Impruver University | Calvin | Activity

Calvin posted an update: Are you actually improving your operations, or are you […]

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 14:40:31 +0000

Are you actually improving your operations, or are you just changing them at random?

As Taiichi Ohno famously said, “without standard work there can be no improvement”.

If you try to innovate without establishing a solid baseline first, it is like trying to build a skyscraper on shifting sand.

Many leaders and teams resist standard work because…

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Why Every Continuous Improvement Effort Should Start with Standard Work - Impruver.com

Taiichi Ohno, the visionary behind the Toyota Production System, famously declared that “without standard work there can be no improvement”. For many business leaders and […]

Calvin posted an update: Key takeaway from our recent roundtable of Lean and […]

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 12:29:42 +0000

Key takeaway from our recent roundtable of Lean and CI experts: CI pros who utilize AI effectively are outpacing those who can not.

I just published Part 2 of our series exploring exactly how CI leaders are moving past the theory and leveraging AI to eliminate waste, optimize processes, and build Kaizen cultures right now.

Based on a…

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How Continuous Improvement Leaders are Using Artificial Intelligence - Part 2 - Impruver.com

Welcome to part two of our special two-part series exploring how Continuous Improvement (CI) professionals are actively using Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize their field. In […]

Calvin posted an update: What happens when we inject Artificial Intelligence into […]

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 17:18:55 +0000

What happens when we inject Artificial Intelligence into a Lean / problem-solving culture?

At a recent roundtable with top Continuous Improvement leaders, we uncovered exactly how AI is fundamentally shifting the Kaizen playbook.

Here is how modern CI leaders are supercharging their lean efforts right now:

🚀 Facilitating Root Cause Analysis:…

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Artificial Intelligence Infiltrates Lean Management - Impruver.com

Learn how Lean and Continuous Improvement leaders are already applying artificial intelligence to build kaizen cultures.

Calvin posted an update: Is AI an overhyped flop, or is it going to take […]

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 13:54:22 +0000

Is AI an overhyped flop, or is it going to take everyone’s job? 🤖

The reality is somewhere in the middle, acting as a supplement to how we work today. At a recent VP of Operations roundtable, leaders actively testing and scaling AI shared their real-world results.

Here is what top-tier VPs are actually doing in the trenches right now:

❌ They…

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Scaling AI in Operations: How Leading VPs Are Applying Tech to Continuously Improve - Impruver.com

AI is making inroads in enterprise application. This article explains how leading VPs of Operations are applying and scaling AI in their businesses.

Calvin posted an update: We are treating Continuous Improvement - one of the […]

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 17:32:21 +0000

We are treating Continuous Improvement – one of the most critical drivers of business success – like a technical management problem.

But that math is performed by human beings, and humans do not run on logic; we run on dopamine.

For decades, operational leadership has relied on the threat of a “red box” on an audit to drive 5S and Lean…

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Lean Dopamine - Gamifying Continuous Improvement - Impruver.com

For decades, we have approached Continuous Improvement (CI) as a technical challenge. We have treated it as a management problem to be solved through rigid […]

Calvin posted an update: Influencing leadership or 'managing up' may be the […]

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:41:33 +0000

Influencing leadership or ‘managing up’ may be the single most vital skill of all for a Continuous Improvement leader.

Picture this: You just crushed a project. Defects are down 30%. You walk into the boardroom, ready to present your masterpiece using 5-Whys and Pareto charts.

But instead of applause… the CEO is checking their watch, and the…

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Influencing Leadership to Boost Support for Lean - Impruver.com

Read this article to learn why leaders struggle to support Lean and how you can maximize their level of investment in Continuous Improvement

Calvin posted an update: The Hardest Waste to Eliminate is Our Own. 🛑It is the […]

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 15:22:31 +0000

The Hardest Waste to Eliminate is Our Own. 🛑

It is the great irony of CI professionals: We spend our careers teaching organizations how to eliminate waste, improve flow, and optimize value.

But when we look in the mirror, are we actually practicing what we preach?

