We deliver practical insights and real-world strategies for Lean, Six Sigma, and Operational Excellence. Through lessons from KaiNexus webinars and conversations with customers, improvement leaders, and team members, each episode explores what it takes to build a resilient culture of Continuous Improvement. Learn how organizations engage employees, strengthen problem-solving capability, and sustain meaningful operational results across industries. Whether you're new to CI or leading major…
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Continuous improvement work creates real value. Most of that value never reaches executives in a form they can trust. View slides and more In this recorded webinar, Jeff Roussel, Chief Revenue Officer at KaiNexus, argues that CI does not have an impact problem. It has a translation problem. Only about 28 percent of the improvements tracked in KaiNexus show a direct, visible financial impact. So…
Why do strong continuous improvement programs sometimes struggle to secure funding? In this preview of an upcoming KaiNexus webinar, Mark Graban talks with presenter Jeff Roussel, Chief Revenue Officer at KaiNexus, about a common problem: CI leaders often describe operational challenges in language that does not connect with the priorities executives are prepared to fund. Jeff explains why…
Every process problem is a customer problem in disguise. CI teams are good at finding waste, reducing variation, and improving flow. Customers experience those same breakdowns as uncertainty, frustration, effort, and broken trust. Slides, the resource list, and the full recording are on the episode page: https://www.kainexus.com/customer-signals-continuous-improvement-webinar This episode is the…
Voice of Customer has been a fixture in Lean and Six Sigma for decades, but the word "voice" carries a hidden assumption: that the customer has to do something -- answer a survey, write an email, lift a finger -- before you learn anything. Most of the time they don't, and you're left improving in the dark. In this preview of our next Continuous Improvement Webinar, host Mark Graban talks with…
Improvement efforts stall for reasons every CI practitioner knows by heart: unclear problem statements, missing data, inconsistent teams, rejected countermeasures. Anne Frewin argues those are symptoms. The root cause is the environment leaders create -- and Gallup's data backs her up: 70% of team engagement comes down to the manager. In this episode, recorded as part of the KaiNexus Continuous…
Most continuous improvement programs don't stall because the strategy is wrong or the tools are missing. They stall because of what leaders do, or don't do, every day. In this short preview, host Mark Graban talks with Anne Frewin about her upcoming KaiNexus webinar, Every Moment Matters: How Leadership Behaviors Shape Results Every Day , airing live on Tuesday, May 26 at 1 pm Eastern. Anne walks…
Karen Martin joins Mark Graban for a wide-ranging Ask the Expert session, answering audience questions on organizational clarity, leadership behavior, value stream mapping, and continuous improvement. Topics and questions covered include: Why organizations adopt Lean tools but still lack clarity around priorities, roles, and decision rights -- and the first discipline leaders should adopt to fix…
Karen Martin -- founder of TKMG Inc. and TKMG Academy, and author of "Clarity First" and "The Outstanding Organization" -- joins Mark Graban for a short preview of the upcoming KaiNexus Ask an Expert webinar on March 11th . In this conversation, Karen shares how she went from working in hospital laboratories as a microbiologist to building and running operations at a fast-growing HMO -- and…
Read the blog post TL;DR: Toyota’s real competitive advantage is not its tools -- it is mutual trust and mutual respect. Leaders are responsible for cultivating both. When trust is present, employees speak up, problems surface early, and continuous improvement accelerates. Without it, Lean becomes mechanical and unsustainable. When executives discuss Toyota, the conversation often centers on…
