Building an army of office problem solvers: The ten-year digital journey of Team TAS
OVERVIEW
For many organizations, the administrative office remains a "black box" of manual processes, paper trails, and delayed data. At TEAME TAS, we spent a decade shattering that mold. This session showcases our 10-year evolution from a paper-driven, manual system to a fully automated, digitized powerhouse.
By applying lean thinking to administrative workflows, we didn't just eliminate paper, we unlocked the hidden potential of our entire team. We will share the "TEAM TAS Story" of how we:
1. Empowered front line owners: Moving beyond "data entry" to create a proactive army of problem solvers.
2. Accelerated financial velocity: Reducing the lead time for accurate financial information from months to weeks, directly impacting strategic decision making across the Innovair Group.
3. Bridged the digital-lean gap: Using automation not as a band-aid, but as a tool to streamline information flow and foster professional growth.
Join us to see how a lean mindset in the office can turn administrative overhead into a strategic engine for growth and innovation.
Key Learning Objectives
1. Identify high-waste manual office processes that are prime candidates for digitalization and lean intervention.
2. Implement strategies to transition front line admin staff from "task takers" to "process-improvers."
3. Execute a roadmap for reducing financial reporting lead times by aligning digital tools with lean principles.
4. Evaluate the cultural impact of a paperless transition on team morale, professional development and retention.
5. Apply "information flow" mapping to identify bottlenecks in the administrative value stream.
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Neil (Sensei) Addison is a lifelong Winnipegger whose career is a testament to dedication, curiosity and the power of continuous improvement. With a bachelor of honors in business administration from the University of Manitoba, Addison began his journey in accounting — and for the past 35 years, he has applied that expertise at the Innovair Group of Companies as a trusted accounting manager.
But his story doesn’t stop at the numbers. In 2014, Innovair embarked on its lean journey, and Addison was selected to the team to help lead the organization toward operational excellence. What started as a new challenge quickly became a passion. Addison completed his Lean Yellow and Green Belt training through Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters Manitoba and went on to earn his Lean Black Belt from Lean Sensei Canada in 2018.
Today, Addison serves as manager of continuous improvement, guiding the Innovair Lean System with a focus on process optimization, people development and fostering a culture of growth and learning. His work is rooted in the belief that continuous improvement isn’t just about systems, it’s about empowering people to thrive.
