Operations and Process Improvement Through the Lens of Taiichi Ohno

Taiichi Ohno didn’t believe progress came from working harder or moving faster. He believed it came from learning to see waste — the quiet inefficiencies hiding inside otherwise “busy” work. That belief is what made the Toyota Production System so effective. Not hustle. Not heroics. Visibility. Most teams don’t lack effort. They lack a shared […]
Top 10 Unprofessional Podcast Episodes of 2025

At some point in 2025, almost every leader I work with said a version of the same thing: “We’re growing… but it feels harder than it should.” The conversations on Unprofessional this year came directly from that tension — the space between ambition and execution, between having smart people and still feeling stuck in rework, misalignment, or […]
The Cost of Over-Delivering: When More Isn’t Better

We’ve all been taught that going above and beyond is good business. It’s baked into how we show up for customers: be generous, be thorough, be exceptional. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: Over-delivering is one of the most overlooked forms of waste in a service business. It feels like great service, but often, it’s just […]
Stop Process Failures Before They Happen – Here’s How

Change is tough—especially in service businesses, where processes are dynamic, customer-facing, and deeply tied to human behavior. That’s why so many process changes fail: resistance from employees, unclear objectives, and poor planning get in the way. But what if you had a structured, low-risk way to test, refine, and roll out process changes successfully? That’s […]
5 Moves to Drive EBITDA Up 5 Points in Just 30 Days

Let’s be real—when it comes to growing your business, the bottom line isn’t just a number. It’s the heartbeat of how well your operation runs, the value you’re creating, and the resources you have to reinvest in growth. And if you’re looking at your EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization) thinking, How can […]
From Planning to Execution: A Step-by-Step Guide to the Process Improvement Cycle

The PDCA cycle is a simple yet powerful tool for process improvement especially for service-based businesses. There are many ways to implement process improvement, but the PDCA (Plan-Do-Check-Act) cycle offers five main advantages that make it more effective than other approaches. It’s systematic. It guides organizations through a logical sequence of steps, ensuring that improvement […]
Answering My Top 10 FAQs: Unveiling the Power of Process Improvement

Every organization wants to run smoother, save money, and make their customers happy. That’s where process improvement comes in. To help you understand how process improvement can help your organization, we’re addressing 10 frequently asked questions, equipping you with insights to propel your organization forward. 1. Why is process improvement important? Process improvement isn’t just […]
Mastering Step 8 of the PDCA Process: Standardizing Successful Processes

In previous blogs, I shared with you steps 1–7 of the PDCA process. If you weren’t able to follow the blog series about the previous steps, I highly suggest you read them first before reading this blog, which focuses on step 8 of the process. Links to other blogs about the other steps of the […]
Your Blueprint for Success: 3 Strategic Ways to Work Together in 2025

Tired of inefficient workflows holding your organization back? I’m thrilled to share the three powerful ways we can collaborate to revolutionize your business processes and propel your organization to new heights of success in 2025. Each approach is custom-tailored to meet your specific goals and is scalable to fit the unique needs of your organization. […]
7 Key Considerations for Implementing Process Improvement in a Service-Oriented Organization

In a market where customers have more choices than ever before, businesses need to go above and beyond to improve their efficiency, productivity, and customer satisfaction. One of the most effective ways to achieve these goals is through process improvement. With careful planning and execution, process improvement can help service-oriented businesses enhance customer experiences, service […]