Notes from the Lean Management Seminar: From the Construction Site to the Office, Doing More with Less

On 25 September 2025, we gathered in the lush green surroundings of the Koleksiyon Mobilya Tarabya Campus and were reminded once again that ‘minimalism’ is not just a method, but a culture. The day began with a welcome reception and refreshments at midday, followed by inspiring discussions and a lively question-and-answer session. (Programme and details)

At our event;

• Lean Institute's Nezih Soydan explained the cultural and leadership dimensions with real-life examples.
• Apoprojekt’s Sebastian Mantei shared his simple applications from office and construction site practice.
• Studio Alliance 's Clive Lucking shared his experience and network influence in Europe and the United Kingdom.

Memorable Moments

• Value and waste cannot be viewed in isolation from efficiency: Lean clarifies not only ‘what we say yes to’ but also ‘what we choose not to do’.
• Flow and reliable planning make a difference on site: A system where commitments are honoured and delays are reduced maintains quality and delivery dates.
• The Gemba reflex (seeing things on the spot) triggers rapid learning both in the office and in the field.
• Without culture and leadership, tools alone are not enough: Daily improvement and open communication are the backbone of sustainability.
• Network effect: In collective structures such as Studio Alliance, good examples spread more quickly.

Thank you

First and foremost, we would like to express our heartfelt thanks to our participants—your questions and contributions enriched the day.
We would like to thank Nezih Soydan, Sebastian Mantei and Clive Lucking for taking the time to share examples from the field and their management experience.

We are also grateful to the team at Koleksiyon Mobilya Tarabya Campus for their gracious hospitality.

We discussed the right steps to take to transform lean thinking from a ‘theory that is explained’ into a ‘habit that is practised together’.

Until we meet again—you can always contact us to streamline your processes or share your experiences.