Read the post TL;DR: Respect for People is the foundation of Lean management. It means engaging employees as problem solvers, creating psychological safety so people speak up, developing standardized work with teams instead of forcing it on them, and implementing improvement software with people -- not to them. It includes high standards and accountability. Without Respect for People, continuous…
Read the blog post A dysfunctional workplace culture isn’t just an HR problem—it’s an operational one that directly affects retention, innovation, safety, and financial performance. In this episode, we explore the most common warning signs of a broken culture, including resistance to change, disengaged employees, burnout, lack of diversity in leadership, and the “black hole” where ideas and…
Read the blog post Operational Excellence rarely fails because of a lack of ideas. More often, it breaks down when strategy, daily work, and improvement efforts operate in silos. In this episode, Mark Graban explores what it really means to take a unified approach to OpEx—one that connects strategy deployment, process discipline, employee-driven improvement, and leader-led initiatives into a…
Webinar page with video, slides, and more What makes a Lean transformation last not just a few years, but two decades? At Electrolux, the answer wasn’t more tools, more training, or more Kaizen events. The breakthrough came when the company realized that leadership behaviors — not Lean mechanics — were the deciding factor in whether improvement stuck. In this episode, Sandro Casagrande shares the…
In this preview episode, Mark Graban talks with Sandro Casagrande of Electrolux about the upcoming KaiNexus webinar: “Unlock the Power of Leadership: The Electrolux Manufacturing System (EMS) Way.” Register for the full webinar (Dec 10, 1 pm ET): https://info.kainexus.com/unlock-the-power-of-leadership-the-electrolux-management-system-ems-way/webinar Sandro shares insights from more than 30 years…
The blog post This blog summarizes key insights from a comprehensive whitepaper detailing UMass Memorial Health's remarkable transformation journey. When Dr. Eric Dickson stepped into the CEO role at UMass Memorial Health (UMMH) in 2013, he inherited what most would consider an impossible situation. The healthcare system was hemorrhaging money with a record $55 million operating loss, teetering on…
In this special “Ask Us Anything” episode, Mark Graban and KaiNexus CEO Greg Jacobson answer listener-submitted questions and share candid thoughts on: 🔁 The five habit cues (and how to use them for lasting change) 📚 Books that shape how leaders think and grow—including new takes on familiar topics 🔍 What it really means when a measure becomes a target 🔊 Why audio learning fits modern…
In this KaiNexus Continuous Improvement webinar, Mark Graban (author, speaker, consultant, and Senior Advisor at KaiNexus) is joined by Tracy O’Rourke (Lean consultant, coach, and co-author of The Problem-Solver’s Toolkit) for a powerful session on:“Leveraging Psychology for Effective Behavioral Change with Process Gemba Walks.” Get slides and more Gemba walks are a cornerstone of Lean and…
Registration link To be presented Sept 30 at 5 pm ET by Tracy O'Rourke. Do you have a painful process, but people don’t seem to want to embrace change to improve it? Does it seem that people are comfortable with the status quo? One of the most powerful Change Management tools you have is…Gemba Walks! Tracy O’Rourke Co-Author "The Problem-Solver's Toolkit" Co-Founder of the Just-in-Time Café…
In this episode, Mark Graban reads a recent KaiNexus blog post by Danielle Yoon: “What Makes Employees Actually Participate in Continuous Improvement Programs?” Here is the blog post Employee participation is the heartbeat of any Lean or continuous improvement effort. Without it, even the best strategies stall. Drawing on research by Dr. Shweta Chopra and Jayaruwani Fernando—conducted inside a…
Read the blog post Summary The continuous improvement model is a systematic approach where organizations constantly implement small, incremental improvements to services, products, and processes. Built on seven core principles, this model enables businesses of any size to reduce waste, increase efficiency, and engage employees in meaningful change that directly supports strategic goals.
