Virtual Lean Peer Group #31
October 10, 2024 thru September 11, 2025
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Build a Lean Culture to Ensure Long-Term Success
MWCC has held regional Lean Peer Groups throughout Maryland since 2012. This program is now available to organizations regardless of company location.
Lean applies to any type of organization and processing environment. Whether you are a manufacturer, distributor, service organization, or a non-profit, this program should be part of your Continuous Improvement plan. Revamp and re-energize your Lean strategy by networking with and learning from others who are committed to creating a Lean culture.
Schedule - Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may attend one of the other Group meetings.
Format:
Program Features!
Who Should Attend?
Organizations – Not just for manufacturers, our Lean Peer Groups have a mix of companies from a broad range of industries and Lean maturity levels, from those who are just getting started to some who would be considered Lean-mature organizations. The only real requirement is a sincere desire and commitment to moving forward on this never-ending journey of excellence.
Meeting Attendees – There are no restrictions as to company position, but typical attendees include Lean facilitators and company leaders. Specifically, front-line leaders would gain greatly from ongoing participation. Though anyone in the organization who wants to learn more about Lean is welcome to participate.
What about the cost?
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership, a $1250 value. NOTE: Your company might qualify for grant reimbursement of 50% of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round. (This reimbursement is subject to availability of funding and adequate appropriation.) Considering these factors, the effective cost for Maryland company participants would be $250 for the whole organization for this year-long program. (Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.)
Your Lean Peer Group Facilitator
Dave Rizzardo has been the Associate Director of MWCC since 2014. In 2012, he co-developed the Lean Peer Group service and has been facilitating multiple groups since that time. His Lean experience predates the time when Lean became synonymous with business excellence. His recently published book, "Lean - Let's Get It Right! How to Build a Culture of Continuous Improvement", dives into many of the topics discussed and debated during the MWCC Lean Peer Group meetings.
Questions?
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Associate Director, Dave Rizzardo (717-855-0765) , or MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula (410-960-3785).
Virtual Lean Peer Group #32
February 19, 2025 thru January 21, 2026
LEAN SIX SIGMA GREEN BELT CERTIFICATION
(See below re Training Funds)
The Maryland World Class Consortia is pleased to bring you the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certification in partnership with the Dr. Mikel J. Harry Six Sigma Management Institute (SSMI).
The Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Program of Study is intended to develop technical leaders that are capable of propelling their respective organizations toward best-in-class status by reducing costs, improving cycle times, eliminating defects, eliminating variation and significantly increasing customer satisfaction.
Green Belts are highly trained practitioners who possess the technical knowledge and skills that are necessary to facilitate breakthrough improvements in key processes that support the overall business aims and operational goals of an enterprise.
Commitment
This 20-week Green Belt Course will require a five (5) hour weekly commitment. The actual task-time will vary. The program's webinar schedule for the Blended Learning model will be assigned by the facilitator and the students based on their availability.
Program Cost
The fee for the Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Program is $1995 per person and includes a free one-year membership to the MWCC (a $1250 value). This tuition covers all academic modules and course training material. Students will receive a training guide in the form of Summary Slides that review each module in the form PDF files.
Ø Participants who successfully complete the program will be presented with a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate.
COMPLETE COURSE DESCRIPTION HERETRAINING FUNDS
Maryland manufacturing & technology companies can be eligible for 50% reimbursement of the program training costs. Please contact Joyce La Padula at 410-960-3785 or via email at joyce@leanmaryland.com for reimbursement criteria.
The LSSGB Program is appropriate for workers at all levels in the organization. This structured program provides guidance for change agents the organization may be underutilizing. No prior exposure to Lean Six Sigma is required. Candidates would enjoy solving problems, working with data as well as working in a project-based, team-oriented environment.
Prerequisites
Basic arithmetic skills are essential (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals) and a basic knowledge of statistics . Basic computer skills are also essential. In this context, a rudimentary understanding of Excel is highly recommended.
If you have questions about this program, contact MWCC Managing Director, Joyce La Padula (410-960-3785).
REGISTRATION OPEN!
Virtual Lean Peer Group #33
June 17, 2025 to May 19, 2026
🚀 Lean Applies Everywhere! Lean applies to any type of organization and processing environment. Whether you are a manufacturer🏭, distributor📦, service organization💼, or a non-profit🤝, this program should be part of your Continuous Improvement plan.
