What Lean Has in Common with a Vasectomy Reversal and NCAA Basketball

In a Lean Transformation, a few dynamics can help create the environment upon which Lean can thrive:

1. Start From Need
2. Strike When The Iron is Hot

Start From Need

Most organizations don’t begin the Lean journey just for fun. If they did, they’d realize quickly that it’s a lot of work and, at first, isn’t all that fun. But, the fun does come when subtle and meaningful changes begin happening in the organization, apart from the quantifiable results from the application of lean principles.

What is “Need”?

Well, it’s usually a crisis of some sort. A crisis forces the organization to no longer remain complacent and encourages awareness and attention to the business. A crisis is a great place for a lean transformation to begin; it’s a relevant point of departure upon which the organization can build upon.

Strike When the Iron is Hot

A related dynamic or condition for a successful environment upon which Lean can thrive is the concept of striking when the iron is hot. This means that the conditions are right for Lean and one must seize the opportunity, otherwise it will be too late.

A great non-lean related example is a banner ad I saw recently.

The month of March in the United States is called “March Madness” because of the college basketball tournament where the best 68 College teams compete leading the finals where only 2 teams are left to play each other for the championship. This tournament lasts the entire month of March.

Vasectomy and Vasectomy Reversal

Well this banner ad was for a Vasectomy Reversal and seized the opportunity to include March Madness in the copy:

To the right of the image of a bird, the vasectomy reversal ad says:

Enjoy a whole lot more free throws.

Want to watch more basketball? Thinking about a vasectomy? March is the perfect time to take a time out. A vasectomy takes less than an hour, but you’ll need to recoup. Sitting and watching March basketball is just what the doctor ordered. For example,

• Friday:
  • 8 AM Vasectomy
  • 10 AM College Basketball
• Saturday: Watch College Basketball
• Sunday: Watch College Basketball
• Monday: Back in the Game

Receive a free vasectomy recover kit with your March visit.

Okay, if that isn’t a good example of the phrase “Strike While the Iron is Hot”, then I don’t know what is. This urology clinic took the opportunity to use the March Madness craze whose demographics is 99.99999% male, to talk about a vasectomy. Hilarious and brilliant.

Those in the trenches applying the concepts and principles of lean can learn from example like this.

So, in summary:

• Start from Need
• Strike while the iron is hot
• I never thought I would use the words “Lean”, “Vasectomy”, and “Basketball” in a sentence – ever. I guess there’s a first time for everything.
• Go BYU Cougars and Jimmer!

And, . . .

Go watch some Basketball and recover.