CONFERENCE TOPICS

How can you improve the work place efficiency using 5S?

5S is a systematic way of organizing workplaces to improve efficiency by eliminating waste, improving flow and reducing processes. Pioneered by Toyota Motor Company, 5S applies standard housekeeping practices in the workplace through the five principles of Sort (seiri), Set in order (seiton), Shine (seiso), Standardize (seiketsu), and Sustain (shitsuke)."

How do you integrate Lean Six Sigma with Agile and Scrum?

Scrum is a subset of Agile and one of the most popular process frameworks for implementing Agile. It is an iterative software development model used to manage complex software and product development. Fixed-length iterations, called sprints lasting one to two weeks long, allow the team to ship software on a regular cadence. At the end of each sprint, stakeholders and team members meet to plan next steps. 

What does AI and BI have to do with process improvement?

The combination of AI and BI and cloud computing makes Deep Learning a powerful tool for reducing waste and increasing profitability. A company operating with all three factors of production will have superior performance to a competitor using only labor and capital without AI and BI.

Are you new to Lean Six Sigma concepts?

If you are new to Lean Six Sigma, you are probably overwhelmed by the vast amount of information on this topic. Fortunately, you are in the right place. Start your journey towards becoming successful using Lean Six Sigma with these easy-to-understand methods and tools for business process improvement and quality management.

How Big Data is revolutionizing Lean Six Sigma?

The application of big data & predictive analytics dynamically shifts the way we look at identifying defects & exploring root causes. The integration of the Internet of Things (IOT) enables companies to collect not only common manufacturing metrics (cycle time, changeovers, utilization) but also the contextual data that describes how these conditions were met. 

Who wouldn't want a Career in Lean Six Sigma?

As companies look for ways to optimize efficiency, the demand for Lean Six Sigma careers is at an all-time high. Industries include Aerospace, Healthcare, Government, Retail, Finance, Hi-Tech, and anyone else with a problem to solve. Positions include Manufacturing, Accounting, HR, Operations, Engineering, HR and IT. If you want a challenging yet rewarding career, explore one in Lean Six Sigma.

Why is Change Management a critical component of Lean Six Sigma?

A robust change management methodology is instrumental to any Lean Six Sigma deployment. It doesn't matter how big or small the LSS deployment, it will result in a cultural change. When deployed as a series of abstract tools alone, it is set up for failure. A change management strategy will ensure your most valuable asset, the people will embrace and sustain an LSS deployment.

Coaching for Success within Lean Six Sigma

How many sports teams can you think of without a coach?  If coaching is a critical component of a sports team or athletes’ growth and development, wouldn’t it be equally important in any organization?  LSS facilitators are typically armed with knowledge and tools, however in many cases not prepared to lead a project team.  Coaching provides threat free, neutral guidance critical to the growth of any practitioner.  This could make the difference in winning or losing with your LSS deployment.

The continuing importance of Customer Satisfaction in business

Acquiring customers is 5-25 times more expensive than keeping current customers. Over 80% of companies believe retention is cheaper than acquisition. Customer satisfaction is still a major metric with which growing business must master. In this forum, we will discuss how to measure, improve and ace customer satisfaction.

Why do some organizations make Lean Six Sigma look so easy?

Some Lean Six Sigma Deployments make breakthrough process improvements and others just seem to go in circles. Some deployments are energizing and other are demoralizing. What is their secret to success? Is it their infrastructure, training, project selection, people, strategy, management support, or something else? Learn the secrets to successful Lean Six Sigma deployments.

Thriving in e-commerce using Lean Six Sigma

E-commerce doesn't just mean putting products on your website and selling, but rather poses a dynamic array of variables being changed but also their attributes and features too. Companies need to become more flexible and ready to respond to rapid changes due to the growth of e-commerce. If you want to learn how some of the giants like Amazon thrive using Lean Six Sigma, this section is for you!

What is Employee Engagement and how it is done?

Unfortunately, about one-third of U.S. employees are not engaged in their work at a cost of $605 billion through loss of productivity. If disengagement is so damaging and expensive shouldn't we do something about it? In this section, we will understand what employee engagement is and how to improve it. Leadership, better feedback, work-life balance, people analytics, and technology are all in the solution set.