✨ Revamp and re-energize your Lean strategy by networking with and learning from others who are committed to creating a Lean culture.
📅 Schedule: Each Lean Peer Group meets monthly. (Refer to the registration page for the tentative schedule.) However, if anyone is unable to attend on these dates, they may join one of the other Group meetings.
🗂️ Format:
📘 Lean Training/Discussion - 1 Hour 🔍 Topic Examples: Lean Leadership, Resistance to Change, Influence/Motivation, Support System Alignment, Engagement Methods, Office Lean, Lean Fundamentals, Key Lean Tools.
📊 Company Presentation - 30 Minutes At each meeting, a Member Company provides a short presentation on Lean activities in their organization—such as a company project, challenge, or Lean plans—for Group learning and/or to obtain member input.
💬 Open Discussion - 30 Minutes An opportunity for members to share experiences, seek input, and discuss issues and challenges.
🎯 Program Features!
🌍 Member Locations: Participation is open to organizations and individuals from any region, not limited to Maryland. The video conference format allows participants to join from anywhere, making it accessible regardless of location.
👥 Number of Members: No limit! With videoconferencing, there are no room capacity concerns. Plus, the number of participants per company is not restricted (within reason).
📆 Number of Meetings: There are 12 monthly meetings, and MWCC Quarterly Conferences and Lean Learnings are no-cost to members.
🤔 Who Should Attend?
🏢 Organizations: Our Lean Peer Groups include a mix of companies across various industries and Lean maturity levels—from those just starting to Lean-mature organizations. The only requirement is a sincere commitment to continuous improvement.
👤 Meeting Attendees: No restrictions on company position—typical attendees include Lean facilitators and company leaders. Front-line leaders would greatly benefit from participation. Anyone interested in learning more about Lean is welcome.
💰 What About the Cost?
Lean Peer Group participation includes a one-year MWCC membership (a $1250 value!).
💡 Grant Opportunity: Your company might qualify for 50% reimbursement of the $3000 fee at the end of the Peer Group round (subject to funding availability). This means Maryland companies could effectively pay $250 for their entire organization for a year-long program.
🌎 Non-Maryland organizations should check grant availability in their states.
Lean Learnings🌟Masterclass Series
Date: Wednesday, July 30, 2025Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ETLocation: Live via Zoom 💬 60-minute presentation + 30-minute Q&A 🎟 Free to attend – Space is limited
Session Two of Four: Masterclass Series with Isao Yoshino
Session One – June 18: A Rare Conversation with Isao Yoshino – 40-Year Toyota Leader & Lean Pioneer (Completed – Thank you to all who attended!)
Session Two – July 30: Characteristics of Successful Business Style – Japan and USA: The Case of NUMMI
Session Three – August 27: Hoshin Kanri: Strategy Deployment the Toyota Way
Session Four – October 1: Kan-Pro: Developing Leaders Inside Toyota
Topic: Characteristics of Successful Business Style – Japan and USA: The Case of NUMMI
In 1983, Isao Yoshino was appointed training manager of a newly formed section responsible for preparing NUMMI’s shop-floor leaders—a key part of Toyota's joint venture with GM. This came after the Fremont plant (1962–1982) had closed due to poor performance in quality, productivity, absenteeism, and safety. The partnership’s condition: Toyota must hire back the same workforce.
What followed was one of the most remarkable turnarounds in automotive history. Under Yoshino-san’s leadership, Toyota built a cross-cultural, hands-on training program that helped transform this workforce into one of the best-performing teams in the industry. He recruited both internal talent and external leaders—like John Shook—to support this mission. Yoshino met personally with every trainee, helping to foster a culture of respect and learning that defined NUMMI’s success.
Most people don’t realize that the success of NUMMI was heavily dependent on the voluntary and deeply personal commitment of Yoshino and his team.
The last Toyota Corolla rolled off the NUMMI line on April 2, 2010—but its legacy lives on.
Isao Yoshino Former Toyota Leader | International Lean Thought Leader | Shingo Prize-Winning Author
Over his 40-year career with Toyota (1966–2006), Yoshino-san held leadership roles across 12 departments, including corporate planning, research, HR, and production control. He spent 14 years working in the U.S. and played a central role in training Toyota leaders globally, including directing the Manager-Development Program ("Kan-Pro") and contributing to Toyota’s Hoshin Kanri initiatives.
