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

This week's guest is Robb Holman. Ron and Rob discussed the importance of building trust in the workplace, the concept of Inside Out Leadership, and why conflict can be a powerful tool.  A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Robb's words of wisdom (3:43) Robb's background (5:11) His thoughts on Kobe Bryant's passing (8:38) About Inside Out Leadership (11:28) Why trust is so important (15:59) What's necessary to create a learning organization (24:17) What happens when a team has conflict (26:16) How to leverage healthy conflict (28:29) Using trust to get things done (31:43) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Robb's Website Robb's Book, All In 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

This week's guest is Brent Weichers of The Lighthouse for the Blind. Ron and Brent discussed the various approaches to training leaders, including the different hard and soft skills involved. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Brent's background (5:17) About the different training approaches (6:56) What happens when you don't differentiate (9:48) Some of the specific things they teach leaders (11:41) Some practical tips for brainstorming (14:11) How he leverages value stream mapping and process mapping (18:02) The hard skills (21:05) The formalized version of this approach (26:05) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Brent on LinkedIn Gemba Academy Live! at The Lighthouse for the Blind 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

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed everything that goes into running a successful kaizen event, including team selection, engagement, and increasing the chances of "winning." A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The untraditional quote that inspires Adam (4:51) Adam's background and what he's up to (5:34) Why the engagement piece is so critical (7:25) How to increase a team's chance of "winning" (9:57) The game of "Two Truths and a Lie" (14:15) How Adam maximizes participation (18:59) A story involving cultural differences (23:51) An example of a successful event (26:38) Sustaining the efforts/results (37:01) Adam's final words of wisdom (41:28) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Adam on LinkedIn Adam's Website Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to

This week's guest is Chris Rodriguez, Continuous Improvement Lead at Halliburton. Chris described their journey, including some of the lessons they've learned. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Chris (2:04) Chris's background (2:49) About Halliburton (3:48) His experience level when they started (4:19) Their approach at the beginning (6:17) Measuring communication (7:58) How the initiative was received (8:56) Lessons they learned in the first year (12:49) Other lessons they learned (13:57) Screening for influence (15:21) Ron's unique interview question (17:31) What Chris is most proud of (21:37) His advice (22:53) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Chris 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 sub

This week's guest is Karen Martin. Karen described some of the lean trends she's observed, and how we can best prepare for and learn from them. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Karen (2:01) Karen's background (2:45) Building genuine problem-solving skills (3:58) The struggle with strategy deployment (12:45) Karen's thoughts on the recession (17:53) The questions Karen thinks should be asked more often (23:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Karen's Website Karen on Twitter Karen 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 smartphone. The easiest way for iPhone users to listen to the show is via the free, and incredible, Podcast app.

We're celebrating our 300th episode by sitting down with Richard Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations. Ron and Richard discussed the company's unique culture, the similarities between flying an airplane and running a business, and more. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  About Richard (3:51) His airplane metaphor (5:17) The role of weight, gravity, and drag in business (9:09) The interview process at Menlo (11:29) What has changed (19:44) The purpose of transparency (20:48) What's next for the lean movement (23:37) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Gemba Academy Live! at Menlo Innovations Tours at Menlo Innovations Richard on LinkedIn Richard on Twitter 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 t

This week's guest is Reza Zeinalpour. Ron and Reza talked about applying continuous improvement in the U.S. Air Force, including how they integrate performance metrics, innovation, and virtual reality. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Reza (3:11) Reza's background (4:22) The importance of strategy (6:32) KPIs and visual management (9:10) How they emphasize innovation (10:01) How they use virtual reality training (14:29) What's next for the Air Force regarding CPI (15:59) Optimizing duty time (17:06) Defining value in the Air Force (18:35) Reza's final words of wisdom (20:54) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Reza 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

This week's guest is Mike Thelen. Ron and Mike explored all things standardized work, including the components, how often it should be improved, and more. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Mike (1:53) Mike's background (3:32) His thoughts on standardized work (7:16) The definition of standardized work (10:35) TWI vs. standardized work (11:33) Misconceptions about takt time (15:52) The components of standardized work (21:24) How often we should improve standardized work (27:42) The importance of remembering the foundation of lean (30:58) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Mike's Article for iSixSigma  Mike on LinkedIn GA 012 | Fostering a Culture of Continuous Improvement  GA School of Lean Standard Work Course  Subscribe & Never Miss New Episodes! Click to Subscribe in iTunes If you enjoyed this podcast please be su

This week's guest is Katie Anderson. Katie described what it's like working with former Toyota leader Mr. Isao Yoshino, and why the practices of reflection and revitalization are so critical. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  A quote that inspires Katie (2:57) What it's like working with Mr. Yoshino (5:04) About Toyota's water ski boat business (8:22) Mr. Yoshino's personality (9:31) The process of hansei, or reflection (11:01) How often we should reflect (12:14) Reflection at the macro level (14:34) What revitalization means to Katie (16:34) About Katie's Japan study trips (19:50) The AME Consortia (21:28) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com GA 173 | How to Use A3 Thinking  GA 242 | How to Leverage Different Lean Experiences  GA 281 | Building an Online Community of Practice Katie's Japan Study Trip Katie's Gemba Academy Page AME Conso

