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

This week's guest is Brandon Bunn. Ron and Brandon discussed what it looks like to leverage lean and continuous improvement inside prison facilities, some of the obstacles that arise, and how other lean leaders can get involved. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Brandon (3:06) Brandon's background (4:06) Why he got into the prison industry (7:45) What a "Day in the Life" looks like (9:05) The improvements that are being done (12:13) Some of the obstacles (18:28) The role that motivation plays (26:02) Brandon's advice for those in similar situations (28:33) How lean leaders can get involved (30:45) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Brandon on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How else can lean be used to change lives in profound

This week's guest is Beau Groover. Ron and Beau discussed people and process integration, lean leadership, Beau's "GSD" system, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Beau likes (2:52) His background (3:16) What people and process integration is (5:54) Why it's so important and why it's difficult (7:42) What it means to be vulnerable (10:16) Where we're "missing the mark" (14:10) Some practical tips (17:14) An example of improvement Beau has seen (23:46) Beau's final words of wisdom (27:29) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Beau's Website Beau on LinkedIn Building a Kick-Ass Culture: 20 Effective Steps Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are some other challenges of people and process integration?

This week's guest is Steve Pereira. Ron and Steve discussed flow engineering, Steve's latest book, the relationship between value, clarity, and flow, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Steve likes (3:57) His background (5:29) About his book "Flow Engineering" (7:48) Defining flow engineering (10:28) The relationship between value, clarity, and flow (16:01) The role AI plays in flow (20:39) His favorite applications (25:03) The reception he's gotten on the book (27:44) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Flow Engineering GA 382 | Simplifying Value Stream Mapping with Steve Pereira Steve on LinkedIn Visible Flow Consulting Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are your thoughts on the concept of flow engineering?

This week's guest is Matt White. Ron and Matt discussed problem solving, Matt's backgrounds in both manufacturing and healthcare, the importance of using the "language" of a company, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes Matt likes (3:22) His background (4:40) Why lean works in many different industries (8:41) Matt's thoughts on identifying problems in organizations (9:45) Using PDCA and A3 Reporting (14:06) How scientific thinking plays a role (15:09) Using the language of the company (16:43) Getting the right people involved (20:15) The leader's role in problem solving (27:19) Advice for getting leadership commitment (29:30) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Matt on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What's your approach to problem

This week's guest is Topaz Adizes. Ron and Topaz discussed Topaz's studio The Skin Deep, his film {The And}, and the conversation cards he created. Focused on the power of human connection, this interview will stay with you long after it's over. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that Topaz likes (3:30) His background (4:13) About his {The And} project (9:28) An example of the questions (11:27) The three conversations that are actually going on (18:17) The different types of decks they offer (20:02) Topaz's take on AI (24:25) What Topaz doesn't like about people (28:48) His final words of wisdom (30:44) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Topaz on LinkedIn Topaz's Website The Skin Deep 12 Questions for Love: A Guide to Intimate Conversations and Deeper Relationships Prison Couldn't Keep Me From You Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to

This week's guest is Gary Cihak. Ron and Gary discussed Gary's Six Sigma Green Belt project, what he learned from it, how he dealt with the resistance that followed, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Gary (3:21) About Gary and his background (3:52) How he was introduced to continuous improvement (4:29) The problem Gary was trying to solve with his Six Sigma Green Belt project (5:07) A project Ron worked on (8:23) What Gary did and learned from his project (9:03) The resistance he was met with (10:37) Tactics he used with frontline workers (11:45) Getting leadership buy-in (12:38) Navigating the transition from batch production to one-piece flow (13:23) What he learned about people (19:12) Advice to those at the beginning of their lean journeys (20:05) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Gary on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our

