A unique opportunity to immerse yourself with a group of Kata fanatics in deep, experiential learning about the practice of Kata.

Two days which have been carefully designed to stretch your thinking.

This is not a training course where you sit and listen to someone reading endless PowerPoint slides.

It's not a conference where opinions and information are thrown at you.

It is an experience. 

You will be part of team, where you will rigorously practice the fundamental elements of Kata, building (or refreshing) your references.

Then, you will take what you have learned and go search for those patterns and that thinking on the shopfloor of Toyota Manufacturing UK.

And in our view it is the absolute best immersive experience to develop your Kata thinking skills, whether you are brand new to the concept, have been coaching for years, or anywhere in between.

This will be a small group, for maximum engagement and interaction. We’ve kept the price as low as possible - with the aim to build everyone’s Scientific Thinking skills and build the UK Kata community.

Day 1 is where we PRACTICE.

We will start with ‘Kata FUNdamentals’ - an intensive, immersive hands-on workshop led by Gemma Jones, designed to give you a deep experience of the Improvement Kata, and all of the other fundamental routines used by a Kata learner. 

By practicing the steps and running multiple experiments as a team, you will build skills and capabilities in Scientific Thinking, and develop robust references for each of the fundamental routines.

We will then spend the evening reflecting on the day together over a group meal in a local restaurant.

Day 2 is where we STUDY TOYOTA.

We will then spend a full day in an extensive, in-depth, tailored tour of the Toyota UK Vehicle Manufacturing Plant, in Burnaston, Derby.

This is not a quick, polished tour - we will spend hours studying and observing day to day inner workings of this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility. We will visit their Obeya room, their training Dojo, and visit each of the shopfloor process which turn sheet metal into cars.

We will be guided by an experienced Toyota Lean Coach, with decades of experience in the plant. We will specifically be looking for evidence of the patterns and routines that we practice in Kata.

Again, we will spend the evening reflecting on the day together over a group meal in a local restaurant.

Who should attend?

• Anyone curious to learn more about the practice of Kata
• Existing Kata Learners
• New or experienced Kata Coaches

What should I expect?

• To learn more about the practice and benefits of Scientific Thinking
• To have fun as part of a team working toward a group challenge with structured deliberate practice
• To build strong references for each of the fundamental Kata routines
• To walk away with intentional routines to continue your learning
• To experience the joy and generosity of the Kata community - meet a network of people excited about developing thinking skills

What is included?

• Online introductory session on Zoom in the week prior
• Full-day ‘Kata FUNdamentals’ workshop
• Full colour printed workbook
• Tuesday evening debrief to gather, reflect, and discuss the day
• Full-day guided tour of Toyota Manufacturing UK
• Wednesday evening debrief to gather, reflect, and discuss the day
• Lunch and refreshments through the day included on both days
• (Evening meals/drinks not included in price)
• Online group reflection session on Zoom in the week after

Other questions you might have:

Do I need to be experienced in Kata?

Absolutely not. This event is designed for all - no matter your experience level with Kata. You will work as a team on a fun challenge, and will practice all of the fundamental Kata routines. This is a great place to start to build your skills and understanding.

I have lots of Kata experience, can I still join?

Absolutely! Again, this event is designed for all - no matter your experience level with Kata. This is a great way to get back to basics, reset your practice, and become part of the UK Kata community. No matter our level of experience - there is ALWAYS more to learn!

Do I need to be a Continuous Improvement professional?

Absolutely not. You just have to be interested in learning how to think and behave more effectively.

Do I need to work in Manufacturing?

Absolutely not. The original Toyota Kata books are very manufacturing focused, but over the past 5 years we have worked to ‘translate’ the practice to be applicable to ANY industry. We will practice these ‘translated’ versions of the fundamental routines, and show you how they apply to your workplace/environment.

Where will we be?

We will be based at the Toyota Lean Manufacturing Centre, part of the Toyota UK Vehicle Manufacturing plant in Burnaston, Derby, DE1 9TA.

Where can I stay nearby?

There are many local hotels, for every budget. Here are a couple of suggestions:

• The Dragon, 11 The Green, Willington, Derby DE65 6BP (contact Gemma for details of corporate rate)
• ibis budget Derby, B5008 Etwall Rd, Willington, Derby DE65 6DX
• Premier Inn Derby West hotel, Manor Park Way, Uttoxeter New Rd, Derby DE22 3HN

What are the timings?

• OPTIONAL Monday 14th evening: we would like to invite you to meet us for drinks and nibbles. Let's get the awkward introductions over early 😊
• Tuesday 15th: workshop: 8:30am to 5pm (with plenty of breaks), evening debrief 6pm onward
• Wednesday 16th: tour 8:30am to 5pm (with plenty of breaks), evening debrief 6pm onward 
• If you need to stay overnight, we'd recommend staying Monday and Tuesday night. 
• We will finish by 7pm Tuesday, but if you need to leave earlier, you can miss the final evening debrief and leave after 5pm.

Ticket Price: £897 + VAT per person

Any other questions? Please email gemma@sparkimprovement.co.uk