Real Life Example of Kaizen Implementation

We have discussed numerous times the endless applicability of the Lean Tools and the flexibility of the Kaizen Events. An outstanding firm has taken this very seriosly:

Language Line is an On-Line Interpretation and Translation provider helping thousands of customers defeat the Language Barriers every day. They are at the top of their market and nevertheless they want to keep it that way. For that reason their President and Chief Operations Officer: Louis Provenzano brought together a group of their executives from all over the world and organized a Kaizen Management Summit with optimal results.

Top Management Support is Indispensable

I feel very thankful for the opportunity to be their facilitator and this strong team will start Kaizen Implementation immediately in many different front lines of the organization.

The Language Line Kaizen Management Team

Participants from all over the World

The projection of this Kaizen Effort has no limits. The participants are not only Motivated, Empowered, and Enthused but also heavily supported. Louis Provenzano (Third on the top Row), and each one of the members: Frank Masin, Bart Zigmond, Don Tuck, Aurora Unshelm, Greg Marshall, Rachel Mosqueda, Lindsay D'Penha, Jane Blackburn, Christine Griffith, Stephanie Lawrie, Monica Munger, Geraldine O'Donnell, Karen Gilhooly (not in this picture), had a terrific meeting for an intensive weekend.

President is setting Precedent

One of the strongest reasons for the success of this initiative is of course the continuous presence of the President of the Company. That, as we have discussed in many other articles, is the best message you can send to a Team.

This "Kick Off" is already very productive. They took 5 initiatives for improvement of their operation and with the necessary studies and investments these will turn into an important boost for the Company.

The benefits to their customers and all associates will start being felt very soon, and the progressive path of the organization as a whole will see structure and definition in all their multiple operations. There will be a continuous follow up action on the part of the consultant and a permanent Quality Assurance by the top leaders.