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Objectively Picking The Right Manufacturing Location
By: Jim Gitney
Is picking the right manufacturing location purely an objective exercise or is it subjective as well? The answer is yes to both. The objective side clearly affects your P&L, while the subjective side effects the risk to your P&L. In choosing the right manufacturing location it is important to do the analysis with 4 key objectives in mind. They are as follows: …Read More
This entry was posted in Manufacturing and Distribution, Mexico, Supply Chain Optimization, Total Cost of Ownership, Weekend Thought, on August 11, 2022 -
8 Things You Need for Recession Planning – Making the Right Choices Now
By: Jim Gitney
Whether we want to call this a recession or just unfortunate circumstances, I think that we can all agree that business is being disrupted yet again by external factors beyond management’s control. Interest rates are up, sales are down and inflation is above 8%. Amazon, Tesla, Wells Fargo, Coinbase, Salesforce, Meta and Netflix are a few of the more well-known companies announcing layoffs. Financial indicators …Read More
This entry was posted in Cost Takeout, Global Initiatives, Strategic Planning 5.0, Supply Chain Optimization, on July 8, 2022 -
Five Things You Need To Do To Drive Continuous Improvement – Introduction
By: Jim Gitney
Drive Business Success with a High-Impact Continuous Improvement Program
Turn Change into Competitive Advantage
Change is inevitable—how you respond determines your success.
Every business must continuously evolve its strategies, processes, tools, and workforce skills to stay ahead of the competition. But without a well-structured Continuous Improvement program, change can be chaotic, ineffective, or even damaging.
At Group50® Consulting, we don’t just help companies implement Continuous Improvement—we align it with your business strategy to create lasting competitive advantage. Whether you’re launching, revitalizing, or expanding a Continuous Improvement program, we provide the framework, tools, and expertise to ensure measurable success.
The 5 Key Elements of a Successful Continuous Improvement Program
To ensure sustainability and impact, your Continuous Improvement program must include:
1. Align Continuous Improvement with Strategic Objectives
- Continuous Improvement should never be a standalone initiative—it must drive real business results. Successful programs:
- Directly impact key business goals and the company’s Most Important Goal (MIG).
- Focus on high-visibility, high-impact projects that build momentum and credibility.
- Use strategic objectives and Group50’s Business Hierarchy of Needs® to guide priorities.
2. Start Small—Then Scale for Maximum Impact
- Many companies fail because they try to tackle too much too soon. Instead, we help you:
- Begin with targeted projects that address critical strategic and operational gaps.
- Leverage process owners and key influencers to drive change across all departments.
- Use Value Stream Mapping and Plan-Do-Check-Adjust (PDCA) for quick wins and measurable progress.
3. Build a Culture of Strategic Execution
- Continuous Improvement isn’t just about tools—it’s about people and culture. Sustainable success requires:
- Clear communication of mission, vision, and values to align the organization.
- Continuous training and leadership development to empower employees.
- Engagement at every level—from executives to frontline employees.
4. Use the Right Tools—at the Right Time
- Relying on a single improvement methodology limits results. We blend the best techniques to fit your unique needs:
- Six Sigma for data-driven problem solving.
- Lean & Kaizen for rapid, sustainable efficiency gains.
- Value Stream Mapping & Business Process Reengineering for holistic process transformation.
- Just-in-Time (JIT) training to ensure learning is applied immediately.
5. Focus on Data—Not Just Gut Feelings
- Forget “That’s how we’ve always done it.” Successful Continuous Improvement programs:
- Use hard data and measurable KPIs to justify projects.
- Hold teams accountable for results with clear metrics.
- Create a culture of disciplined decision-making, ensuring every initiative moves the strategic needle.
Where Does Your Company Stand?
Before launching or expanding a Continuous Improvement program, assess where you are today:
Strategic gaps – Are your business goals aligned with your current capabilities? Operational gaps – Are inefficiencies and bottlenecks slowing you down? Organizational gaps – Do employees have the skills, tools, and leadership support to drive change?At Group50®, we use the Business Hierarchy of Needs® framework to pinpoint these gaps and create a tailored roadmap for success.
How Group50® Helps You Build & Sustain Continuous Improvement
Our process ensures your program delivers real results and becomes embedded in your company culture:
Continuous Improvement Assessment – Identify operating challenges and opportunities for impact.
Organizational Assessment – Ensure the right structure and skillsets are in place. Building the Business Case – Develop a data-backed plan with clear objectives, expected outcomes, and ROI. Planning & Implementation – Develop project roadmaps, training strategies, and execution plans. Sustaining the Program – Integrate Continuous Improvement into the company’s DNA to drive long-term success.Need Master Black Belt training? Group50®’s specialized training program helps your organization build in-house Continuous Improvement expertise that moves the strategic needle.
Why Many Programs Fail—And How You Can Avoid It
Lack of executive support – Continuous Improvement must be driven from the top down.
No clear alignment with strategy – If projects don’t move the business forward, leadership will lose interest. Failure to engage employees – Without buy-in, even the best programs won’t last. Poor planning and execution – A lack of structured methodology leads to wasted time and effort.With Group50®’s proven frameworks, expert facilitation, and structured approach, your company will avoid these pitfalls and achieve lasting success.
Ready to Make Continuous Improvement a Competitive Advantage?
A successful, sustainable Continuous Improvement program doesn’t just happen—it’s carefully planned, strategically executed, and continuously refined.
📞 Call us today at +1 (626) 644-9746
📩 Email us at info@group50.com
Schedule a Meeting with our Subject Matter Expert
Group50® – Helping Businesses Achieve Excellence, One Process at a Time.
