About Art Smalley

My journey in operational excellence began at Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan, where I spent nearly a decade learning directly from the architects of the Toyota Production System. As one of the first Americans to work on the shop floor in Toyota's Kamigo engine plant, I gained invaluable insights into the philosophy and practices that would shape my entire career.

After Toyota, I served as Director of Improvement at Donnelly Corporation, where I led enterprise-wide transformation initiatives. I then joined McKinsey & Company as a Practice Expert in Operations, advising Fortune 50 companies on operational excellence and lean transformations. Throughout my career, I've had the privilege of working with prestigious organizations including Sandia National Laboratories and the Lean Enterprise Institute, among over 100 other companies worldwide.

Recently, I've begun exploring how artificial intelligence can enhance continuous improvement practices. By developing AI-powered coaching tools and digital solutions, I'm working to make Lean expertise more accessible and scalable for organizations of all sizes. This represents the latest evolution in my continuous improvement journey - leveraging technology to amplify human problem-solving capabilities.

As President of Art of Lean, Inc., I continue to push the boundaries of what's possible when we merge time-tested principles with cutting-edge technology. Whether through executive advisory, keynote speaking, or developing innovative AI applications, I'm committed to helping organizations thrive in an increasingly complex world.