This workshop is about how to become more effective at developing the leadership behaviors needed to complement the tools most people focus on when embarking on a Lean journey in their business. A main emphasis will be on “teaching others to see” (e.g., identifying and removing waste, developing basic problem-solving capability in associates, and using visual management skills), a key role of leaders in a lean/continuous improvement environment. We will learn about practical implementation of going to gemba (“the place where things happen”). Participants will then have the opportunity to practice these behaviors at the conference center, the day’s “shop floor."
Bill Iacovelli is an extension specialist with North Carolina State University’s Industry Expansion Solutions. Based out the IES Kannapolis office, he works statewide to help manufacturers, businesses, health care systems and public health departments make process improvements through Lean and Six Sigma thinking and methodology. Bill assists organizations in developing systematic, long-term Lean implementation and leadership programs. He also trains and develops Lean Six Sigma Green Belts. Before joining IES, Bill worked for Eastman Kodak in technical and supervisory roles in manufacturing and research and development. He was also a Lean implementer and mentor in manufacturing, utilizing leadership coaching, kaizen and other Lean tools. Iacovelli holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering & Operations Research from Virginia Tech and an MBA from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He is a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. He serves on the Association for Manufacturing Excellence (AME) Southeastern Region board, Jay M. Robinson High School’s Engineering & Automation Academy’s advisory board and is a member of NC State University's Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged in Extension and Engagement.
