IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lean Enterprise Institutes 2012 Conference Will Focus on How Collaborative Learning Accelerates Continuous Improvement

The annual Lean Transformation Summit highlights best practices for sharing continuous improvement resources and experiences. Cambridge, Mass., Jan. 11, 2012 Lean learning-based groups go by different names consortium, network, partnership but all apply the same powerful strategy of collaborative learning to help members get better business results from their lean transformations. How to apply the lessons learned by companies that are sharing continuous improvement resources and experiences through collaborative learning groups is the theme of the 2012 Lean Transformation Summit, sponsored by the nonprofit Lean Enterprise Institute. The Summit is set for March 7-8 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront, Jacksonville, FL. Preconference workshops run March 5-6. Registration is open now at http://www.lean.org/Events/2012_lean_transformation_summit.cfm Join Lean Thinkers If you want how-to tips from lean practitioners who are using collaborative learning to sustain improvements, develop associates and leaders, fully leverage learning-by-doing, or build credibility for culture change, then please make plans today to join fellow Lean Thinkers in Jacksonville, said Rachel Regan, LEI director of lean events and community support. Regan noted thats last years summit sold out quickly because it has a track record of delivering quality information in a unique format that complements in-depth learning. In plenary sessions, executives describe business cases for lean transformations. In subsequent breakout sessions, implementers from the same companies follow up to provide details about the methodologies used, obstacles overcome, and results achieved. And LEIs limited attendance policy means everyone has time for post-presentation discussions or follow-up questions. Lean Summit Content Managers and executives pursuing lean transformation will learn from these collaborative learning leaders: Healthcare Value Network Jacksonville Lean Consortium

Young Presidents Organization Medtronic, a member of LEIs Partners Program, our research and learning network

The Summit also features: Closing keynote by John Shook, chairman and CEO, LEI A new Senior Manager Gemba Walk Workshop with LEI Founder Jim Womack 6 Learning Sessions about applications and methodologies on the frontier of lean thinking 7 Pre-Summit Workshops Visit the Lean Transformation Summit page today for details, to register, and for information about live video streaming. You also can contact LEI at 617-871-2900 or summits@lean.org. Lean Enterprise Institute Lean Enterprise Institute, Inc., was founded in 1997 by management expert James P. Womack, Ph.D., as a nonprofit research, education, publishing, and conference company with a mission to advance lean thinking around the world. We teach courses, hold management seminars, write and publish books and workbooks, and organize public and private conferences. We use the surplus revenues from these activities to conduct research projects and support other lean initiatives such as the Lean Education Academic Network, Lean Global Network and the Healthcare Value Network. Media: Chet Marchwinski, cmarchwinski@lean.org, 617-871-2930