Welcome to the “Business Excellence for Managers” podcast!
In today’s episode, I dive into why Kaizen is making a real comeback in modern management. Continuous improvement isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a practical way to create fast, tangible change. And Kaizen workshops are one of the most effective tools to make that happen.

I break down how these workshops compress months of problem-solving into just a few days, driven entirely by the people who know the process best: the subject-matter experts. When ideas come from the front line, not consultants or management, you get solutions that actually stick.

We’ll look at the structure of a Kaizen workshop, the benefits it brings to teams, and how it breaks down silos, boosts engagement, and strengthens workplace culture.

And I’ll share why the real power of Kaizen lies in managers stepping back, empowering their teams, and ensuring the ideas generated get implemented in a meaningful way.

If you’re leading people, improving operations, or simply curious about how to unlock better performance through empowerment, this episode gives you a clear, practical roadmap.

Time stamps:

01:10 Introduction to Kaizen and Its Relevance Today.

06:05 Understanding the Kaizen Mindset.

07:20 Kaizen Workshops: Structure and Benefits.

11:00 The Seven Key Benefits of Kaizen Workshops.

Where to find Juan and Wave Business Excellence Footprint:

Website Wave BEF: www.wave-bef.com

Website: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.wave-bef.com/health-happiness-planet

LinkedIn Juan Steigerwald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-eduardo-steigerwald-01710b1/

YouTubeWAVE BEF: https://www.youtube.com/@wavebusinessexcellencefoot1034

Instagram: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.instagram.com/health_happiness_planet/

Feel free to contact Wave team at any time.

Check out our courses for PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GROWTH:

For Employees: https://www.wave-bef.com/courses-for-employees

For Managers: https://www.wave-bef.com/courses-for-managers

Can a simple mindset of ‘a little better every day’ be the real key to business excellence?Welcome to the “Business Excellence for Managers” podcast!

In today’s episode, I’m thrilled to speak with Vitezslav Vanek, the founder and CEO of value companion, a business consulting company. I first met Vitja in 2008 at BNP Paribas in Germany, where he worked as an expert in Process Management, and I was serving as Chief Quality Officer, rolling out the Lean Six Sigma program at this large international corporation of 200,000 employees.

It was a privilege to have such a motivated and talented individual like Vitja as part of the Lean Six Sigma program in Nuremberg, Germany. From the beginning, I could tell he was destined for an outstanding career—and he certainly provedme right.

After earning his Lean Six Sigma Certification under my guidance, Vitja went on to work with the Institute for Lean Six Sigma (IFSS) in Vienna. There, he served in roles ranging from Principal Consultant to Country Director for Germany South, Executive Board Member, and ultimately, Associate Management Consultant.

Nearly 13 years later, he founded his own company, value companion, where he continues to make a significant impact.

I am incredibly proud to welcome Vitja to the podcast today to discuss the top questions leaders often ask about business excellence. Time stamps:

03:00 Introduction and Background.

04:40 Journey Through Business Excellence.

09:15 The Role of AI in Process Improvement.

13:05 Defining Business Excellence.

15:45 Measuring Maturity in Business Excellence.

20:25 Integrating Continuous Improvement into Culture.

23:55 Challenges in Implementing Business Excellence.

Where to find Vitezslav Vanek:

Website: https://value-companion.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/value-companion/posts/?feedView=all

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vitezslav-vanek-mba-1a503b43/

Xing: https://www.xing.com/profile/Vitezslav_Vanek

Email: v.vanek@value-companion.com

Where to find Juan and Wave Business Excellence Footprint:

Website Wave BEF: www.wave-bef.com

Website: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.wave-bef.com/health-happiness-planet

LinkedIn Juan Steigerwald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-eduardo-steigerwald-01710b1/

YouTube WAVE BEF: https://www.youtube.com/@wavebusinessexcellencefoot1034

Instagram: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.instagram.com/health_happiness_planet/

Feel free to contact Wave team at any time.

If the links are not clickable on your platform, please access them directly from our website at www.wave-bef.comunder the 'Podcasts' category.

Check out our courses for PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GROWTH:

For Employees: https://www.wave-bef.com/courses-for-employees

For Managers: https://www.wave-bef.com/courses-for-managers

Welcome to Business Excellence for Managers Podcast, where we explore ideas, strategies, and leaders shaping the future of business.

Today’s guest is John Rossman — a powerhouse in digital transformation, leadership, and operational strategy. John is best known for his pivotal role at Amazon, where he was instrumental in launching and scaling the Amazon Marketplace, one of the company’s most game-changing platforms.

He’s also served as a trusted advisor to global organizations like T-Mobile, helping leaders tackle complex challenges in an increasingly digital world. Beyond consulting, John is a keynote speaker, delivering insights on innovation and transformation to audiences worldwide.

He’s the bestselling author of four books, including The Amazon Way,Think Like Amazon, and his latest, Big Bet Leadership, where he lays out a practical playbook for making bold, high-impact decisions in times of change.

In our conversation, John unpacks what it means to lead in today’s hyper digital era—discussing the balance between innovation and operational excellence, the dangers of mediocrity in successful companies, and the mindset future leaders must adopt to thrive.

Get ready for a deep, stimulating dive with one of the sharpest minds in modern business, John Rossman.

Time stamps:

03:10 Introduction to John Rossman.

06:15 John's Journey and Amazon Experience.

09:00 Big Bet Leadership and Transformation Playbook.

12:00 Motivating Teams for Transformation.

13:25 The Importance of Clear Communication.

17:55 John’s Free E-book.

16:01 Operational Excellence and Lean Six Sigma.

22:00 Strengths and Weaknesses of Amazon.

24:25 The Role of Builders vs. Bureaucrats.

29:15 Raising the Leaders of Tomorrow.

35:00 Services Offered by John Rossman.

36:15 Defining Business Excellence.

John’s Books:

“The Amazon Way on IoT: 10 Principles for Every Leader from the World's Leading Internet of Things Strategies“

“Think Like Amazon: 50 1/2 Ideas to Become a Digital Leader“

“Big Bet Leadership: Your Transformation Playbook for Winning in the Hyper-Digital Era“

“The Amazon Way: Amazon's 14 Leadership Principles“

Free E-book: “The Pig, the Lipstick and the Playbook of Champions; How to Reclaim Your Business and Win” available on John’s website.

Where to find John Rossman:

Website: www.rossmanpartners.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-rossman/

Twitter: https://x.com/johnerossman

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rossmanpartners

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=%2F%40johnrossman4914

Email: john@rossmanpartners.com

Where to find Juan and Wave Business Excellence Footprint:

Website Wave BEF: www.wave-bef.com

Website: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.wave-bef.com/health-happiness-planet

LinkedIn Juan Steigerwald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-eduardo-steigerwald-01710b1/

YouTube WAVE BEF: https://www.youtube.com/@wavebusinessexcellencefoot1034

Instagram: Health, Happiness & Planet: https://www.instagram.com/health_happiness_planet/

Feel free to contact Wave team at any time.

If the links are not clickable on your platform, please access them directly from our website at www.wave-bef.comunder the 'Podcasts' category.

Check out our courses for PROFESSIONAL AND PERSONAL GROWTH:

For Employees: https://www.wave-bef.com/courses-for-employees

For Managers: https://www.wave-bef.com/courses-for-managers