8 Types of Waste In Process: Part 1

In a previous blog, I shared with you how to properly identify the problems in your processes. In my work leading teams through process improvement, it wouldn’t be a surprise if you were able to name a hundred problems. Facing this number of issues could be overwhelming, especially in a service-based business (non-manufacturing), where it’s […]
Celebrating 2.5 Years of the UNprofessional Podcast: Revisiting Our Favorite Episodes

To celebrate our two-and-a-half-years of the UNprofessional podcast, I am delighted to share with you the top three episodes from the past six months. If you’ve been enjoying the blog, I can assure you that you’ll find these episodes even more engaging and insightful. 💡How to identify problems in your processes In this episode, I […]
Blog Quarterly Digest: Top 3 Most Popular Blogs of Q2 2023

As we gear up for the second half of the year, it’s time for leaders and businesses to ramp up their efforts and set themselves up for success. But how can you navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities that lie ahead? The secret sauce lies in process improvement. Our top three blogs from the […]
Process Improvement for Service-Based Businesses

Most approaches used for process such as Six Sigma and Lean are designed for large-scale manufacturing and don’t meet the needs of service-based businesses. Textbooks on process and operations only cover enormous enterprise-level multi-billion dollar international companies. But how does process improvement apply to serviced-based and privately held companies? This is the gap I’m trying […]
Debunking Myths About Process Improvement

No one teaches you how to do process in undergrad and business school. No wonder there are lots of misconceptions about process improvement. When you look at textbooks on process and ops, they only cover enormous multibillion-dollar companies. They don’t discuss how process improvement initiatives work for privately held companies. That’s the gap I’m […]
2 of the Biggest Mistakes Organizations Make When Doing Process Improvement

Process improvement can be boring and tedious, but it doesn’t have to be. Oftentimes, it is only due to misconceptions and mistakes organizations make when doing it. But once myths are dispelled and mistakes are avoided, I can guarantee you and your people would enjoy the “process” 😀. This is the first part of […]
How to Build Recession-Proof Processes

History tells us that while recessions are painful, they are a normal part of the business cycle. Since World War II, the United States has survived 13 economic recessions. The question is not whether it will happen again: it is whether your organization is prepared for when recession happens. Here are three ways you […]
Why a Great Product Is Not Enough

You have a great product, and you know how to sell. Unfortunately, a great product alone and knowing how to sell it do not guarantee success in business. A study from the Journal of Marketing Research reveals that of almost 9,000 new products that achieved wide distribution at a national retailer, only 40% of them […]
People Over Process: Put Your People First and Watch Your Processes Improve

A well-designed process always starts with how you improve the lives of the people experiencing the process, both the employee and the customer. The company then benefits as a result. People make it possible for a business to run. Some companies, however, still think that operations are like robots… but they aren’t. It’s the people […]
How Process Can Be Used to Streamline and Optimize Sales

It’s a misnomer that sales can’t be standardized. Salespeople aren’t usually expected to follow a structure in their day-to-day jobs. Who cares about routines when what matters is the result (closing deals and bringing in revenues), right? Most salespeople don’t want to be standardized until they realize its power in generating sales. Based on a […]