = Choice ➡️ Arrow = Flow Don’t make these rookie mistakes: → Too many steps crammed in → Missing feedback loops → No real test before sharing → Zero input from the team A flowchart isn’t a picture. It’s your team’s shared brain. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others map their flow and clear their mess. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Try making one for your next hire process. You’ll see how much smoother things get. Have you used a flowchart before? Or still stuck in long docs and email loops?

Big change is overrated. Kaizen proves small wins matter. Big wins fade. Small steps stick. Still chasing "massive change"? Try Kaizen instead. Here are 18 truths from The Spirit of Kaizen, by Robert Maurer: 1/ Fear shrinks with small steps → Tiny moves calm your brain and body. 2/ Your brain loves ease → Stress less, act more when tasks feel small. 3/ Radical change fails fast → Small wins last longer and feel safe. 4/ Ask small things → “What’s one thing I can try today?” 5/ Picture tiny wins → See yourself taking one easy step. 6/ Act small → Start with 1 push-up. Or 1 sentence. 7/ Fix the small stuff → Little issues grow. Stop them early. 8/ Celebrate every step → Even a smile can be a reward. 9/ Use tiny time slots → Waiting at red lights? Take 3 deep breaths. 10/ Tiny habits win big → One new word a day builds fluency. 11/ Every idea counts → Great firms ask everyone to share ideas. 12/ Track what works → Write down one win. Each day. 13/ Slow > Perfect → Small steps beat short bursts. 14/ Done is better → Progress grows. Perfection stalls. 15/ Speak up, stay safe → No fear. Just ideas. That’s Kaizen culture. 16/ It works. For all. → From moms to CEOs, tiny change fits all. 17/ Be present → Spot micro-moments. Then act. 18/ Shift your view → Tiny steps aren’t weak. They’re wise. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others build their kaizen spirit. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. What’s your next small step? Name it below. Then go do it.

Tools won’t save your culture. "Creating a Lean Culture" shows what will. Lean is not a toolset. It’s a mindset, and most leaders miss this. Here’s what the book “Creating a Lean Culture” by David Mann teaches you: 1. Tools ≠ Culture Only 20% of Lean is tools. The real 80%? How people think. 2. Small wins beat big plans Real change comes from small daily shifts. Not flashy one-time launches. 3. Start with standards Without “standard work,” chaos will rule. It’s the spine of Lean. 4. Let the walls talk Use visual cues to show wins and gaps. Don’t hide them in reports. 5. Review daily, not yearly Compare what should happen vs. what did. Every single day. 6. Leaders go first If you want change, show it. Walk the floor. Talk to people. 7. Align or break If the top vision clashes with Lean… You’ll never win. 8. Frontline is gold Let those who do the work fix the work. They know more than charts ever will. 9. Don’t manage. Coach. Help your team grow. That’s how Lean stays alive. 10. Culture eats process If you want Lean to last… Build a culture that breathes it. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others build a lean culture. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Lean isn’t a task. It’s a way to think. What takeaway hit you the most?

Clean spaces create calm minds. Chaos doesn’t help anyone move faster. Here’s how you fix it fast: Start with SORT. Keep what you need. Toss what you don’t. SET things in order. Give each tool a spot. Label each one. SHINE your space. Clean it every day. Fix what’s broke. STANDARDIZE your system. Use checklists. Make the steps clear. SUSTAIN the habit. Do it daily. Make it a game. Why should you care? → You work faster. → You stay safe. → You stress less. Want to change fast? Start small. Tidy one shelf. Tag your tools. Do it before you clock out. The secret? Let your team join the fun. Make wins count. Keep it light. Safety loves clean spots. No mess. No slips. No stress. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others clean their spaces and calm their minds. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Want a team that works faster and safer? Start with 5S today.

Innovation doesn’t start with ideas. It starts by solving real human problems. Stop solving the wrong problems. Start solving the ones your users feel. Design Thinking isn’t just a tool. It’s how smart teams build what matters. You don’t need a genius to spark ideas. You need a team that listens and tests fast. Here’s why it works: → Helps you cut waste and reduce risk → Keeps your focus on users, not guesswork → Turns messy ideas into tested solutions The flow is simple: 1/ Talk to users 2/ Define the core issue 3/ Sketch ideas on a wall 4/ Build rough versions 5/ Get feedback fast 6/ Tweak until it works This works for: → Products and tech → Health and learning → Any mess that needs a clear fix To win with this: → Stay curious, not sure → Show your work early → Love user feedback more than your ideas Big brands live this: → Airbnb rebuilt with users at heart → IDEO redesigned a cart with deep empathy → Tesla uses test loops for Autopilot The key rules: → People first, always → Action beats talk → Learn by doing, not guessing Want to start? Use these: → Sticky notes and mind maps → Personas, sketches, storyboards → Feedback tools and test sheets Every team needs these roles: → The one who leads → The one who listens → The one who builds *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others have better ideas at work. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Design Thinking helps you move fast with focus. Try it before your next project drags.

