The pressure on everyone to find ways to cut costs and increase productivity is immense.  If you’re like most organizations you have leveraged the fundamentals – you have trained some experts in Lean, Six Sigma, etc. and they are leading very important cost savings products for you.  You’ve also enrolled employees in cost savings events such as Value Stream Mapping, etc.

Your Next Step is to engage the hearts and minds of every employee, every hour of the work week, in thinking smarter, faster and more creatively about cutting costs and increasing productivity. 

THE IMPACT – Research finds that while “experts” are invaluable – the brains and insights of all employees has the potential to 4X Your Cost Savings.   All you need to do is give your team members a day of training and their managers 2 days of training in how to identify, problem solve and take action on ideas for working smarter. 

But don’t just take my word for it. Continuous Improvement expert and thought leader Tim McMahon on his blog A Lean Journey, just posted a book review on my new book (see below) that outlines how you can realize that Discovery Centers usually include both a digital and an in-person delivery option.  Sometimes it’s a sequential system of Digital Experiences leading to an in person experience at a company facility.

Book Review: PROACTIVE Problem Solving by Doug Hall

Doug Hall’s PROACTIVE Problem Solving is an energetic, insightful, and highly practical guide to transforming the way individuals and organizations address challenges. Drawing from decades of experience, including leading the innovative Brain Brew Bourbon Distillery, Hall shows how to shift from a reactive mindset to one where everyone—leaders, managers, and employees alike—actively identifies and fixes flawed work systems. Along the way, readers are introduced to clear frameworks, creative thinking tools, and inspiring case studies that demonstrate how these methods lead to meaningful and lasting improvements.

The book is divided into three main parts:

1. Defining Problems and Solutions – Understanding the “what” and “why” behind challenges to focus energy where it counts.
2. Creating Solutions – Proven tools, creative thinking techniques, and systems to spark better ideas faster.
3. Driving Out Risk – Methods for testing, refining, and implementing solutions with confidence.

Hall’s style is both conversational and deeply actionable, blending stories from his work with Fortune 500 companies, small teams, and entrepreneurial ventures. Concepts like “STOP THE STUPID” (eliminating broken systems, not blaming people) and “Meaningfully Unique” (ensuring solutions are impactful and different) are memorable and easy to apply. Real-world examples and case studies—ranging from manufacturing floor improvements to creative approaches in education—bring the lessons to life.

At just over 200 pages, the book is concise enough to be read in a few focused sittings, yet rich with actionable content that rewards re-reading. Most readers could comfortably finish it in a weekend, but its depth and the included exercises make it equally valuable as a resource to revisit over months of application.

This book will be especially valuable for business leaders, managers, team members, educators, and entrepreneurs who want to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement. It’s also ideal for anyone seeking to boost problem-solving confidence, foster innovation, and increase engagement in their organization. Hall’s emphasis on empowering people at all levels makes it relevant across industries—from manufacturing to education, nonprofits to startups.

Whether you’re running a global organization or simply trying to make your daily work more effective and rewarding, PROACTIVE Problem Solving delivers both inspiration and an actionable toolkit. Hall’s approach proves that solving problems isn’t just about fixing what’s broken—it’s about creating a culture where innovation, engagement, and joy in work thrive. I strongly recommend reading it, whether you want to improve your personal problem-solving skills or ignite a transformation in your organization.

Book review by Tim McMahon on his blog A Lean Journey

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To Learn More visit DougHall.com

Or if you are reading this in your email inbox, simply reply to set up a conversation.

Cheers,

Doug Hall 

Founder – Eureka! Ranch
Co-Founder – Dexter Bourbon Company from the Brain Brew Distillery
Co-Founder – Eureka! Ranch Distilled Spirits Group

Click to learn more about:  DOUG’S Bio     DOUG’S Services     DOUG’S Books

Click to SEND DOUG A MESSAGE

Click on the video image below to learn about a presentation I am giving in Chicago in September with Maggie Nichols of the Eureka! Ranch and Kevin Cahill of the Deming Institute.