Amazon

Continuous Improvement Manager

Area Manager

Site Manager

Junior Site Manager

Syddansk Universitet - University of Southern Denmark

Junior Research Assistant

Kverneland Group Kerteminde A/S

Master Thesis Project

ForeFlight

Data Consultant

Odense University Hospital

Semester Project

Follow for daily posts about Lean, CI & Innovation | Continuous Improvement Manager @ Amazon

Hi!👋 Ivan here

I'm an industrial engineer with 7+ years of experience in Operations Management and Continuous Improvement.

I serve two main groups of people:

	• Business owners and executives who want to turn their broken processes into brilliant ones (and save so much damn money) through Kaizen and Innovation

	• Founders and consulting firm owners within CI, Lean or Innovation who want to promote their businesses and make LinkedIn a legit revenue channel

(DM me for the details) 


I started writing on LinkedIn in October 2023. 

Since then, I have been sharing actionable, educational, and entertaining content to support LinkedIn community members in their continuous improvement journey. This helped me grow my audience from 9,000 to 100,000 followers in a year.

Join my newsletter here: https://lnkd.in/ddQncJM5

Ivan Carillo

26 Kaizen Leadership Mantras

Here are the 4 principles that I believe are most powerful (and why):

1/ Gemba never lies; go and see for yourself.

I've seen leaders make terrible decisions because they trusted Excel sheets over their own eyes. The problems that cost us millions are often visible on the shopfloor, but nobody bother to look. Reports tell you what people want you to know. Gemba tells you what's actually happening. I think the moment you stop walking the floor is the moment you lose touch with reality. Your operators won't lie to you if you show up regularly, ask good questions, and actually listen to their answers.

2/ Without psychological safety, Kaizen dies.

I've watched brilliant Kaizen programs collapse because people were terrified to speak up. Companies that blame individuals for systemic problems get exactly what they deserve. Silence. Workers hide defects, skip reporting near-misses, and watch waste happen rather than risk looking stupid or getting punished. I think this is why most Kaizen initiatives fail within a year. You can't improve what people won't talk about, and people won't talk about problems in a culture of fear.

3/ The person doing the work knows it best.

I learned this the hard way early in my career when I implemented a Kaizen idea. The operators supported it, then immediately went back to their old method the moment I left. Every time I've ignored frontline expertise, I've wasted time and money solving the wrong problem. I think we underestimate how much knowledge lives in the hands and muscle memory of people who do the same task hundreds of times daily.

4/ Kaizen culture doesn't support strategy. Kaizen culture is strategy.

I spent years thinking CI was something that helped execute our "real" strategy. I was wrong. Companies with a strong Kaizen culture adapt faster, survive disruptions better, and outperform competitors with superior strategic plans. I think this is the principle most executives miss. Your competitors can copy your products in months, but they can't copy a culture where thousands of people solve problems every single day.

P.S. What's your fav one in the list?

Founder of Gemba Walk AI — I help executives cut waste and fix the broken processes costing them millions

Brutal truth: most Kaizen implementations fail within 6 months.

Here's why (and how to fix it):

Common failure pattern..

↓ Launch with great enthusiasm 
↓ Form improvement teams 
↓ Run some workshops 
↓ See initial results 
↓ Get distracted by other priorities 
 ↳ Kaizen activities fade away

The missing ingredient? 
Systems thinking.

Successful Kaizen requires these systems working together:

1/ Total Quality Management

+Customer focus throughout organization
+Process-oriented improvement mindset

2/ Just-In-Time Production

+Elimination of waste in all forms
+Flow-based operations

3/ Total Productive Maintenance

+Equipment reliability and efficiency
+Operator involvement in maintenance

4/ Policy Deployment

+Clear targets cascading from top to bottom
+Aligned improvement efforts

5/ Suggestion Systems

+Employee engagement in daily improvement
+Recognition of participation

6/ Small Group Activities

+Quality circles and improvement teams
+Collaborative problem-solving
 
Most companies try to implement Kaizen 
…without these foundations. 

Remember:

Success requires patience.

+Start with one system
+Build it thoroughly
+Connect it to others gradually

…and never stop improving!

Founder of Gemba Walk AI • I help executives cut waste and fix the broken processes costing them millions

Most companies create fantastic value stream maps.

Then file them away. (I've seen it dozens of times) 

Video credit to Krish Sengottaiyan. Give him a follow

Teams spend weeks mapping their current state. 

They identify waste. 
They draft the future state

Then ...nothing changes.

You know why?

No one is responsible for the customer experience.

Traditional organizations are function-based.

→ Finance reports to CFO 
→ Operations reports to COO 
→ Sales reports to CRO

Each leader knows their department.
But nobody understands how value flows end-to-end.

No single leader owns value stream performance.

