Do you want to get the attention of leadership? Then you need to speak their language. In this episode, Mark DeLuzio discusses FCF %NI and why this measure is key to a successful Lean transformation.

You will never transform your company by point kaizen alone. Learn why traditional Japanese consultants were not enough in order to propel Danaher into a space all by themselves. Kaikaku (radical change) was a hallmark of Danaher’s Strategy Deployment process.

Mark discusses how companies develop On-Time Delivery KPIs (OTD) that do not reflect the customer's needs. Learn how Mark calls these "Watermelon KPIs" – GREEN on the outside and RED on the inside. Do your OTD metrics truly drive customer satisfaction?

Mark discusses building profitability into the design process via the Target Costing methodology. Roughly 70% of a product’s cost is baked into the product's design and process, leaving only 30% to Kaizen (post-design). Learn from Mark’s experience as CFO of Danaher’s JAKE Brake, where Target Costing played a significant role in JAKE’s profitability.

Mark talks about the types of Value Stream organizations and their benefits. Buy why are organizations reluctant to move to a Value Stream structure? Mark discusses the reasons why.

Mark talks with Jerry Wright on his new book about the ills of MRP. Jerry talks about his experience of seeing failure after failure with companies trying to perfect MRP. He argues that a Lean Transformation is impossible if MRP is used as the primary resource planning tool. MRP was first introduced in 1964 and despite its failures, is still the tool of choice for so many companies today.

Mark talks with an esteemed Lean colleague, Griselda Abousleman, whose life story should be an inspiration to all minority women, as well as to all of us who are struggling to make it in this world. Her incredible story is chronicled in her newly released book, “From the Border to the Boardroom.” Griselda talks about her upbringing in a Texas border town and her tenacity to refuse to give in when others told her she cannot succeed. Her rise from the border town of Brownsville, Texas, to an Ivy League education to the top echelons of Corporate America, and now, a successful entrepreneur, should inspire all. Known globally, Griselda is the founder of a Lean consulting and executive coaching business, Lean Business Excellence (www.businesscoachingresults.com). Her personal mantra, "Let your optimism carry you forward," is not only a lesson for business but a lesson in life!

Most people define defects based on an engineering product specification. There is nothing wrong with this. However, in this episode, Mark DeLuzio explains why we need to broaden our thinking when it comes to defining defects.