What is the Future of Lean Six Sigma Belts?

Lean Six Sigma professionals get asked this all the time. What is next? Smaller projects and daily usage of Lean Six Sigma techniques, emphasis on metrics and fact-based decision making, large data sets, data mining, comprehensive data analysis and a renewed focus on interpersonal and team skills. Come join us in the track focused on the future of our profession.

How Gamification can enhance Lean Six Sigma

Let's be honest, a Lean Six Sigma deployment or even sustainability is not easy. It takes a dedicated work force engaged in continuous improvement. This is not always fun because change often creates work. Gamification brings the idea that you can turn work into "fun" while implementing change in the Lean Six Sigma environment. If you like playing "games" come learn more about Gamification in the workplace.

Is Innovation critical to your organization's success?

If innovation is critical to your organization, then you need to explore the aspects of innovation that will show the most immediate benefits. Not just for incremental process improvements, Lean Six Sigma contains tools that can lead to breakthrough advances. Learn how to apply Lean Six Sigma to create a more innovative organization.

Why do some organizations get so much more out of Kaizen?

Some organizations center their entire improvement methodology around Kaizen and are extremely successful. They like the focused near-term results, the speed of execution, and rapid turns that provide employees more opportunities to learn. Find out how to create the optimal environment for Kaizen success.

How are forward thinking Governments using Lean Six Sigma to better serve their citizens?

From police departments to parks and recreation, government organizations are using lean six sigma techniques to better serve their citizens. Improved process lead times, quality of services, and use of taxpayer's money are some of the outcomes these organizations are achieving. Learn how other government entities are generating orders of magnitude improvement.

Why Lean Six Sigma is a necessity for Healthcare

Lean Six Sigma provides for continuous improvement in the healthcare arena though the adoption of best practices. LSS offers the benefits of a customer focus to improve patient care and streamline services by the adoption of flow. Health centers which utilize LSS will see a reduction in errors, an improvement in the quality of patient hand-offs, and a reduction in wait and idle times.

What do Work Control Systems, KPI's and Dashboards have in common?

They all are the heart of effective Lean Management. Today's management teams need effective mechanisms to rapidly assess and improve enterprise performance. Lean Six Sigma provides a wide variety of tools and techniques to design and implement windows to listen to the organization's heartbeat and adjust accordingly.

Is Lean Manufacturing important to your operations?

If so, then learning more about Lean manufacturing is a must for you. This methodology focuses on minimizing waste within manufacturing systems while simultaneously maximizing productivity. Learn how others use the 8 wastes to streamline operations and achieve dramatic results such as reduced lead times, reduced operating costs and improved product quality, to name just a few.

How Lean adds value to the Supply Chain Management function?

Supply chain management’s focus has elevated from the historical cost-cutting approach to a focus on adding value. Competition is no longer between companies, but rather between their supply chains, and the leanest will win. Lean provides for the 3 V’s: increased visibility; increased velocity; and decreased variability. Combined the 3 V’s ensure customers get what they want when they want it.

How do I get my Key Stakeholders to say "Yes?"

The “politics" of Lean Six Sigma projects involves gaining support and cooperation from people outside the team. Some of these people can either help or hurt your project’s success. This topic will provide easy-to-use methods to gain the stakeholder’s attention and obtain their buy-in. It will also provide techniques to ensure project-leader to stakeholder communications flow smoothly.

How does Statistics play a part in Lean Six Sigma?

We all have all been in the middle of a crisis and without data, we jump to conclusions as to the root cause. We even offer up solutions and begin changing a process. Has this ever happened in your organization? Replace “jumping to conclusions” with “known facts” through statistical analysis. Statistics are a critical part of root cause analysis and an instrumental tool within the Lean Six Sigma tool kit.

How do I keep my LSS project team laser-focused?

In project team work, team members bring their opinions on goals, roles, and decision-making with them to the first meeting. They bring their personal problems and other issues with them too. This topic will review actions and behaviors that the project team leader should take to keep his or her team engaged and involved throughout the project’s life.