Working toward daily improvement, one hour at a time
Ramp up your employee engagement and CI buy-in success; hear about leaders as coaches, boosting CI results; spark creativity and a daily improvement mindset, adapting strategies to different types of teams; communications and culture change.
Learn how to boost your organization’s success as you increase employee engagement, stimulate creativity supporting continuous improvement (CI) and provide development opportunities for employees. Hear how A-dec recognized the importance of people in its overall performance, and then began its innovative CI Hour journey two years ago—making time weekly for improvement to create a daily improvement mindset. Get specifics on the company’s CI Hour initiative, including identification of the need through concept design, pilot and implementation. Explore the role of leaders as coaches, helping to enhance improvements. Find out what works well and about challenges in the CI Hour progression. Learn how the concept has been adapted to fit the needs of different types of teams and how letting people fail leads to greater success. Hear about the company’s plans for future systematic daily improvement, coaching/communication and culture.
A-dec was founded in 1964 by Ken and Joan Austin. As the world’s leading manufacturer of dental chairs, delivery systems and dental lights, the company provides dental equipment solutions to better the lives of dentists and patients worldwide. A-dec has facilities in the U.K., Australia and China. It supports an extensive network of authorized dealers in more than 100 countries. www.us.a-dec.com
Jill Seidel, production manager for A-dec, spent the first 17 years of her career in human resources (HR), after graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in business management. She primarily focused on employee training and development in HR. Seidel received a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) designation in 2003. She transitioned to a production management position in 2014 and continues to sharpen her skills in lean manufacturing and employee engagement.
Rachael McKinley, materials manager in supply chain and logistics for A-dec, has 20 years’ leadership experience with the company. She served 17 years as a leader in manufacturing, engaging the workforce through continuous improvement (CI). McKinley also worked in HR, focusing on talent selection, development and engagement. She has a B.S. degree in business management and has continued her personal learning and development, reflecting her passion for employee engagement as a key ingredient in CI.
