Is continuous improvement an art, a science, or something else entirely? In this episode, I sit down with Keith Norris, CEO of KPI Fire, host of the KPI Fireside podcast, and author of Fire Starter: How to Ignite Improvement, to explore what separates organizations that talk about progress from those that actually deliver it.

Keith makes a compelling case that continuous improvement requires both disciplined systems and genuine cultural commitment. We discussed why so many improvement programs fail to deliver cost savings, how leaders unknowingly sabotage execution by tracking the wrong metrics, and what it takes to connect strategic goals to the daily work that drives real results.

For cost-focused leaders, this conversation offers practical insight into building an improvement culture that produces quantifiable financial benefits — not just activity, but progress. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how the right framework turns continuous improvement from a well-intentioned initiative into a sustained competitive advantage.

Connect with Keith:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithnorris/

https://www.kpifire.com/

Find more from Duane:

Email: ddeason@efficacygroup.com

Website: https://efficacygroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duanedeason/

Buy the Operationally Svelte book: https://efficacygroup.com/company-efficiency-book/