This week's guest is Nigel Thurlow, Chief of Agile at Toyota Connected. Nigel explained how Toyota uses agile, and why it's so important for organizations to be able to understand complex problems and adapt to fast-changing conditions. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  About Nigel (2:34) The roots of PDCA and empiricism (5:32) Understanding complexity and teamwork (6:29) Why organizational agility matters (9:10) Designing the value stream (13:40) How this thinking has been received at Toyota (15:22) Nigel's thoughts on Amazon (19:09) His advice moving forward (20:28) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Nigel on LinkedIn Toyota Connected  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 acc

This week's guest is Jean Cunningham. Recorded at AME Chicago, Ron and Jean discussed what's happening at LEI, some of Jean's book recommendations, and more. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  A Lean Enterprise Institute update (1:59) Lean in the food industry (4:34) Creating more opportunities for storytelling (6:01) Jean's book recommendations (7:21) The future role of audio (12:21) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Lean Enterprise Institute  Getting Home Four Types of Problems Designing the Future  Learning to See Creating Continuous Flow  Making Materials Flow Creating Level Pull Managing to Learn 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 eas

This week's guest is Mary Lemmer. Mary leveraged her unique background in improv comedy and entrepreneurship to create a fun and effective training methodology that has helped countless organizations overcome all kinds of obstacles. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  One of Mary's favorite quotes (3:09) Mary's background (4:59) About her LinkedIn photo (9:55) Why improv feels like freedom (12:20) Improv comedy and leadership (14:33) About the process (18:19) The role of empathy (24:12) How personality types factor in (26:04) Some of Mary's favorite improv moments (30:20) The "First Word Last Word" exercise (32:30) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Mary's Website Mary 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

This week's guest is Craig Johnson. Ron and Craig discussed the learning and development realm of continuous improvement, as well as the pros and cons to various certification approaches. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Craig (3:27) Craig's background (7:57) How he got into learning and development (12:22) Addressing the need for local, accessible training (14:56) The role of practical application in the certification process (19:06) The true power of continuous improvement (30:34) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Craig on LinkedIn Utah Lean Six Sigma Training Center All Metals Fabrication 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. T

This week, Ron Pereira reflects on a blog post by fellow Gemba Academy Co-Founder Jon Miller. Ron reads the blog post, which centers on the financial benefits of continuous improvement, and then adds some thoughts of his own. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Mistake #1: Not agreeing upfront on how to measure success (3:19) Mistake #2: Improving the links but not the chain (4:34) Mistake #3: Declaring victory too soon (5:58) Mistake #4: Not making changes to supporting systems (6:41) Mistake #5: Assuming that physical results will be visible as financial results (7:37) The comment section (9:12) Involving the financial controller early on (10:45) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Jon's Original Blog Post 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

This week's guest is Denise Meredith. Ron and Denise discussed everything from working with suppliers, to casket manufacturing, to automation. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Denise (2:34) How Denise was introduced to continuous improvement (3:12) What makes people good at continuous improvement (4:56) Denise's work with suppliers (8:44) Meeting resistance (13:22) An anecdote about caskets (16:38) The impact of automation and the challenges involved (20:49) Why TPM will become even more important (24:09) Denise's advice for those new to lean (24:53) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Denise 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

This week's guest is Thomas Frase. Ron and Thomas discussed why you should be careful being right, and some of the best ways to positively influence and connect with people. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Thomas (3:27) Thomas's background (4:14) The breakout session Thomas recently led (6:52) How "being right" can hurt your career (8:27) Keeping your expertise in check (10:23) A better approach (13:50) Observing body language patterns (17:02) Stressing benefits over features (19:10) Empowering the workforce (26:06) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Thomas 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 smartphone. The easiest way for iP

This week's guest is Panos Efsta. Ron and Panos discussed how TWI and process behavior analysis can be integrated to create a powerful, holistic approach to continuous improvement. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Panos (3:13) His background (3:55) About the Job Methods component of TWI (6:04) About process behavior charts (8:27) How to pull it all together (12:52) The voice of the process versus the voice of the customer (22:46) The benefits of this integrated holistic approach (26:42) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Our TWI Courses Featuring Roger Bilas GA 271 | Scientific Thinking as a Lifestyle with Panos Efsta Panos on LinkedIn Panos'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 epis

This week's guest is Luke Mullins. Ron and Luke discussed the concept of Industry 4.0, including the challenges both current and future leaders may face as lean evolves. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Luke (2:23) The concept of Industry 4.0 (3:35) Luke's background (5:34) About his company Volta (8:19) The challengers leaders will be facing (9:09) The types of leaders we should be developing (12:12) The role of lean in Industry 4.0 (14:42) Luke's global take on the lean state of the union (23:21) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Luke on LinkedIn Volta 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 way for iPhone users to l

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Adam explained the Wheel of Sustainability model he developed to help individuals and organizations sustain their improvement efforts. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The Shigeo Shingo quote that inspires Adam (2:25) Adam's background and what he's up to these days (3:27) Why Adam is so focused on sustainability (6:29) Adam's model and how he developed it (8:30) A review of the steps (17:03) How Adam teaches using this model (20:03) The emotional side of lean (28:26) Practical tips for sustaining lean (30:45) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Download a Free Audio Book at Audible.com Adam's Website Adam on LinkedIn Wheel of Sustainability 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 ac