Often what distinguishes a successful lean transformation is not what is done on the shop floor or the service window - it is the leadership and knowledge of the senior executives.

Successful Lean Enterprise Transformation can only be achieved with the direct, knowledgeable leadership of the chief executive. Without that involvement, significant improvement is not likely.

To prepare the senior management team to lead their lean enterprise transformation, we often recommend an executive lean education program. Generally lasting three months, our Affiliates lead your senior staff (including Finance, Sales, R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Human Resources) through a lean “deep learning” process (see www.LEANlibrary.com for examples of typical reading assignments). Bi-monthly review sessions are held to discuss (and argue!) how these lessons apply to your business. Within a few months, not only will your senior management know more about lean than most consultants, they will inevitably create an effective, agreed upon implementation approach for their lean transformation.

This added step of executive education goes against the urge to leap in and generate immediate results, but it is often instrumental with success. It ensures that the initiative begins with a broad, cohesive approach to lean transformation, and is led by a knowledgeable, unified management team.

Contact us to discuss how an Executive Lean Education Program can be best integrated with your self-funding lean enterprise transformation.