This week's guest is Chad Bareither. Ron and Chad discussed lean transformations, the role leaders play in them, creating a sense of ownership, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Chad likes (2:44) Chad's background (7:15) What a successful lean transformation looks like (8:12) The role leaders play in the transformation (14:01) How we can ensure there are more long-term ongoing transformations (18:16) How we can help teams feel a sense of ownership (20:38) Putting people at ease (23:54) His final words of wisdom (31:40) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Chad on LinkedIn GA 498 | The Power of Improving Less with Chad Bareither Chad's Website "Improve Less" - Free Chapter "Improve Less" on Amazon Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What doe

This week's guest is José Ferro. Ron and José discussed daily management, what it is, what the main obstacles involved are, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote José likes (3:39) His background (5:28) About his book Daily Management to Execute Strategy (9:45) What Daily Management is (11:39) Deciding if you're "winning" or "losing" (19:03) The main obstacles to daily management (23:49) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Interview with José Ferro and Robson Gouveia How to Create an Effective Daily Management System José on the Lean Enterprise Institute Site "Daily Management to Execute Strategy" Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does successful daily management look like to you?

This week's guest is Robin Hills. Ron and Robin discussed the importance of Emotional Intelligence, how it involves more than just our brains, assessing our own Emotional Intelligence, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  A quote Robin likes (4:38) About Robin (6:34) Defining emotional intelligence (9:03) The importance of humility (16:28) Making choices around emotions (19:37) Assessing emotional intelligence (22:39) Advice on using emotional intelligence at work (25:10) Seeking more positive emotions (27:40) How emotional intelligence will or will not evolve (29:08) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Robin on LinkedIn Our Emotional Intelligence Course Ei4Change Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does being emotionally intelligent mean to you?

This week's guest is Annette Johnston. Ron and Annette discussed project management, the role project managers play in decision making, what habits a good project manager should have, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Annette likes (3:02) Her background (4:47) What a technical project plan is (7:45) What we can do to keep a project on track (10:23) The role project managers play in go or no-go decision making (14:40) What makes a project with compliance different (17:41) Habits and behaviors a project manager should have (22:47) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Annette on LinkedIn Annette's Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What makes a project manager a good project manager?

This week's guest is Bill Krolicki. Ron and Bill discussed data analytics, automation, the PDCA cycle, knowing if you're winning or losing, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Bill likes (3:25) His background (3:44) What data analytics means (4:55) A Pareto example (7:20) Working with machines and automation (10:36) Making issues visible (14:01) Measuring input well (18:44) Reducing administrative burden (20:27) Removing obstacles (22:03) Practical tips for managers (24:13) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Bill on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What data analytics tools do you use? Why those ones?

This week's guest is Grace Gavin. Ron and Grace discussed the importance of open and honest communication, what it means to truly listen, the obstacles that get in our way, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Grace likes (3:36) Her background (4:22) Accountability versus open and honest communication (7:10) What else Grace has observed (14:46) Fake You versus The Wall (17:33) The obstacles that get in our way (23:35) Communicating on social media and "keyboard warriors" (29:52) Knowing where you are and are not open and honest (33:58) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Know Honesty Know Honesty Assessment Know Honesty Book Grace on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What does "knowing honesty" mean to you?

This week's guest is Garrett Delph. Ron and Garrett discussed Garrett's company Clarity Ops, his take on continuous improvement, what it means to be emotionally neutral, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Garrett's favorite quote (3:53) His background (4:23) How he uses continuous improvement (7:40) What Garrett looks at when he is assessing a client (8:50) How Garrett approaches the "people" side (12:53) Other indicators of areas that need improvement (18:03) What Garrett does when the market is the issue (19:50) Practical tips for becoming more efficient (22:20) What "emotionally neutral" means (27:18) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Clarity Ops Clarity Ops Blog Garrett on LinkedIn Garrett on Medium Nexa 360 Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think

This week's guest is April Bell. Ron and April discussed how Jack Henry uses Toyota Kata, the power of making predictions, managing remote teams, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote April likes (3:17) Her background (4:45) About Jack Henry (6:46) Their continuous improvement journey (7:31) The concept of "first coach second coach" (11:29) What a learner is working on (14:30) Managing coaching sessions for a remote team (18:52) The change management side (20:12) Practical tips for getting started with scientific thinking/Toyota Kata (22:51) April's parting advice (31:26) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 April on LinkedIn GA 522 | Continuous Improvement at Jack Henry with April Bell Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Do you use Toyota Kata a

