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

I'm thrilled to welcome Bryan Glenn as today's podcast guest. As the Director of Purchasing and Inventory Services at West Texas A&M University, Bryan is responsible for the implementation of the school's lean initiatives.

I think you'll find Bryan's story and the way things are changing for the better over at WTAMU pretty interesting, I know I did.

To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here.  You can also view a video version below or by clicking here.

In this episode you'll learn:

Bryan's favorite quote... it's one of ours too! (4:28)

How WTAMU uses lean and six sigma across the campus (5:16)

How Bryan and his team reduced student hiring time from 90 days to 3 days (7:22)

A few of Bryan's less successful projects (12:06)

Bryan's view on why lean and six sigma applies to higher education (13:05)

What "Respect for People" means to Bryan (14:12)

The best advice Bryan has ever received (15:06)

Bryan's personal productivity habit...think kaizen (16:30)

The next step on WTAMU's lean journey (21:21)

Bryan's closing words of wisdom (22:12)

Video of the Interview

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Right Click to Download a Written Transcript in PDF Format

Lean Six Sigma for Service : How to Use Lean Speed and Six Sigma Quality to Improve Services and Transactions

Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun

Lean Six Sigma at WTAMU 

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CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Gemba Academy podcast on iTunes.

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Full Written Transcript

Announcer: You're listening to episode 13, with Bryan Glenn.

Announcer: [background music] Welcome to the Gemba Academy Podcast. The show that's focused on helping individuals and companies achieve breakthrough results using the same continuous improvement principles leveraged by companies such as Toyota, Del Monte, and the US Department of Defense. Now, here's your host, Ron Pereira.

Ron Pereira: Hey there. Welcome to another episode of the Gemba Academy Podcast. Hopefully you're having an incredible day and week. As always, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to listen to what we're up to here on the podcast. And also with our videos on Gemba Academy. We truly appreciate each and every one of you.

Today, I'm really excited to welcome Bryan Glenn to the show. Bryan is the Director of Purchasing and Inventory Services at West Texas A&M, which is located in Canyon, Texas. This was definitely a fun and very unique episode to record since it was the first podcast interview that's also being produced as a video.

In fact, Bryan visited us here in our studio in Keller, Texas. We decided to run an experiment to see how producing both a video and podcast at the same time works out. We definitely want to hear your feedback. Needless to say, if you want to check the video out, please head over to gembapodcast.

Today's podcast guest is Mike Thelen, Senior Lean Consultant at the Kaizen Institute.

Mike is a great guy with a contagious passion for all things continuous improvement.  His advice on getting colleagues, managers, and industry professionals excited about lean is invaluable.

To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn:

Mike's early interest in continuous improvement...think toy cars! (1:47)

Mike's favorite inspirational quotes (3:20)

How Mike got into consulting (6:25)

The key ingredient to starting your lean journey, according to Mike (8:02)

How to prove the power of lean to company leaders and decision makers (10:50)

Mike's definition of an "active leader" (13:40)

The most thorough definition of "respect for people" we've had so far (16:05)

The best advice Mike has ever received (20:25)

Mike's personal productivity habits (21:40)

Mike's extreme experience with an Ohno circle...40 hours! (26:37)

Powerful words of wisdom from Mike (30:24)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Right Click to Download a Written Transcript in PDF Format 

The Kaizen Institute

A Factory of One: Applying Lean Principles to Banish Waste and Improve Your Personal Performance

The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer

The Hitchhiker's Guide to Lean: Lessons from the Road

How to Prevent Lean Implementation Failures: 10 Reasons Why Failures Occur

Mike on Twitter: @mdthelen

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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.  You can download it here.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Gemba Academy podcast on iTunes.

You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is definitely Android friendly.

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And if you’ve never experienced how incredible an audio book is to listen to today is your lucky day since you’re able to download a free audio book over at our favorite audio book provider – Audible.

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Full Written Transcript

Announcer:  You're listening to episode 12 with Mike Thelen.

