Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Manufacturing | Lean Office | Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership

This week's guest is Steven Jackson. Steven shared some incredible stories that have clear parallels to continuous improvement. This episode really demonstrates the effect this kind of thinking can have on human lives, past, present, and future. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Steven (6:25) Steven's background (7:47) A story about an American Airlines plane crash (12:30) A story about submarines in World War II (31:18) A recap of the strategy they used (38:27) Why the women were successful (40:44) The importance of experimentation (42:55) The story behind our envelope stuffing video (46:20) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Our Gemba Academy Live! at Seating Matters American Airlines Accident Report Western Approaches Tactical Unit Article #1 Western Approaches Tactical Unit Article #2 The Envelope Stuffing Simulati

This week's guest is Jamie Parker. Ron and Jamie discussed the role and responsibilities of ops leaders, and the challenges they face. Jamie also explained why "implementing" lean might not be the best approach.  A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  About Jamie's podcast (4:23) The quote that inspires Jamie (6:17) Jamie's background (9:10) The role ops leaders play in organizational culture (11:42) The potential pitfalls (16:01) Shifting to lean as a better way of working (25:45) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Jamie on LinkedIn Jamie's Website Jamie's Podcast GA 041 | FedEx Office's Lean Journey with Jamie Parker GA 120 | How to Invest in People with Jamie Parker GA 149 | How to Teach TWI with Jamie Parker GA 245 | How to Coach Leaders to Coach Others with Jamie Parker Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If yo

This week's guest is Andrew Shapiro-Zysk. Andrew explained how lean is being used in the legal profession, including dealing with pushback. He and Ron also discussed the power of automation and avoiding automating waste. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Andrew (2:44) Andrew's background (3:45) What Andrew's job entails (9:30) Andrew's introduction to lean (11:29) Dealing with pushback and resistance (13:45) How to avoid automating waste (17:13) Using software integration (23:28) More examples of using lean at a law firm (24:15) The next steps (29:43) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Andrew on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and s

This week's guests are Sean Fields and Michael Sanders. Together with Ron they discussed the concept of quantum lean and how it can be used to streamline processes. They also explored how quantum lean compares to value stream mapping and other elements of lean. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Sean and Michael's favorite quotes (2:49) Sean's background (4:21) Michael's background (6:42) What quantum lean is (11:45) A reference to the movie Castaway (16:57) The three classifying elements (18:22) The unique methods and tools they use (25:30) A recap of their approach (31:38) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Sean on LinkedIn Michael on LinkedIn BeehiveFund Quantum Lean: Taking Lean Systems to the Next Level Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once

This week's guest is Ryan Weiss. Ryan, a lean consultant, shared his approach to optimizing performance. He and Ron also discussed the modernization of TWI, and how different learning styles play a role. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Ryan (3:29) Ryan's background (5:06) His work with a psychologist (7:50) The People + Process + Purpose formula for Performance (10:23) Ryan's TWI project (16:13) The Plant Performance Package (20:53) Ryan's take on cultural differences and continuous improvement (22:16) Varying issues Ryan has noticed (26:23) Ryan's advice for those getting started (29:50) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Ryan's Website Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will be dow

This week's guest is Michael Parent. Ron and Michael discussed the role of continuous improvement in HR and the challenges Michael faces. Michael also shared his take on applying these principles in untraditional contexts. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Michael (1:35) Michael's background (3:02) Applying continuous improvement in HR (5:05) What Michael is seeing regarding staffing (9:45) Some of the challenges Michael faces (12:19) Balancing Respect for People with setting standards (15:01) The potential for lean and six sigma in untraditional contexts (18:35) Michael's advice for those getting started (21:09) Developing lean leadership skills (22:46) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Michael on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subs

This week's guest is Bruno Pesec.  Ron and Bruno discussed innovation strategy, the intersection of respect for people and innovation, and how Bruno has been involved in gamifying lean. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Bruno (3:21) Bruno's background (5:54) How innovation strategy and lean intersect (8:35) Corporate innovation and respect for people (12:21) Why he started blogging (16:29) Teaching lean through games (19:26) The state of the union of lean in Croatia and Norway (24:50) Bruno's final words of wisdom (28:34) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Bruno's Website Bruno on LinkedIn Bruno on Twitter Playing Lean Planet Lean Article Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will b

