Michigan Lean Consortium to offer training in Ann Arbor

The Michigan Lean Consortium (MLC), along with the Oakland University Pawley Lean Institute, is hosting a full day of training on Monday, June 7 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. in the Community Room at the Edison Center, located at 425 S. Main St. in Ann Arbor. The training will feature both morning and afternoon sessions, the former focusing on Standardized Work Systems (SWS) and the plan-do-check-act process (PDCA), and the latter covering the Culture Wheel.

Ken LePage, associate vice president of Process Excellence at St. Joseph Mercy Oakland and MLC member liaison, will lead the morning training. LePage will cover the history, importance and three key tenets of SWS. Attendees will also learn about and have the opportunity to apply the PDCA.

Debra Setman, executive director of Strategy Development and Business Improvement at Johnson & Johnson and MLC chair, will lead the afternoon session on the Culture Wheel. The Culture Wheel helps in understanding current culture and articulating future culture by examining gaps and planning how to overcome barriers, with the goal of recognizing how to transition from a current organizational culture to a new one.

The cost for the event is $15 or $45 for an annual membership, which allows members to attend all MLC events for free. The registration deadline is Friday, May 28. To register, contact the Pawley Lean Institute at (586) 263-6242 or lean@oakland.edu.

The mission of the MLC is to offer a diverse network of knowledgeable Lean professionals who come together to share innovative practices. The organization aims to create a Lean culture in Michigan to ensure sustainable competitive advantage, which could translate into healthier businesses that offer more job opportunities leading to economic growth in the state.

The charter members of the MLC include: Amway, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, DTE Energy, Johnson & Johnson, The Lean Learning Center, Northwestern Michigan College, the Oakland University Pawley Lean Institute and the Michigan Shingo Prize through The Right Place. For more information, visit www.michiganlean.org.