In our latest blog article, we confront a difficult truth: Most Lean Management…

Calvin posted an update: Why do best-practices rarely become common practice?We […]

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 18:12:14 +0000

Why do best-practices rarely become common practice?

We all know that whiteboards have the worst case of amnesia. And those binders full of SOPs? They end up tucked in a “dark drawer” while your team reinvents the wheel every time.

Unused knowledge isn’t wisdom—it’s “intellectual inventory.” Like physical inventory, if you batch it up and store…

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Why Your Best Practices Aren't Becoming Common Practice - Impruver.com

In the world of Continuous Improvement (CI), we operate under a pervasive myth. It is a comforting lie we tell ourselves after every successful Kaizen […]

Calvin posted an update: What triggers Lean projects in your business? Are […]

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 14:32:48 +0000

What triggers Lean projects in your business? Are you waiting on leaders to request projects? Are you soliciting ideas from the frontline and lobbying for support? Or have you automated or standardized the triggering of Lean projects based on data?

How many performance deviations in your business fail to result in a Lean project (even if it’s…

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Lean Programs Fail at Project Initiation—Here’s How Automation Fixes It - Impruver.com

Most Lean programs fail because of manual triggers and administrative burden. Learn how automating project initiation ensures problems are seen and solved.

Calvin joined the group Atlanta Chapter

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 22:31:48 +0000

Calvin posted an update: This video provides an overview of 3 powerful methods […]

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 23:39:46 +0000

This video provides an overview of 3 powerful methods to sustain Continuous Improvement using Impruver.

These methods keep people engaged in Continuous Improvement after they have earned certification, completed a kaizen event, or for general ongoing improvement.

https://youtu.be/5bHrobDp_Qc

Calvin posted an update: Here's a post that provides a thorough Overview of […]

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 20:18:26 +0000

Here’s a post that provides a thorough Overview of the Impruver University System. Check it out: https://impruver.com/impruver-university-overview/

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Impruver University Overview - Impruver.com

Impruver University is a system for certifying an entire organization in Lean Six Sigma, creating a strong and lasting foundation for Operational Excellence and Continuous […]

Calvin posted an update: https://impruver.com/how-to-develop-deploy-and-execute-strate […]

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 15:35:36 +0000

https://impruver.com/how-to-develop-deploy-and-execute-strategy-in-impruver/

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How to Develop, Deploy, and Execute Strategy In Impruver (Agile Strategy Execution Method) - Impruver.com

Strategy deployment doesn't have to be impossible. In fact, it could be strikingly simple. Impruver and Agile Strategy Execution shows you how.

Calvin replied to the discussion What's the best approach to setting goals for Continuous Improvement? in the forum Goal Setting and Alignment

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 15:58:23 +0000

Reply to What's the best approach to setting goals for Continuous Improvement?

The 3D approach to Goal Setting is ideal in my opinion.

Calvin posted an update: This video provides a sneak peek into a newly […]

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 18:34:15 +0000

This video provides a sneak peek into a newly released feature on the Impruver Platform called Countermeasure. This feature integrates with your Business Intelligence system to apply Lean Six Sigma tools based on performance metrics thresholds.

Countermeasure helps people to apply the proper Lean Six Sigma tool at the right time. It puts…

Calvin posted an update: This video shares an update to the Impruver Sensei […]

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 18:33:20 +0000

This video shares an update to the Impruver Sensei feature that uses AI to help people use Lean Tools more effectively. People with little understanding of Lean or Six Sigma can now use tools to great effect. Every person in the company now has their own personal Lean coach.

This feature is scheduled for release next week (June…

Calvin posted a new activity comment

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:30:27 +0000

Thanks @jr-gomez this feature will go into production later this week. Curious to know what you think once you’ve had a chance to play around with it.

In reply to - Calvin posted an update

In this video, we preview the QR Code for Lean tools and an AI Lean Sensei.

