Happy Holidays from Mark Graban & LeanBlog.org – A Song & Some Memes

0
2

2014 has been a busy and exciting year. I've been very blessed. I've worked with great people and have learned so much. I have still barely scratched the surface in sharing stories from my recent trip to Japan. I've been on the road more than I would have wanted here in December, which has put me a bit behind in writing about the tour and other writing projects, but it's great to be on site with hospitals helping get them started with Kaizen!

After I fly back today from a hospital in Iowa, I'll be taking a bit of a holiday break here at the blog. But, I'll be writing posts to publish after the New Year, including more about Japan. But, first, I want to wish every reader a peaceful and joyous holiday season.

In a tradition I started in 2009, here is my parody Christmas song, “Gemba Claus is Comin' to Town.”

Click play in media player below to hear the song (music performed by my friend Steve Sholtes).

Read the lyrics, by me, here.

“So Kaizen for goodness' sake” would have been a better line. Oh well.

LEI posted “Twas the Night Before Kaizen” today, which is worth a read.

End of Year Giving

At the end of the year, there are many appeals for charitable giving. It's not just a tax break… it's a great idea to support meaningful organizations that do great work.

Here are some organizations that I support and recommend, if you're looking to make a tax-deductible donation:

The Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation

I'm a board member and volunteer for this San Antonio-based organization. Please consider a donation or purchase one of their excellent patient safety guide books for you or a loved one.

The National Patient Safety Foundation

The National Patient Safety Foundation's vision is to create a world where patients and those who care for them are free from harm.” Click here to donate.

The Emily Jerry Foundation

Listen to my podcasts with Chris Jerry about the tragic loss of his daughter due to preventable medical error. Click here to donate.

Kiva

Kiva is a “micro-lending” service that gives opportunity to businesspeople and entrepreneurs around the world. I reinvest my loan returns by re-loaning those funds to new businesses. You can lend and/or donate to Kiva to support their operations. You can also join a “team” founded by John Hunter, of the Curious Cat blog.

Here is our “team impact” report (click for a larger view):

Screen Shot 2014-12-18 at 7.26.25 AM

Some Holiday Laughs

Ending the year on a holly, jolly note, here are some Christmas-themed “Lean Memes” from my site LeanMemes.com.

Click on any photo for the respective LeanMemes.com page for sharing options:

shingo

elf

rudy

grinch

fudge


What do you think? Please scroll down (or click) to post a comment. Or please share the post with your thoughts on LinkedIn – and follow me or connect with me there.

Did you like this post? Make sure you don't miss a post or podcast — Subscribe to get notified about posts via email daily or weekly.


Check out my latest book, The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation:

Get New Posts Sent To You

Select list(s):
Previous articleWhat Anthony Bourdain Says is Must See TV and it Could Apply to the Practice of Kaizen
Next articleTotally Looks Like: LEI’s Jim Womack & Skinny Santa
Mark Graban
Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker, and podcaster with experience in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. Mark's new book is The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation. He is also the author of Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More, the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, and the anthology Practicing Lean. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Happy Holidays to you too Mark. I always enjoy reading your blog and have enjoyed spending time with you over the last few months.

    Best wishes for your new year. Just remember to wear the sign I made for you if anyone gives you any trouble…works at fine drinking establishments too.

    George

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.