About the Author: Jim Gitney is the CEO and Founder of Group50® Consulting, and author of “Strategy Realized – The Business Hierarchy of Needs®”, a book focused on the use of Continuous Improvement tools and frameworks for developing and implementing strategy (Clink on the picture to find out more about the book and acquire a copy).
He works
with companies to significantly improve their performance by leveraging people, process and technology to implement a company’s strategic plan. In 2013, he created Group50’s Business Hierarchy of Needs® change management framework, a fundamental operating guide to senior leadership teams, and was granted a trademark in 2015. He has held C-suite and Board positions in large and small manufacturing companies.
He was a member of GE’s Quality Council, part of the team that developed and implemented Black & Decker’s global Total Quality Management (TQM) program, has led or participated in over 125 Kaizen events and is considered a subject matter expert in Continuous Improvement. Group50® consists of consultants from every functional discipline who have spent their careers in corporate America developing strategic plans and rolling up their shirt sleeves to get it done.
This entry was posted in Business Hierarchy of Needs®, Business Transformation, Continuous Improvement, Driving Continuous Improvement Series, Global Initiatives, Manufacturing and Distribution, Organizational Development, Strategy 5.0, Supply Chain Optimization, Value stream mapping, on February 19, 2022 -
Virtual Strategic Planning and Strategic Execution
By: Jim Gitney
The majority of our consulting work has been virtual and like everyone else we have adapted by developing a virtual strategic planning and strategic execution process. To us and our clients, this remote workforce thing has not been as bad as people feared. Many leaders believe that employees are more productive when working from home and several companies are reducing office space and headcount because of it – one part of their strategic plan. They all agree that executing strategy has presented more challenges because …Read More
This entry was posted in Business Transformation, Global Initiatives, M&A, Manufacturing and Distribution, Market Effectiveness, Organizational Development, Product Development, Strategy 5.0, Supply Chain Optimization, on September 30, 2020 -
Supply Chain Modeling and its Importance
By: Jorge Silva
Offshoring, onshoring, nearshoring, are business solutions that international and multinational companies have used for years. However, only a very small percentage of these companies have in-house tools that are effective at supply chain modeling and can help senior leaders …Read More
This entry was posted in Global Initiatives, Manufacturing and Distribution, Mexico, Supply Chain Optimization, on August 12, 2017 -
Why Hire a Strategic Planning Consultant? – Effective Strategic Execution
By: Jim Gitney
Successful enterprises across the globe have leveraged on the vast experience, in-depth knowledge and understanding of a strategic planning consultant that is capable of working with senior leadership on strategic execution: been there, done that. This effort is a cornerstone of gaining competitive advantage and thriving in highly competitive marketplaces. An effective strategic execution program facilitated by an experience strategic planning consultant helps …Read More
This entry was posted in Business Transformation, Exit Planning and Transition, Global Initiatives, Information Technology, M&A, Manufacturing and Distribution, Market Effectiveness, Organizational Development, Strategy 5.0, on November 8, 2016 -
Doing Business in Mexico: Mexico’s Legal System
By: Judith A. Wilson
Mexico’s legal system is a result of the 1910 revolution and the subsequent promulgation of its Federal Constitution on February 5, 1917. Although historically influenced by the legal systems of Spain, France, and the United States, Mexico has been able to structure and maintain a distinct legal system that incorporates truly unique Mexican components. Mexico’s legal system is a civil law system but not as it exists in other civil law countries.
Patterned after the United States, …Read MoreThis entry was posted in Global Initiatives, Mexico, Strategy 5.0, Supply Chain Optimization, Weekend Thought, on August 31, 2016 -
The Pro-Business Mexican Government – Mexico as a Business Partner
Intro: Group50 and ProMexico have partnered together to bring to our readers more insight into the advantages of Mexico as a business partner. The following article is the first in a series of articles on Mexico, written by Juan Carlos Briseño, ProMexico’s Los Angeles Trade Commissioner Mexico: A country savoring the moment, the niche, the current global trends and the “attractiveness” of a country with the proper human power, operational costs, proximity, innovation and trade agreements. Yet it is crucial to add formal, professional promotion, facilitation and guidance in order to capitalize on Mexico’s endless business opportunities. The good news for Mexico: Its Federal Government has understood this. …Read More
This entry was posted in Global Initiatives, Mexico, on August 7, 2016 -
Brexit and The Impact on Business Strategy
By: Jim Gitney
On Friday 6/25, we awoke to the screaming headlines about the citizens of the UK voting to leave the EU. Brexit was a reality. All the experts and the polls were wrong! Leading up to this there was tremendous volatility in financial markets and uncertainty about the impact of Brexit on global financial markets and business. Business executives that we have been working with have displayed the “deer in the headlights” look: strategically frozen in place while waiting to see what happens. Now what? …Read More
This entry was posted in Global Initiatives, Strategy 5.0, Weekend Thought, on June 27, 2016 -
China vs. Mexico
By: Jorge Silva
The importance of proximity to the customer is a greatly recognized principle that can derive tangible benefits for any organization that desires to improve market synergies. China vs. Mexico is quickly becoming a market proximity consideration. The results can be multiple fold. First, proximity increases customer loyalty, it gives the organization greater flexibility to execute changes faster and adapt based on the voice of the customer. The ultimate result …Read More
This entry was posted in Global Initiatives, Manufacturing and Distribution, Market Effectiveness, Mexico, Weekend Thought, on May 27, 2016
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