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 t ..read more

Leaders who want to develop a culture of rapid continuous improvement have many tools at their disposal. So many that it can be challenging to keep them all in mind when deciding how to execute an opportunity for improvement or address a difficult challenge. Most organizations don't use all of these techniques simultaneously, but each can be remarkably effective when applied to the right situation. We put together a list of the most common and helpful business process improvement tools and techniques that you can start implementing today. Each will help your team improve product quality, inc ..read more

In their quaint unsuspecting neighborhood of the 1980s, two young visionaries, Greg Jacobson and Matt Paliulis, embarked on an adventure that would unknowingly pave the way for a future innovation. While their peers were preoccupied with the latest Atari games and BMX bikes, Greg and Matt found themselves enthralled by a different kind of challenge: optimizing their paper routes through the principles of Kaizen, a concept they barely understood but inherently practiced. They were natural Kaizen thinkers ..read more

Staying ahead of the curve is paramount to success in the ever-evolving retail landscape. With consumer preferences, market trends, and technology constantly shifting, retailers must adapt and innovate continuously to remain competitive. This is where the concept of continuous improvement becomes invaluable. By fostering a culture of constant improvement, retail organizations can not only meet the changing demands of consumers but also drive operational efficiency, enhance customer experience, and ultimately boost profitability ..read more

I recently watched a video on our KaiNexus YouTube channel with our co-founder and CEO, Greg Jacobson, and our Chief Revenue Officer, Jeff Roussel. I loved it so much that I wanted to share it here with some highlights and thoughts. You can also watch "Shorts" video clips via this playlist and share them with your team and fellow leaders ..read more

Efficient business processes are crucial for organizational success because they directly impact every element of operations, contributing to effectiveness, competitiveness, and sustainability. How can businesses effectively balance innovation with the requirement for established, efficient processes? Striking the right equilibrium between adaptability and stability is a common challenge in today's dynamic business environment. This article explores the key benefits of business process improvement and provides guidance on implementation ..read more

In the competitive landscape of today's business world, organizations face constant pressure to deliver superior products and services while optimizing operational efficiency. Continuous process improvement (CPI) contributes to success by providing a framework for organizations to regularly evaluate and refine their processes. This leads to cost savings and improved productivity, allowing businesses to meet or exceed customer expectations. In a marketplace where customer preferences can swiftly change, companies prioritizing CPI can quickly respond to emerging trends, innovate faster, and mai ..read more

The term "Gemba" comes from Japanese and is widely used in various industries, particularly in lean manufacturing practices (or lean in other settings). "Gemba" (現場)—sometimes spelled "Genba"—translates to "the real place" or "the actual place" in English. In the manufacturing context, it refers to the place where value is created, where the actual work happens, such as the shop floor or production line. Gemba is a critical principle in the Toyota Production System (TPS), the foundation of lean manufacturing. The idea is to go to the Gemba to observe, understand, and improve processes directl ..read more

The Balanced Scorecard is a management framework that combines traditional financial metrics with strategic measures to give managers a more complete view of business performance. The approach rests on the premise that many business measurement schemes are weighted too heavily toward financial performance and ignore other strategically important, but often more challenging to measure, priorities. The Scorecard is "Balanced" because it considers other non-financial factors. The Balanced Scorecard assumes a cause-and-effect link between learning, internal efficiencies, business processes, custo ..read more

Imagine a monthly ritual that doesn't just review performance but revolutionizes it. Monthly business reviews can redefine your approach, elevate critical metrics, and propel your organization toward unparalleled growth. The journey to peak performance starts with a commitment to regular reflection.  For example, Salesforce implemented a practice of monthly business reviews to assess key performance indicators (KPIs), customer feedback, and strategic initiatives. This disciplined approach contributed to a remarkable 25% increase in customer satisfaction within a year, demonstrating how r ..read more