History

On the opening day of baseball season in 2000 in downtown Detroit, the Lean Learning Center was sketched out, quite literally, on the back of a napkin at dinner. A little over one year later, the Lean Learning Center opened its doors for business, beginning the journey set forth by three founders, Andy Carlino, Jamie Flinchbaugh and Dennis Pawley.

The goal was to bring something new and different to the lean world, not for its own sake, but because it was needed. First, we had learned the hard way that to be successful, lean had to be based on a way of thinking, a set of beliefs. The Lean Learning Center would focus on articulating, teaching and supporting the application of true lean principles. Second, we know that adults learn differently, not just through lectures and information but through discovery. We decided, unlike virtually all lean companies, to build an education center focused on adult learning, where even the design of the furniture would be conducive for adult learning. And third, we believed there is no three ring binder for lean execution. Each company, whether 20 people or 200,000, needed the right strategy for them, and we would excel at helping them find the right path.

The first offering by the Center was the Lean Experience. While this program has changed dramatically in the 5 years it has been running, it was an instant hit, often being cited as the best training in which people have participated. Over its 5 years, the Center has offered a wide range of products and services. Public courses, in addition to the Lean Experience, included the Lean Kaizen Boot Camp, Lean Value Stream Improvement, Lean Six Sigma Leadership, the Alumni Forum and Leading Lean. About 3,000 people have attended these public programs. Services have included curriculum design and delivery, kaizen and value stream improvement facilitation, lean strategy development and lean leadership coaching. Innovative practices have supported these efforts such as Lean Learning Laboratories and Single Point Lessons.

In 2006, the Lean Learning Center has many exciting new developments. First is the release of our best-selling lean book, The Hitchhiker's Guide to Lean: Lessons from the Road. We also opened an Instructional Design Studio in 2006 with the intent of supporting our clients with customized educational materials, and developing unique products to help companies lead their own lean initiatives. 2006 also welcomes a new partner, Ron Holcomb, who has been with the Center since shortly after its opening.

The 2nd half of 2006 will bring even more, with the release of our first full off-the-shelf product, The Mouse Trap™ Experience, the launching of the Leading Lean class in December and a kit of lean Single Point Lessons which can be used for real-time teaching on the front lines.