This week's guest is Skip Steward. Ron and Skip reflected on the year thus far and on some of the different challenges COVID-19 has created. Skip also shared his take on dealing with confirmation biases. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  A disclaimer about COVID-19 (3:30) Skip's background (4:56) The quote that inspires Skip (5:45) What Skip's pandemic experience has been like (7:14) What Baptist Health has done to adapt (11:50) Navigating confirmation biases (26:08) The six starter questions (34:32) Skip's final words of wisdom (39:02) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Skip on LinkedIn Baptist Management System YouTube GA 273 | Lean as a Management System with Skip Steward GA 269 | Establishing a Standard Behavior with Skip Steward GA 152 | TWI, Kata, and Respect for People with Skip Steward and Brandon Brown Subscribe & Never Miss New Epi

This week's guest is Karen Friedenberg. Karen, who has a diverse career background, broke down all the different ways she approaches process improvement. From DMAIC to change management, this episode is full of practical knowledge. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Karen (3:15) Karen's background (3:47) How Karen uses DMAIC (6:45) How they value stream map (9:04) The next steps (10:20) The mechanics of the brainstorm (12:06) The measure piece (15:22) Her favorite analysis approach (16:44) Differentiating value-added from non-value added (17:50) Starting with the ideal state map (19:35) How long it takes to get from mapping activity to mapping activity (21:02) About control and execution (22:53) How Karen navigates change management and the "people side" (24:35) Getting people to want to change (27:15) Karen's advice for getting started (29:56) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download th

This week's guest is Erlin Kakkanad. Erlin explained the differences between critical and creative thinking, stressing the specific powers of creative thinking. If you're looking for new ways to solve problems, this episode is for you. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Erlin (3:12) Erlin's background (4:53) About future work/skills (10:25) What critical thinking is all about (13:29) How creative thinking factors in (14:34) Why it's hard to think creatively (19:10) The conflict between creativity and efficiency (22:30) The problem with lacking creative thinking (23:58) Fostering creative thinking (26:18) A utility versus a product (33:08) Erlin's final words of wisdom (41:18) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Erlin on LinkedIn Erlin on Twitter Erlin's Website Erlin's Facebook Page World Economic Forum Article T

This week's guest is Danny Bradford. Danny described the power of system and B2B integration, what goes into a successful integration, and how these concepts apply to different industries. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Danny (2:47) Danny's background (3:53) All about integration (6:41) Why it's important (8:10) The other benefits of integration (13:24) Other examples of integrations (15:26) The key factors of a successful integration (16:34) How this concept applies to manufacturing (18:58) What else there is to consider (24:29) Danny's advice (28:15) About his favorite integration (30:55) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Danny on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes w

This week's guest is Hugh Alley. Ron and Hugh discussed the five core skills to being a good leader and boss, how it all relates to TWI, Hugh's book, and more. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  One of Hugh's favorite quotes (4:29) Hugh's background (6:17) The five skills to being an effective leader (7:57) Instructing people (9:28) Dealing with under performers (11:53) Making improvements (17:16) The ability to set priorities (18:57) Being able to listen (21:34) How he learned about TWI (24:23) About Hugh's book (28:32) Hugh's final words of wisdom (31:58) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Hugh's Book Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and smartphone. The easiest

This week's guest is Adam Murfin. Adam described how he uses lean in fashion photography, including the pre and post-production stages. This episode is a great example of how versatile and universal lean really is. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Adam (4:29) The industry Adam is in (8:02) How he discovered lean (14:13) What lean has to do with his work (17:18) About kanban (22:04) Why workarounds are inefficient (24:11) More examples (28:15) Adam's take on leadership (32:28) About fundamental attribution era (36:24) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Adam on LinkedIn The Toyota Way Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and smartphone. The easi