Read the blog post You’ve identified inefficiencies. You have a clear roadmap. You know your improvement initiative can move the needle. What's next? You need executive buy-in . One of the most common challenges for CI and OpEx leaders is getting senior leadership to engage, support, and actively champion improvement work. It's not that leaders don't care about the performance of CI and OpEx…
The blog post Manufacturers 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…
Link to the blog post If 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…
A webinar presented by Scott Gauvin, CEO of Macresco Consulting and the Co-founder of the Respect for People Roadmap Video, slides, and more Learning objectives: Identify the hidden barriers that prevent Lean from gaining traction—and discover practical strategies to overcome them Learn the nine behaviors leaders and employees can adopt to build a culture of continuous improvement Gain strategic…
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…
Watch the recording Presented by Lindsey Booty, RN, BS, CNOR, is the Supervisor of Performance Improvement Christopher Thomas, MD, is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at LSUHSC and Chief Quality Officer LeaAnn Teague, MBA, MT(ASCP), SBB, PMP, is Sr. Director of Performance Improvement from Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center In many hospitals, the process of recording,…
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 webinar Lindsey 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…
Read the blog post In 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…
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,…
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…
Watch the recording Presented by Shawna Forst, Performance Excellence, Quality & Risk Coordinator at MercyOne Newton Medical Center What 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…
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…
Learn more and register In this engaging episode of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast, host Mark Graban welcomes Greg 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…
To view the webinar recording, for slides, and more Presented by Mark Graban Hosted by Linda Vicaro 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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
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…
Read the blog post The process you use to develop your strategic plan is as important as the plan itself. Many organizations adopt the Hoshin Kanri method (also known as Hoshin Planning or Strategy Deployment), which integrates daily management with the strategic breakthroughs needed to propel the organization forward. Hoshin Kanri helps create specific, actionable plans and allocates the…
Video, slides, and more Presented by Melissa Sherman Why is change so hard? Change is a complex and multifaceted process that often evokes a wide range of emotions and challenges. Despite these challenges, change is an inevitable part of life and is often necessary for growth, progress, and adaptation. By acknowledging the difficulties associated with change and providing support, encouragement,…
The blog post In this episode, we discuss how to create a culture of continuous improvement in the workplace. We'll cover seven surefire ways to promote improvement, including making it ongoing, involving all employees, removing barriers to improvement, celebrating all types of improvement, providing resources and recognition for improvement efforts, and leading by example. By following these…
In today's episode host Mark Graban, a senior advisor with KaiNexus, chats with Yehor Skorodumov, a senior web application developer who joined our team earlier this year. In the episode, Yehor talks about his rigorous and analytical approach to researching companies, including KaiNexus. He also shares about the interviewing process, a little bit about what he does in his role, and what his first…
Mark Graban of KaiNexus talks with Melissa Sherman to preview her webinar... Register here Why is change so hard? Change is a complex and multifaceted process that often evokes a wide range of emotions and challenges. Despite these challenges, change is an inevitable part of life and is often necessary for growth, progress, and adaptation. By acknowledging the difficulties associated with change…
Welcome to the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast, hosted by Mark Graban, Senior Advisor at KaiNexus. In today's episode, we share insights from one of our YouTube videos , featuring two esteemed leaders from UMass Memorial Health. Cathy Burke and Jeff Marks discuss how KaiNexus, known internally as "Innovation Station," helps them drive leadership and continuous improvement in their…
In this video, Mark Graban, senior advisor at KaiNexus, chats with Marc Haberer, a process engineer at one of our customers, Polytainers. At KaiNexus, we believe our success is best reflected in the achievements of our customers. Each year at KaiNexicon, we honor some of our most outstanding customers through the Nexie Awards. This Annual Nexie Award Ceremony is a cherished highlight of…
Read the blog post When leaders consider implementing a structured business process improvement methodology , one of the challenges they often face is explaining to employees what types of opportunities to consider. Usually, there are some apparent needs that people attack immediately. Still, once those are addressed, it can be challenging to recognize the flaws in processes, especially ones you…
In this webinar, we’re mixing up the format a bit to maximize time for Q&A and discussion. Please watch this longer webinar first: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wwlaxfN8AE In this video, Mark Graban will give a short presentation that recaps and updates his thoughts on some of these concepts. We’ll also conduct some live polling (and see the results) related to the level of psychological safety…
