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

This week's guest is Brent Weichers. Ron and Brent discussed OpEx assessments and how Brent and his team deliver genuine value and insight through them. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Brent (2:54) Brent's background (4:06) What an OpEx assessment is (5:46) The systems they use (6:57) Working through resistance and negativity (15:41) Why companies struggle after winning awards (20:30) What problem they're trying to solve (21:15) The cadence they work at (23:54) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Brent on LinkedIn GA 272 | The Role of Lean in Empowering People with Disabilities with Brent Weichers GA 304 | The Different Approaches to Training Leaders with Brent Weichers GA 369 | Developing an Internship Program with Brent Weichers GA 438 | The Importance of Understanding People with Brent Weichers Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a

This week's guest is George Saiz. Ron and George discussed the true meaning behind Respect for People, and how to effectively motivate different people in different ways. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires George (3:20) About George (4:55) About his book, We Started with Respect (7:43) What "Respect for People" really means (12:40) How George motivates different people (17:39) What George learned about himself (20:58) Another inspirational quote George likes (29:48) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 George's Website George on LinkedIn GA 121 | Leading AME with George Saiz GA 274 | Retiring from a Lean Career with George Saiz Get All the Latest News from Gemba AcademyOur newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think?What style of motivation works best for you? Why?

This week's guest is Mark Graban. Ron and Mark discussed making mistakes and the importance of psychological safety. Mark also shared a little about his podcast, "My Favorite Mistake," and his new book, "The Mistakes That Make Us." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Mark likes (2:45) About Mark (5:59) The "My Favorite Mistake" podcast (10:57) How we react to our own mistakes (16:48) The benefits versus risks of speaking up (23:55) Why and where psychological safety is lacking (25:12) Practical tips for individuals (33:55) One of Ron's biggest mistakes (39:25) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Mark's Website Mark on LinkedIn My Favorite Mistake Podcast The Mistakes That Make Us GA 007 | Using Lean Thinking to Transform the Healthcare Industry with Mark Graban GA 046 | Lean in Japan with Mark Graban GA 071 | Practicing Lean with Mark Graban GA 114 | How to Apply Lean to

This week's guest is Jacob Bonde Larsen. Ron and Jacob discussed RPA (Robotic Process Automation), the three components of RPA, how it relates to lean, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Jacob likes (3:03) His background (4:53) What RPA stands for (6:45) An example (8:11) Whether or not this affects jobs (10:05) Lean vs RPA (11:26) The three key components of RPA (13:43) RPA and ChatGPT (15:39) The competencies of RPA (17:26) Resources for experimenting with RPA (23:15) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Jacob on LinkedIn Nordic RPA UiPath 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 heard of RPA? Share what you know or what your experience has been with it.

This week's guest is Gemba Academy's own John Knotts. Ron and John discussed John's books, stepping into your fear zone, knowing your purpose, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote John likes (3:24) His background (4:09) Navigating fear in a professional context (10:17) Some of the countermeasures (15:39) Dealing with a need for control and certainty (18:42) What we can learn from the Flywheel concept (23:50) How and why John became disciplined (29:55) Discovering and knowing your purpose (32:39) His parting thoughts (35:21) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 John on LinkedIn GA 392 | Using Lean on a Horse Farm with John Knotts GA 407 | Choosing an Approach to Lean and Six Sigma with John Knotts GA 439 | Collecting and Interpreting Data with John Knotts Crosscutter Enterprises John's Books on Amazon Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a gr

This week's guests are Sam Morgan and Andres Alamillo. Ron, Sam, and Andres discussed the importance of diversity in continuous improvement, using the kata framework as a lens. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Sam likes (3:12) The quote Andres likes (4:43) Sam's background (6:25) Andres' background (8:51) Why it's important to build community (9:50) How Sam and Andres see the current condition (19:24) How practitioners "carry the candle" (25:21) Sam and Andres' thoughts on the target condition (26:47) Practical steps people can take (32:29) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 461 | Scientific Thinking and Confidence with Sam Morgan Sam on LinkedIn Illuminate Coaching + Consulting Andres on LinkedIn Smith Gardens 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 Thi

