Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley: Phoenix, Arizona
Establishing KAIZEN™ for the Betterment of Children and Teens
BUILDING A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT MINDSET: AN IMPACTFUL EVENT WITH BOYS & GIRLS CLUBS OF THE VALLEY
This event with Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley (BGCAZ) took place in Phoenix, Arizona on 25-26 September 2023. Vera Adam, KAFCIA Volunteer from Kaizen Institute Ltd., led the event and conducted workshops for nine participants from the organization, including Marcia Mintz, President and CEO of BGCAZ.
Doug Kremer
“Vera Adam with the Kaizen Institute guided a collaborative team of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley employees through our property management process. The activity brought awareness of Muda in our process. Ms. Adam’s guidance allowed the team to identify how an improved process can provide increased resources to the members we serve. Along the way, our team learned techniques and tools that are applicable to all areas of our organization allowing us to add value to the members we serve”
Director of Evaluation and Impact of BGCAZ
BGCAZ is an organization based in Arizona, USA. By providing families
with affordable childcare, especially those who need it most, they
empower children and teens and prepare them for adulthood. As an evergrowing organization with 31 clubs, BGCAZ is the largest childcare
provider in Arizona. Their recent merger of two organizations led to one
strong organization, but it also increased administrative challenges to
align processes across all clubs.
Marketing Objectives
There were two main objectives for this event. To create an accountable system that tracks electronic equipment across all clubs and a baseline connecting funds and grants to improve reporting and planning.
Event Plan and Execution
Two key phases of the event helped BGCAZ’s team achieve these goals.
KAIZEN™ Foundations Training
This workshop introduced the basics of KAIZEN™ to help establish the continuous improvement mindset. This included KAIZEN™ principles and tools such as Muda, meaning ‘waste’, and visual management.
Process Mapping
Using process mapping as a structured approach helped define gaps in processes and improve the group’s focus on valuable aspects of their organization.
Marcia Mintz
“The KAIZEN™ / KAFCIA workshop was a wonderful experience for our cross functional team to improve communication and workflow for our organization. It opened many possibilities for future improvements to help us better serve our Club members and simplify processes for our staff.”
President and CEO of BGCAZ
Event summary
In two days, the BGCAZ team successfully learned and applied KAIZEN™ methodology throughout various processes and daily interactions. Creating a common understanding of needs and responsibilities across clubs and departments created space for structured problem solving and quick solutions. A new visible baseline and process for electronic equipment reduced costs and improved planning capabilities.
Observing the current situation and identifying room for improvement brought successful results for BGCAZ. By optimizing administrative processes and minimizing search times, club staff can spend more time with the children. The team’s continuous improvement mindset presented when streamlining the electronics’ management process. Their new
mindset, tools, and motivation are being carried forward throughout various clubs and locations, improving processes and standards throughout the entire organization.
Vera Adam
“The club and its staff and members are creating a valuable and meaningful difference to the challenges of today’s society. Volunteering with this team of enthusiastic and dedicated members of BGCAZ has been an exciting and fulfilling experience. I am proud and grateful for the opportunity to support on behalf of KAFCIA”
KAFCIA Volunteer
Future collaborations and Other NGOs
Our collaboration with BGCAZ showcases
the ability of KAIZEN™ to make quick and
simple improvements that make a lasting
impact. This holds great potential for any
type of organization to leave an even
greater influence for their teams and
communities.
For more details or collaboration inquiries, please contact [email protected].
Upcoming events
Learn about KAFCIA Events that are currently in progress.
New Stars Foundation
Arusha, Tanzania
We are currently collaborating with New Stars Foundation, an NGO that educates and provides opportunities for disadvantaged women and children.