You can attach a QR code to your lean tools so that visitors to a workstation can simply scan the code and […]

Calvin posted an update: Is it time to evolve from Lean to FIT?What do you think?

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 16:28:12 +0000

Is it time to evolve from Lean to FIT?

What do you think?

Calvin posted an update: Great organizations are not built on quick fixes. They […]

Tue, 27 May 2025 19:00:51 +0000

Great organizations are not built on quick fixes. They are built through the highly disciplined process of becoming FIT for success. It starts with Focusing on what’s most important to improve, Iterating toward the goal, and Tracking progress along the way.

#continuousimprovement #FIT

Calvin posted an update: In this video, we preview the QR Code for Lean tools and […]

Thu, 22 May 2025 18:00:57 +0000

In this video, we preview the QR Code for Lean tools and an AI Lean Sensei.

You can attach a QR code to your lean tools so that visitors to a workstation can simply scan the code and pull up completed tools such as Standard Work procedures, A3s, RCA, DMAIC, or any others.

With the AI Lean Sensei, every employee in your company has a…

Calvin posted an update: "Companies are not only missing out on the potential […]

Wed, 14 May 2025 17:35:17 +0000

“Companies are not only missing out on the potential for improved business results from their people’s lack of professional growth, but the company’s employees are also missing out on the improved quality of life that comes with professional growth. It’s a lose–lose situation.”

The phrase “everyone is replaceable”, albeit technically true, may…

Calvin posted an update: ...because the Continuous Improvement community should […]

Fri, 09 May 2025 12:41:44 +0000

…because the Continuous Improvement community should be playing a leadership role in the tech revolution!

Calvin posted a new activity comment

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 17:20:50 +0000

Calvin posted an update: We all understand the need for Continuous […]

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 17:15:22 +0000

We all understand the need for Continuous Improvement. However, sometimes our sense of urgency for results gets in the way of Respect for People, which is also critical for long-term sustainability and success.

In a recent episode of The Impruver’s Podcast, I caught up with Mark Greenhouse to discuss how conflict reveals the path to respect…

Calvin posted an update: As humans, we are creatures of habit first and foremost. […]

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 15:15:54 +0000

As humans, we are creatures of habit first and foremost. For leaders starting the CI journey, you should expect to invest a significant amount of time, energy, and other resources in the development of a winning culture.

This is necessary to overcome all the bad habits that have been developed within the people over time, including your own.…

Calvin posted a new activity comment

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 15:07:17 +0000

Really good article John. It’s necessary reminder that improvement requires change. Continuous Improvement requires constant change. It’s not the easy path but you get used to it – and you end up in a much better place in the end.

Thanks for sharing.

In reply to - John Reamer posted an update https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/complacency-john-reamer-tslge/

Calvin posted a new activity comment

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 14:56:58 +0000

Excellent point John. “Do good things and good things will happen”. This way of thinking transcends the transactional mentality companies take when they approach Lean. I’ve often heard (and even said myself) that a Lean pro should have a 10:1 ROI on their salary. Perhaps mantras like this can be conter-productive if taken too literally.

Thanks for sharing.

In reply to - John Reamer posted an update https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/importance-good-processes-lean-production-lessons-from-john-reamer-ayxbe/

Calvin posted an update: Sam Yankelevitch, author and Linkedin Learning […]

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 14:07:26 +0000

Sam Yankelevitch, author and Linkedin Learning Instructor, provides a concise framework for evaluating if communication was successful. This clip is part of a larger presentation on Lean communication and how enormous waste is generated due to ineffective communication.

#kaizenculture #leansixsigma…

Calvin posted an update: If you're a manufacturing leader in Atlanta on July […]

Fri, 28 Jun 2024 14:06:35 +0000

If you’re a manufacturing leader in Atlanta on July 26th, join us for a plant tour, lunch, and peer advisory session at SMI composites!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/plant-tour-come-see-a-tech-enabled-factory-transformation-smi-composites-tickets-932871974187?aff=oddtdtcreator

eventbrite.com

PLANT TOUR - Come See a Tech-Enabled Factory Transformation @ SMI Composites

Come check out how SMI Composites is using technology to revolutionize their factory - it's a plant tour you won't want to miss!