[background music begins]

Recording:  Welcome to the Gemba Academy Podcast, the show that's focused on helping individuals and companies achieve breakthrough results using the same continuous improvement principles leveraged by companies such as Toyota, Del Monte, and the US Department of Defense.

Now here's your host, Ron Pereira.

Ron Pereira:  Hey there, welcome to another episode of the Gemba Academy Podcast. As always thank you so much for taking time to listen to what we're up to. Today I'm joined by Mike Thelen. Mike is a senior lean consultant at the Kaizen Institute where he helps companies improve their way of working.

[background music ends]

Ron:  During this show Mike and I talk about the keys to success as it pertains to developing and fostering a deep culture of continuous improvement.

Show notes, which will include links to everything Mike and I discuss, can be found over at gembapodcast.com/12, that's 1‑2, gembapodcast.com/12. Enough for me. Let's get to the show.

Thank you, Mike, for taking the time to visit with us today.

Mike Thelen:  My pleasure, I'm glad to be here.

Ron:  Where are you calling us from today, Mike?

Mike:  I am actually in Northwest Iowa,

I'm excited to introduce this episode's guest, Greg Jacobson, Chief Product Officer and Co-Founder of KaiNexus.

Also an emergency medicine practitioner, Greg brings a unique angle to the subject of continuous improvement. I think you'll find what he has to say both engaging and practical.

To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn:

How and when Greg learned about continuous improvement (2:16)

Greg's three pillars for continuous improvement (4:17)

Greg's three favorite quotes (5:44)

How Greg defines a culture of continuous improvement (7:30)

Why traditional suggestion boxes don't work, in Greg's experience (9:07)

How to create a better, more efficient suggestion system (11:14)

Practical tips to engage your frontline staff (14:13)

Greg's powerful, one-word definition of "Respect for People" (19:40)

The best advice Greg has ever received (21:40)

Greg's personal productivity habit...think meetings (24:00)

Greg's two favorite books (25:20)

Why being "too busy" isn't a good reason to avoid continuous improvement (32:06)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Right Click to Download a Written Transcript in PDF Format

Kaizen: The Key To Japan's Competitive Success

Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Front-Line Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvements

The Idea-Driven Organization: Unlocking the Power in Bottom-Up Ideas

KaiNexus 

Lean Blog

Email: greg at kainexus dot com

Twitter: @GregHJacobson

Please Subscribe to this Podcast

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.  You can download it here.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Gemba Academy podcast on iTunes.

You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is definitely Android friendly.

Download a Free Audio Book

If you enjoy listening to podcasts chances are you’ll also enjoy listening to audio books.

And if you’ve never experienced how incredible an audio book is to listen to today is your lucky day since you’re able to download a free audio book over at our favorite audio book provider – Audible.

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Full Written Transcript

GA 011 | Greg Jacobson

Ron Pereira: You're listening to episode 11 with Greg Jacobson. [background music]

Announcer: Welcome to the Gemba Academy Podcast, the show that's focused on helping individuals and companies achieve breakthrough results using the same continuous improvement principles leveraged by companies such as Toyota, Del Monte, and the US Department of Defense. Now, here's your host, Ron Pereira.

Ron: Hey there. This is Ron Pereira with Gemba Academy. I'd like to welcome you to another edition of the Gemba Academy Podcast. As always, thank you so much for taking time out of your week to visit with us.

A special shoutout to those folks who are listening in their cars or perhaps, you're traveling on an airplane and you're listening to us that way. We really appreciate you. I just hope you guys are having a great week.

Today, I'm excited to introduce a friend of mine and also a really incredible person. His name is Greg Jacobson, and he is the chief product officer and co-founder of a company called KaiNexus. Greg, as you'll here in the episode when he introduces himself, also has got another job.

He's an emergency room doctor. [laughs] It's not everyday that you see emergency room doctors dialed into the whole lean thinking si...

This episode's guest speaker is Steve Bell, a longtime lean thinker. While his background is in the IT and Agile spaces, Steve's passion is using lean to help NGOs and nonprofits.

I think you'll find Steve's ability to improve lives truly inspiring...I know I did!

