About Norman

Educated at University of Wisconsin, New York University, New York University Graduate School of Business, and Graduate School of Education, Norman spent Two years in the US Army and six years in reserve. He practiced as a public accountant, and was the first person to automate accounting on a Bendix G15 computer in 1960!

In 1979 he started Productivity Press and was responsible for bringing legends of the Japanese Lean Manufacturing, such as Shigeo Shingo and Taiichi Ohno, to the notice of the English speaking world. He’s also been inducted into Industry Week’s Hall of Fame, and the American Manufacturing Association’s Hall of Fame. He started the Shingo Prize at Utah State University, winning a “Research and Professional Publication Award” in 2005. Other winners include, Jeff Liker, John Shook, Jim Womack, and Henry Ford! He has taught a “Best of Japanese management” course at Portland State University. He is constantly discovering new techniques and principles, particularly from Japan.

Not only has he Keynoted around 50 management conferences, he has appeared via video at LAST Conferences in Melbourne, Canberra and Brisbane.

About Ahmed

Ahmed Avais is an Agile Coach and a Human Systems Dynamics Professional. He is also the president and founder of Agile-7. He uses curiosity to invite people into his teaching and learning. He starts where you are, with the team or the individual. Ahmed uses a variety of tools, all focused on helping you see your system, so you can chart your path to unleash your potential.

Ahmed blogs at agile-7.com and is currently engaged in coaching coaches and leaders with a focus on self-organizing teams.

About Christophe

Christophe Makni studied mathematics and computer science at a French Engineering School (ENSIMAG, Grenoble) and specialised in robotics and machine learning in a research center in Germany (at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology) in 2001. After that, he worked in Europe as an IT and Process consultant until 2010 focusing on transforming companies using new technologies and business process management.

For the last 10 years he has been  working in the Financial Industry specialising in Lean transformations and Lean Startup. He is a passionate Lean Leader and Coach and practices Servant Leadership. He is currently Head of Processes and Lean and teaches at the university Lean Management and Innovation. He has been speakers more than 15 times on Lean and Process Management Conferences.