James Brewton

Founder and president

James Brewton, Founder of Small Ideas, LLC has spent his career in implementing employee-driven performance improvement initiatives. Brewton is a published author, Certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, Kaizen Facilitator and Lean Master with over thirty years’ experience in planning and leading the implementation of employee-driven continuous improvement programs across a broad range of service sectors and with a deep passion for healthcare.

Tue, 12/20/2011 - 15:23
Creating a Culture of Innovation in Your Healthcare Organization Use idea campaigns and idea games for incremental and major improvements
Wed, 02/17/2016 - 16:06
The healthcare industry is under pressure to improve performance across strategic measures of performance, including delivery cost, operating revenue, employee engagement, patient safety, patient experience, and patient outcomes. A growing number…
Employee Idea Campaigns Embrace this powerful tool for boosting healthcare delivery and the bottom line
Mon, 10/19/2015 - 13:04
Keeping every healthcare employee focused on continuous improvement, every day, is a huge challenge. It’s natural for people to lose sight of long-term goals and objectives due to the pressures of daily responsibilities. One powerful tool…
Measuring the People Factor How to analyze the missing element in lean Six Sigma programs
Wed, 03/27/2013 - 12:08
During the past 20 years, lean Six Sigma (LSS) has proven itself as an effective strategy for business success in virtually every industry sector. The methodology has helped organizations realize their processes are the engines that drive…
When Micro-Management Works Using predetermined time systems to create work standards
Mon, 03/11/2013 - 12:30
Much has been written about the need for standardized work to maximize worker efficiency and process performance. And rightly so. Without standardized work, huge variances in efficiency and effectiveness are virtually inevitable. Studies indicate…
Designing Efficient Administrative Work Cells Predetermined time systems are powerful tools for optimizing design
Thu, 05/24/2012 - 11:40
A common practice in manufacturing and other nonservice lean initiatives is the application of work cells for supporting workflow and productivity. Work cells enable maximum efficiency of workflow through a value stream by optimizing motion economy…
Incorporating ‘People Improvement’ in Lean Six Sigma Initiatives Organizations aiming for industry leadership must understand and deploy people equity
Tue, 12/20/2011 - 15:23
Lean Six Sigma has proven itself as an effective strategy for business success in both private and public sectors. The methodology has helped enterprise leaders recognize business processes as engines that drive performance excellence and help to…