To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn:

Steve's alternative to a favorite quote (4:26)

Why Steve started Lean4NGO, and how microfinance played a role (6:00)

How every microentrepreneur is a lean thinker (6:57)

About Steve's "most amazing" Gemba Walk (9:27)

The two specific things Steve taught to agricultural workers in Uganda (11:30)

Why lean principles suit NGOs (14:45)

The biggest challenges NGOs face when adopting lean (17:13)

How you can contribute to the mission of Lean4NGO and other nonprofits (21:33)

Steve's take on "respect for people" in terms of helping those in absolute poverty (28:02)

The best advice Steve has ever received (31:55)

The importance of visibility in improving productivity (33:30)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Right Click to Download a Written Transcript in PDF Format

Toyota Kata: Managing People for Improvement, Adaptiveness and Superior Results

Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide

Lean4NGO

KIVA

Lean IT Strategies

Please Subscribe to this Podcast

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The easiest way for iPhone users to listen to the show is via the free, and incredible, Podcast app.  You can download it here.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Gemba Academy podcast on iTunes.

You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is definitely Android friendly.

Please Leave Us a Review

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Full Written Transcript

Ron Pereira: You're listening to episode 10 with Steve Bell.

[background music]

Announcer: Welcome to the Gemba Academy podcast, the show that's focused on helping individuals and companies achieve breakthrough results using the same continuous improvement principles leveraged by companies such as Toyota, Del Monte, and the US Department of Defense. Now, here's your host, Ron Pereira.

Ron: Hey there. This is Ron Pereira with Gemba Academy, and I'd like to welcome you to another edition of the Gemba Academy podcast. As always, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to listen to what we're up to, and a special shout-out to all the Gemba Academy customers out there who are with us and watching our videos and trying to really improve their businesses and ways of life. Thank you to everyone out there.

Today, I'm really excited to welcome a gentleman named Steve Bell to the show. Steve, as you'll hear, is a longtime lean thinker. He does a lot of work in kind of a lean IT space and does some work in the Agile space.

But that's not what we're going to talk about today. In fact, we're going to talk about I guess what Steve would define as something that he does on the side but he's obviously extremely passionate about i...

Do you practice lean thinking at home?

And I don't mean simply 5Sing your garage... I mean really practicing the tenets of what authentic lean is all about.

Well, today's guest, Joel Gross, most definitely does and I'm excited to share his story with you!

During this episode Joel gives some specific examples of how he and his family leverage lean thinking principles to continuously improve their lives.

And, as you'll hear, this goes far beyond simply 5Sing your garage.

Finally, be sure to check out the images Joel has shared... I think you're going to enjoy them!

To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn:

How Joel got started with his blog and how my blog strongly influenced my personal continuous improvement journey

Why Joel decided to practice lean thinking in his home

What a day in the life at the Gross household looks like including the systems and routines they follow

How the Gross children (who can't tell time yet) leverage visual controls every day

How Joel and his wife identify their family's "True North" which includes the "4 L's"

Why our children may be the most misunderstood people on earth

Some practical advice someone can do right now in order to make an improvement in their home

Joel's favorite quote... think Walt Disney!

What respect for people means to Joel

One problem Joel is currently trying to solve in his home

The best advice Joel has received

One of Joel's personal productivity habits called the top 3 board

Why lean is both a social and technical methodology

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Right Click to Download a Written Transcript in PDF Format

Lean Thinking at Home Pictures in PDF Format

Toyota Kata: Managing People for Improvement, Adaptiveness and Superior Results

Thinking, Fast and Slow

The KaiZone Blog

Please Subscribe to this Podcast

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.  You can download it here.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Gemba Academy podcast on iTunes.

You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is definitely Android friendly.

Please Leave Us a Review

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Full Written Transcript

Ron Pereira:  You're listening to episode nine with Joel Gross.

[music]

Announcer:  Welcome to the Gemba Academy Podcast, the show that's focused on helping individuals and companies achieve breakthrough results using the same continuous improvement principles leveraged by companies such as Toyota, Del Monte, and the US Department of Defense. Now, here's your host, Ron Pereira.

