The Edges of Lean — Ep 137 Jared Thatcher (and the Global Lean Summit)

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Key Takeaways

  • Jared Thatcher has 20+ years of lean experience across manufacturing, consulting, and government sectors
  • The Global Lean Summit evolved from virtual events during COVID to an international in-person conference
  • This year’s summit (Sept 23-25, 2023) features speakers from global companies, a Toyota plant tour, and follow-up support
  • The summit aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience on lean principles and implementation

Topics

Jared’s Lean Journey

  • Started in manufacturing, noticing inefficiencies and developing improvements
  • MBA introduced formal lean concepts, aligning with his natural problem-solving approach
  • Worked at Daimler Trucks NA, saving millions through continuous cost improvement
  • Transitioned to office lean implementation, seeing dramatic efficiency gains
  • Moved to consulting, then to Alaska Airlines, where he solved long-standing data issues

Virtual Kaizen Events

  • COVID-19 forced a transition to virtual events
  • Discovered that virtual process mapping was more efficient than traditional methods
  • Benefits: No rework, better collaboration, increased participation from introverts
  • Hybrid approach: Using digital tools even in in-person settings

Global Lean Summit Evolution

  • Started as a virtual event during the COVID lockdowns to help small businesses
  • Grew from 21 attendees in the first year to nearly 90 at the 2022 in-person event
  • The 2025 event is partnered with Indiana University, attracting an international audience
  • Features: Toyota plant tour, speakers from GE Aerospace, and City Furniture
  • Focuses on five key elements: strategy deployment, people development, workflow optimization, problem-solving, and daily management

Summit Structure and Benefits

  • Day 1: Principles of successful lean organizations
  • Day 2: Toyota plant tour and practical application workshop
  • Day 3: Developing individual lean management roadmaps
  • Post-summit: 30, 60, 90-day virtual follow-ups for accountability and support
  • Additional offering: Japan Kaizen Learning Mission in November

Next Steps

About Jared!

With over 10 years of experience in lean process improvement, project management, change management, business analysis, leadership, and training, Jared is a passionate and results-oriented CPI Program Manager at Port of Seattle, where he engages in a lean transformation of the airport operations and other processes throughout the Port. He teaches, trains, and mentors others in continuous process improvement, and developed a lean network of other Port authorities and government agencies to share best practices, success stories, and group problem solving.

He is also the host of the Virtual Lean Summit and the author of Parenting the Lean Way, a book that applies the proven business philosophy of lean to the family. Jared is a Lean Bronze Certified professional, a Project Management Professional, a Certified Scrum Master, and a PROSCI Certified Change Manager,