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The Park Avenue Solutions Blog

1 min read

Warm Up & Kata with Us

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Jan 11, 2023 2:24:00 PM

It reached 70° here yesterday!

I took my lunch break around my pool to soak up the sun's warmth.

Get away from the COLD and DREARY winter weather and join us at the ASQ Lean and Six Sigma Conference right here in Phoenix, February 26-28. I loved visiting the Phoenix area so much during the cold weather that I moved out here in 2019. Golf happens year-round!

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1 min read

Fantasy Football & Reproducible Results

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Sep 14, 2022 8:00:00 AM

Of course, I play Fantasy Football! It’s all about data and probabilities!

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1 min read

A Mindset for Improvement

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Jul 21, 2022 4:52:00 AM

Does your organization have a mindset for continuous improvement?

The daily routines of your organization shape its culture. Scientific Thinking can be a driver for a continuous improvement culture. One of the best ways to learn how to think scientifically again is by following the set pattern of the Improvement Kata.

The term “kata” means a way of doing so when we say “Improvement Kata” it’s a way of improving.

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1 min read

Why Improve our Processes?

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Jul 14, 2022 8:15:00 AM

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1 min read

Where to start with a bottleneck

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Jun 28, 2022 12:01:50 PM

Bottlenecks_Park_Avenue_Solutions_Lean_OpExFound your bottleneck?

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1 min read

Folding Towels

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Jun 14, 2022 7:52:00 AM

Did you know there’s a right and wrong way to fold a towel?

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1 min read

Use It Or Lose It

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Jun 7, 2022 7:41:00 AM

Who knows this game?

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1 min read

What's worse than death by PowerPoint?

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on May 12, 2022 5:12:23 PM

What's worse than death by PowerPoint? Working outside of the software/technology your organization uses. I know there are multiple reasons: "It's too slow"; "I haven't learned it"; "It doesn't do what I need it to do".

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1 min read

Why Process Map?

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on May 5, 2022 12:15:29 PM

A picture is worth a thousand words. Many of us are very visual people.

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1 min read

Do leaders really eat last?

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Apr 28, 2022 2:22:14 PM

Over the weekend, I was reminded that being a leader requires sacrifice to build trust and a sense of belonging. It was way past my bedtime, and I wanted nothing more than to head home. I could have easily called an Uber but I pushed through and stayed to the end. It was worth it!

It is a common belief that management and leadership are the same roles. It is common that a manager also plays the part of the leader; however, these two roles are truly separate in function and in the way they add to the success of an organization. By understanding the difference between management and leadership you will become more effective in helping others see the road ahead.

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1 min read

Daily Steps

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Apr 21, 2022 8:32:00 AM

How powerful would it be if you reviewed AND took steps towards your goals DAILY?

Utilizing the Toyota Kata methodology, we are reviewing your Challenge and Target Condition daily.

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2 min read

Clean Up for Savings (with 5S)

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Apr 13, 2022 8:34:54 AM

With today’s economy, households are finding ways to cut out excess expenses such as the daily latte or going out to dinner. Families are identifying where their money is being wasted by looking at unnecessary habits and then making changes that impact their bottom line (budgets).

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2 min read

Deliberate Practice in Action

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Jan 26, 2022 7:02:57 AM

The strongest part of my golf game has always been my short game. Depth perception is essential for determining the distance around the green. In early 2022, I discovered that my vision loss has affected my depth perception and, therefore, my short game.

I am truly grateful that I am able to be back swinging a golf club. Rather than be frustrated, I thought I would try some of my own advice that I generously have given out over the years on chipping. Later, I realized that I was using Deliberate Practice to relearn the basics of chipping.

I was practicing chipping in my backyard like I've done for years. I was struggling to land near the targets, and as I kept hitting balls, it wasn't getting better. Rather than be frustrated, I remembered my GOLF ADVICE: chipping is like tossing a ball and imagining the club is just an extension of your hand.

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2 min read

Jumping to Conclusions

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Jan 12, 2022 9:09:00 AM

Have you ever had a doctor make a quick diagnosis without asking you for more information on your current situation? “You’ve always had sinus issues, so your headaches are just sinus pressure.”

It’s an easy thing to do – in fact, we all do it many, many times every day … at home, in our relationships, driving, and certainly at work.

It’s called “cognitive bias,” and it’s a way for our brains to make decisions more quickly and efficiently. Without completely conscious thought, our brains use pre-existing information to run algorithms based on our previous experiences and fill in the blanks.

It’s a powerful mechanism that helps our brains process the massive amounts of information and decisions we have to make every waking moment, but when it comes to making decisions about new situations, our unconscious biases and preconceived notions can create a problem.

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3 min read

Jumpstart Your Progress with Kata(Con)

By Angela Barbosa on Mar 9, 2021 10:13:37 AM

I've long been a fan of conferences, seminars, and other networking events as a mechanism for reigniting the fire in my work. Although the field I'm currently spending much of my time in falls outside of my specific areas of marketing and writing expertise, last year I had an experience that jump-started my idea-machine just the same—KATACON.

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2 min read

3 Ways to Start Learning Kata Now

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Oct 8, 2020 1:51:49 PM

“Growth and comfort do not coexist.” ― Ginni Rometty, CEO, IBM

This is an important point to understand in education in general and particularly on point for those of us training and coaching Toyota Kata.

Getting out of your comfort zone is an important step to growing new skills, including Scientific Thinking, PDCA, and the entire Improvement Kata methodology. Reaching the outer limits of what you know —your "knowledge threshold"—is by its very nature an uncomfortable place to be. But right there is the starting point for learning, improving, and growing. Are you ready?

