Processes 24/7 – How Vacation, Ironman, and Process Thinking Fit Together — with Henrik Niedieck from Lumics Consulting
#65 What happens when two process nerds meet by chance on vacation and start talking about Lean, BPM, and Ironman? — Available in English & German
In this episode, I’m talking to Henrik Niedieck about what it truly means to live processes 24/7 – professionally, personally, and even during vacation. We explore how process thinking becomes a mindset that shapes not only your work but the way you see the world – even from a beach chair.
Today’s Guest:
Henrik Niedieck
Henrik is a Principal at Lumics Consulting – a joint venture between McKinsey & Company and Lufthansa Technik. For more than ten years, he has been supporting organizations in transforming their structures and processes using Lean methods and human-centric approaches.
Henrik’s passion for process improvement goes far beyond his consulting projects. Whether he’s optimizing aircraft maintenance, coaching leadership teams, or analyzing guest flow at a holiday resort – he always sees the world through a process lens.
He’s also a certified triathlon coach and Ironman athlete, applying the same discipline and continuous improvement mindset to sport as he does to business.
We recorded this episode during a spontaneous vacation meetup at Fleesensee – in German, on video, from a beach chair. You’ll find the video below.
The English version was translated using the AI tool HeyGen.
You’ll learn:
- Why process thinking is not just a job, but a mindset
- How Lean and classic BPM can come together to create lasting impact
- What it takes to drive change in international organizations
- How process improvement and Ironman training are surprisingly similar
- And what happens when two process nerds sit down in a beach chair to reflect on structure, flow, and process gaps – even while on vacation
Videos
English Edition – AI Translated:
German Edition – Original Recording:
Resources
- Henrik Niedieck’s LinkedIn Profile
- Lumics Consulting Website
- BPM Roadmap Mini Course available in English and German
- New Process Pro Community
Get notified about new episodes:
Transcript
Please note that the transcript was generated automatically and only slightly adjusted. It does not claim to be a perfect transcription.
Jingle (00:01)
Welcome to the New Process Podcast. Learn all the tools, methods, and best practices – combined with people, emotions, and a human-centric mindset – to rethink your process and push it to the next level.
And here is your host, Mirko Kloppenburg.
Mirko (00:19)
Yeah, welcome to episode 65 of the New Process Podcast!
Today, we’re exploring what it really means to live processes 24/7 – professionally, personally, and even while on vacation.
Therefore, I’m talking to Henrik Niedieck. Henrik is a Principal at Lumics Consulting – a joint venture between McKinsey & Company and Lufthansa Technik. For over 10 years, he’s been supporting organizations in transforming their structures and processes using Lean principles and a human-centric approach.
Henrik’s passion for process improvement doesn’t stop when he leaves the office. Whether he’s optimizing aircraft maintenance, coaching leadership teams, or analyzing guest flow at a resort – he always sees the world through a process lens.
He’s also a dedicated Ironman athlete and certified triathlon coach, applying the same mindset of discipline and continuous improvement to both business and sport.
We recorded this episode while on vacation at Fleesensee, where we happened to meet more or less by chance.
What makes this episode special is that we recorded it in German – and on video. You’ll find the video linked in the show notes.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: I used the AI tool HeyGen to automatically translate the video into English. So what you’re about to hear is the AI-translated version of our conversation.
I’m really curious to hear what you think – feel free to share your feedback with me via email at mirko@newprocesslab.com.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- Why Henrik believes that process thinking is not just a job – but a mindset
- How Lean and classic BPM can come together to create real impact
- What it takes to drive change in international organizations
- How process improvement and Ironman training are surprisingly similar
- And what happens when two process nerds sit down in a beach chair to reflect on structure, flow, and process gaps – even while on vacation
So, enjoy the interview with Henrik Niedieck!
Jingle (02:44)
And now, let’s start to rethink processes.
Mirko (02:48)
Henrik, welcome to the New Process Podcast!
Henrik (02:50)
Thank you very much – and first of all, thanks for recording this in German. It is vacation time after all.
Mirko (02:55)
Yeah, and we’ll see later how I can get this translated into English – but that’s not your concern.
Henrik (03:00)
I’m sure you’ll set up a process for that.
Mirko (03:03)
Definitely. We’ll figure it out somehow.
