As the clock ticks down to midnight, Ishan looks ahead to the fresh start that 1 January brings and the goals we so often set with the best intentions Lasting progress comes not from ambition alone, but from the systems, habits, and processes built into everyday life and work. Whether the goal is improved health, stronger finances, or better business performance, success follows the structure that supports it.

As we welcome a new year, the invitation is to design systems that make progress inevitable, and we hope 2026 is a great year for you!

For a copy of Ishan’s book, Unlock, please visit: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/books/

More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his ‘Chaos to Excellence’ White Paper: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/

As the clock ticks down to midnight, Ishan looks ahead to the fresh start that 1 January brings and the goals we so often set with the best intentions Lasting progress comes not from ambition alone, but from the systems, habits, and processes built into everyday life and work. Whether the goal is improved health, stronger finances, or better business performance, success follows the structure that supports it.
As we welcome a new year, the invitation is to design systems that make progress inevitable, and we hope 2026 is a great year for you!
For a copy of Ishan&rsquo;s book, Unlock, please visit: <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/books/">https://ishangalapathy.com/books/</a>
More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his &lsquo;Chaos to Excellence&rsquo; White Paper: <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/">https://ishangalapathy.com/</a>

If you're immersed in the world of manufacturing or supply chain management, you've likely encountered the elusive concept of excellence. But what does it truly mean? Is it a destination or a journey? And how do we navigate the path to unlock excellence within ourselves and our organisations?

With more than 25 years’ experience in manufacturing across the Asia Pacific region, Ishan Galapathy delves into the heart of excellence, shifting the focus from tools and technology to the true drivers of success: our people.

Ishan shares insights and techniques honed from years of working with teams and leaders, helping them unleash their hidden potential and achieve remarkable results. Whether it's uncovering hidden capacity or fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he explores practical strategies for unlocking excellence in your workplace.

https://ishangalapathy.com/

If you're immersed in the world of manufacturing or supply chain management, you've likely encountered the elusive concept of excellence. But what does it truly mean? Is it a destination or a journey? And how do we navigate the path to unlock excellence within ourselves and our organisations?
With more than 25 years’ experience in manufacturing across the Asia Pacific region, Ishan Galapathy delves into the heart of excellence, shifting the focus from tools and technology to the true drivers of success: our people.
Ishan shares insights and techniques honed from years of working with teams and leaders, helping them unleash their hidden potential and achieve remarkable results. Whether it's uncovering hidden capacity or fostering a culture of continuous improvement, he explores practical strategies for unlocking excellence in your workplace.
<a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/">https://ishangalapathy.com/</a>

Excellence Unlocked delves into the heart of excellence, shifting the focus from tools and technology to the true drivers of success: our people

Excellence Unlocked

Ep82 New Year, Better Systems

One of the biggest myths in modern operations is that performance problems can be fixed with better tools. Dashboards, automation and system upgrades promise clarity, but often amplify the very capability gaps holding organisations back. 

Drawing on insights from guests on previous episodes of Excellence Unlocked, Ishan builds on the summer series to explore why thinking capability must come before complexity. 

You’ll hear from three highly experienced operational excellence leaders. Manu Liyanarachchi, former ANZ Operational Excellence Lead at Coca-Cola, who explains why strong fundamentals and analogue thinking matter more than digital dashboards. Dean Patton, a veteran of Pfizer, Baxter and now Goodman Fielder, challenges the idea that tools and certificates equal capability. Alodia Bourke, a senior supply chain leader with experience across FMCG in Australia and New Zealand, highlights why teams mature at different speeds and why leaders must respect that journey. 

Tools are multipliers. When thinking is strong, they accelerate performance. When it isn’t, they create noise. The real breakthrough always starts with people, not technology. 

For a copy of Ishan’s book, Unlock, please visit: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/books/ 

More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his ‘Chaos to Excellence’ White Paper: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/ 

One of the biggest myths in modern operations is that performance problems can be fixed with better tools. Dashboards, automation and system upgrades promise clarity, but often amplify the very capability gaps holding organisations back.&nbsp;
Drawing on insights from guests on previous episodes of Excellence Unlocked, Ishan builds on the summer series to explore why thinking capability must come before complexity.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll hear from three highly experienced operational excellence leaders. Manu Liyanarachchi, former ANZ Operational Excellence Lead at Coca-Cola, who explains why strong fundamentals and analogue thinking matter more than digital dashboards. Dean Patton, a veteran of Pfizer, Baxter and now Goodman Fielder, challenges the idea that tools and certificates equal capability. Alodia Bourke, a senior supply chain leader with experience across FMCG in Australia and New Zealand, highlights why teams mature at different speeds and why leaders must respect that journey.&nbsp;
Tools are multipliers. When thinking is strong, they accelerate performance. When it isn&rsquo;t, they create noise. The real breakthrough always starts with people, not technology.&nbsp;
For a copy of Ishan&rsquo;s book, Unlock, please visit:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/books/">https://ishangalapathy.com/books/</a>&nbsp;
More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his &lsquo;Chaos to Excellence&rsquo; White Paper:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/">https://ishangalapathy.com/</a>&nbsp;

