As we gear up for the AME Back to Basics 2026 Virtual Lean Summit, offered free to our AME members every Wednesday in March, I’ve discovered we may already have a new keynote speaker lined up.
She’s small, furry, and she works remotely. And you have probably met Ms. Cricket if you’ve joined me in any Zoom call over the last five years.
Yes, I’m talking about my feline “foster kitty” operational excellence supervisor. She is a true continuous improvement expert.
Here’s what she reminds me of every single day:
- Standard work is essential. Meals occur on time. Not “close to on time.” Not “after one more email.” On time. Every time.
- Visual controls are powerful. A focused stare communicates, “You are off standard.” It’s feeding or petting time.
- Go to the Gemba. Important Zoom meeting? Perfect time for a site visit and for her to make an appearance. She has favorite voices in the AME world and always seems to show when they are on screen.
- Eliminate waste. No wasted motion. Every cat knows this.
Sound familiar? At AME’s Back to Basics Virtual Lean Summit, we’re not adding complexity. We’re not chasing the newest buzzword.
We’re refocusing on the fundamentals that drive operational excellence. Over four sessions, we will explore essential lean tools and methods that can be implemented in any organization, from the manufacturing floor to the executive suite.
Whether you're taking your first steps, seeking new perspectives on foundational topics or looking to refresh your knowledge, you'll hear directly from industry-leading voices on:
March 4 Purpose with people at the core
March 11 Culture of respect and collaboration
March 18 Tools that empower
March 25 Commitment to learning and growth
In a world moving faster than ever, sometimes the boldest move is returning to what works. We are going back to the fundamentals, back to accountability, back to people-centered leadership, and truly, back to the basics.
If my purr-fect coworker (and Sara's) can operate with that level of clarity and consistency, imagine what we can accomplish together.
Join us as we share, learn and grow around the principles that build excellence in the first place! We can’t wait to see you there.
As always, please stay safe and keep looking for one another.
P.S. I would love to see your co-workers 🐈 — I know I can't be the only one!