As you can see, if you’re watching the video, we’re here at Lake Fleesensee in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, enjoying a bit of vacation.
But we’ll get into that in a moment – let’s start with a check-in first.
Henrik (03:20)
Sure – just like on a plane: window seat or aisle seat?
Honestly, both – it depends on my day. If I’m flying tight on time, I prefer the aisle so I can get off quickly – ideally in one of the front rows. But if I’m more relaxed and on a longer flight, I choose the window seat. One of my superpowers is that I can fall asleep really quickly on planes – and I love leaning against the wall.
Mirko (04:00)
Nice! And what’s your favorite airport?
Henrik (04:03)
Hamburg – because that means I’m coming home to my family. But this year, I also landed in Tampa. A small, very digital airport – it felt more like a regional hub, but it really impressed me. Small, but with great processes.
Mirko (04:18)
Okay, that’s good – probably helped that it was vacation too.
So, you mentioned “great processes” – how would you describe your personal relationship with processes?
Henrik (04:32)
You’re spot on: it’s 24/7 for me.
I’ve been in process and structure consulting for over ten years now – and I’ve been fascinated by processes for much longer. I always think in processes: How can it be structured? How can it work for everyone? That merges my work and personal life completely. Even on vacation, I can’t turn it off – as we’ve both experienced here the last few days.
Mirko (05:10)
Exactly – that’s also why we said: We have to record something.
You just mentioned that you’re a Principal at Lumics Consulting – a joint venture between McKinsey and Lufthansa Technik. You called it “structure and process consulting” – what does that mean in practice?
Henrik (05:35)
So, clients come to us and ask how they can make their structures or processes more efficient.
The key skill is analysis – I always compare it to visiting a doctor. You don’t just walk in and say “I have a cough,” and the doctor gives you medicine. You say, “I don’t feel well,” and the doctor starts diagnosing.
That’s what we do. We come in, map out the processes – or check if they exist at all. Often, there’s nothing documented. We interview people across the organization, up to the CEO, and map out their process landscape.
Then we build a heat map: Where are the hotspots? Where is action needed? What’s already working well?
After that, we sit down with the client and define the best possible solution. And yes – we say client, not customer. Why? Because we don’t just sell something – we give advice on what’s truly needed.
And that can be painful for the client sometimes – because we might say: “You want it that way, but it won’t make you happy in the long run.”
And that’s important – for both of us, I think: to build something sustainable that truly makes the client – and their organization – successful.
Mirko (07:32)
Yeah, that’s a great distinction.
So tell me – which project has made you particularly happy? What’s the coolest thing you’ve done so far?
Henrik (07:39)
I’ve worked internationally quite a bit, but one project really stands out:
It was with a large German organization involved in standardization. You’d expect them to be highly process-oriented – but surprisingly, there was still a lot of potential.
I worked with a team of 20 women – and I’ve never experienced such a motivated and committed group. Normally, in consulting, you hand out “homework” on Thursday and hope someone touches it before Monday. But they? They sent me updates on Friday! They created a WhatsApp group, added me, and kept discussing things over the weekend.
They were genuinely excited to finally have their processes documented and aligned – so everyone was talking about the same thing.
It was truly fulfilling. That was one of the standout German projects.
Henrik (09:08)
More recently, we supported an airline in Spain during a Lean transformation.
As a structure and process consultancy, we applied Lean Management to drive improvements.
It wasn’t just aircraft maintenance – it included supply chain, procurement, HR – the entire organization. We implemented a cascaded change and performance management system, from the director level to every single employee.
The results? Over 50% improvement in lead times in the pilot areas, and about 30% efficiency gains.
That wasn’t us – that was the client. They redesigned their own processes. We just guided them.
And now? The next step is sustainability. Those processes need to be well documented and made accessible – especially with the shortage of skilled labor. When you onboard new people, clear processes are key to getting them productive quickly.
So we’re continuing to support them. And yes, it’s a beautiful project – also because I got to fly to the Canary Islands once a month, where we had a finca and a great team on-site.
Mirko (11:26)
I’m waiting for the moment when you really start modeling processes – actually capturing them in a tool.
Henrik (11:35)
Funny you mention it! We just talked today, and you showed me your tool – I was immediately hooked.
