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

This week's guest is Calvin Williams. Ron and Calvin discussed his company Impruver, scientific thinking, and what it means to be a scientific leader. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Calvin wanted to share (2:32)

His background and what he's up to (4:04)

What "Impruver" means (7:02)

About scientific leadership (8:47)

What a scientific leader does (14:55)

Becoming better at scientific thinking (19:40)

The myths that keep leaders from improving (24:44)

Bringing focus in times of uncertainty (29:04)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

AME Conference - Use Promo Code Gemba15 for 15% off

GA 318 | Structuring Your Continuous Improvement Efforts with Calvin Williams

Calvin on LinkedIn

Impruver.com

Scientific Leadership Webinar

What Do You Think?

What does scientific leadership mean to you?

This week's guest is Martina Kuhlmeyer. Ron and Martina talked about the true definition of culture, what it means to build lean into your company culture, and how to tell when things go awry. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

Martina's favorite quote (2:08)

Her background and what she's up to these days (2:48)

Her take on lean culture (4:07)

What "culture" means to Martina (6:05)

How your identity plays into organizational culture (8:06)

Building lean into the culture (11:31)

Spotting when things aren't right (17:09)

How strategic alignment can help (21:02)

About Martina's company (22:56)

Advice for those just getting started with lean (25:28)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

AME Conference - Use Promo Code Gemba15 for 15% off

Power Up Your Team

Martina on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

How else can you build lean into your company culture?

This week's guest is Dereck Williams. Ron and Dereck discussed Quality Management Systems, what they entail, and how to ensure your efforts are successful and sustainable. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Dereck likes (1:26)

His background and what he's up to these days (2:31)

About Quality Management Systems (5:30)

The role lean plays in a QMS (7:04)

Ensuring QMS doesn't become superficial (10:32)

Some of the challenges that come with the certifications (14:08)

The companies who don't get it (18:57)

The difference in approach depending on the size of your company (20:34)

Advice on getting started (22:22)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

AME Conference - Use Promo Code Gemba15 for 15% off

Gamma Group

What Do You Think?

What has your experience been with Quality Management Systems?

This week's guest is Bhavana Bartholf. Bhavana is the Global Head of Digital & Sales Strategy at Microsoft and a keynote speaker at this year's AME International Conference. Ron and Bhavana discussed empathy, culture, trust, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Bhavana likes (2:45)

The upcoming AME conference (4:03)

Bhavana's background (4:38)

The importance of empathetic leadership (6:53)

Practicing empathy in tough situations (8:49)

Some of the lessons she learned from her grandfather (10:50)

What culture means to her (15:03)

When someone breaks your trust (17:52)

How she handles bad days (22:22)

The advice she'd give her younger self (26:49)

Her final words of wisdom (29:03)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

AME Conference - Use Promo Code Gemba15 for 15% off

Bhavana on LinkedIn

Bhavana on Instagram

Bhavana's New Ted Talk

What Do You Think?

How do you handle bad days? What helps?

This week's guest is Michael Lamach. A keynote presenter at this year's AME International Conference, Ron and Michael talked about everything from his time at Trane Technologies, to promoting engagement, cycle time, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Michael likes (3:10)

Michael's background (5:08)

His time at Trane Technologies (9:49)

How value gets created (13:35)

Promoting engagement (15:04)

Introducing lean to "the customer" (22:09)

Cycle time compression as a competitive advantage (24:01)

What Michael is proud of (30:06)

His advice for those getting started (33:14)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

AME Conference - Use Promo Code Gemba15 for 15% off

What Do You Think?

How does value get created, from your perspective?

This week's guest is Colin Baird. Ron and Colin discussed the role of discovery and the importance of being appreciated. Colin also shared how his relationship with his father shaped the way he views continuous improvement. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Colin (1:36)

Colin's background (2:25)

Colin's relationship with his father (6:13)

The power of the "discovery side" of continuous improvement (13:28)

MacArthur's role (14:36)

Deming's role (19:15)

Ron's lessons from homeschooling (32:14)

An example of being appreciated (40:27)

Final words of wisdom (43:44)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Shop Class as Soulcraft

What Do You Think?

How do you practice "discovery" in lean?

This week's guest is Ryan McCall. Ron and Ryan explored the Hierarchy of Action, and what it means to "Start with Why." Ryan also shared some advice for what to do when your "Why?" isn't embraced by those around you. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

Ryan's background (1:50)

The quote Ryan likes (2:44)

About the Hierarchy of Action (3:15)

How he developed his (4:45)

Getting to the why (10:09)

What to do when your "Why?" isn't accepted (11:44)

An example (16:31)

How Ryan uses this approach in his personal life (20:35)

The "secret" to Think and Grow Rich (22:35)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Ryan on LinkedIn

The Hierarchy of Action Blog Post

Think and Grow Rich

What Do You Think?

What is your "Why?"

This week's guest is Lauren Hisey. Ron and Lauren discussed the dangers of jumping straight into technology before exploring other options. They also covered value stream mapping, gemba walks, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Lauren likes (1:43)

Lauren's background (1:58)

Why jumping right to technology is problematic (3:14)

Understanding the business problems (7:17)

How they began mapping (9:06)

How Lauren does gemba walks (10:42)

Options for technology (13:56)

Lauren's take on the future (18:01)

Advice for those thinking about process improvement and technology (19:53)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

GA 307 | The Role of Automation and AI in Continuous Improvement with Lauren Hisey

Lauren Hisey

Lauren on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

When is technology necessary? When isn't it?

This week's guest is Beau Briggs. Beau described his racing career and his family business, and how lean has been a part of both journeys. This is a particularly unique episode you won't want to miss. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Beau likes (2:28)

Beau's background (3:41)

About his family business (5:02)

What it's like racing against his dad (8:45)

Their lean journey (10:22)

The disadvantages of this grassroots approach (14:05)

What it's like being competitive (17:58)

Coaching racing (24:11)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

The Obstacle Is the Way

Beau on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

What about Beau's racing career and lean resonates with you the most?

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Adam told Ron about his trip to French Guiana to see a NASA rocket launch, and everything that went wrong. Adam also explained how he believes having a lean background helped him. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Adam (3:11)

A unique story about his brother and NASA (4:08)

Why he went to Guiana (6:10)

What happened when he arrived (19:27)

His tour of the rockets (25:44)

What they ate for dinner on Christmas Eve (34:32)

What happened at the launch (37:11)

What happened in Guadalupe (46:03)

How his lean background helped (51:22)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

GA 287 | The Wheel of Sustainability with Adam Lawrence

GA 303 | Running a Successful Kaizen Event with Adam Lawrence

GA 330 | The Power of 3P with Adam Lawrence

GA 359 | Pink Tools and Preventing Injuries with Adam Lawrence

GA 393 | Lean Storytelling with Adam Lawrence

GA 398 | Lean Storytelling Part Two with Adam Lawrence

Adam on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

Have you ever had a travel nightmare? Did a lean mindset help you?