Join us for a MLC Lean Virtual Coffee!

Virtual | Free For Members | 8:30am - 9:30am

WHAT ARE WE READING?

This essential guide for Human Resource, Project Management, and Change Professionals provides a framework for a simpler and faster approach to help individuals and organizations adopt new program, technological platforms, and systems easily and effectively. Through an engaging narrative story, we meet Elizabeth, an HR Manager who is asked to implement a technology change for the physicians and staff at the healthcare company where she works. Exploring Elizabeth's challenges and opportunities allows the reader to identify with the story and apply the READY-Set-Change Model. This book balances the technical details associated with Organizational Change Management with an engaging narrative that illustrates the use of the techniques and tools to lead change. 

PRE-WORK 

Please read the whole book before the discussion session.

Author: April Callis-Birchmeier

Recipient of the 2024 Change Awards -        Lifetime Award, recognized as a Global Guru in Organizational Culture (2020-2024), and bestselling author of READY, Set, Change! April Callis-Birchmeier is a dynamic speaker and a Certified Change Management Professional™ (CCMP) and Project Management Professional (PMP). 

April has over two decades of experience leading organizational change implementations for government, higher education, and healthcare clients. 

As a creator of the global standard for change management, she leverages her extensive expertise to help organizations achieve successful project outcomes. She is a Qualified Education Provider for the Association of Change Management Professionals and an instructor for PMI Training courses. 

As CEO of Springboard Consulting, April prepares leaders, project managers, and HR professionals to effectively lead change by integrating change management activities into their project plans. Recognized as a Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) by the National Speakers Association, she is an engaging and influential speaker. 

April is passionate about the positive impact of integrating AI to enhance change management plans and utilizing the READY Framework to ensure that sponsors, stakeholders, and project teams experience higher adoption rates and successful initiatives. 

DISCUSSION LEADER

Melissa Sherman,
Sr Quality Improvement Consultant,
Consumers Energy

Melissa has worked in the utility industry for over 27 years, both for an Investor Owned and Cooperative, gaining experience in Electric and Gas Distribution Engineering, Business Support for Pumped Storage, River Hydro and Renewable Generation, Online Scheduling for Fossil Generation, and Enterprise Change.

Throughout her career, Melissa has instituted lean methodology while embedding change management methodology.  From scheduling to warehouse redesigns, to value stream analysis. Melissa analyzes and measures the effectiveness of existing business processes and develops sustainable, repeatable, and quantifiable business process improvements. She analyzes data to drive problem solving, root cause analysis and functional area process improvement. Responsible for delivering significant results in Company Breakthrough Objectives.

She is passionate about leading others on their continuous improvement/lean and change management journey.  She enjoys being able to share her love for teaching/coaching others and seeing the “ah ha” moments when someone truly understands the methodologies. It is through breaking down those methodologies in terms they understand that they can then tackle those big problems.

Melissa has also taught higher education since 2008 both in-seat and on-line in management, entrepreneurship and engineering disciplines, relating a lot of her teaching to the utility industry.

Melissa holds a Bachelors in Industrial Engineering Technology, a Master’s in Leadership Studies from Baker College, along with a Graduate Certificate in Leadership Strategies from Davenport University.  She also holds an Associates Certificate in Project Management from George Washington University and is certified in Change Management through Acuity Institute.

What is a Virtual Coffee?

A Virtual Coffee offers a relaxed and engaging platform to connect with Lean professionals and explore meaningful discussions in a collaborative virtual environment. These sessions combine the best of our Coffee Chats and Book Club, offering a platform to discuss all things Lean, share professional challenges, and explore solutions with like-minded peers. 

• Opportunity to connect with other Lean practitioners and like-minded individuals. 

• Attendees are able to ask questions, interact with the presenter and other attendees virtually.  

Why attend?

• Leverage Collective Knowledge: Tap into the expertise of our MLC membership. 

• Focus on Lean Implementation: Discuss practical applications of Lean tools and strategies. 

• Networking Opportunities: Expand your network of Lean professionals. 

• Share and Learn: Exchange best practices and gain insights from others' experiences. 

• Stay Engaged: Stay connected with the MLC community and learn about upcoming events. 

Join us for a session filled with ideas, insights, and inspiration—all from the comfort of your home or office!

Cost

Members: Free

Non-Members: $20

New To The MLC?

At the MLC, we do our best to be inclusive at every level of experience, whether it’s a conference, Gemba walk or any other of our membership activities.

An individual or organizational membership gives you a year’s worth of great Lean learning and networking at low- or no-cost!