Twenty-one years ago James read his first book on achieving more for less by focusing on value to customers and removing waste. He was hooked. Not just in a rational way but at a gut level. It resonated with his personal belief of the need to take good care of resources. He decided that this would be his life’s career, passion and mission.
Since then he has led over fifty continuous improvement initiatives. Some global. Some much smaller. Through the journey he has learnt a bit about what works and, just as importantly, what doesn’t.
After a spell with one of the big five consultancies and then with a global services organisation he joined Baringa Partners LLP. His job was to build the process excellence practice. One of the first people to join him was Rob Maguire with whom he’d worked many years earlier. Eight years later the team had grown to seventy people. Early on in their Baringa journey, James, Rob and colleagues developed the 3D framework. A way of combining the best of the best operational excellence thinking, concepts, tools – call it what you will – into a common-sense framework. 3D has been in continual development ever since and is now used by organisations of every size and sector worldwide.
James now spends his time writing and coaching The 3D Workplace way of working. He is a frequent speaker at conferences and events.