Ron Pereira:  Hey, there. Welcome to another edition of the Gemba Academy podcast. First of all, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to listen to what we're up to. We just finished an interview with a gentleman named Joel Gross. It's probably one of my favorite interviews that I've done so far.

I stumbled across Joel's blog,

In this episode I'm joined by one of the most incredible lean thinkers I've ever known, Jon Miller.

Jon is the CEO of the Kaizen Institute and one of my business partners at Gemba Academy.  I'm also proud to call Jon a friend and most importantly one of my most valued lean mentors.

During this episode Jon and I explore how to go about creating a Kaizen Culture.

To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn:

How Jon was first exposed to lean and kaizen

One of Jon’s favorite quotes… think Einstein

Why Jon and his co-authors wrote the book Creating a Kaizen Culture

The roots of the word Kaizen

Jon’s thoughts on what a kaizen culture is all about

The role executive leadership has in developing and sustaining culture

What an adaptive culture is

Whether Kaizen is a Japanese thing

The American Roots of Kaizen

What respect to people means to Jon and why it’s actually a poorly translated phrase

What the “culture monster” is and why it sometimes eats strategy for breakfast

The only way to truly fail at continuous improvement

The best advice Jon has ever received

Jon’s advice for being more productive

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Right Click to Download a Written Transcript in PDF Format

Creating a Kaizen Culture: Align the Organization, Achieve Breakthrough Results, and Sustain the Gains

The Effective Executive: The Definitive Guide to Getting the Right Things Done

Please Subscribe to this Podcast

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.  You can download it here.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Gemba Academy podcast on iTunes.

You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is definitely Android friendly.

Please Leave Us a Review

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Ask a Question

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Full Written Transcript

Ron Pereira:  You're listening to episode eight with Jon Miller.

[music]

Announcer:  Welcome to the Gemba Academy podcast, the show that's focused on helping individuals, and companies achieve breakthrough results using the same improvement principles leveraged by companies such as Toyota, Del Monte, and the US Department of Defense. Now, here's your host Ron Pereira.

Ron Pereira:  Hey there. This is Ron Pereira with Gemba academy, and I'd like to welcome you to another edition of the Gemba Academy podcast. First of all, thank you for taking the time out of your day to listen to what we're up to. We're really excited about this podcast. We're getting a lot of really nice reviews, and some feedback that people are really enjoying this.

I especially want to give a shout out to all those folks who listen to us on their commute to work or back from work and especially to those 'road warriors' out there who are listening to us right now on an airplane. Hopefully, you're going somewhere to do some really good work related to continuous improvement. Keep up the good fight, if you are listening in that manner.

In this episode I'm joined by one of the world's leading lean healthcare experts, Mark Graban.

During the show Mark and I discuss how lean is being leveraged within the healthcare world.  And even if you don't work in the healthcare industry we're all potential "customers" so I definitely believe you'll benefit from Mark's wisdom.

We're also running our first Podcast Contest where the prize is a Combo Subscription to Gemba Academy's School of Lean & Six Sigma which is valued at $1,995!  So give this episode a listen to learn how to enter the contest!

To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn:

Mark's favorite quotation... think Peter Drucker!

How Mark transitioned from manufacturing to lean healthcare

Mark's explanation of what kaizen means to him

How to not become overly reliant with kaizen events

Why some hospitals are unfortunately resorting to layoffs in order to reduce costs

Mark's thoughts on the recent bad press a Canadian healthcare organization has received for their approach

What "respect for people" means to Mark

How hospitals mock up work flows before changes are actually made

Why the best productivity habit may not be a habit at all

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Right Click to Download a Written Transcript in PDF Format

Out of the Crisis

Dr. Deming: The American Who Taught the Japanese About Quality

Understanding Variation: The Key to Managing Chaos

Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Engagement, Second Edition

Healthcare Kaizen: Engaging Front-Line Staff in Sustainable Continuous Improvements

It's Gotten Political in Saskatchewan Lean Healthcare Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

Lean and No Layoffs Part 1, Part 2

Mark's LeanBlog.org Website

Mark's involvement with KaiNexus, a continuous improvement software platform

Please Subscribe to this Podcast

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.  You can download it here.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Gemba Academy podcast on iTunes.