Here are a three ways to get started learning and working with Kata: 

  • Check out my Toyota Kata workshop coming up on October 14 as part of the IISE Engineering Lean Six Sigma 2020 Conference + AI Symposium. This workshop will provide a good overview plus quick hands-on practice. It's a great jumpstart for skill-building tools that will advance your career & build your problem-solving chops. WEDNESDAY, OCT 14: Toyota Kata: People and Processes. Only at VIRTUAL #ELSS2020 + AI. CEUs available. Conference registration: https://link.iise.org/ELSS2020register
  • Visit www.doyoukata.com — This is our Kata overview and resource page (approved by Mike Rother, the guy who literally wrote the book(s) on it) for understanding the fundamentals of the Improvement Kata and Coaching Kata, along with links to Starter Kata resources, including a Kata Storyboard template and other templates and materials. 

For reading all the way to the end, here's the bonus way to start learning about Kata: Call me. When you click that link you'll be able to schedule a call at a time that's convenient for you. You can ask questions, learn more about what's available for Kata training and coaching, or talk through whether Kata would be a good fit for your particular challenge, personal or professional (hint: it probably is). 

However you choose to get started, just get started! The skills you build with Starter Kata will serve you for a lifetime. 

 

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2 min read

Dispelling Myths Around Disability and the Workforce

By Lori Daly on Sep 23, 2020 10:25:32 AM

My name is Lori Daly.  I formed Diversifi Consulting Group (DiversifiCG), a certified Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (DOBE ®) to provide employment best practices and disability awareness based on my unique experiences and understanding as a recruiter, manager, and person with a disability.

This year marks an important milestone: the 30th Anniversary of the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a civil rights legislation to prevent discrimination against people with disabilities.

What do you think of when you hear the word “disability”?

As a person with a disability, I can attest to how challenging it is for people with disabilities to receive support, dispel the myths and perceptions around disability, and feel they have a safe space to ask for help. And I understand the fears and misperceptions from employers to hire someone with a disability.

Why should you care? 

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6 min read

Learning about #RootCauseRacism

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Aug 11, 2020 5:01:50 PM

UPDATED:  Additional #RootCauseRacism post links added. 

Although #COVID-19 may be the over-arching theme of 2020, #racism has been catapulted back into our collective awareness. With #BLM, protests, 24/7 news coverage, and numerous articles, books, documentaries, and discussions at the forefront right now, finding a logical, cohesive starting point for learning about systemic racism can seem impossible. We humbly suggest this one:  #RootCauseRacism

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1 min read

Tech Leadership 4.0: Leading in a Technologically Driven World

By Angela Barbosa on Aug 5, 2020 5:56:46 AM

We are excited to share the new book Tech Leadership 4.0: Leading in a Technologically Driven World from our friend and colleague Michael A. Anleitner of Livonia Technical Services! It's a fascinating exploration of leadership in the "Fourth Wave" of the industrial revolution.

Co-authored with Rob Pasick, PhD, the book provides an in-depth guide to developing the skills needed to become a successful Fourth Wave leader and how to develop and follow a leadership action plan that turns your personal vision and mission into reality.

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2 min read

Production Boards & Peanut Brittle

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on May 27, 2020 10:08:44 AM

During quarantine, we’ve all had to get back to basics with many things. At our house, that has included eating at home more, which, of course, means cooking more. We are both great cooks, but we rarely seem to have time to make our meals at home. So, while we have a repertoire of meals that we create from memory, this time is different, so, let's try some new things. Or, as it turned out, some old things.

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Tips & Tricks: Whiteboard vs Sharpie

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on May 14, 2020 11:51:46 AM

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3 min read

Caught in a Fixed Mindset

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on May 12, 2020 6:32:47 AM

I got caught with the fixed mindset. How about you?

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3 min read

Lean & Green

By Angela Barbosa on Apr 22, 2020 1:42:58 PM

Earth Day feels odd this year. With much of the U.S. and Europe still in #stayathome mode, the internet is flooded with images of crystal clear canals in Venice, smog-free skies in L.A., and the shrinking "dead zone" in the Gulf of Mexico. For all of the devastation wrought on humanity by COVID-19, our collective efforts to #flattenthecurve have Mother Earth breathing at least a temporary sigh of relief. 

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4 min read

Park Avenue Solutions Workshops & Events | Early 2020 Edition

By Angela Barbosa on Jan 16, 2020 11:20:52 AM

We're getting off to a busy start in 2020 here at Park Avenue Solutions! Our team and partners across the U.S. have booked several conferences, workshops, and training sessions. Come join us, or contact us if you'd like to set up a special training session for your organization!
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2 min read

Thanksgiving Standardized

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Nov 26, 2019 1:12:04 PM

Standardizing your processes can create repeatable and reproducible results. We know that standardizing can make you more efficient by reducing or eliminating non-value added activities. Why wouldn't we want to do that so that we can spend more time with her family? Isn't that what the holidays are all about?

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1 min read

Welcome to the PAS Blog

By Leigh Ann Schildmeier on Nov 26, 2019 9:07:25 AM

At Park Avenue Solutions, our mission is to Empower Excellence in people, processes, and organizations. Using the tools and methods of continuous improvement, such as Lean, Kata, Agile, Six Sigma, Quality, and Leadership Development, we work with organizations to  create happier employees, ecstatic clients, and superior results.

That's why our goal with this blog is to build a forum where people can read, use, and share information, ideas, and tools to help anyone working in, interested in, or tasked with improvement for their organization. Yes, that means anyone. Because at one level or another, improvement is part of everyone’s job description.

In the timeless words of one of the most famous coaches of all time, Vince Lombardi, "Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.“ 

We look forward to chasing perfection with you!

 

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