Why Most Lean Programs Fail — And What Successful Businesses Do Differently

Tuesday, 7 July 2026

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Australia / Brisbane (AEST)

Webinar Registration Form

Secure your place and get access to the full session, including the scenario framework and practical examples.

Lean has been around for decades.

Yet many businesses still struggle to make it stick.

They launch improvement projects. They introduce new processes. They invest in training. For a while, things improve.

Then people go back to old habits.

The momentum disappears.

And the promised productivity gains never fully arrive.

So what’s missing?

Join Russell Cummings from SHIFFT for a practical and insightful conversation with Tony Dunn, Founder of Simplicity Works Australia, as we explore why many Lean initiatives fail and how successful organisations create a culture where continuous improvement becomes part of the way people think and work every day.

Tony has spent decades helping businesses improve performance through Lean thinking, leadership development and cultural change. His experience spans mining, retail, manufacturing, service businesses and leadership teams across Australia.

What makes Tony’s approach different is that he doesn’t see Lean as a collection of tools.

He sees it as a culture.

A culture where people take ownership, solve problems, eliminate waste and continuously look for better ways to work.

In this 60-minute webinar, we’ll discuss:

  • Why many Lean and continuous improvement programs fail

  • The biggest misconceptions business owners have about Lean

  • The difference between a process-driven approach and a culture-driven approach

  • How to create employee engagement around improvement initiatives

  • Why continuous improvement isn’t just for manufacturing businesses

  • Practical ways SMEs can introduce Lean thinking without creating complexity

  • The leadership behaviours that support lasting change

  • Real-world examples of businesses that have successfully embedded Lean thinking

Live Q&A Session

We’ll also open the discussion to audience questions. Whether you’re leading a small business, managing a growing team, or responsible for operational performance in a larger organisation, you’ll have the opportunity to ask Tony practical questions about implementing Lean and creating sustainable improvement.

Who Should Attend?

This webinar is ideal for:

  • Business owners

  • Managing directors

  • General managers

  • Operations managers

  • Team leaders

  • Business improvement professionals

  • Anyone looking to improve productivity, engagement and performance

About Tony Dunn

Tony Dunn is the Founder of Simplicity Works Australia and a specialist in business culture, workplace efficiency and Lean leadership. With more than 40 years of business experience spanning mining, retail ownership and leadership development, Tony helps organisations create engaged teams and practical systems for continuous improvement.

His philosophy is simple:

  • Improvement doesn’t happen because people are told to follow a process.

  • Improvement happens when people take ownership of making things better every day

Lean Business & Coaching - simplicityworks.com.au

Reserve Your Spot

If you’ve ever wondered why improvement initiatives lose momentum, or how to create a business where continuous improvement becomes part of the culture, this webinar is for you.

Register now to secure your place.

YOUR HOST

Russell Cummings — Business Coach & Founder, Shifft

Tony Dunn — Founder, Simplicity Works Australia

Creator of the Shifft AI Prompt Libraries, the Focused Execution methodology, and the 90-Day Journal

Russell has helped hundreds of SMEs turn good intentions into crisp strategy, disciplined execution, and real growth.

For the last 40 years, he has worked closely with dynamic family businesses with strong growth aspirations.

A key component of his work has been building quality strategic and operational plans.

Copyright 2026 | SHIFFT