That’s exactly what my client needs. I’ll be on-site next week and I’ll recommend it as the logical next step to secure long-term results.
Mirko (11:56)
That’s awesome.
From my experience, Lean and BPM often live in separate worlds. Can you give a practical example of how you improve process execution – like, really hands-on?
Henrik (12:23)
Yes! We take existing process documentation – if it exists – and put it on a wall. Literally. Brown paper, mapped out, visible.
Then we ask the team: “Do you actually work like this?”
The answer is almost always: “Well, that’s what’s written – but no, it doesn’t work that way.”
Then I ask: “When you go home after a frustrating day, what do you complain about to your partner?”
That’s when the truth comes out – and we document all of it.
Then we work through those pain points with Lean tools – especially visual tools. Later in the episode, I’ll give some vacation-related examples.
Lean is about making work enjoyable and delivering fast, affordable, high-quality products to customers. And that requires honest reflection and iteration.
Henrik (13:56)
And yes, sometimes BPM and Lean feel disconnected.
The BPM team thinks: “We already designed that process.”
But we come in and say: “Great – but now let’s redesign it again.” Because that’s what evolution looks like.
The process mindset must be: nothing is static. Everything must adapt quickly – just like your tool enables.
COVID showed us how fast processes can and must change. Right now, I’m seeing the same thing in recruiting – the whole field is reinventing itself.
My appeal to all process people out there: be agile and fast. Build your process world with the mindset that a Golf 4 will one day become a Golf 5, 6, and 7. That’s how we need to think.
Mirko (15:13)
That fits perfectly with the New Process Life Cycle I use.
You optimize execution, then feed those insights back into process design – so improvements can be scaled to other locations. That’s the idea.
Henrik (15:57)
Exactly. Now, since we’re here at the newly reopened Robinson Club at Fleesensee, let’s talk about improvement opportunities.
What have you noticed as a consultant?
Henrik (16:10)
Well, I didn’t do a full analysis – it is vacation after all!
But I can’t help myself. For example, the spa area: the routing is poor. After the sauna, you have to walk through the relaxation room to cool off outside – with hundreds of guests doing the same. So: no more “relaxation.”
Visually, it looks great. But the process flow is broken. It needs a redesign – like a workshop layout.
I’m a fan of physical mockups, not just digital ones. Walk through it, test it, and ask users: “Does this process actually make sense for you?”
Henrik (17:57)
Another example: the restaurant. Beautiful space, great lighting, new chairs – but the food station? Total bottleneck.
By the time you finish building your plate, the first item is already cold. Huge queues.
So much could be solved with better process design and visual management – and we’ve seen better implementations in other Robinson Clubs.
It’s still fixable – and overall, it’s a wonderful place.
Mirko (18:29)
Yeah, especially that line at the main dish counter! And when you find a gap and slip in, people give you dirty looks – not very relaxing.
Henrik (18:55)
Haha, right. I also checked the emergency exits – occupational safety is part of my role, so I’m always looking through that lens.
Everything’s up to code – but still, I’d do some things differently from a process perspective.
Mirko (19:22)
That’s really fascinating. Are there also things that you genuinely liked – especially from your professional perspective?
Henrik (19:27)
Absolutely. First of all, my conversation partner from the last few days – thank you for that! We’ve had some really great exchanges here.
What I really liked is that they’ve done a lot to improve the outdoor areas. It’s May, and we’re lucky with the weather – we’re sitting outside in comfortable beach chairs, enjoying the atmosphere. They’ve added lounges, a fantastic outdoor space, and expanded the sports facilities. There’s a 25-meter pool for swimming – which makes me really happy.
Inside, they’ve renovated the rooms beautifully – very stylish, visually appealing, a treat for the eyes. There’s still some potential to optimize the processes, but the staff here is excellent.
One standout: Silvio. He’s been with the club since day one – over 25 years now. I know him from back then. I gave him a hug recently and told him, “You’re the lighthouse here.” That kind of continuity creates real trust and comfort – and I love that they’ve retained long-term staff who genuinely enjoy working with the guests.
Mirko (20:47)
Yes, I feel the same way. Fleesensee is a place I’ve been returning to for 25 years – we’re actually celebrating that anniversary this year. My high school graduation trip was here, and we’ve been coming back ever since. Just like Sehlendorfer Strand – where I recorded the last episode – it’s a place we return to regularly. For me, this place feels like coming home. Just a two-hour drive from Hamburg and – boom – vacation mode!
