The Purposeful Strategist, a podcast from Menkus & Associates in partnership with Norman Broadbent, shares conversations with CEOs on how they translate organisational purpose into bold strategy, real impact, and lasting results.
How can principles developed on a car production line transform organisations as diverse as hospitals, airports, and defence manufacturers? In this episode, Steve Boam, CEO of Develop Consulting, shares how Lean thinking has become a powerful framework for improving performance, empowering people, and driving sustainable change across a wide range of sectors.
Drawing on his experience with Toyota and the philosophy of continuous improvement, Steve explains how Develop Consulting works alongside clients to embed lasting change rather than simply offering advice. Since founding the business in 2018, he and his team have supported hundreds of improvement projects, helping organisations strengthen productivity by focusing on two core principles: people and process. He also reflects on why the greatest challenge in transformation is often found not at the executive level or on the frontline, but within the layers of management that connect the two.
The conversation explores the UK's productivity challenge, the growing skills gap facing industry, and the role businesses can play in developing the next generation of talent through education and apprenticeships. At the heart of Steve's leadership philosophy is a belief in empowering those closest to the work - "flipping the pyramid" so that the people delivering value are given the tools, trust, and authority to drive continuous improvement.