If you have questions about what it takes to be a lean manager, get answers at the Lean Managers' Conference. The Conference is a one-day venue of keynotes, a panel discussion, interactive learning sessions, and networking interactions. This is a great opportunity to forge new relationships, learn from the most thought-provoking (and action-oriented) lean sensei and practitioners, and gain new perspectives on the role of the manager in a lean organization. So whether you're facing a tough transformation challenge or just need to re-charge, join colleagues who are transitioning to lean management for a day of listening, learning, and questioning leading lean practitioners who have the experience and depth of knowledge you respect.

At the LEI Lean Managers' Conference

• Learn how to move beyond isolated gains from deploying lean tools, to fundamentally changing how the organization operates, thinks, and learns
• Deepen your understanding of how a lean management transformation involves putting customers first by developing people
• Get insights from colleagues who have faced the challenges you face today
• Reinforce your current lean management approach or learn where you took a wrong turn and how to get back on course
• Borrow the learning curve of other Lean Thinkers instead of reinventing the wheel
• Build your network of Lean Thinkers who you can call for advice or benchmarking

Why should you attend LEI’s Lean Managers' Conference?

• Deep knowledge and exceptional presenters and facilitators, like the best known sensei and practitioners in the lean world.
• Variety of learning situations, including keynotes, interactive learning sessions, and a panel discussion
• Superior networking
• Minimize time away from the office while maximizing learning, sharing, and networking with a one-day event
• Possibility to maximize the time at the conference by attending a post-conference workshop as well (there is a discount for attending both the conference and a workshop)

Keynote Speakers

Zero in on the issues that are critical to your transformation. This is your opportunity to ask experts the all-important follow-up questions that will help you apply what you learned at the conference. Panel discussions are highly effective techniques to hear a variety of perspectives, to elaborate on, or clarify problems or issues.

Learning Sessions

The A3 is more than a storyboard or report for capturing the plan-do-check-act process on a single sheet of 11"x17" paper. It also is a process that captures the heart of lean management by helping managers start and sustain a dialogue that leads to good decisions based on facts gathered from where work is performed, from the people who perform it.

You'll learn and discuss:

• The requirements of sound A3 thinking and management
• The A3 role in the nemawashi process for gaining alignment with stakeholders
• How the A3 functions as a change management tool, a general management tool, a human development tool and a knowledge sharing tool

Learn about the "Development of Metrics", a disciplined management system that uses a discipline system to capture daily, monthly, and quarterly metrics.

In this learning session you'll:

• Hear how and why this innovative system was developed
• How it supports the lean management journey today

Policy Deployment, also called strategy deployment, hoshin kanri, or hoshin planning, matches available resources with key activities so only activities that are desirable, important, and achievable are authorized. Policy Deployment aligns functions and activities with critical strategic goals by developing — usually through an annual planning process — clear and aligned actions, timelines, measures, and responsibilities.

Learn about:

• Policy deployment's role connection to the PDCA cycle
• How to align initiatives with company strategic objectives
• How to make knowledge flow by applying the scientific method of PDCA at all levels. It encourages clear thinking, breaks down barriers, and facilitates cross-functional management. It becomes the nervous system of the learning organization

Start or expand your network of Lean Thinkers. A welcome reception, luncheon tables organized by discussion topics, and ample time between sessions give you abundant opportunities to network, exchange ideas and suggestions, ask presenters follow-up questions, or check-in back at work. The conference is designed to give you plenty of opportunities to talk face-to-face with fellow Lean Thinkers to learn how they are overcoming obstacles and finding success. LEI conferences bring together enthusiastic lean practitioners in an atmosphere that creates genuine value and friendships.