Lean is not about copying the best athlete.
It is about building the strength, habits, and discipline that make your organization fit for the long run.
Building the Fit Organization
Watch Now!
Applying Lean Principles to Create a Faster, Stronger, More Agile Organization
Many Lean journeys begin by studying Toyota.
But Toyota is the Michael Phelps of Lean.
Trying to copy an organization that has been refining its system for more than 60 years can be overwhelming — and discouraging.
In this thought-provoking webinar, Dan Markovitz challenges organizations to stop benchmarking against the most advanced practitioners and instead focus on becoming “fit” in their own right.
Using powerful fitness analogies, Dan explains how companies can build continuous improvement muscle gradually, embed Lean thinking into daily work, and create a culture that sustains performance over time.
Why “Fitness” Is the Right Metaphor
Just like physical fitness:
- You cannot get results from going to the gym once a month
- You cannot sustain health by crash dieting
- You cannot prepare for every athletic event with the same training plan
Organizational fitness works the same way.
Lean must be embedded into daily behavior — not treated as an occasional event.
What You Will Learn
In this session, Dan shares six core principles for building a fit organization:
- Commit to daily improvement instead of episodic events
- Start small to reduce fear and build improvement muscle
- Increase value rather than simply cut costs
- Think horizontally across customer value streams
- Establish standard work for leaders and teams
- Create visual management systems for real-time feedback
- Develop coaching habits based on participation, going to see, and respect
These principles apply across industries — from manufacturing to healthcare to knowledge work.
From Cost Cutting to Value Creation
Many Lean initiatives begin with a focus on reducing costs.
But sustainable improvement comes from increasing value.
You’ll hear real-world examples of organizations that:
- Reduced MRI wait times from 16 weeks to 2 weeks
- Increased revenue by improving process flow
- Customized products to better meet customer needs
- Created differentiated service models for distinct customer segments
By focusing on customer value rather than internal cost targets, organizations unlock growth and engagement.
Horizontal Thinking and Value Streams
Traditional organizations operate in functional silos.
But customers experience work horizontally.
Dan explains how organizing around customer value streams — rather than departments — improves communication, reduces lead time, and strengthens accountability.
You’ll see examples of companies that restructured around customer types and dramatically improved speed and coordination.
Standard Work for Leaders
Standard work is not just for frontline employees.
Leaders also need structured routines that reinforce priorities, focus attention, and reduce decision fatigue.
You’ll see examples of:
- Leadership standard work boards
- Structured review cadences
- Visual tracking of management responsibilities
When leaders model disciplined routines, they create stability and clarity for the entire organization.
Visual Management and Real-Time Feedback
Fitness requires mirrors and feedback.
Organizational fitness requires visibility.
This webinar demonstrates how simple visual tools:
- Make performance transparent
- Provide real-time signals
- Highlight gaps immediately
- Enable faster problem solving
When work is visible, improvement becomes easier.
The Coaching Triangle
At the heart of a fit organization is effective leadership.
Dan outlines three elements of powerful coaching:
- Participation
- Going to see
- Showing respect
Respect means believing in people’s ability to learn, experiment, and grow — and resisting the urge to simply provide answers.
Great leaders build capability, not dependency.
Who Should Attend
This webinar is ideal for:
- Executives leading Lean transformations
- Continuous improvement professionals
- Healthcare and service leaders
- Operations and knowledge work managers
- Anyone struggling to sustain Lean beyond events
If your organization wants Lean to become part of daily behavior — not just a program — this session offers practical guidance.
About the Presenter
Dan Markovitz is founder of Markovitz Consulting and author of Building the Fit Organization and the Shingo Award-winning A Factory of One. He teaches at Stanford University Continuing Studies and serves as a faculty member of the Lean Enterprise Institute.
Hosted by Mark Graban, VP of Improvement and Innovation Services at KaiNexus.
.svg)