Brainstorms are messy. But affinity maps clean them up. Your mind is full. Your notes are a mess. But clarity isn’t far. It starts with how you group Try Affinity Diagrams. A tool so simple, it clears the fog fast. What you do: → Write each idea on a small note → Find the links → Group what feels the same → Label each group Use it when: → You’re stuck in a storm of ideas → Big plans feel too big → No one agrees on next steps It helps you: → Spot what connects → Clear up choices → Think like a team Quick tips: → Use plain, short words. → Ask others for their view. → Don’t stress the “right” way. Used by smart teams for: → Breaking down plans → Sorting user feedback → Sharp team jams It’s not just about sorting. It’s how you see the bigger picture. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others find clarity. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement.

Most teams don’t improve. Metrics and habits fix that. Don’t reward tasks. Reward change. Most teams think more work = more results. But it’s not more effort. It’s better habits. Here’s how to build a team that grows every day: 1. Give them a Clear Path Set goals. Break them into steps. Make it so easy, no one gets lost. 2. Get One Goal, One Direction No mixed signals. Make sure all roads lead to results. 3. Grow Skills, Not Just People Train them well. But also… give them space to think. 4. Cut Work, Not Corners Drop steps you don’t need. Then… speed up the rest. 5. Track Only What Matters One metric per win. Tie every number to an action. 6. Be Ready to Shift The best plans need edits. Use live data. Change fast. 7. Push Growth Daily Reward good moves. Praise new ways to think. 8. Build Habits. Not Rules. Do one tiny thing each day. Small wins → Big change. 9. Win Slow. Win Steady. No leaps. Just steps. Review often. Keep building. 10. Make It a Team Sport Listen more. Make room for all voices. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others build a strong CI culture. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Culture isn’t written. It’s built… one small act at a time. Which habit are you going to build this week?

Stop firefighting fake problems. The 8D method cuts through noise fast.   Most teams fix the wrong problems. But when you follow a real system, things change fast. Here’s how the 8D framework helps you win:   1D: Spot the real mess Use facts. No blame games. 2D: Form your crew Pull folks from all sides. Different minds = fast finds. 3D: Stop the mess from spreading Act quick. Cut loss. 4D: Dig till you hit root Don’t patch the pain. Use “5 Whys” till it’s real clear. 5D: Pick your fix List ideas. Pick one that works. 6D: Go do it Give tasks. Keep talk open. 7D: Lock it down Set new rules. No repeats. 8D: Say thanks Celebrate the wins. Save the lessons. You don’t need luck. You need steps. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others end firefighting. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement.

Good leaders don't give answers. They ask. Because growth starts with guided discovery. Leadership is not telling. It’s asking. Most leaders think they lead when they speak. But the best ones lead when they listen, learn, and ask. Here are 20 lessons from the book “Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning”. Written by Katie Anderson. Give her a follow. 1/ Learn for life → Toyota leaders never stop. You shouldn't either. 2/ Reflect to grow → Growth starts when you look back first (Hansei). 3/ Go to Gemba, the real place → Want to help your team? Go see their world. 4/ Build people first → Good people make good things. Not the other way. 5/ Live with a goal → Mix what you plan and what life gives you. 6/ Lead with care → Set clear steps. Help others take them. Grow too. 7/ Embrace failure → If you learn, it’s not failure. It’s fuel. 8/ Fix the process, not just the score → Great wins come from great systems. 9/ Ask to teach → A good question teaches more than a good answer. 10/ Shape culture by doing small things → Your daily words build your team's world. 11/ Real respect runs deep → It’s more than smiles. It’s truth and care. 12/ Link wisdom with kaizen → Learning and doing better should go hand in hand. 13/ Own the fault → Blame the system. Not the team. 14/ Never stop → Keep your eyes on the dream. 15/ Bad bosses teach too → They show you what not to be. 16/ Culture is made, not given → It’s made by hands. Each day. 17/ Grow slow, but grow right → Big change takes big time. 18/ Build your mind → You are your best project. 19/ Lift others → Help your team rise with you. 20/ Be flexible → What works here may not work there. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others become better leaders. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Want to lead better? Start by learning to ask.

