Strategic planning too often becomes an annual ritual that loses meaning as soon as the binders hit the shelf. Mark Reich is on a mission to change that.

In this episode of Building Better, Brandon Bartneck sits down with Mark Reich, author of Managing on Purpose and one of the foremost experts on hoshin kanri—a strategy deployment system rooted in the Toyota Production System.

Drawing on decades of leadership experience at Toyota and the Lean Enterprise Institute, Mark shares what it takes to build alignment, lead with intention, and empower your team to solve real problems. This conversation is for anyone trying to lead with clarity and drive sustainable change—especially in complex manufacturing and industrial environments.

Whether you’re new to lean or have been practicing for decades, you’ll walk away with powerful ideas and practical insights.

About Mark Reich:
Mark Reich spent 23 years at Toyota, including time in Japan and leading hoshin kanri for North America during a decade of major growth. As a senior coach and chief engineer at the Lean Enterprise Institute, Mark has worked with leaders across industries to implement lean thinking, solve real-world problems, and lead with purpose. He is the author of Managing on Purpose, a practical workbook designed to help organizations implement hoshin kanri and build stronger leadership systems.

About Managing on Purpose:
Published by the Lean Enterprise Institute, Managing on Purpose is a hands-on workbook for leaders seeking to align strategy with daily operations through hoshin kanri. The book includes real-world examples and a fictional case study from TrueMowers to help readers apply these principles in their own work.→ Buy the Book

About Building Better:
Building Better with Brandon Bartneck focuses on the people, products, and companies creating a better tomorrow, often in the transportation and manufacturing sectors. The show features real conversations about what leaders are doing, why and how they’re doing it, and what we can learn from their experiences.

Key Takeaways:

• Hoshin kanri is a practical system for turning strategy into action

• Effective leaders align their organizations around a shared purpose

• Structured problem-solving is essential to improvement

• Engaging employees is key to sustainable success

• Starting small—with a model cell—can drive meaningful change

Links & Resources:

• Learn more about Managing on Purpose: Lean Enterprise Institute

• Buy the book: Managing on Purpose

• Connect with Mark Reich: LinkedIn

• Show Notes: brandonbartneck.com/buildingbetter/markreich

Listen to the Episode:

• Apple Podcasts

• Spotify