Lean is a strategy and way of thinking that creates more value for clients by eliminating activities that are considered waste. Any activity or process that consumes resources, adds cost or time without creating value becomes a target for elimination. Lean focuses on the client and what the client feels is ‘value’.

Our approach is to focus on end-to-end ‘system-level’ improvements (as opposed to ‘point improvements’). Improving the end-to-end system-level work will dramatically improve your results – cost, quality, speed of service and flexibility. In order for a process to reach its full potential, it is important to initially understand what is happening from a system perspective (end-to-end). We must transform the selected Value Stream(s) – from request of the product/service to the actual delivery of that service. Not focusing on the end-to-end process will result in only ‘point improvements’ and create what we call ‘Exciting Chaos’. This ‘Exciting Chaos’ will inhibit the process from reaching its potential and could ultimately undermine the success of the organization. With our innovative methodology, we eliminate the risk of obtaining only minimal results and ensure your success both culturally and technically.

Presenter: Steve Withers

Senior Consultant, Black Belt, Lean Advisors, Inc.
http://www.leanadvisors.com

Steve Withers has 30 years of process improvement experience using lean thinking, six sigma, process management, and change management skills.

Before joining Lean Advisors, Steve was the Director of the Lean Sigma Centre at Canada Post, where lean thinking has contributed in excess of $200 M in savings over the last few years, as well as improvements to on-time delivery, safety, and quality. At Canada Post, Steve was responsible for setting the lean strategy, leading and coaching major process improvements, and for deploying CPC’s intensive lean and six sigma training programs.

Steve received his hands-on training while working directly at the Lean Enterprise Institute for three years, and has helped them develop some of their existing educational products. While working at LEI, Steve gained hands-on experience in helping many different types of organization – some examples include, Gorton’s (food preparation), Northrup Grumman (aerospace and electronics), Lockheed Martin, Newmont Mines (gold mining), Trillium Healthcare, Tyco Healthcare, Xomed Medtronic, Kitchenaid, Whirlpool, EMS (NASA and space), Puerto Rico Electronics, Xantrex (electronics), Crane Valve, Hermes Electronics, California Microwave (aerospace), Forethought Insurance, Solectron (electronics), Hidden Hitch (automotive), Eaton Automotive, Fisher Controls, and Thomas & Betts (electronics).

Steve has a B.Sc. from the University of Toronto, and has attended the University of Tennessee’s Lean Systems Design program, Michigan State’s Logistics and Process Improvement programs, Design for Six Sigma training, and is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt. He is a certified Process Management instructor. He has been a guest lecturer on lean at St. Mary’s University, the University of Sao Paulo, Carleton University, Ottawa University, and at the Ministry of Transport in Tokyo.

Steve is known for his dynamic training style, and for his ability to motivate teams to make rapid and sustainable change in any type of organization.

PMI OVOC Saturday Seminar Series – September 15, 2012