Foundational Business Improvement Principles
Learn the core concepts and practical strategies to drive meaningful and sustainable improvements in any business setting.
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About this course
Course contents
6 modules · 30 lessons · 3h 4m
1
Introduction: Building the Foundation for Improvement
Understand the significance, basic concepts, and terminology of business improvement.
- Welcome to the Course! What is Business Improvement?
Define improvement as 'bridging the gap between the current state and the ideal state.'6 min - Why is Improvement Necessary Now?
Explain why maintaining the status quo is a risk in a rapidly changing world.6 min - Essential Terminology You Should Know
Translate technical and specialized terms into everyday language for easy understanding.7 min - 5 Principles for Effective Improvement
Learn the underlying rules of improvement, such as customer perspective and fact-based judgment.7 min - The Mindset for Successful Improvement
Convey the importance of not fearing failure and enjoying experimentation.6 min
2
Analyzing the Current State: The Art of Finding Inefficiencies
Learn methods to visualize processes and identify where problems exist.
- Let's Map Out Your Process
Learn techniques to break down and visualize work processes step by step.7 min - Find the Bottlenecks!
Understand how to identify 'choke points' that are slowing down the overall flow.7 min - Prevent Overlooks with the '7 Wastes'
Define waste from seven perspectives, originating from the Toyota Production System.7 min - 5 Whys Analysis: Getting to the Root Cause
Learn a questioning technique to uncover the true cause, not just the superficial problem.7 min - Where is Value Being Added?
Categorize tasks into 'value-adding' and 'non-value-adding' activities.6 min
3
Modern Approaches: Lean and Agile
Understand modern frameworks that balance efficiency and flexibility.
- Lean Fundamentals: Trimming the Fat
Learn the Lean philosophy of creating maximum value with minimum resources.6 min - Agile Fundamentals: Experimenting in Small Steps
Understand the method of iterating and making corrections in short cycles, rather than aiming for perfection.6 min - The Spirit of 'Kaizen,' Japan's Pride
Discover the power of small, continuous improvements driven by frontline workers.6 min - Pull System: Just What's Needed, When It's Needed
Learn a system to prevent overproduction and smooth out the flow.6 min - Benefits of an Iterative Approach
Explain why repeating a process multiple times, rather than doing it once, improves accuracy.6 min
4
Driving Improvement: Cycles and Data Utilization
Learn to implement the PDCA cycle and make objective decisions based on data.
- Tips for Effectively Running the PDCA Cycle
Learn key points to ensure planning (P) leads to evaluation (C) and action (A).6 min - Data Doesn't Lie: Objective Decision-Making
Understand the importance of discussing based on numbers, not just 'gut feelings.'6 min - What Should You Measure? Choosing KPIs
Learn how to set appropriate metrics (measuring sticks) to gauge improvement outcomes.6 min - Visualizing Results with Graphs
Learn the basics of illustrating data so that changes are clear to anyone.6 min - Standardizing Success for Sustainability
Learn how to document successful methods and make them accessible to everyone.6 min
5
Building a Culture: Team-Based Improvement
Learn how to involve others and sustain improvement, rather than working alone.
- How to Make Improvement 'Their Own Thing'?
Learn communication techniques to gain the empathy of team members.6 min - Psychological Safety Accelerates Improvement
Understand why an environment where opinions can be freely expressed is essential for improvement.6 min - How to Deal with Resistance to Change
Learn to understand and approach people who are resistant to new things.6 min - Celebrate Small Wins
Understand the importance of sharing achievements to maintain motivation.6 min - Improvement as a Sustainable System
Learn how to integrate improvement into daily operations, rather than treating it as a temporary event.6 min
6
Practice: Creating an Action Plan
Integrate what you've learned and plan solutions for real-world challenges.
- Prioritize Your Challenges
Choose which challenge to tackle first based on impact and difficulty.6 min - How to Create a Specific and Actionable Plan
Create an action plan that clearly defines 'when,' 'who,' and 'what.'6 min - Resource Allocation and Schedule Management
Consider the allocation of time and personnel to create a realistic plan.6 min - Preparing for Unexpected Problems
Learn about risk management and flexible adjustments for when things don't go as planned.6 min - Conclusion: Your First Step, Starting Today
A comprehensive review of the course and encouragement for learners to take action starting tomorrow.4 min
Creating Your 'My Improvement Project' Action Plan
Choose one common workplace challenge (e.g., long meetings, difficulty finding documents) and develop an improvement plan using the frameworks learned in this course.
What you'll get
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Certificate of completion
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Audio version included
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Lifetime access
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Phone or computer
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Short & focused
3h 4m of practical content
Certificate of completion
Every course you complete on PickAClass issues a credential like this — original, with its own code, verifiable by URL, and detailed about what was actually demonstrated.
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Frequently asked
What do I need to take this course? +
Just a phone or computer with internet. No installs, no special hardware.
How do I pay? +
By card via Stripe. We don’t store card details — Stripe handles them securely.
Can I get a refund? +
Yes — full refund within 14 days, no questions asked.
How long will I have access? +
Forever. Once you purchase, the course is yours to revisit anytime.
Will I get a certificate? +
Yes. On completion you'll receive a certificate you can add to your LinkedIn profile.
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