The Secret of 2 Second Lean

“You can make one small, tiny improvement every day for the rest of your life, and completely transform your life, and your organisation and everybody in it.” — Paul Akers

For years, business owners have been sold “Lean” as a complex system — full of Japanese terminology, endless charts, and consultants who fly in, run workshops, and vanish.

The result? Confusion. Fatigue. And very little change.

But there’s a better way.
It’s called 2 Second Lean.

And it might just be the simplest, most powerful business operating system on the planet.

Learning Lean — The Paul Akers Way

I recently had the privilege of spending a few days with Paul Akers — author, innovator, TEDx speaker, and founder of FastCap — to see firsthand how 2 Second Lean works in the real world.

Paul is the definition of high energy. His passion for continuous improvement is contagious — and it shows in his results.

At his 4,500 sqm manufacturing facility in Washington State, his team runs just-in-time production with a two-hour “fax-to-truck” delivery time.

They’ve achieved year-on-year productivity gains, with only three price increases in two decades — a rare feat that’s built a distinctive competitive advantage.

The secret?
Not complex systems or expensive consultants.
Just a culture of small, daily improvements.

Why Traditional Lean Fails

Traditional Lean is often slow, technical, and too hard to sustain.

Managers spend months learning the theory — but employees on the floor never truly buy in.

2 Second Lean flips that.
It makes Lean simple, visual, and fun.

There’s no jargon.
No thick manuals.
No long “kaizen events.”

Instead, Paul built a system anyone can use — from the factory floor to the boardroom.

The rule is simple:

“Fix what bugs you.”

Every person, every day, makes one small improvement — even if it saves just two seconds.

That mindset compounds into massive gains.

The 5 Steps of 2 Second Lean

At FastCap, Lean isn’t a project. It’s a lifestyle.

Here are the five principles that drive it:

1. Start Daily Meetings to Grow People and Build Culture

   Each morning, the team meets for a fun, fast-paced huddle to share wins, learn something new, and celebrate small improvements.

2. Perform 3S Every Day

   Forget the complex 5S system — Paul simplified it to three:

• Sort what you need.
• Shine your workspace.
• Standardise so it stays that way.

3. Teach Everyone to See Waste

   You can’t fix what you can’t see. Every employee learns to spot the eight wastes — overproduction, overprocessing, transportation, motion, inventory, defects, waiting, and unused genius — and share examples in daily meetings.

4. Make Before-and-After Videos of Improvements

   Seeing is believing. Teams document their improvements with short videos to inspire others and show visible progress.

5. Give Tours and Practice Generosity

   FastCap opens its doors to other businesses to share what they’ve learned. That generosity reinforces pride, purpose, and continuous learning.

Why It Works

2 Second Lean succeeds because it’s:

• Simple — everyone can understand and apply it.
• Empowering — improvement belongs to everyone, not just management.
• Visible — daily meetings and videos make progress tangible.
• Sustainable — small, continuous change beats big, sporadic initiatives.

Paul Akers’ approach turns work into a creative, problem-solving adventure.
It builds not just a better business — but better people.

Final Thought — Start Small, Think Big

If you want a more efficient, energised, and innovative business, don’t overcomplicate Lean.

Start with one idea:
Fix what bugs you.

Empower your people to make small, daily improvements, and watch as those tiny changes transform your entire organisation.

Want help introducing 2 Second Lean into your workplace?

Contact me at tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au to schedule a free 30-minute discovery meeting.

TED BONEL, SCALING UP PRACTITIONER – STRATEGY & EXECUTION BUSINESS ADVISORS

Are you looking to scale your business and execute strategy with clarity and impact? I help CEOs and founders turn big ideas into real-world results, guiding small to mid-market companies through tailored strategic insights that drive growth.

My expertise lies in simplifying complexity – bridging high-level strategic frameworks with the practical realities of running a business. Unlike many consultants who focus solely on theory or execution, I specialise in both—translating strategy into actionable, transformative steps that deliver lasting results.

Want help introducing 2 Second Lean into your workplace?

Contact me at tedb@strategyandexecution.com.au to schedule a free 30-minute discovery meeting.

ABOUT STRATEGY & EXECUTION

For over 20 years, Strategy & Execution has supported leaders and organisations in developing and executing winning strategies. We provide expert facilitation, executive education, and hands-on consulting to help businesses refine their strategic direction and implement it effectively.

Using proven methodologies like Scaling Up, E-Myth Mastery, Outthinker, and more, we challenge conventional thinking and equip organisations with the tools to accelerate growth. Our approach is dynamic—combining deep business experience with practical execution. We don’t just advise; we roll up our sleeves and work alongside you to make strategy happen.

If you’re preparing for a strategy development or execution challenge and are committed to creating real value, we’d love to hear from you. Learn more about our work or upcoming workshops