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

This week's guest is Michael Parent. Ron and Michael discussed human-centered design and how it intersects with lean. Michael also talked about his book, The Lean Innovation Cycle.  An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Michael (2:17)

Michael's background (3:41)

About human-centered design (5:15)

Why Michael became interested in this (8:40)

The role of change management (15:01)

About The Lean Innovation Cycle (17:50)

Advice for practicing lean and human-centered design (23:23)

Podcast Resources

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GA 339 | Applying Lean and Six Sigma to Human Resources

The Lean Innovation Cycle

Ideo

Michael on LinkedIn

Michael Parent Consulting on LinkedIn

Michael's Website

What Do You Think?

What are your thoughts on human-centered design? Have you heard of it before?

This week's guest is Adam Marsland. Adam, who works in the legal industry, explained how his firm uses continuous improvement and what problems they're solving. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Adam (2:57)

Adam's background (5:18)

The delivery of legal services (7:33)

The work his firm does and the problems they're solving (9:53)

Their Lean and Six Sigma journey (12:20)

The skills they're using (16:54)

Their structure and approach (18:25)

How they got buy-in (22:04)

Their training (25:23)

What the future holds for lean and the legal industry (27:57)

Podcast Resources

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Adam on LinkedIn

GA 326 | Lean and Law in the UK with Adam Marsland

Vario

Pinsent Masons

What Do You Think?

How would you go about convincing someone of the power of lean?

This week's guest is Dan Johnston.  Dan explained how his company WorkStep approaches hiring and retaining employees and what employees truly want, with clear parallels to lean, PDCA, and Respect for People. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Dan likes (3:18)

Dan's background (4:22)

Hiring vs. retaining employees (5:49)

What employees want (10:24)

How leaders respond to feedback (12:14)

A success story (15:59)

Dan's advice on leading and motivating people (20:59)

Podcast Resources

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WorkStep

Lean Case Study: NFI Industries

Dan on LinkedIn

WorkStep on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

What are some good strategies for hiring and retaining employees?

This week's guest is Rick Foreman. Ron and Rick talked all about the importance of gratitude, both in professional and personal contexts. Listen and learn how being grateful can improve your health and overall happiness. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Rick likes (3:36)

Gratitude and hansei (8:17)

Defining gratitude (9:33)

Why it's hard to be grateful at times (11:40)

How gratitude got Rick through a painful situation (15:52)

About Viktor Frankl (22:41)

How to "deliberately practice" gratitude (23:38)

Being grateful in the age of comparison (32:22)

An anecdote about the word "expert" (33:19)

Starting your daily practice of gratitude (40:30)

Podcast Resources

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The Benefits of Gratitude 

Appreciation Thoughts

Atomic Habits

Rick on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

How has practicing gratitude helped you?

This week's guest is Bryan Bauw. Bryan explained how he uses lean and continuous improvement in his role at a startup venture capital firm. Ron and Bryan also explored what we could learn from the world of venture capital. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Bryan likes (1:54)

Bryan's background (2:19)

What "venture capital" means (4:03)

How lean works in the field (5:50)

The role of standard work (8:03)

What everyone else can learn from the VC world (11:08)

Who seeks who out in the VC world (16:53)

Advice for lean thinkers (18:04)

Podcast Resources

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Bryan on LinkedIn

Bryan on Twitter

What Do You Think?

How else could lean be in used in the world of venture capital?

This week's guest is Lance Knight. Lance explained how lean and value stream management work in the software delivery field. He also shed some light on what they're doing that traditional manufacturers could benefit from. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Lance likes (2:02)

Lance's background (2:37)

What "software delivery" means (5:07)

Value streams in the software world (6:08)

Traditional lean settings versus software (8:20)

How "flow" works in software delivery (12:14)

The problem they're trying to solve in software (13:29)

The connection to Agile, Scrum, etc (17:30)

An example (19:20)

Practical advice for manufacturers (23:04)

Podcast Resources

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ConnectALL

Lance on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

What is your approach to value stream mapping?

This week's guests are Kathy Miller and Shannon Karels. They shared what it's like being women in manufacturing, their experiences leading lean transformations, and the inspiration behind their book Steel Toes and Stilettos. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quotes that inspire Kathy and Shannon (2:45)

Their backgrounds (3:44)

Why they wrote their book (8:48)

About the title Steel Toes and Stilettos (10:34)

About the model plant (12:53)

How long it took to see results (17:21)

Their approach to safety (19:07)

The importance of having fun (25:24)

Advice on lean leadership (29:47)

Their predictions for the future (32:48)

Podcast Resources

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OPSisters

OPSisters on Facebook

OPSisters on LinkedIn

Shannon on LinkedIn

Kathy on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?

How can you promote both fun and safety in a lean environment?

This week's guest is Gregg Miner. Ron asked Gregg about his personal lean journey and JELD-WEN's lean journey. Gregg also shared some great advice on goal setting. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Gregg likes (3:10)

Gregg's background (4:04)

How long it took to get to that point (11:58)

About his work at JELD-WEN (12:57)

The moment Gregg was convinced about lean (15:12)

Breaking down a problem (19:15)

Setting goals (21:58)

JELD-WEN's practice with TPM and OEE (24:50)

Their work specifically with OEE (26:53)

Advice for a new leader (29:16)

The CEO's background (30:57)

Podcast Resources

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Gregg on LinkedIn

What Do You Think?How do you go about breaking down problems?

This week's guest is Sumit Gupta. Ron and Sumit discussed various aspects of leadership, including what it means to be a leader, dealing with different personality types, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote Sumit likes (2:25)

Sumit's background (3:10)

The meaning of being a leader (6:14)

Reacting vs. Responding (7:50)

Lessons about leadership and photography (11:10)

Navigating personality types (14:33)

Advice for facing uncertainty (19:36)

Sumit's final words of wisdom (23:22)

Podcast Resources

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Sumit on LinkedIn

Sumit's Website

What Do You Think?

What's the difference between reacting and responding?

This week's guest is Richard Sheridan. Ron and Rich discussed Rich's two books, Joy, Inc. and Chief Joy Officer. Rich also shared what qualities he thinks make a good leader. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn: 

The quote that inspires Rich (3:01)

Rich's background (7:22)

About Joy, Inc. (10:01)

The importance of humility (14:04)

What Rich would change (20:24)

A story about Borders books (30:31)

Advice for facing uncertainty (32:35)

What Rich hopes people will say at his funeral (38:15)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Rich on LinkedIn

Joy, Inc. on Amazon

Chief Joy Officer on Amazon

Menlo Innovations

GA 003 | Learn What Joyfulness and Lean Thinking Have in Common with Richard Sheridan

GA 070 | Menlo Innovations with Richard Sheridan

GA 213 | How to Lead with Joy with Richard Sheridan

GA 300 | Leadership, Teamwork, and Taking Flight with Richard Sheridan

What Do You Think?

What other characteristics should a leader have?