Ep86 Summer Series: Capability before complexity – Thinking skills outperform tools

After five intense weeks in Sri Lanka filled with family, friends, and nonstop catch-ups, Ishan is recording this episode in Thailand – off schedule and completely off script! This part of the journey was meant to slow things down. Instead, the last three days turned into a masterclass in disruption. You know the feeling — when you need a holiday to recover from the holiday. Add packed expectations, tight timelines, and food poisoning that took turns sidelining family members. Definitely not the plan. 

But this is where clarity appears. When carefully laid plans unravel, priorities sharpen. And what unfolded over these few days reveals two practical lessons about focus, adaptability, and what it really takes to unlock excellence in business. 

For a copy of Ishan’s book, Unlock, please visit: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/books/ 

More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his ‘Chaos to Excellence’ White Paper: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/ 

After five intense weeks in Sri Lanka filled with family, friends, and nonstop catch-ups, Ishan is recording this episode in Thailand &ndash; off schedule and completely off script! This part of the journey was meant to slow things down. Instead, the last three days turned into a masterclass in disruption. You know the feeling &mdash; when you need a holiday to recover from the holiday. Add packed expectations, tight timelines, and food poisoning that took turns sidelining family members. Definitely not the plan.&nbsp;
But this is where clarity appears. When carefully laid plans unravel, priorities sharpen. And what unfolded over these few days reveals two practical lessons about focus, adaptability, and what it really takes to unlock excellence in business.&nbsp;
For a copy of Ishan&rsquo;s book, Unlock, please visit:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/books/">https://ishangalapathy.com/books/</a>&nbsp;
More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his &lsquo;Chaos to Excellence&rsquo; White Paper:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/">https://ishangalapathy.com/</a>&nbsp;

Ep85 Summer Series: Disruption, Priorities, and Unexpected Clarity

When organisations want to lift performance, they usually reach for new tools, new systems, new dashboards. But here’s the truth: tools don’t change culture — people do. Excellence has never been a technology problem. It’s always been a people game. 

Over the past couple of years of Excellence Unlocked, one theme has come through loud and clear: when people are involved early, listened to deeply, and trusted to lead change, performance follows. 

You’ll hear from three highly experienced supply chain leaders: Alodia Burke, a respected Australian executive now leading operations in New Zealand, who explains why involving people early creates true ownership of change; Kari Banick, COO of Blackwoods, who shares the power of “go and see” leadership and designing change with teams on the floor; and Dean Patton, a veteran of Pfizer, Baxter, and Goodman Fielder, who reinforces how listening to operators unlocks performance. 

For a copy of Ishan’s book, Unlock, please visit: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/books/ 

More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his ‘Chaos to Excellence’ White Paper: 
https://ishangalapathy.com/ 

When organisations want to lift performance, they usually reach for new tools, new systems, new dashboards. But here&rsquo;s the truth: tools don&rsquo;t change culture &mdash; people do. Excellence has never been a technology problem. It&rsquo;s always been a people game.&nbsp;
Over the past couple of years of Excellence Unlocked, one theme has come through loud and clear: when people are involved early, listened to deeply, and trusted to lead change, performance follows.&nbsp;
You&rsquo;ll hear from three highly experienced supply chain leaders: Alodia Burke, a respected Australian executive now leading operations in New Zealand, who explains why involving people early creates true ownership of change; Kari Banick, COO of Blackwoods, who shares the power of &ldquo;go and see&rdquo; leadership and designing change with teams on the floor; and Dean Patton, a veteran of Pfizer, Baxter, and Goodman Fielder, who reinforces how listening to operators unlocks performance.&nbsp;
For a copy of Ishan&rsquo;s book, Unlock, please visit:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/books/">https://ishangalapathy.com/books/</a>&nbsp;
More About Ishan Galapathy and to access his &lsquo;Chaos to Excellence&rsquo; White Paper:&nbsp; <a href="https://ishangalapathy.com/">https://ishangalapathy.com/</a>&nbsp;

Ep82 New Year, Better Systems

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