Thanks to my friend Matt May (check out his new book The Laws of Subtraction) for hosting “5 Questions” about my latest book Healthcare Kaizen. Matt asked some great questions and I hope you enjoy the discussion.
Healthcare Kaizen: 5 Questions With Mark Graban
What are the most significant differences between Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen?
In the Foreword, Masaaki Imai (author of Gemba Kaizen) states that he's disappointed in the speed at which Kaizen is being embraced and adopted in the West. What's your take?
We are constantly trying to make Kaizen “quick and easy.” Why do we do that? It seems to be the antithesis of the principle and practice. Is speed and difficulty the major obstacles (see Question 2) in the minds of Western managers? If not, what is?
What surprising insights or learnings did you realize in writing this book? Why were they so powerful?
What is the one thing you want readers to take away from Healthcare Kaizen?
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Mark Graban
Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker who has worked in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. He is author of the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, as well as The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen. His most recent book is the anthology Practicing Lean that benefits the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation, where Mark is a board member. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus. His latest book has been released as an "in-progress" book, titled Measures of Success.
Nice article, Mark.