Guest: Nick Katko | Host: Keith Norris

In this kickoff episode of KPI Fireside, host Keith Norris sits down with Lean Accounting expert Nick Katko—author, consultant, and pioneer in connecting finance with continuous improvement.

🔥 Key Takeaways & Moments:

• Nick’s Lean Origin Story – From CFO at Bullard to a champion of Lean transformations, Nick shares how one company's leap into Lean opened his eyes—and changed everything.
• Why Standard Costing Falls Short – Discover why traditional accounting systems often clash with Lean initiatives and how value stream income statements can transform decision-making.
• The Box Score Breakdown – Learn how Nick’s mentor, Brian Maskell, developed a powerful tool to align operational performance, capacity, and financials.
• Common Pitfalls in Lean Journeys – Nick reveals red flags to watch out for, including cherry-picking tools and losing sight of Lean as a learning culture.
• The ROI of Lean & Creating Capacity – Nick shares how to reframe “cost savings” and make a compelling case for Lean by showing how it improves flow, frees up time, and strengthens customer service.
• Advice for Finance Pros & CI Leaders – Whether you're in accounting or operations, find out how to build a career in Lean and make your role central to transformation.

💡 Whether you're new to Lean or deep in your CI journey, this episode will shift how you think about operations, accounting, and leadership. Tune in for a thoughtful and practical discussion packed with real-world insights and decades of experience.

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