Mirko (21:16)
One thing I especially appreciated this time: we’re here as a family of four and booked two double rooms with a connecting door. After the amazing cycling class with you today, we had two bathrooms, two showers – perfect for parallel use! The kids were exhausted, Nadja used one shower, I used the other. Super efficient – loved that!
Mirko (21:38)
Okay, now let’s talk about sports. I’m actually not very sporty – well, sometimes I do some Peloton workouts in the basement to build up stamina for commuting by bike again. But you’re planning your next Ironman, right? Fourth? Fifth?
Henrik (22:01)
Fifth, exactly! It’s a hobby that’s been with me for years. I go through phases. Right now, I’m just starting to get back into training – and yes, I need to lose 30 kilos again. People look at me now and wonder how I’ll manage an Ironman – but trust me, I’ll get there.
There are so many processes involved – even physically. And yeah, I do this alongside my consulting work, which is already time-consuming. I also have a wife and two kids – and I’m happiest when I arrive at Hamburg Airport and see my family again.
Mirko (22:48)
Do you actually ride your bike to the airport?
Henrik (22:50)
Yes! Our office is located right at the airport in Hamburg. When I’m working locally, I often ride my bike in the morning and run home in the evening. The next day, I run to the office again and cycle back in the evening. That way I get my sessions in and clock my kilometers – from Hamburg to Lübeck to Norderstedt.
And when I had a project on Gran Canaria, I brought my wetsuit, racing bike, and running shoes – so I could train on-site.
Henrik (23:33)
You have to live it – live efficiently. And that’s part of my job, which I also live through sport. I have a coach who writes my training plan – that’s basically my process manual. It’s structured, goal-oriented, and lasts about a year until race day.
Next August is my Ironman. I’ve just restarted training two weeks ago. You already experienced one of my spinning classes – that was fun! I’ve already been swimming in the lake, cycled here, and gone running.
Today I had a non-alcoholic beer – and skipped the Kaiserschmarrn!
Mirko (24:26)
I had Kaiserschmarrn and a Radler! But as we said over lunch – this location would actually be perfect for a training camp. So in the future, we might train for an Ironman at Lake Fleesensee with you?
Henrik (24:38)
Exactly! I’m already in talks with the club management and TUI. We’ll see if we can make it happen – maybe I’ll run a training camp here next year.
I’m a certified B-level triathlon coach, also licensed for long-distance. I coach regularly at our sports club – swimming and cycling sessions when I’m home and have time.
And fun fact: I’m also the process owner for our club apparel. I even used ChatGPT recently to put together a new price list and sent out an email announcing the new gear for this season. So yes – vacation is also a time to catch up on all those to-dos!
Mirko (25:37)
So, what can you transfer from your Ironman experience to process work? Are there any learnings?
Henrik (25:42)
Absolutely – number one: you need a goal. Same with processes.
Where do you want to go? What do you want to achieve with your processes?
Then you break it down into smaller steps – just like training. You need a clear plan.
If you want a good process landscape, you have to start at the top level and cascade it down. The problem is that many people start at the bottom and get tangled in the details.
Henrik (26:15)
My tip: get clear on what you really want. Align with yourself and your environment. Just because one person wants processes doesn’t mean everyone else does. It only works if you do it together.
It’s the same with Ironman training – I need my family on board, otherwise it won’t work. That’s why I only do such intense training every 2–3 years.
It’s no different in business – if I want to introduce a new process landscape, I can’t do that on top of ten other projects. I need full focus.
Henrik (26:48)
So go all in – like with Ironman. You don’t just “do processes on the side.” You immerse yourself in them.
And once you’ve done that, you’re the king. I always say: “Whoever has a good process is king.” Because it helps you in so many areas – it becomes your foundation.
Mirko (27:27)
Nice! Totally worth having this conversation.
Before we head to dinner – is there anything else you’d like to leave with our listeners?
Henrik (27:41)
Yes: If you love processes and your work, you can’t just switch it off. That’s something we’ve both realized.
If you find people like Mirko or me – people who are genuinely passionate about their work – who see it as their calling – then work with them. You’ll be in great hands.