You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is definitely Android friendly.

Please Leave Us a Review

We'd also be honored if you'd leave us an honest review in iTunes.  This will really help the show grow and reach more people with the good news that is lean and six sigma!

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Ask a Question

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Full Written Transcript

Ron Pereira:  You're listening to episode seven with Mark Graban.

[music]

Announcer:  Welcome to the Gemba Academy podcast, the show that's focused on helping individuals and companies achieve breakthrough results using the same continuous improvement principles leveraged by companies such as Toyota, Del Monte, and the US Department of Defense. Now, here's your host, Ron Pereira.

Ron Pereira:  Hey there, this is Ron Pereira with Gemba Academy, and I'd like to welcome you to another edition of the Gemba Academy podcast. Now, before we get into the show I have a question.

I'd like to know how you're listening to this podcast. Maybe you're listening on our blog through your computer, or smart phone,

In this episode, I'm joined by one of the most experienced lean thinkers I know.  Bill Waddell is a lean author, blogger, and consultant.

Bill is, without doubt, one of the most interesting and, some might even say, controversial lean thinkers out there.  Me?  I personally appreciate the honesty - and passion - Bill brings to his work and, especially, his writing.

Now, in this podcast Bill and I focus on why so many companies struggle to fully embrace lean thinking.  Bill brings a tremendous amount of experience to this interview and I know you're going to enjoy, and benefit, from his thoughts.

To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn:

Bill's favorite quote... think Henry Ford

Bill's opinions on why so many companies struggle with lean

The role of the CEO & CFO during a lean transformation

The challenge publicly traded companies face

The importance of Lean Accounting

Bill's advice to Lean Practitioners who don't have senior management support

Bill's advice to CEOs on why they better be prepared to follow through if they decide to practice lean

The best advice Bill has ever received

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Today and Tomorrow - Special Edition of Ford's 1926 Classic

The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer

Toyota Kata: Managing People for Improvement, Adaptiveness and Superior Results

Simple Excellence: Organizing and Aligning the Management Team in a Lean Transformation

Bill Waddell Website

Manufacturing Leadership Center

Please Subscribe to this Podcast

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The easiest way for iPhone users to listen to the show is via the free, and incredible, Podcast app.  You can download it here.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Gemba Academy podcast on iTunes.

You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is definitely Android friendly.

Please Leave Us a Review

We'd also be honored if you'd leave us an honest review in iTunes.  This will really help the show grow and reach more people with the good news that is lean and six sigma!

To leave a review please follow these steps:

Click this link

Click the blue button that says "View in iTunes"

Log into your iTunes account as needed

Click "Ratings and Reviews" which you'll find in gray text towards the top of the page

Click "Write a Review" button and leave your review

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Ask a Question

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Full Written Transcript

Ron Pereira:  You're listening to episode 6 with Bill Waddell.

[music]

Narrator:  Welcome to the Gemba Academy podcast… the show that’s focused on helping individuals and companies achieve breakthrough results using the same continuous improvement principles leveraged by companies such as Toyota, Del Monte, and the US Department of Defense.  And now, here’s your host, Ron Pereira.

[music]

Ron Pereira:  Hey there, welcome to another edition of the Gemba Academy Podcast. I hope you're having an incredible day and week. As always, thank you so much for listening to the show.

Now, today's guest is Bill Waddell. Bill is a Lean thinking consultant, author, speaker and global supply chain expert. Bill is also one of the original Lean accounting thought leaders of the world.

I first came to know of Bill when he wrote over on the Evolving Excellence blog. Bill now has his own blog called The Manufacturing Leadership Center, which I highly recommend everyone check out...

In this episode, I'm joined by one of the most passionate lean thinkers I've ever met - Karen Martin.

