Expertise & Impact:

Michelle and her colleagues were responsible for introducing lean into the UK construction industry from the Far East, through the government-backed Construction Lean Improvement Programme (CLIP). As a specialist in construction resource efficiency, she conducted ground-breaking research into material and environmental waste in the industry and played a key role in extending lean techniques from their origin in Japanese manufacturing to UK construction. 

She has since expanded her knowledge and experience in bringing lean to the UK, by employing its principles in other aspects of life; and for some time now has lived an entirely “lean” life herself. Her book, Being Lean: Achieve a Better Quality of Life at Home, In Health, When Travelling, at Work, shows readers how to transform their day-to-day living into a more efficient and cost-effective “lean” life, which doesn’t waste time or energy and which consistently brings joy. 

Speaking Style:

Michelle is a highly knowledgeable and authoritative speaker on her subject, whose approach benefits from storytelling around extrapolating the principles of lean from an industrial environment to individual everyday life. Her drive to develop an app that will support people in creating a leaner life adds another dimension to her descriptions of the advantages of living lean.

Key Message:

“Don’t produce lean workers. Produce lean people.” 

Impact Story:

In bringing lean to the UK and integrating it into sections of the construction industry and now into people’s individual lives, Michelle’s impact is helping people to live life in a more joyful and liberating way.