"Everyone" is responsible = No one is responsible

VSM needs an owner with authority. 
One leader who can make decisions across silos.

CEO could, but they operate too high to manage CI.

So it's key to assign executive-level VSM ownership. 

Before you map your next value stream, answer this:

Who owns the complete customer journey?

If you can't name them...
save yourself the effort.

P.S. Does anyone in your organization have E2E accountability for value delivery?

MTD Training - Leadership, Management & Sales

In 2001, I took a leap of faith to see if I could cut it as an entrepreneur, and that's how MTD Training was born. 

With no outside investment, no team, and no fancy office, I started the company from a small bedroom office, doing everything myself - from marketing to delivering training sessions. It was a daunting challenge, but I didn’t want to look back one day with regrets, wondering "what if?"

I knew that if I was going to build something, it had to be something truly exceptional - something that would make a real difference. 

That’s why I focused on two areas where I saw a massive need for change: leadership development and sales training. 

Too many training programmes were cookie-cutter, uninspired, and, frankly, ineffective. I wanted to create something that delivered tangible results, that didn’t just tick the box, but transformed the people it touched.

Fast forward to today, and MTD Training has grown from that single room into a multi-million pound powerhouse in the training industry. 

We’ve worked with over 9,000 companies. We specialise in both commercial and apprenticeship training, always with one goal in mind: achieving real, measurable results for our clients.

We don’t just train; we transform. Our programmes are not about theory - they’re about application. 

They’re designed to be engaging, impactful, and above all, practical. Our obsession with client success has earned us five prestigious awards and a reputation as a leader in the field.

When I’m not working within MTD, you can often find me sharing my experiences and insights on leadership, sales, and entrepreneurship at conferences, on podcasts, and through various media channels. 

If you’re looking to transform your managers into leaders or drive your sales team to new heights, let’s talk. 

Get in touch at: 
Leadership - www.mtdtraining.com
Sales Training - www.mtdsalestraining.com

Tel: ++ 44 2476 992 486

Founder & CEO

Skillshub - 800 engaging courses for your LMS

Back in 2021, I had a vision to create something different in the world of digital learning. 

I wanted to build a company that didn’t just offer online courses, but truly transformed the learning experience. That’s how Skillshub came to life.

I’ve always been passionate about learning and development, but the e-learning options available at the time were, frankly, uninspiring. 

Most courses felt like a tick-box exercise - boring, disengaging, and failing to deliver real, actionable results. Learning management systems were no better: clunky, hard to use, and often a roadblock rather than a tool for growth.

I knew it didn’t have to be this way. So, I set out to change it.

I wanted to create a platform that wasn’t just another piece of software, but a place where people actually wanted to learn. A place where the content was engaging, practical, and most importantly, impactful. 

I gathered a team of passionate professionals, and together we launched Skillshub - a digital learning platform designed to revolutionise the way we learn online.

Today, Skillshub offers over 800 courses and more than 2,000 diverse learning resources. 

Whether you’re looking for a comprehensive online learning platform or just high-quality content for your existing LMS, we’ve got you covered. 

Our platform is built to be intuitive, easy to navigate, and loaded with engaging content that drives real change in the workplace.

But we didn’t stop there. 

We understood that every organisation has unique needs, so we offer customised solutions too. 

Whether it’s transforming your existing training material into captivating digital content or developing bespoke learning journeys for your people, we’re here to make sure your team is not just learning, but thriving.

With Skillshub, you’re not just getting courses or a platform; you’re getting a learning experience that inspires action and drives performance.

Get in touch at:
www.skillshub.com
info@skillshub.com

Tel: ++ 44 2476 998 101

Feedo - 360 Degree Feedback Tool

When I set out to create Feedo, it wasn’t just about building another 360-degree feedback tool. 

It was about solving a problem that I had personally faced countless times in my career: the frustration of using clunky, overpriced systems that seemed to be designed by programmers, not for the people who would actually use them.

I wanted something better. Something intuitive, cost-effective, and flexible enough to meet the diverse needs of L&D and HR professionals. Feedo was born from that vision.

Imagine you’re running a 360-degree feedback campaign. You’re already juggling multiple roles, trying to ensure your employees are engaged and your organisation is thriving. The last thing you need is a feedback system that’s hard to navigate, lacks customisation, and leaves you wondering if the data you’re getting is even useful.

That’s why I built Feedo. 

It’s a tool designed with you in mind, whether you're an HR leader looking for a comprehensive solution or a manager needing quick, actionable insights. Feedo lets you measure exactly what matters to you, using your own questions or selecting from our extensive library of 600 ready-made questionnaires.

Unlike traditional systems, Feedo’s user-friendly interface makes it simple for both admins and participants. You can create custom ratings, generate clear, easy-to-understand reports, and even monitor results in real-time with our LIVE dashboard. Plus, whether you want to run the campaign yourself or have our team handle it for you, we’ve got you covered.

