NEXT LEVEL Partners®, LLC

In a Kaizen, Elmo is more than just a fun plush, it stands for “Enough, Let’s Move On.” Kaizen events are designed to solve problems quickly and collaboratively, but discussions can easily get stuck in the weeds. Elmo acts as a simple, lighthearted tool that helps teams refocus on solutions and keep momentum moving forward without shutting down valuable input. By creating a shared signal for “we’ve covered enough, let’s decide and act,” teams make faster decisions, align more effectively, and leave the event with clear, actionable outcomes. Because in Lean, progress isn’t about talking more, it’s about solving more. #Kaizen #Lean #ContinuousImprovement #OperationalExcellence #TeamAlignment #ProblemSolving #NextLevelPartners

Eric Lussier, Principal at NEXT LEVEL Partners®, will be speaking at The PIPEs Conference, a premier DealFlow event for leaders, investors, and innovators shaping the future of private equity and portfolio performance.  📍 Location: Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Hollywood, Florida  🗓️ Date: November 13 @ 9:25 AM  🎤 Session Details: PIPEs as a Strategic Capital Raising Tool for Public Companies Eric will join a panel of experienced leaders, including Richard Friedman (Sheppard Mullin LLP) and Francisco Gonzalez (Sky Harbor Group Corp.), to discuss: ✅ When a public company should pursue a PIPE over other financing options ✅ How CFOs successfully raise capital through PIPEs ✅ Making offerings attractive to investors ✅ Balancing dilution concerns with long-term growth objectives See the full agenda and register here: https://lnkd.in/gYSMYmcV #PIPESConference #PrivateEquity #CapitalRaising #ValueCreation #NextLevelPartners #OperationalExcellence #Leadership

Value creation doesn’t happen by chance — it happens by design. In private equity and portfolio operations, operational excellence is the foundation for unlocking enterprise value. When strategy and process aren’t aligned, organizations risk wasted effort, missed opportunities, and stalled growth. At NLP, we help leadership teams create that alignment — translating high-level strategy into executable actions that accelerate value creation and improve equity outcomes for stakeholders. If you're navigating complex growth goals and need a partner to help connect the dots between strategy and operations, let’s talk. #Lean #LeanLearning #ValueCreation #PrivateEquity #OperationalExcellence #Strategy #Leadership #NextLevelPartners

When private equity firms lean into operational improvement, they unlock real value, not just on the P&L, but across strategy, execution, and culture. This recent Forbes piece reinforces what we see every day: value is created when expert, interventionist leadership drives operational excellence in acquisition targets. At NEXT LEVEL Partners, our practitioners, with deep Lean and operational roots, step into post-acquisition settings as interim leaders, strategy deployment partners, or hands-on Kaizen facilitators to make that value creation real. From day one, we're in the trenches; aligning teams, revealing bottlenecks, and accelerating performance. Let’s talk about your value creation playbook. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eBGuX4AD #PrivateEquity #ValueCreation #OperationalExcellence #Lean #StrategyExecution #Operations #NextLevelPartners

Breaking down barriers, one sticky note at a time. 🚀 During this recent Kaizen event, our team worked side-by-side with the client’s leaders to map processes, uncover inefficiencies, and align on solutions that drive real impact. By stepping away from day-to-day operations, the team gained clarity, built alignment, and found opportunities for immediate improvement. Transformation doesn’t happen in silos; it happens when people come together, challenge assumptions, and reimagine what’s possible. If your organization could benefit from an outside perspective to facilitate breakthrough improvements, let’s start the conversation. #Kaizen #ContinuousImprovement #LeanTransformation #StrategyExecution #OperationalExcellence #NextLevelPartners

Finding the right executive talent takes more than just matching resumes to job descriptions. With this client (and every client) NEXT LEVEL Partners focuses on delivering high-quality, on-target candidates by combining deep operational expertise with a disciplined, proven search process. Our team goes beyond surface-level qualifications to assess leadership capability, cultural fit, and the ability to drive transformational impact. That’s why our retained search approach results in fewer interviews, better alignment, and hires who are prepared to create immediate value. 🔗 Learn more about our Retained Search expertise: https://lnkd.in/gCfPXB54 #ExecutiveSearch #Leadership #RetainedSearch #TalentStrategy #NextLevelPartners

A Fishbone Diagram might look like colorful sticky notes on a wall, but it’s actually a powerful problem-solving framework. By breaking down an issue into categories like methods, machines, materials, measurements, environment, and people it helps teams uncover the underlying root causes instead of focusing on the surface issues. This clarity transforms conversations from blame to collaboration, making it easier to find solutions everyone can get behind. When facilitated by a neutral, experienced guide, this process can help teams find cohesion beyond conflict and unlock the kind of alignment that drives lasting results. Need an unbiased facilitator to help your team navigate challenges, problem-solve, and build actionable solutions? Let’s talk. #RootCauseAnalysis #Lean #ContinuousImprovement #Kaizen #OperationalExcellence #BusinessExcellence #Collaboration #Leadership #ProblemSolving

New from our Leveling Up Newsletter Too many leaders still see Lean as a cost-cutting initiative or a set of tools to “fix” processes. But when Lean is approached this way, it fails to deliver the growth, efficiency, and engagement it’s designed to create. In our latest article, we’re breaking down 10 of the most common misconceptions about Lean and sharing how to shift your approach to unlock its full potential. Read the full article and subscribe to Leveling Up to get insights like this delivered directly to your inbox. #Lean #ContinuousImprovement #Leadership #OperationalExcellence #StrategyExecution #NextLevelPartners

🚫 “Lean is just about cost-cutting.” 🚫 “Lean only works in manufacturing.” 🚫 “Lean means fewer employees.” We hear these myths all the time, and they’re holding organizations back. Lean isn’t a quick fix, a set of tools, or a cost-cutting initiative. It’s a strategic, cultural, and operational approach to delivering more value to customers, engaging employees, and building capacity for continuous improvement. In our latest article, we break down 10 of the most common misconceptions about Lean and explain what leaders really need to know to make it successful. If your organization needs help creating the space, structure, and trust required to implement Lean effectively, our practitioners would love to help guide you through the process. Read the full article here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gWCZngvp #Lean #LeanTransformation #ContinuousImprovement #Leadership #StrategyExecution #OperationalExcellence #BusinessGrowth #Kaizen #ProcessImprovement #LeanLeadership

A common misconception about Lean is that it’s all about slashing budgets and reducing headcount. In reality, Lean is about maximizing value for the customer by eliminating waste, improving flow, and empowering people to solve problems. When done right, Lean doesn’t strip resources away; it unleashes them. The efficiencies gained free up time, talent, and capital to reinvest in growth, innovation, and better customer experiences. Lean isn’t a cost-cutting program. It’s a value-creating mindset. Lean is an overarching strategy that benefits employees, customers, and the bottom line. #Lean #ContinuousImprovement #BusinessExcellence #OperationalExcellence #Leadership #ProcessImprovement #LeanThinking #ValueCreation #Growth #Kaizen