Since his retirement, he has become a sought-after speaker, consultant, and educator—most recently serving as an adjunct professor at HEC Montréal (since 2021).
Yoshino-san is the co-author of the Shingo Prize-winning book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn, based on his experiences in Toyota’s Marine Division. He also contributed to Lean Leadership BASICS, published by the Business Improvement Group.
Thanks to the generosity of our consulting partners at the Business Improvement Group—and especially Charlie Protzman—this event is offered free of charge.
🔗 Once registered, you’ll receive a Zoom link via email. 📌 Space is limited, so reserve your spot today!
MANAGING TOWARDS THE FUTURE
THE TOYOTA WAY OF HOSHIN KANRI WORKSHOP
Presented by Sam McPherson, Lean Leadership Academy
From Strategy Tool to the Backbone of the Toyota Lean Management System—The Evolution of Hoshin Kanri "Immature strategy is the cause of much grief." — Musashi Miyamoto, Book of Five Rings
Once used exclusively by Toyota for long-term strategic planning, Hoshin Kanri underwent a major transformation in 2006. Under the guidance of the Toyota Institute, it evolved into the foundation of the Toyota Lean Management System. Today, every activity within that system is aligned to and driven by Hoshin Kanri, turning strategy from a static document into a dynamic, actionable framework that connects daily work to long-term excellence.
Most leaders don’t fail at creating strategy — they fail at executing it. In fast-moving, complex organizations, alignment breaks down and objectives go off course. That’s where Hoshin Kanri shines.
Join us for a hands-on workshop: Managing on Purpose with Hoshin Kanri This immersive, simulation-based course will teach you Toyota’s proven approach to strategy deployment — a practical, repeatable system designed to engage every level of your organization and turn plans into performance.
You’ll leave equipped to✅ Align your teams — from the C-suite to the shop floor — with a clear, proven framework✅ Translate big-picture goals into daily, actionable steps✅ Overcome common execution pitfalls with practical countermeasures✅ Drive purpose-driven work and measurable results✅ Apply lessons directly to your organization
This isn’t theory — it’s Toyota’s Strategic Business Management System, built by leaders, for leaders. You'll walk away with tools you can apply immediately to lead with clarity, alignment, and impact.
What You Will Take Away✅ A clear understanding of Toyota’s Strategic Management System✅A workbook on leading with the Toyota Management System — Hoshin Management Handbook✅Hands-on practice working on your vision and breakthrough objectives✅ Planning tools and timetables for use with your team✅ One-on-one coaching from an experienced Toyota leader
Workshop Fee:
MWCC Members: $3,120 per person (includes 4% credit card processing fee)
– Pay $3,000 if paying by check
Non-Members: $3,588 per person (includes 4% credit card processing fee)
– Pay $3,450 if paying by check
Ready to Lead the Toyota Way? Spots are limited—join us for this transformative experience and bring back the mindset, skills, and structure to lead your Lean journey with confidence.
Meet Your Instructor
Sam McPherson Sam McPherson is the President of the Lean Leadership Academy, where he develops leaders capable of driving successful Lean transformations. He facilitates Toyota Gemba walking tours and conducts workshops on the Toyota Management System. An internationally recognized authority on leadership, leader development, and operational excellence, Sam was trained as a Toyota Scholar at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky from 1993 to 1995. He is a certified trainer through the Toyota Institute and a Shingo Institute Faculty Fellow. Sam continues to support Toyota and its Tier One and Tier Two suppliers as well as alternative suppliers across multiple industries. His career includes leadership roles ranging from plant manager to COO and president. Sam is a retired combat veteran and former U.S. Army Special Forces commander.
About the Lean Leadership Academy
Founded in 2004, the Academy specializes in developing Lean organizational leadership based on Toyota’s management system. Programs are designed to help organizations build Lean leadership pipelines, implement Lean management operating systems, and foster cultures of excellence.
Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ETLocation: Live via Zoom 💬 60-minute presentation + 30-minute Q&A 🎟 Free to attend – Space is limited
Session Three of Four: Masterclass Series with Isao Yoshino
Topic: Hoshin Kanri: Strategy Deployment the Toyota Way
Date: Wednesday, October 1, 2025Time: 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. ETLocation: Live via Zoom 💬 60-minute presentation + 30-minute Q&A 🎟 Free to attend – Space is limited
Session Four of Four: Masterclass Series with Isao Yoshino
Topic: Kan-Pro: Developing Leaders Inside Toyota
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