Calvin posted an update: Sam Yankelevitch, Author and Linkedin Learning […]

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 17:42:51 +0000

Sam Yankelevitch, Author and Linkedin Learning Instructor, discusses how the principles of Lean can be applied to the process of communication. He frames senders and receivers of information as suppliers and customers. In doing so, the process of communication can be analyzed and improved.

#kaizenculture

#leansixsigma…

Calvin posted an update: Sam Yankelevitch, author and Linkedin Learning […]

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 13:31:38 +0000

Sam Yankelevitch, author and Linkedin Learning Instructor, explains how the A3 tool and process helps to facilitate communication for kaizen activities.

https://youtu.be/pZ5BmwcvMdQ

Calvin posted an update: Sam Yankelevitch, Author and Linkedin Learning […]

Tue, 04 Jun 2024 14:26:33 +0000

Sam Yankelevitch, Author and Linkedin Learning Instructor, drills down into the root causes of ineffective communication and the enormous waste that it often produces.

https://youtu.be/9CukNmfJBnM

Calvin posted an update: Patrick Adams, author of The Continuous Appearance […]

Wed, 22 May 2024 17:11:13 +0000

Patrick Adams, author of The Continuous Appearance Trap, explains why many companies struggle to create a thriving culture of Continuous Improvement. Too often, leaders assume that Lean will implement itself after a couple of quick wins. However, a more long-term, highly disciplined approach tends to yield more favorable results.…

Calvin posted an update: Patrick Adams, author of The Continuous Appearance […]

Tue, 21 May 2024 18:00:39 +0000

Patrick Adams, author of The Continuous Appearance Trap, shares three key elements for creating a sustaining culture of kaizen. These elements provide a powerful framework for assessing an organization’s opportunity to develop the leadership behaviors needed for transformation.

#continuousimprovement #kaizenculture #leansixsigma…

Calvin posted an update: In every organization, there are forces of inertia that […]

Fri, 17 May 2024 13:22:38 +0000

In every organization, there are forces of inertia that keep a culture of kaizen from taking flight. Leaders must apply and maintain opposing forces but in greater magnitude to facilitate transformation.

Patrick Adams, author of The Continuous Appearance Trap, explains how companies can overcome the weigh and drag of organizational change…

Calvin posted an update: Many companies treat a Lean transformation like a […]

Wed, 15 May 2024 13:59:32 +0000

Many companies treat a Lean transformation like a one-off project. They implement some visual management and conduct a few kaizen events and consider the Lean box checked.

Patrick Adams, author of The Continuous Appearance Trap, explains that companies have to continue to invest time and other valuable resources to help overcome the many…

Calvin posted an update: Introducing the new Artificial Intelligence Root […]

Tue, 14 May 2024 21:06:57 +0000

Introducing the new Artificial Intelligence Root Cause Analysis feature in Impruver. Now you can solve more problems in less time with this powerful feature. In just three minutes, watch AI troubleshoot an obscure problem and assign a countermeasure to be assigned an executed for performance improvement.

https://youtu.be/__Kyknw-aUc

Calvin posted an update: When companies that are not committed to creating a […]

Tue, 14 May 2024 12:26:58 +0000

When companies that are not committed to creating a kaizen culture begin the journey, they tend to start with the elements that make them look successful and shy away from those that actually cause meaningful transformation.

In Patrick Adam’s words, they try to “look sharp when they haven’t done any work” to improve the culture.…

Calvin posted an update: Every business deals with the reality of finite […]

Fri, 10 May 2024 14:08:58 +0000

Every business deals with the reality of finite resources. It’s one thing to have goals and ambitions; however, we are all limited to the means we have to get things done. Leaders must prioritize what problems are most important to solve and ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to their resolution.