Mirko (28:13)
And if someone wants to work with you – how can they reach out?
Henrik (28:18)
Best way is through our website: Lumics Consulting. That’s Lumics with a C – not an X. Otherwise, you’ll end up with a lamp manufacturer in Berlin!
“Lumics” stands for Lufthansa and McKinsey Consulting Solutions.
You can also find me on LinkedIn – I’m always happy to connect and exchange ideas.
Mirko (29:01)
Awesome. Then I’d say: let’s wrap up this flight. We’ve already landed – now it’s time for food!
Henrik (29:05)
Yes – time to get in line again. Let’s find that process gap.
Mirko (29:12)
Last question: How would you describe this little flight in three words?
Henrik (29:14)
Entertaining, charming, and effective.
Mirko (29:17)
Perfect – then let’s go eat.
Henrik, thank you so much for flying with me.
Looking forward to dinner. See you soon!
Henrik (29:22)
Same here. Ciao!
Jingle (29:30)
Let’s recap today’s New Process inspiration.
Mirko (29:34)
Yeah – what an inspiring conversation, recorded right from the beach chair.
Mirko (29:34)
Yeah – what an inspiring conversation, recorded right from the beach chair.
As I mentioned during the episode, Fleesensee is a place I’ve been returning to for over 20 years – exactly 25 years now – to recharge, unwind, and spend time with my family.
So recording a podcast episode here was truly something special for me.
Doing it in German and then translating it into English using AI made it even more unique.
So please let me know what you think – whether this is a good way to share the experience of German-speaking experts with you. Or whether you think it would make more sense to record such interviews in English right away.
Just send your feedback via email to mirko@newprocesslab.com – I’d really appreciate it!
So, I hope you were able to take away just as many insights as I did.
There are three key takeaways that really stuck with me from the conversation with Henrik:
First:
Processes are everywhere – even on vacation.
If you truly live and breathe processes, like Henrik and I do, you can’t help but observe and reflect on how things are done – even in the spa or while queuing for dinner.
That shows: process thinking isn’t just a business tool – it’s a mindset.
Second:
Combining Lean methods with classic BPM is not only possible – it’s incredibly effective.
Henrik demonstrated this beautifully using the example of the airline project on the Canary Islands. There, Lean wasn’t just about efficiency – it was part of a holistic approach including sustainable change management and real process improvement.
As I mentioned: if you’re talking about improving process execution – which is where Lean often focuses – then you’re operating in the “Improve Process Execution” phase of the New Process Life Cycle.
The crucial point is to ensure that these great, local ideas feed back into process design – so they can be implemented sustainably and scaled to other locations.
That’s why we need an integrated BPM life cycle – one that connects classical BPM with Lean, Kaizen, Six Sigma, and related approaches.
Third:
Processes and Ironman training have more in common than you might think.
It’s about clarity of goals, consistent effort, structured preparation – and bringing others along on the journey.
Whether it’s your family supporting your training or your team driving change within your organization – without real commitment, it won’t work.
For me, this fits perfectly with the New Process philosophy:
We don’t design processes to file them away – we design them together with the people who live them.
It’s about clarity, purpose, and continuous improvement.
And that’s exactly what I felt in this conversation with Henrik: a genuine passion for processes that make a difference – 24/7.
If you now feel inspired to start or accelerate your own journey toward a process-driven organization, be sure to check out my free BPM Roadmap Mini Course.
You’ll find the link in the show notes – or simply go to newprocesslab.com/roadmap.
Until then: stay passionate about processes – and who knows, maybe you’ll be listening to the next episode from a beach chair too. 😉
Thanks so much for listening – have a fantastic day!
Jingle (34:04)
You’ve been listening to the New Process Podcast.
Make sure to subscribe so you don’t miss the next episode – for more tools, methods, and best practices to rethink your process and push it to the next level.
Thank you for listening!
Mirko (34:21)
Before you leave – I know I already mentioned it during the episode,
but because it’s something that’s truly close to my heart,
I want to personally invite you once more to check out my free BPM Roadmap Mini Course.
In the course, you’ll learn how to build a process-driven organization – and you’ll be guided through concrete first steps to get started right away.
You can find the free mini course at: newprocesslab.com/roadmap
Thank you very much – bye-bye!