Struggling to agree as a team? Put on different hats. Think better in meetings. But don't just "think". Wear the right hat. — Here’s a simple tool to cut the noise in teams: It's called the Six Thinking Hats. It helps your team focus… fast. No more fights. No more loops. No more chaos. Each hat = one way to think. 🔵 Blue = Plan ⚪ White = Facts 🔴 Red = Feel ⚫ Black = Spot risks 🟡 Yellow = See bright sides 🟢 Green = Create new things You wear one hat at a time. And think in just that way. — Here’s when to use it: → Planning big moves → Solving team fights → Brainstorming ideas → Testing risk before launch — Step by step: → Start with the blue hat → Pick the order for others → Give time for each hat → Don’t mix hats → Rotate if you must — Quick case? Say you’re launching a new product: → Blue: set goal → White: review sales data → Red: share gut feeling → Black: spot weak points → Yellow: list all wins → Green: go wild on ideas → Blue: plan next steps — Avoid these mistakes: → Skip the blue hat → Mix two hats → Let feelings rule all → Talk for too long — This isn’t just a tool. It’s a team mindset shift. Simple. Safe. Smart. Start wearing the right hat. Your meetings will never feel the same again. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others brainstorm and decide faster. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement.

Most teams confuse 'important' with 'urgent'. MoSCoW forces the truth, and improves focus. MoSCoW helps you win fast. But most teams still waste time on the wrong things. Let’s fix that. Here’s how you get clear on what to do first: Use the MoSCoW rule: It’s a 4-part way to pick what matters. Must → Tasks you can’t miss Should → Tasks that help, but can wait Could → Tasks that are nice, not need Won’t → Tasks to leave for now MoSCoW helps when: → Planning product steps → Working with low budgets → Fixing things fast in crisis The real gain? You waste less. You do what works. You move as one team. How to use it: 1/ Set your main goal 2/ List all your work 3/ Sort it into M, S, C, W 4/ Adjust as things change Mistakes to skip: → Don’t put too much in “Must” → Don’t guess. Ask your team → Don’t skip reviews Real-life use: Team Project: → Must : Hit the client date → Should : Fix team tool → Could : Run a workshop → Won’t :Try new app The goal is speed with sense. Want your team to win faster? Teach them MoSCoW. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others focus on what's important. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Most teams miss this simple tool. Try it once. See how much time you save

Is your data dashboard driving anything? Or just lighting up like a Christmas tree? (Inspired by Olaf Boettger. Follow him for tips from an experienced improvement leader.) Your wall of charts won’t change a thing. Unless people act, your display is just paint. Visual tools are for eyes. But change comes through hands. You can color every chart. But nothing moves if no one starts. You can hang bold graphs. But they won't fix weak habits. You can show big red flags. But if no one acts, why care? Visuals show what’s wrong. Actions show you’ll fix it. A messy floor? A pie chart won’t sweep it. Late shifts? A whiteboard won’t speed them up. Want change? Start small. 1 step. 1 fix. 1 act. Make it a game. Let them win daily. Then show them the chart. Now it means something. 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to encourage others to act using visual systems. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Data means zero without daily actions. Are your charts helping people move?

No clarity = No results. 5W2H gives you both, instantly. Solving big problems starts with simple words. But we rush in and miss the real fix. If you lead teams, fix workflows, or run ops… You need this tool in your kit: The 5W2H Framework. *** What is 5W2H? → A tool to fix work, boost flow, cut loss. It asks 7 clear things: → What, Why, Where, When, Who, How, How Much? *** Where did it start? → In Japan. → Built for lean work by Toyota. They used it to make work fast, smart, clean. *** How to use it? Step-by-step: 1/ What is the task or issue? 2/ Why does it need work? 3/ Where does it happen? 4/ When does it occur? 5/ Who is in charge or affected? 6/ How is it done now? 7/ How much does it cost or earn? Answer each in plain words. Now fix what’s wrong. *** Why use it? Big gains: → See the full issue, not just a part → Spot waste, gaps, and delays fast → Make smarter, faster choices → Boost speed and flow → Keep your fix lean, not large *** Tips for Success: → Keep answers short → Use with real data → Review with your team → Ask again if unsure → Don’t rush the “Why” *** Where to apply it? → Cut cost in ops → Plan new tasks → Check weak points → Audit poor flow → Set smart goals → Train new hires *** The next time things go wrong… Don’t start with tools. Start with 5W2H. *** ♻️ Share to help others with problem-solving. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more insights on continuous improvement.

