Making Work Flow
Our Mission and Values
Helping overloaded med tech leaders experience the magic of aligned and empowered teams that break silos, boost productivity 20%+, and launch products 25-45% faster.
We are accountable for delivering on the promises we make and ensuring you get reliable and exceptional results. This is so important to us that we guarantee to get the job done right the first time.
We do what is right for your company, for your customers, for our company and for society as a whole. We work with companies that share our values and passion for change, and act with integrity in everything that we do.
We innovate every day and continually challenge the status quo. We relentlessly ask “Why?” until we fully understand each process and how people interpret and interact with it. We never settle for anything less. There is always a better way, and together, we will co-create it.
We selflessly collaborate because we truly believe that we are better when we work together towards a common goal. We also believe that the people who understand your challenges most, are the ones who live them every day. When we harness this understanding and engage the talents and experience of your people in true collaboration, really great things happen.
We give back to our community through volunteering as SCORE mentors for local small business owners, and we also provide free training and a drop-in clinic at our local University. We believe that helping others is good for everyone.
Why the Japanese character ‘Ki’ in our logo?
Ki (or chi) means flow, and this is central to who we are. We make work flow.
We were very fortunate to study the continuous improvement philosophies of lean and six sigma in Japan many years ago and have been practicing ever since.
The ‘Ki’ in our logo comes from the Japanese Katakana character set, specifically reserved for foreign words or people.
Our Experience
Everything we do is grounded in theory. We draw from engineering, business management, continuous improvement, organizational dynamics and coaching – with master's level qualifications in each. Our work is in the practical application of theory and teaching the tools, analyzing complex issues and making work flow.
Our home is at the ‘Gemba’ – the Japanese term for ‘real place’ or where the work gets done, with the people who do it. We do not preach solutions from a vacuum. We have many years of experience leading transformation efforts that makes us hands on partners in the changes our client’s want to make.
We have been creating the best strategies, manufacturing and transactional business processes, and truly great teams for nearly 30 years.
Meet the Team
Eli Sharp is a recognized expert in Japanese lean and six sigma methodologies and travels extensively analyzing and improving business, manufacturing and transactional processes, helping groups to work more effectively together, teaching and facilitating teams, and providing coaching to senior leadership.
Integrating process and systems optimization, group and leadership development, and individual executive coaching, Eli provides a holistic strategy to her clients and various techniques to help individuals, teams and organizations. Her approach is tailored to meet both clients’ hard and soft needs.
Eli has built and led many incredible teams over the past 30 years, and performed a solo business turn around in her role as Plant Manager in Puerto Rico. She works hard to provide her clients with tools and skills throughout her engagement, so they continue to grow and succeed independently.
She has worked in many manufacturing organizations and has consulted internationally in organizations as diverse as financial services and healthcare provision. She is adept at tailoring her approach to suit different national, organizational and industry cultures.
David W. Eaker provides expertise to MedTech and related entities in the areas of preclinical sciences, RA/QA compliance, R&D and product development processes. Key areas of focus incorporate cohesive strategy development and execution for preclinical and nonclinical work directed to demonstration of product safety, regulatory compliance, and clinical suitability for intended uses. This required scope of performance includes ISO/FDA/GLP/GMP and international RA/QA (e.g., EU MDR) compliance. Most recent efforts included support to programs in sustainability, “materials of concern”, sterilization research, and proactive engagement with regulatory agencies and customers to drive product approvals and adoption.
David holds a Ph.D. in organic and analytical chemistry, with prior relevant positions including 25+ years in large MedTech, posting as a toxicologist and associate faculty member of the Duke University Medical Center, prior leadership of chemistry and toxicology at a private CRO, and conduct of experimental toxicology at a consumer products company. Dr. Eaker is certified as a Diplomate of the American Board of Toxicology, and has served (or currently serves) on ISO Working Groups as well as AdvaMed and EucoMed initiatives.
Scott Post is an Operational Excellence and Lean Leadership Coach with over 20 years of experience in leadership, continuous improvement, and Lean methodology. He excels at identifying inefficiencies and optimizing processes to help individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. A natural problem solver, collaborator, and enabler, Scott is dedicated to driving tangible results through proven, results-driven methods.
Scott’s journey in process improvement began with his service in the United States Marine Corps, followed by earning an Industrial Engineering degree from Iowa State University. His passion for Lean methodology flourished in roles at Pella Corporation and later as Chief Operations Officer at Pizza Ranch, where he led Operations, Training, and Process Improvement teams toward excellence.
As a practicing Servant Leader, Scott has contributed extensively to the local Lean community, including serving on the board of the Siouxland Lean Consortium. Beyond work, he enjoys family time, camping, and life on his hobby farm in Northwest Iowa with his wife, four children, and a few farm animals.