This week's guest is Katie Anderson. Ron and Katie discussed Katie's new book, the roles of a leader,  joy versus happiness, and much more. Katie also shared some special stories about esteemed Toyota leaders like Isao Yoshino and John Shook. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Katie (5:27) About Katie's book (7:54) The three roles of a leader (10:49) Setting a direction (12:35) Providing support (16:42) Another story about Mr. Yoshino (17:58) Developing yourself as a manager (19:54) What it was like working with Mr. Shook (21:48) Mr. Toyota's speech about happiness (23:50) The relationship between happiness and joy (27:22) Katie's words of wisdom (21:10) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Katie's Website Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn Joy, Inc Katie's Resources for Gemba Academy Podcast Listeners Subscribe & Ne

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam talked all about 3P, including the steps involved and how it can be used for product innovation. Adam also shared a very interesting anecdote involving cat litter, corn flakes, and ceiling tiles. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Adam (3:11) Adam's background and what he's up to these days (4:19) What 3P is (5:05) How Adam first learned about 3P (7:39) The eleven steps of 3P (11:22) Where the "moonshine" concept comes from (15:45) Specific stories about 3P in action (21:49) Why and how the classically trained engineers struggle (25:22) Why 3P is so hard to facilitate (29:01) Adam's tips for anyone looking to hold a 3P event (30:39) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Adam on LinkedIn PI Partners Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjo

This week's guest is Dewey Mauldin. Dewey, who works for Daimler Trucks, shared some of the experiences that have stuck with him over the years. Dewey specifically touches on takt time, purchase processes, and more. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Dewey (3:12) A disclaimer (6:35) Dewey's background (7:01) The process of gathering stories (11:26) What a Daimler plant looks like when it's running smoothly (12:29) Implementing takt time (14:24) A situation with a plant manager (21:03) How long the transition took (27:15) Balancing tools and people (28:45) The purchase rec process (30:31) His experience with his first Toyota consultant (35:02) Dewey's advice for anyone looking to take things to the next level (41:13) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Dewey on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subsc

This week's guest is Aaron Davidson. Aaron explained how he and his team use lean in the hospitality industry, including some unique examples involving cleaning hotel rooms, gambling, and more. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Aaron (2:20) Aaron's background (3:05) What Aaron worked on in the early days (4:54) What lean in hospitality is like (9:17) An example of a kaizen event they did (11:38) The end result (17:15) What "shifting mindsets" means (18:30) The role of regulation (21:01) The reality of card counting (26:57) How kaizen events are run (32:20) Aaron's final words of wisdom (34:59) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Aaron on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes. Once you're a subscriber all new episodes w

This week's guest is Andrew Parris. Andrew, who works for an NGO called Medair, explained how continuous improvement can be used in a humanitarian context. The global component Andrew discusses proves how versatile these principles truly are. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Andrew (3:26) Andrew's background (5:30) Where Andrew was born (12:58) What an NGO is (14:03) Some of the challenges they face (20:31) Why donors are interested in lean (23:01) An example of an improvement (28:32) Andrew's opportunities for international training (31:09) What it's like working in other countries (33:39) Dealing with violence (35:21) The articles Andrew has written (37:45) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Medair Andrew on LinkedIn Walking with the Poor Improving Processes for Good in East Africa Making Work and the World a

This week's guest is Adam Marsland. Adam, a Continuous Improvement Expert at a law firm, explained how lean is being leveraged in the legal industry in the UK. Adam also gave an overall "state of the union address" on lean in the UK. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Adam (3:47) Adam's background (4:55) Why it's difficult to examine the effect of lean on the legal industry (7:25) Adam's role (9:21) Some of the opportunities for improvement in the legal field (10:43) What has changed (13:34) How lean is being applied (15:51) How agile factors in (16:36) The state of the union of lean in the UK (19:56) Adam's advice for anyone considering lean (21:44) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Adam on LinkedIn Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe

This week's guest is Lauren Wisniewski. Lauren shared her experiences helping non-profits incorporate lean, including the benefits and barriers they encounter. This episode is a great example of how lean applies to more than just manufacturing. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Lauren (2:40) Lauren's background (3:12) About Rise Consulting (5:28) What a non-profit is (6:23) Lean in the non-profit sector (8:54) Other incentives for non-profits to adopt lean (11:44) A success story on an organization using lean (15:33) Barriers Lauren has seen (22:04) Her advice on getting started (24:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Lauren on LinkedIn Lauren on Twitter Lauren's Online Courses Rise Consulting on Instagram Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure