The official online magazine
of the Lean Global Network

CASE STUDY – This Indonesian nickel smelter used Lean to stabilize furnace operations by reducing excess carbon in calcine through root-cause problem solving, automation, and operator-driven improvements at the gemba.

INTERVIEW - Festo’s lean journey improved competitiveness by embedding Lean into daily operations, strengthening leadership engagement, accelerating innovation, and turning Bulgaria into an internal hub for innovation.

FEATURE – Healthcare’s complexity demands simplification. By reducing variation, eliminating waste, and rethinking processes, leaders can improve performance, capacity, and safety while enhancing staff engagement and delivering unexpected positive outcomes.

INTERVIEW – In the face of rapid change, UniCredit Bulbank embedded Lean Thinking to simplify work and empower front-line innovation, proving leadership thrives on teamwork, continuous improvement, and adaptable processes.

SAVE THE DATE – Our editor introduces the theme of this year’s Lean Global Connection, which focuses on rethinking leadership to ensure our organizations can tackle daily issues while keeping an eye on their long-term strategy.

INTERVIEW – AI will shrink companies and workflows, challenging human relevance. In a world of accelerating technological disruption, Lean Thinking and adaptability are more important than ever.

NOTES FROM THE GEMBA – At GHU Paris, leadership pairs strategy with gemba visits, 5C problem-solving, and cross-functional learning to create a resilient, people-centered improvement culture in psychiatric care.

FEATURE – This student’s research confirms that lean efforts stall when culture lags. Case evidence shows fear, poor communication and top-down tools breed resistance, but participatory leadership fosters resilient lasting outcomes.