Jamie Finchbaugh, author of…

Calvin posted an update: It's common for leaders to feel overwhelmed with […]

Thu, 09 May 2024 13:51:00 +0000

It’s common for leaders to feel overwhelmed with the mountain of problems that need to be solved in their organization. Many of them struggle to “level-up” on the way they see problems. Some see frontline technical problems as their own, even if there are several organizational layers between them and the people working on the frontline every…

Calvin posted an update:

Wed, 08 May 2024 14:07:41 +0000

Calvin posted an update: Culture change is hard, no matter where you sit in […]

Wed, 08 May 2024 13:50:54 +0000

Culture change is hard, no matter where you sit in the hierarchy. Organizational culture manifests itself in the behaviors that you can observe on a day-to-day basis. These behaviors are a reflection of the belief systems that people bring to work every day.

Jamie Flinchbaugh, author of People Solve Problems and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to…

Calvin posted an update: With the sea of potential problems that leaders could […]

Mon, 06 May 2024 14:05:02 +0000

With the sea of potential problems that leaders could focus and apply precious resources, how do we prioritize? In the information age, or perhaps the information overload age, we need a systematic approach to identifying which problems deserve more attention and to what extent.

Jamie Flinchbaugh, author of People Solve Problems and…

Calvin posted an update: A tool is powerless if not applied usefully. In fact, it […]

Fri, 03 May 2024 13:53:52 +0000

A tool is powerless if not applied usefully. In fact, it can even be powerful in a destructive way if it falls in to the wrong hands. In creating a culture of kaizen, tools will only get you so far. You also need people with the mindset for improvement and willing to do what it takes to succeed. Often they will succeed with no tool;…

Calvin posted an update: With all the rage about Artificial Intelligence, it […]

Thu, 02 May 2024 20:23:54 +0000

With all the rage about Artificial Intelligence, it turns out that companies waste an enormous amount of human intelligence every day. Kaizen helps to unlock the suppressed brainpower and genius that companies are already paying for but not benefiting from.

Calvin L Williams shares keys to powerful assets that companies often fail to leverage.…

Calvin posted an update: Respect for people is the reason for kaizen. It's […]

Thu, 02 May 2024 20:22:16 +0000

Respect for people is the reason for kaizen. It’s also baked into the way kaizen is done and sustained. The best leaders set direction, coach, simplify, and learn from others. This is how they build a culture of respect, which only accelerates kaizen.

Calvin L Williams shares a few key points on how the best leaders show respect…

Calvin posted an update: One of the most difficult adjustments for a leader make […]

Tue, 30 Apr 2024 15:37:28 +0000

One of the most difficult adjustments for a leader make is to grow from being the fixer of issues to being the orchestrator of transformation. Just like a coach never runs onto the basketball court to score points themselves, the leader should never dictate solutions to problems their people face in executing their normal jobs.

Calvin L…

Calvin posted an update: Certain behaviors are antithetical to creating a culture […]

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 14:26:32 +0000

Certain behaviors are antithetical to creating a culture of kaizen within an organization. These behaviors are most consequential if practiced by leaders. Calvin L Williams shares three common behaviors that cause organizations to struggle to create a kaizen culture.

#continuousimprovement #leansixsigma #kaizenculture

https://youtu.be/a-sstgr_6fo

Calvin posted an update: The single most impactful trait that an organization […]

Fri, 26 Apr 2024 20:44:31 +0000

The single most impactful trait that an organization can have to ensure long-term survival is adaptability. Kaizen is the mechanism through which adaptability is developed and applied toward establishing a harmonized and well-balanced business ecosystem.

#continuousimprovement #leansixsigma #kaizenculture

https://youtu.be/WaD9i8Jk4Uk

Calvin posted an update: Many C-Level leaders are so consumed with the politics […]

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 12:33:40 +0000

Many C-Level leaders are so consumed with the politics of their role that they fail to make time to check-in and make sure the details of day-to-day operations are buttoned up. This lack of visibility to ground-level execution leaves leaders out of touch with a skewed sense of reality, making them virtually ineffective in their role.

Dr…