This course will teach you the foundations of Lean through the Toyota precepts and the five critical improvement concepts (value, waste, variation, complexity, and continuous improvement). Then, you will learn about tools to perform continuous improvement in your organization, including 5S, 5W-2H, PDSA, DMAIC, Kaizen, Genchi Genbutsu, and Lean data mapping methods.

Here you will learn how to recognize a positive work environment and understand the key elements that are needed to create one. You will also discover what you can do personally to build on in your workplace and figure out what type of team player you are. Along the way you will be shown the importance of effective workplace relationships in creating and maintaining a positive environment at work. You will also reveal your personal strengths and weaknesses in working cooperatively and your preference for dealing with workplace conflict.

This is an opportunity to review and enhance your proficiency in listening, speaking, reading and writing. You will find that being aware of cultural and workplace influences will help keep them from creating barriers to communication. Practical information on selecting the right words, and combining them effectively to get your message across, will improve your verbal and written communication. Specific advice on email, videoconferencing, proposals, and selling your ideas will further improve your communication skills.