Leading for Business Excellence

This isn't just a conversation; it's a masterclass in building a culture of Continuous Improvement.  Join us as we delve into the remarkable transformation at leading contact lens manufacturer CooperVision, and how Senior CI Engineer Paul Hayward led his team to success at the BQF UK Excellence Awards as they took home the prestigious Excellence in CI Culture award.

We begin at the start of their journey, as Paul talks candidly about the challenge of producing a staggering 12 million batches of one unit, in their made-to-order department every month.  This put pressure on lead times, whilst needing to maintain quality and reliability, all in a highly regulated environment.  Skip forward three years, and the initial targets have been exceeded 7-fold.  Quick to credit the dedication and hard work of the entire team, Paul explains that from the boardroom to the shop floor, the mantra has been to “work smarter, not harder”.

It’s about empowering people to challenge the status quo and creating a culture where problem-solving at every level becomes an opportunity for progress and innovation.  And their journey is far from over; with a “Trident Wall” to keep the fire for improvement burning bright, the culture of improvement at CooperVision is thriving.  This is a powerful example for organisations everywhere, showing that with the right mindset and commitment, a culture of Continuous Improvement can lead to exceptional results. 

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Welcome to our series of bite-sized episodes featuring favourite moments from the Leading for Business Excellence podcast series.

In this minisode, we’re joined by David Callaghan, former Senior Vice President of Oracle EMEA, President of the British Quality Foundation until 2019, and B2B business leader in Executive and Non-Executive roles. 

In this clip, he talks about the role of robust debates and conflict – and how they can lead to better business outcomes.    

Listen to the full episode here: https://pmi.co.uk/knowledge-hub/leading-for-business-excellence-podcast-episode-3-harnessing-people-and-process-excellence-as-a-leader-with-david-callaghan/ 

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Welcome to our series of bite-sized episodes featuring favourite moments from the Leading for Business Excellence podcast series.

In this minisode, we’re joined by Jon Manning, Founder & CEO of Arthur Ellis: Mental Health Support, as he explains that mental health awareness in the workplace matters, not only because it’s the right thing to do, but it’s also good for business.

Listen to the full episode here: https://pmi.co.uk/knowledge-hub/podcast-creating-a-mentally-healthy-workplace-with-jon-manning-founder-and-md-at-arthur-ellis/

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Welcome to our series of bite-sized episodes featuring favourite moments from the Leading for Business Excellence podcast series. 

In this minisode, we’re joined by Suraj Patel, Director of Lending Portfolio and Strategy Insight at Capital One, as he reflects on the influence of leaders around him.

Listen to the full episode here: https://pmi.co.uk/knowledge-hub/podcast-converting-customer-needs-into-strategy-wins-through-operational-excellence-with-suraj-patel-capital-one/ 

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It doesn't take a minute with the dynamic Ali Bolton to understand why people are motivated by her as a leader.  Combining enthusiasm with a method in a way that is highly compelling, Ali shares a refreshing perspective on improvement within healthcare.  It's all about small-scale testing, learning from what doesn't work, and using those lessons to innovate. We delve into the idea that failures aren't setbacks but stepping stones to better patient care and administrative processes. 

Find out how your team, too, can thrive amidst the rigour of professional growth as our conversation progresses on to the evolution of Improvement Apprenticeships within the NHS.   Ali’s optimism highlights their transformative potential, with plentiful success stories across both clinical and non-clinical teams.

This is a candid and inspiring account of a personal leadership journey that’s not to be missed, with a key message emphasising the importance of relationships, trust, and a combination of education and practical experience in effective leadership.

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Welcome to our series of bite-sized episodes featuring favourite moments from the Leading for Business Excellence podcast series.

In this minisode, we're joined by Katie Evans, Chief Marketing Officer at Burger King UK, as she shares her strategy for communicating to both employees and customers, emphasising the importance of transparency and understanding.

Listen to the full episode here: https://pmi.co.uk/knowledge-hub/leading-for-business-excellence-podcast-episode-2-driving-customer-focused-performance-improvement-with-katie-evans-cmo-burger-king/

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Welcome to our series of bite-sized episodes featuring favourite moments from the Leading for Business Excellence podcast series.

In this minisode, we’re joined by Dr Nicola Millard, Principal Innovation Partner at BT Digital Solutions, as she talks about the concept of a four-hour workday for knowledge workers and how it could be achieved.

Listen to the full episode here: https://pmi.co.uk/knowledge-hub/podcast-leading-the-future-of-work-with-dr-nicola-millard-principal-innovation-partner-at-bt-digital-solutions/ 

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Welcome to our series of bite-sized episodes featuring favourite moments from the Leading for Business Excellence podcast series.

In this minisode, we’re joined by Daniel Crump, Proprietor of The Greyhound Pub & Dining, as he reflects on the power of regular staff meetings and how he cultivates team engagement.

Listen to the full episode here: https://pmi.co.uk/knowledge-hub/leading-for-business-excellence-podcast-ep9-learning-to-be-excellent-from-mums-garage-to-a-michelin-favourite-with-daniel-crump-proprietor-of-the-greyhound-pub-dining/ 

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Welcome to our series of bite-sized episodes featuring favourite moments from the Leading for Business Excellence podcast series.   

In this minisode, we’re joined by Claire Miles, former CEO of Yell, as she reminds us that prioritising the customer outcome and end-to-end experience is key.  So, let’s adopt a customer-focused mindset, remove unnecessary processes, and create the best possible experience for our customers.

Listen to the full episode here: https://pmi.co.uk/knowledge-hub/leading-for-business-excellence-podcast-ep8-adapting-your-strategy-in-disruptive-times-with-claire-miles-ceo-of-yell/  

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Welcome to our series of bite-sized episodes featuring favourite moments from the Leading for Business Excellence podcast series. 

In this minisode, we are joined by Mark Beazley, Chief Executive of The Kennel Club as he delves into the need for leaders to be approachable and open to feedback, creating a culture where team members feel comfortable challenging ideas.

Listen to the full episode here:  https://pmi.co.uk/knowledge-hub/podcast-the-red-threads-of-effective-leadership-with-mark-beazley-chief-executive-at-the-kennel-club/ 

More from PMI:

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