With Feedo, you’re not just getting software; you’re gaining a partner committed to making feedback easier, more meaningful, and ultimately more impactful.

Some of the ways Feedo can support you include:

360-Degree Feedback
180-Degree Feedback
Employee Satisfaction Surveys
Training Needs Analysis
Automated “Happy Sheets”
Culture Checks

Get in touch at:
www.feedo.com
info@feedo.com

Founder

Merrill Lynch

Head Of Process Improvement

Barclays Bank

Head Of Operational Planning

Founder of MTD Training & Skillshub | Trusted by 9,000+ Companies to Build Leaders & Drive Sales | Award-Winning L&D Partner | Author & Speaker

Most training changes nothing. We do the opposite by delivering management training, sales programmes and online learning that transform performance.

As the Founder and CEO of MTD Training and Skillshub, we've supported over 9,000 companies worldwide, from multinationals to fast-scaling teams, with one goal: real behaviour change that leads to real results.

Multi-award winning MTD Training is a trusted partner for organisations seeking cutting-edge leadership and sales training programmes that make a lasting impact and Skillshub is a company revolutionising e-learning with it's intuitive, engaging platform and 1,000 online courses.

💥 Our Approach: Impact Over Activity 💥

Most training fails because it's built to tick boxes, not move the needle.

That’s why everything we do is designed to make learning stick and show results, whether it’s improving sales performance, increasing leadership capability, or building stronger cultures.

We don’t do training for training’s sake, we make sure it works.

🏆 Recognition & Reach 🏆

Here are 3 of our recent achievements:

* I was named the UK’s #1 Sales Influencer in the Top 100 Sales Index 2025
* MTD was named in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025 – a reflection of our people-first culture
* MTD won the 2024 Breakthrough Culture Award for best company to work for

📚 Author of Practical Business Books 📚

My recently released books include:

- 1,500 Coaching Questions – Word-for-word questions to develop your people.
- 500 Sales Questions That Close The Deal – Ask smarter. Sell faster. Close more.
- IMPACT – How To Turn Learning Into Results. (Essential reading for L&D Managers) 

Coming Soon...
- A revolutionary book on Leadership - due to NDA I can't disclose the title

🎤 Keynotes, Podcasts & Events 🎤

Whether I’m speaking at conferences, on podcasts or contributing to media, I focus on real-world strategies that people can use the next day.

I've been featured by CNN, BBC, ITV and global media outlets.

Topics I cover include:

- Modern day leadership
- Sales transformation
- Personal branding for CEOs
- Entrepreneurialism 
- Business owner strategies

💡 Weekly Upskilling Tips 💡

Join over 270,000 professionals who follow my weekly tips on leadership, sales, and personal growth.
Visit www.seanmcpheat.com to sign up and get 250+ free infographics to sharpen your edge.

📩 For commercial, media, or speaking enquiries 📩

Please email: enquiries@seanmcpheat.com

Sean McPheat

Manager? Check. People Person? Check.

Ah...watch out for this trap then ⬇️ 

Let’s break the myth:
You don’t need to be everyone’s friend.
You need to lead well.
And those aren’t the same.

The “people person” manager often means well but ends up doing harm.

They...

Avoid difficult conversations
Overprotects underperformers
Tries to please everyone
Struggles to set boundaries

The result?
Short-term harmony. Long-term resentment.
A nice manager. A stressed-out team.

Here’s what great leaders do instead:

✅ Have honest conversations early
✅ Build trust, not dependency
✅ Hold standards without drama
✅ Support growth—not just comfort

And here’s the mindset shift they make:

Don’t focus on being liked, focus on being respected
↳ Because respect builds consistency, clarity, and performance

Your team doesn’t need a people-pleaser.
They need someone who’s clear, fair, and growth-focused.

Try using phrases that strike the right balance:

“I care about you and I care about your growth.”
“This might feel uncomfortable, but we need to talk about it.”
“I’ll support you and I’ll hold you accountable.”

It’s not about being cold.
It’s about being clear.

You can’t support someone’s growth if you’re afraid to challenge them.
You can’t build a strong culture by avoiding discomfort.

And if you’re always rescuing, overprotecting or smoothing things over,
you’re not protecting your people. You’re preventing their progress.

🧠 Remember; pleasing people might make you popular.
But leading them well is what makes the real difference.

What’s one way you’ve learned to balance care with clarity?
Share it in the comments ⬇️

-------------------

Develop the managers within your 
organisation and improve business
results…

Check out our UK based open courses.
Click here: https://lnkd.in/ecf3CBkS

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Founder & CEO of MTD Training & Skillshub | Trusted by 9,000+ Companies | Author & Speaker | We Turn Learning Into Performance

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