This week's guest is Nick Katko. Ron and Nick discussed the importance of leveraging Lean Accounting, Nick's book "The Lean CFO," and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Nick likes (2:55) His background (3:51) Why lean accounting matters (6:37) The ramifications of a cost accounting system (8:07) Why he wrote the second edition (11:36) Why The Box Score matters (13:21) Financial performance vs. results (15:01) What "true north" means in lean accounting (16:42) Why he added value stream management (19:35) Nick's perspective on TOC (27:03) Practical tips for getting started (28:10) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Nick on LinkedIn The Lean CFO GA 399 | Practicing Lean Accounting with Mike De Luca and Nick Katko 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 Thi

This week's guest is Chris Hodges. Ron and Chris discussed Noble Automation, the role of AI in automation, the concept of monomyths, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Chris likes (3:01) His background (3:48) An example of noble automation (11:11) The role of AI plays in automation (14:29) A story about his own family (18:01) Helping humans be heroes (25:25) The concept of monomyths (26:55) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Noble Automation Now Chris on LinkedIn Chris on Calendly 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 think AI will change or has changed automation?

  This week's guest is Sarah Tilkens. Ron and Sarah discussed her career at GE, the impact coaching has had on her, and how she integrates coaching and lean. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Sarah has been thinking about (3:52) Her background (6:01) Identifying individual strengths (7:53) The impact coaching has had on her (12:12) Advice from Sahil Bloom (14:35) Integrating coaching and lean (16:46) What happens when you're dealing with a "tough" learner (19:56) What GE is up to continuous improvement-wise (22:39) How to be a better coach (25:15) What's next for Sarah (27:58) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Sarah on LinkedIn GA 275 | Leading vs. Serving with Sarah Tilkens GA 408 | Lean and Life Coaches with Sarah Tilkens 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 D

This week's guest is Calvin Williams. Ron and Calvin discussed Calvin's new book, "FIT: The Simple Science of Achieving Strategic Goals," and what setting strategic goals really entails. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Calvin's background (3:01) The quote Calvin likes (3:55) About his book (5:06) What FIT stands for (8:04) The problem they're trying to address (11:55) His advice for setting a strategic goal (16:01) Where this fits in the continuous improvement realm (20:59) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Calvin on LinkedIn FIT on Amazon Impruver GA 318 | Structuring Your Continuous Improvement Efforts GA 433 | Being a Scientific Leader 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 go about setting strategic goals?

This week's guest is Bonnie Davis. Ron and Bonnie discussed how the two pillars of lean should work together, A3 Thinking, and the importance of leadership buy-in and how to influence it. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Bonnie uses often (3:39) Her background (4:45) About Re:Build (6:33) What Respect for People means to Bonnie (7:23) The balance between the two pillars (10:43) What A3 Thinking means to Bonnie (14:13) Another way of documenting a value stream map (18:55) Advice for those who don't have senior leadership buy-in (22:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Bonnie on LinkedIn Re:Build 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 do the two pillars of lean mean to you?

This week's guest is Vince Sassano. Ron and Vince discussed KPIs, balancing them with what the customer wants, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Vince likes (2:49) Vince's background (4:33) What "Herbie" means (6:06) Balancing the KPI with what the customer wants (15:14) Shifting to actions (16:52) Why the way you collect data is important (24:56) How this applies to Six Sigma (28:46) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Goal Vince on LinkedIn SPC 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 approach KPIs?

This week's guest is Bobby Jackson. Bobby explained what it means to use your natural gifts, the six different types, and how to determine what yours are. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Bobby (3:01) His background (4:11) Using your natural gifts (11:01) The six different types of "working genius" (16:18) A review of the six (23:55) Identifying your natural gifts (25:40) Whether or not there's a balance (27:07) Bobby's natural gifts (28:54) His frustrations (32:37) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Bobby on LinkedIn Bobby on Medium 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 natural gifts?

This week's guest is Steve Bell. Ron and Steve discussed Steve's work applying lean to NGOs, how he approaches Change Management, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Steve's background (3:57) What NGO stands for (6:13) What problem Steve is trying to solve (10:25) An example Steve recently saw (14:01) How he handles the Change Management aspect (16:35) What the lean community can do (22:35) Two more stories of lean NGOs (27:30) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Lean Agile NGO Steve on LinkedIn Lean Agile NGO LinkedIn Group GA 010 | Using Lean to Help NGOs with Steve 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? How else could lean be used to help NGOs or non-profits?