This week's guest is Dhana Hanumayya. Ron and Dhana discussed how Dhana uses continuous improvement and quality controls at home, the cause and effect matrix, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Dhana likes (2:43) What Dhana is up to (4:54) What it's like having John Knotts as a coach (7:29) Using quality tools in her daily life (8:09) About the cause and effect matrix (18:08) The first thing Dhana tried (20:05) Advice for being successful using these tools (23:20) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Dhana on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Do you use continuous improvement or quality controls at home?

This week's guest is Gregg Miner. Ron and Gregg discussed the difference between "doing" lean and "using" lean, how this applies to leaders, the true definition of lean, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Greg (2:23) His background (5:07) What it means to "do" lean (6:28) What lean is (8:54) Why people fall into the trap of "doing" lean (10:13) Why it's so important for leaders to know the difference (13:10) How to "use" lean (19:06) Why lean is more operationally focused (22:52) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Gregg on LinkedIn GA 416 | JELD-WEN's Lean Journey with Gregg Miner Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? In your opinion, what's the difference between "doing" lean and "using" lean?

This week's guest is Alfonso Aramburo. Ron and Alfonso discussed Alfonso's experiences with turnarounds, leadership styles, balancing financial restructuring and operational excellence, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that Alfonso likes (3:22) His background (4:20) How he helps organizations turn things around (7:34) What his role was (13:56) Balancing financial restructuring with operation excellence (14:26) The role that lean can and can't play in turnarounds (18:07) What Alfonso has seen from leaders (20:32) What he would change about his career and what he's proud of (23:40) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Alfonso on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you witnessed or experienced an organization execute a turnaround? Descr

This week's guest is Fabrice Desmarescaux. Ron and Fabrice discussed Fabrice's journey towards professional fulfillment and how he helps others find purpose in their life's work. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes Fabrice likes (4:32) His background (6:04) How Fabrice discovered he felt unfulfilled (9:27) What's contributing to this crisis (13:21) Encouraging others to tap into their purpose (16:58) Finding value and fulfillment (22:04) About his book The Art of Retreats (27:05) Embracing silence (29:50) Being kind to yourself (34:56) Being patient with the transformation (36:01) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Fabrice on LinkedIn The Art of Retreats Drive by Daniel Pink Fabrice's Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How do you find pur

This week's guest is Alen Ganic. Ron and Alen, a Senior Lean and Six Sigma Coach at Gemba Academy, discussed the definitions of flow efficiency and resource efficiency, what differentiates them, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Alen's favorite quote (2:29) His background (4:02) What Alen means by "flow" (6:46) The definition of Flow Efficiency and Resource Efficiency (9:24) A paint booth example (16:17) The key things that differentiate Flow Efficiency and Resource Efficiency (19:30) Advice for someone who is just getting started (26:09) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Alen on LinkedIn GA 067 | Lean Dentistry with Dr. Sami Bahri, DDS GA 521 | Celebrating Quick Wins with Alen Ganic Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Which one should be prioritized, f

  This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed the Wheel of Sustainability, how it plays into a kaizen event, and how improv can also be a powerful tool in a rapid improvement context. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  His favorite quote (3:45) His background (5:35) The Wheel of Sustainability (6:11) The intention behind the placement (11:39) Whether some are more important than others (12:36) How the Wheel of Sustainability plays into a rapid improvement event (15:20) Using improv during these events (17:10) The future of the lean and continuous improvement movement (27:37) Some upcoming conferences Adam will be speaking at (29:46) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Wheel of Sustainability PDF The Wheel of Sustainability on Amazon Adam's Past Gemba Academy Episodes Adam on LinkedIn Adam's Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great