Kainexus Continuous Improvement Podcast

The blog postManufacturers in the automotive sector face significant pressures today, from rising material costs and supply chain disruptions to the demand for faster production times and stricter regulatory requirements. Achieving continuous quality improvement (CQI) remains critical, as it not only enhances product consistency and drives compliance but also helps manufacturers stay competitive in a market that is constantly evolving.Fortunately, continuous improvement has a long history in automotive manufacturing. Many of the tools and techniques widely used by organizations worldwide were explicitly developed to ensure the quality and efficiency of automotive manufacturing. Toyota was a pioneer of many of the CQI approaches used today. Whether you are using language like CQI, TQM, Lean, TPS, or Lean Six Sigma, these approaches described below still apply.As you might imagine, the benefits of a successful continuous improvement program are significant, including...

Link to the blog postIf you’re a CI leader, you’ve likely experienced the paradox: you’re driving improvements across the organization, but your executive team still sees your program as “supporting work” and not strategic work.You may hear positive feedback, even encouragement. But behind closed doors, your program is being measured against a different standard.The good news? The C-suite isn’t intentionally withholding their expectations. They’re just operating with a set of priorities that live in another language. And until your improvement program speaks it, you’ll struggle to get traction, attention, or budget.Here’s what your C-suite actually wants from your improvement work, even if they haven’t explicitly said it, and how you can deliver on those expectations in a way that secures long-term executive support...

A webinar presented by Scott Gauvin, CEO of Macresco Consulting and the Co-founder of the Respect for People RoadmapVideo, slides, and moreLearning objectives:Identify the hidden barriers that prevent Lean from gaining traction—and discover practical strategies to overcome themLearn the nine behaviors leaders and employees can adopt to build a culture of continuous improvementGain strategic insights into driving cultural change across teams and entire organizationsScott Gauvin is the CEO of Macresco Consulting and the Co-founder of the Respect for People Roadmap. With 30 years of experience in operations, he has helped organizations around the world and across industries rethink the path to transformation—not just in process, but in mindset.A contributing author to Leading With Compassion: Cultivating Connection from the Inside Out, Scott believes real change happens when organizations bridge the gap between culture and strategy. Right now, he’s focused on helping organizations unlock performance by systemati

In this special episode, I'm joined by Bill Canady, CEO of Arrowhead Engineered Products and Chairman of OTC Industrial Technologies. Bill has spent over 30 years leading companies to profitable growth, building what he calls the “Profitable Growth Operating System.” He’s also the author of The 80/20 CEO, with a second book, From Panic to Profit, on the way soon.We recorded this live as part of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement webinar series. Bill shares hard-earned lessons on strategy, execution, and what it really takes to align a company around a few critical priorities.We talk about:How to apply the 80/20 principle as a business operating systemWhy many improvement efforts fail from lack of strategic alignmentThe CEO’s role in creating a culture of continuous improvementLean as a condition of employment—and what that actually meansDaily management, small wins, and sustaining momentumUsing Lean outside the factory—in sales, engineering, and the officeThe future of improvement, from AI tools to leade

Watch the recordingPresented byLindsey Booty, RN, BS, CNOR, is the Supervisor of Performance ImprovementChristopher Thomas, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at LSUHSC and Chief Quality OfficerLeaAnn Teague, MBA, MT(ASCP), SBB, PMP, is Sr. Director of Performance Improvementfrom  Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical CenterIn many hospitals, the process of recording, prioritizing, and addressing safety concerns raised by employees during patient safety rounds is often manual, fragmented, and lacks standardization. To overcome these challenges, Our Lady of the Lake Medical Center implemented KaiNexus to streamline the documentation, tracking, and resolution of safety concerns raised during patient safety rounds, while ensuring that risks are prioritized and addressed in alignment with the SAFER Matrix.In this webinar, you'll learn how Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center leveraged KaiNexus to reinforce a culture where safety is everyone's responsibility. By providing a transpar

In this special preview episode, Mark Graban is joined by Lindsey Booty, Supervisor of Performance Improvement at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.Register for the webinarLindsey shares how their team has built a culture of high reliability and accountability by combining weekly patient safety rounding with the powerful capabilities of KaiNexus—including weighted scoring and the SAFER Matrix.You’ll learn how they:Close the loop on safety concerns raised by frontline staffEngage leadership in weekly visibility and actionUse technology to drive transparency and accountabilityAlign improvement methodology, leadership behaviors, and digital toolsThis story is rooted in healthcare but packed with lessons for any industry focused on continuous improvement, safety, and culture change.

Read the blog postIn this episode, we explore how continuous improvement serves as a key pillar within a broader operational excellence strategy in healthcare. While many organizations strive to enhance quality and efficiency, real progress happens when continuous improvement is not treated as an isolated initiative but as an embedded practice within a structured system. Operational excellence provides the strategy, alignment, and leadership framework necessary to sustain and scale improvement efforts across an organization.A critical factor in achieving operational excellence is leadership commitment. Senior leaders must do more than support improvement initiatives—they must integrate them into the organization’s strategic direction. This requires a shift from traditional command-and-control leadership to a coaching and mentoring approach, where leaders ask the right questions, remove obstacles, and create an environment where continuous improvement becomes a daily habit rather than a series of isolated proj

Join Mark Graban and Greg Jacobson, CEO & Co-Founder of KaiNexus, as they explore the intersection of continuous improvement, checklist best practices, and the power of habit science. In this engaging episode of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast, the duo discusses:Checklist Strategies: How simple cues and error-proofing techniques keep processes on track—whether in a live webinar, office, or remote setting.Habit Science in Action: Practical insights from influential books like Atomic Habits, Tiny Habits, and The Power of Habit that explain how structured routines lead to greater reliability and success.Lean Transformation & Technology: Reflections on the Lean Transformation Summit, the role of technology in driving lean initiatives, and how integrating these concepts can boost both quality and efficiency.Real-World Applications: Anecdotes and lessons learned from diverse industries, emphasizing how a well-designed checklist and a culture that respects continuous improvement can transform bot

Join Mark Graban on the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement podcast as he sits down with Jeff Roussel, KaiNexus’ Chief Revenue Officer, to explore the evolving role of sales, marketing, and leadership in driving continuous improvement and operational excellence within organizations.In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Career Evolution & Leadership: Jeff reflects on his 11-year journey at KaiNexus—from a focus on sales to embracing a broader role that includes marketing, customer experience, and internal culture.The Importance of Commitment: A discussion on how leadership behaviors, particularly a sustained commitment to operational excellence, are critical to long-term success.Building a Business Case for Continuous Improvement: Insights into aligning improvement efforts with strategic business goals, showcasing how measurable outcomes support growth and innovation.Cultivating a Culture of Improvement: Real-world examples of embedding continuous improvement into job roles and driving organizational change, including

Watch the recordingPresented by Shawna Forst, Performance Excellence, Quality & Risk Coordinator at MercyOne Newton Medical CenterWhat do physical education teachers and performance excellence professionals have in common? More than you think! This session will feature one former P.E. Teacher's perspective on the similarities between coaching kids and leading quality and improvement efforts in the workplace while also sharing how to leverage KaiNexus to support and encourage those endeavors.In this webinar, you'll learn:To explore the basic fundamentals of being an effective coach, regardless of field.To identify how KaiNexus can be leveraged in being an effective coach.To understand how Lean methodology, leveraging KaiNexus, can help eliminate waste, build teamwork, reduce conflicts, reduce or eliminate defects, create IDEAL processes, services, and products as well as improve client satisfaction.Shawna is the Performance Excellence Quality & Risk Coordinator and Lean Healthcare Coach at MercyOne New

Register to view the webinar (live or the recording)Welcome to another engaging episode of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast, hosted by Mark Graban. In this session, we present a sneak peek into our upcoming webinar featuring Shawna Forst, a former Physical Education teacher turned Process Excellence professional. The webinar, scheduled for March 5th at 1:00 PM Eastern, will explore the fascinating parallels between PE teaching and process improvement in professional settings.Key HighlightsCareer Journey: Gain insights into Shawna's unique career path from physical education to healthcare process improvement.Coaching & Communication: Learn about the importance of adapting coaching and communication styles to different individuals, drawing from Shawna's experiences with sports and behavior disorder children.Lean Methodology: Discover how lean methodologies can be applied to reduce waste and enhance efficiency in various professional environments.Join us for this insightful discussion that

Learn more and registerIn this engaging episode of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast, hostMark Graban welcomesGreg Jacobson, Co-Founder and CEO of KaiNexus, to discuss the much-anticipated KaiNexicon, the company's annual user conference. The conversation not only highlights the logistics and plans for the 2025 KaiNexicon but also dives into the essence of continuous improvement and the unique setup that makes this conference such a valuable experience.Key Discussion PointsIntroduction to KaiNexicon 2025: Greg Jacobson shares his enthusiasm for the ninth annual KaiNexicon, emphasizing the conference’s goals and its role as a vital gathering for KaiNexus users.Reflections on 2024 and Forecasting for 2025: Greg talks about how closing out the previous year impacts a small team and shares optimism regarding the financial outlook for 2025.Importance and Impact of KaiNexicon: The dialogue explores the significance of KaiNexicon, especially the cultural cross-pollination among industries that attend.C

To view the webinar recording, for slides, and morePresented by Mark GrabanHosted by Linda VicaroAre you looking for practical ways to eliminate errors and enhance efficiency in your organization? Join us for "Mistake-Proofing in Action: Real-World Examples Across Industries," an insightful webinar showcasing how organizations across healthcare, manufacturing, and service sectors have successfully implemented mistake-proofing techniques. Discover innovative solutions that prevent errors before they occur, improve safety and quality, and save valuable time and resources. Through inspiring case studies and actionable takeaways, you’ll learn how to adapt these proven approaches to your unique challenges. Don’t miss this chance to gain practical tools and insights to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. Register today and see mistake-proofing in action!