This week's guest is Ryan Tierney of Seating Matters. Ryan and Ron discussed the reactions Ryan got when he first discovered lean, the importance of being both humble and curious, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Ryan likes (3:48) Ryan's background (4:30) Why they got started with lean (6:18) His colleagues' initial reactions (9:14) His siblings' initial reactions (13:24) His biggest struggle (15:51) How he got people engaged (17:31) What facilities Ryan toured (20:29) About their One-Piece Flow purchasing system (23:14) The "smallest batch practicable" (25:25) Being humble and curious (27:23) Remaining humble when you're successful (28:55) About "Lean Made Simple" (31:10) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 254 | Discovering Lean with Ryan and Louise Tierney Ryan on YouTube Ryan on LinkedIn Lean Made Simple Lean Made Simple on LinkedIn Get All the La

This week's guest is Andy Reith. Ron and Andy discussed Andy's time at Toyota as well as a tannery, and what Andy believes a brilliant process looks like. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Andy likes (2:30) Andy's background (3:30) How the tannery worked out (7:23) What a brilliant process looks like (10:21) What lean in footwear production is like (13:32) How he reinforced takt time (17:50) Advice Andy has for those just getting started (23:40) The great factories Andy has visited (25:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 308 | Lessons Learned at Toyota with Andy Reith Andy on Instagram Andy 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 a brilliant process look like to you?

This week's guest is Jamie Flinchbaugh. Jamie updated us on what he's learned since publishing his latest book, how he recommends writing a good problem statement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Jamie likes (4:54) His background (7:45) Which of his books he would recommend and to who (10:40) What he's learned since writing People Solve Problems (12:09) Writing a good problem statement (14:51) The most common failure mode (18:40) Ideation versus brainstorming (21:33) Coaches creating and shaping experiences (25:58) Whether or not Jamie would do things differently (28:53) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Hitchhiker's Guide to Lean People Solve Problems Jamie on LinkedIn GA 016 | Developing Lean Leaders with Jamie Flinchbaugh GA 045 | Respect for People with Past Guests GA 083 | Getting the Board on Board with Lean with Jamie Flinchbaugh GA 314 | The 4C

This week's guests are Matt May and Pablo Dominguez. Ron, Matt, and Pablo discussed Matt and Pablo's book What a Unicorn Knows, the role of AI in business, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire them (3:44) Their backgrounds (4:47) Why they wrote the book (7:52) Unicorns and business (10:48) The current state of unicorns (12:48) Whether the world is a worse or better place because of unicorns (16:49) The Formula 1 analogy (18:48) What SCALE means (27:45) Practical tips and tools for those just getting started (33:33) The role of AI in business (35:50) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Matt on LinkedIn Pablo on LinkedIn What a Unicorn Knows GA 002 | Learning, Focus, and Innovation with Matthew May GA 100 | How to Survive with Matt May  Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog post

This week's guest is Andrew Piland. Ron and Andrew discussed how continuous improvement works in the construction industry, what Respect for People looks like, supply chain waste, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Andrew's background (5:25) What he's up to these days (11:05) About Last Planner (16:55) What Respect for People looks like in construction (21:59) How you avoid getting to that problem spot (23:31) What other lean tools Andrew uses (24:15) His focus on supply chain waste (26:47) Advice for getting started (28:34) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Andrew on LinkedIn Touchplan MOCA Systems MOCA PM 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? Is it better to start with software, or start with a process? Why or why not?

This week's guest is Phil Ranck. Ron and Phil talked about Lean Alaska, which Phil founded, as well as his work with the United States Army. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Phil likes (4:05) Phil's background (6:11) A cool story about the military (10:08) The difference between corporate and military environments (14:27) Academics versus application (17:12) How else you can gain experience (19:52) The obstacles to getting started (24:21) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Phil on LinkedIn Lean Alaska Lean Alaska on Facebook 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 academics compare to application in a continuous improvement context?