What a sensational trip. I recently had the pleasure and privilege of travelling to Japan to visit a number of factories at various stages of implementing Lean? Manufacturing practices. I have to firstly say thank you to all the wonderful people who I travelled with - you are a great bunch of wonderful human beings.

I had the pleasure of meeting, travelling with and discussing business practices and philosophies with the most wonderful person I have met in a long time. Dr Michel Mastre is one of nature’s gentlemen. His advise and discussions during the tour were fantastic. I have learnt so much during this trip.

My experience with Lean principals to date have left me with a few pieces of the overall jigsaw picture still missing or at least I was having trouble finding a suitable place for them. This trip allowed me to “SEE” the picture and for those jigsaw pieces to come together and complete the picture for me.

I would also like to? thank Alice Lee from Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Alice allowed me to see where else Lean principals can be applied. I have a client in the health industry and I have been thinking for sometime that we should be presenting these concepts to their customers (Aged care, day surgeries and hospitals). Alice has helped me see what is possible in this area and her encouragement has been terrific.