ABSTRACT
The training was coming to its end. After a week spent together, participants were eager to take a well-deserved weekend. Most of them felt transformed by the amount of knowledge they had accumulated in only 5 days. Now their new mission would be to spread their learning in the plant to foster operational excellence. Thomas used an unusual phrase to describe their new role: “Lean evangelist.” He asserted, “I want each of you to become Lean evangelist.” The week had been exhausting for everyone, but all participants found reason for hope and even joy. There were some “bright spots,” as Thomas said. Securing the support of the unions was a big win that would ease the implementation of the plant’s competitiveness plan. He also recalled the first improvement results he celebrated yesterday. “I was happy to see some light in some participants’ eyes yesterday, with the hidden hope that we will get more of this in the future,” Thomas insisted. “The weeklong Standardized Work training has been transformative.”