Wasting time you can’t see? Meet the 8 D.O.W.N.T.I.M.E. wastes! Identify hidden waste and boost productivity instantly. Your business bleeds in 8 silent ways. But most teams never spot them in time. Here’s how you can spot, measure, and kill waste: Decode the 8 hidden killers (D.O.W.N.T.I.M.E.) 🎯 Defects: Bad work that needs rework. 📦 Overproduction: Making more than what’s needed. ⌛ Waiting: Downtime with no action or value. 💡 Non-used talent: Skills left in the dark. 🚛 Transport: Unneeded moves between places. 📊 Inventory: Stuff sitting too long. 🔄 Motion: Tasks that waste your team’s moves. ⚙️ Extra processing: Doing more than the job needs. How do you find these time traps? → Process Maps → Time Tracking → Gemba Walks → Spaghetti Diagrams Here’s why it matters: → Higher cost → Poor quality → Slow work → Angry teams → Lost customers How do you fix it? → 5S Cleanups → Fast changeovers → Clear tasks → Visual signs → Skill swaps → Pull systems How do you know it worked? → Faster delivery → Lower cost per unit → Better quality → Team joy and trust *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others identify and reduce waste. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌 P.S. Which waste do you see most in your team?

You can't improve your process blind. Map it first. You can't fix what you can't see. But most teams skip the one step that changes the game. They jump to tools. They throw money at speed. They train hard on execution. But never map their flow. They don’t know where their time goes. They can’t spot repeat tasks. They can’t find dead zones in their pipeline. That’s why problems hide for months. And when things break… nobody knows why. So here’s a new rule: Map before you move. Sketch your steps. Note each task. Track where time runs. Only then… fix the leaks. And when you fix one? You’ll spot five more. That’s how great teams work. Not harder. Just smarter. *** ♻️ Share to help others improve their processes. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement.

80% of results come from 20%. Pareto’s rule isn’t theory, it’s strategy. You're wasting time. But not in the way you think. *** Most tasks don’t move the needle. Only a few do. That’s the Pareto Principle in play: → 80% of wins come from 20% of work → 80% of stress comes from 20% of tasks → 80% of growth comes from 20% of goals The trick? → List all your tasks → Find the top 20% → Drop the rest fast This rule isn’t new. In the 1890s, Vilfredo Pareto saw it in wealth. Now, it rules time, teams, and tools. Use Excel if you want to see the gap: → Add your tasks and results → Sort from high to low → Map a % line to spot the top 20% Don’t make it hard. Don’t skip reviews. And don’t guess your 20%, track it. Try these quick wins: → Focus on 20% clients = 80% sales → Fix 20% bugs = smoother app → Learn 20% skills = faster growth Want more time and less stress? Pareto is the shortcut. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others focus on work that counts. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement. 📌P.S. Your edge isn’t doing more. It’s doing less, but better.

The secret to daily Kaizen mastery: It takes less time than your coffee break. Get 1% better in 5 minutes. Here’s how to do it: It’s called the 5-Minute Kaizen. Kaizen means: tiny steps → big gains. You don’t need tools. Or time. Or cash. You just need to do this: Minute 1️⃣: Reflect Look at what went wrong yesterday. Find one tiny thing to fix today. Minute 2️⃣: Plan Pick one change you can make. Set a goal. Small and clear. Minute 3️⃣: Act Do it now. Don't wait. Small moves > big plans. Minute 4️⃣: Write Note what you did. And why. Jot what changed, even a little. Minute 5️⃣: Share Tell a teammate. Or post it. Let others learn. Or pitch in. Do this for 7 days: You'll spot more flaws. And fix more fast. Do it for 30 days: You’ll build new habits. And stay sharp at work. Do it for 365 days: You’ll look back… and not know this version of you. You can start right now. Set a 5-minute timer. Pick one tiny thing. Make it better. *** 🔖 Save this post for later. ♻️ Share to help others grow in 5 minutes a day. ➕ Follow Sergio D’Amico for more on continuous improvement.