Register for the webinar February 12 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET Presented by Mark Graban Are you looking for practical ways to eliminate errors and enhance efficiency in your organization? Join us for "Mistake-Proofing in Action: Real-World Examples Across Industries," an insightful webinar showcasing how organizations across healthcare, manufacturing, and service sectors have successfully implemented mistake-proofing techniques. Discover innovative solutions that prevent errors before they occur, improve safety and quality, and save valuable time and resources. Through inspiring case studies and actionable takeaways, you’ll learn how to adapt these proven approaches to your unique challenges. Don’t miss this chance to gain practical tools and insights to drive continuous improvement and operational excellence. Register today and see mistake-proofing in action! Mark Graban, a senior advisor to KaiNexus, is an internationally-recognized author, speaker, and consultant. His latest book, The Mistakes Th

Read the blog post We are often asked if continuous improvement and operational excellence are the same. They are not, but they are closely related. Continuous improvement involves constantly improving your business processes to reduce waste, cut costs, improve quality, and maximize human potential. It focuses on making each existing process perfect. Operational excellence goes further. It involves setting the organization up for growth by understanding what the market wants and creating an uninterrupted value stream that continuously feeds the need.It is essential to understand the difference between these two complementary paradigms that guide business operations management so that you can apply elements of both to streamline operations and achieve your most critical strategic goals.

Read the blog post Taiichi Ohno, the father of the Toyota Production System, once said, “Without Standard Work, there is no Kaizen.” That’s a pretty bold statement, but when you think about the continuous improvement cycle, it makes a lot of sense. How can you move from the current state to the desired state if the current state is a moving target? Standard Work, which documents the current best practice for performing a task or process, and ensures that everyone is applying it, is a prerequisite for improvement. Here are 15 ways that Standard Work benefits organizations that leverage it.

Presented by Brent Loescher on Nov 19, 2024 Get slides and more TKMG Academy An exploration of implementing LSW throughout Sperber Companies, a distributed Landscape Maintenance business made up of organically-grown business and M&A (read multiple cultures). Covering everything from embracing current cultures, developing an organizational culture with a common language, level setting business leader responsibilities, introducing Lean thinking, and implementing daily rhythms, this webinar will discuss the efforts, hurdles, and learnings this 5-year-old business is living every day. Brent has spent more than 20 years working in and on the business, improving operations within high-speed manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, distributed-services environments, and governmental agencies. A Lean practitioner at heart, Brent received his formal Toyota Production System training while working for Toyota Motor Sales in their North American Parts Operations. While with Toyota, he was responsible for opera

Read the blog post I often find myself falling into the common trap of believing that if something is worthwhile, it is necessarily difficult. I think we all expect that valuable things are hard. The truth is, however, that sometimes the most effective and impactful things we can do are really quite simple. When it comes to continuous quality improvement, this is absolutely the case. Here are 9 examples of quality improvement tools, techniques, and technology that are uncomplicated yet extremely valuable.

Mark Graban, from KaiNexus, chats with Brent Loescher about his upcoming webinar: It will be presented live on November 19 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET Register here An exploration of implementing LSW throughout Sperber Companies, a distributed Landscape Maintenance business made up of organically-grown business and M&A (read multiple cultures). Covering everything from embracing current cultures, developing an organizational culture with a common language, level setting business leader responsibilities, introducing Lean thinking, and implementing daily rhythms, this webinar will discuss the efforts, hurdles, and learnings this 5-year-old business is living every day. About Brent: Brent has spent more than 20 years working in and on the business, improving operations within high-speed manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, distributed-services environments, and governmental agencies. A Lean practitioner at heart, Brent received his formal Toyota Production System training while working for Toyota

Read the blog post Most of us have memories of playing the game of catch either as children or with our children. I really shouldn’t call it a “game” because there are no winners and losers. There is no defense because everyone is on the same side. One participant tries to deliver the ball to the other in a way that they will be able to grab and return it. The ability to catch and throw a ball is important because it is a foundation for success in many other, more complex sports. The Lean idea of catchball involves moving ideas and information from one person or team to another and, much like catch from childhood, it forms the basis for complicated decision-making and policy development.