Hear about Hallmark’s journey in enabling leaders to connect the dots end-to-end to deliver strong business results. Learn how the application of lean techniques, such as visual management, aligned metrics, and PDCA problem-solving, increased on-time delivery and reduced waste.
Understand the challenges Hallmark faced with culture change and how it drove engagement using innovative techniques. Gain insights into using process ownership to drive clarity – who owns the dots? Aligning the dots - understanding one up and one down E2E. Connecting the red dots - metrics, tiered boards, and problem identification. Turning the red dots green - increasing the pace of problem solving - and sustaining the green.
Hallmark Cards, Inc. believes that when you care enough, you can change the world. Founded in 1910 by teenage entrepreneur J.C. Hall, Hallmark’s businesses employ 30,000 worldwide and generate revenues of approximately $4 billion. The Kansas City headquarters is home to 3,200 employees and the Hallmark Greetings business. This global greetings business sells greeting cards, gift wrap and related products in more than 30 languages with distribution in more than 100 countries and 100,000 rooftops worldwide. The business creates approximately 10,000 new and redesigned greeting cards annually and can have more than 49,000 different products in stores at any one time. www.hallmark.com
Julie Lushbough is a 30-year professional with Hallmark Cards, and currently manages product programs and special projects. Her experiences include managing a $6 million digital integration project, program manager for Flawless Execution programs, and standing up a new production planning organization as part of PPDS SAP implementation. In her current position, Lushbough contributes to establishing greater E2E knowledge in managing two complex visual management systems, drives high program serviceability, and is a catalyst for change utilizing lean principles. 
Laura Sarff is a lean strategy and implementation manager at Hallmark Cards. She coaches business leaders end-to-end to enable them to understand and use lean principles to drive business results. Recent work with partners delivered over $3MM in waste reductions, improved serviceability and developed leaders passionate about lean. Sarff brings a unique perspective to continuous improvement with 21 years of experience in innovation, internal start-ups, product development and marketing research.