During this podcast Karen and I explore the topic of Value Stream Mapping.

Specifically, Karen and I have an excellent discussion related to the traps many practitioners fall into when working with value stream maps as well as how, and why, this tool is being used by many non manufacturing focused organizations.

Karen and Mike Osterling recently published a new book on the topic called Value Stream Mapping: How to Visualize Work and Align Leadership for Organizational Transformation.

To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn:

Karen's favorite quote... think W. Edwards Deming!

Karen's elevator speech of what a Value Stream Map is including the history of the tool

Some of the biggest mistakes people make when working with this tool

How Value Stream Mapping is being leveraged in offices and the service sector

Karen's spirited response to critics who claim Value Stream Maps actually slow the improvement process down

What Karen struggled with the most when she first started down her lean journey

The best advice Karen's ever received

Karen's favorite personal productivity habits

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Value Stream Mapping: How to Visualize Work and Align Leadership for Organizational Transformation

Out of the Crisis

The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization

The Essential Drucker: The Best of Sixty Years of Peter Drucker's Essential Writings on Management (Collins Business Essentials)

The Karen Martin Group

Please Subscribe to this Podcast

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The easiest way for iPhone users to listen to the show is via the free, and incredible, Podcast app.  You can download it here.

CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Gemba Academy podcast on iTunes.

You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is definitely Android friendly.

Please Leave Us a Review

We'd also be honored if you'd leave us an honest review in iTunes.  This will really help the show grow and reach more people with the good news that is lean and six sigma!

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Full Transcript

Announcer: You're listening to episode 5 with Karen Martin.[music]

Announcer: Welcome to the Gemba Academy podcast… the show that’s focused on helping individuals and companies achieve breakthrough results using the same continuous improvement principles leveraged by companies such as Toyota, Del Monte, and the US Department of Defense.  And now, here’s your host, Ron Pereira.

Ron Pereira: Hey there, welcome to another edition of the Gemba Academy Podcast. Thank you so much for listening. Before we get started, I wanted to give a shout out to one of our listeners who recently sent in an email.

Mark Reiken, who's from New Zealand, wrote in and commented that he had started listening to the Michael Lombard interview that we just released, on that morning that he sent the email, on his drive in to work.

He said that he was quite interested in the whole Toyota Kata topic because one of his colleagues,

During this podcast Michael Lombard and I explore the Toyota Kata topic.

Michael, a long time lean thinker, is the Director of Operational Excellence at a major hospital here in the Dallas Fort Worth area.

Specifically, during this show, we talk about how Michael's hospital leverages the Toyota Kata approach to learning and coaching and how it's made an incredibly positive impact.

To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here.

In this episode you'll learn:

Michael's favorite quote... think Aristotle!

What the Toyota Kata is all about

The differences between the Improvement & Coaching Kata

How Michael and his team have leveraged this new way of learning

How to get started learning about the Toyota Kata

Michael's excellent responses to our Quick Fire segment!

Podcast Resources:

Right Click to Download the MP3

The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business

Toyota Kata: Managing People for Improvement, Adaptiveness and Superior Results

Toyota Kata Website

Michael on Twitter

Michael on LinkedIn

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CLICK HERE to subscribe to the Gemba Academy podcast on iTunes.

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Full Transcript

Announcer:  You're listening to episode 4 with Michael Lombard.

[background music]

Announcer:  Welcome to the Gemba Academy podcast… the show that’s focused on helping individuals and companies achieve breakthrough results using the same continuous improvement principles leveraged by companies such as Toyota, Del Monte, and the US Department of Defense.  And now, here’s your host, Ron Pereira.

Ron Pereira:  Hey there, this is Ron Pereira with Gemba Academy and I'd like to welcome you to this episode of the podcast.  And first of all, thank you so much for taking time out of your day to listen to the show.

And I also wanted to say thank you to everyone that's gone over to iTunes and left us some really nice 5 star reviews.  I really do appreciate that.  I really do love doing these podcasts but  hearing positive feedback like that is great to hear and very rewarding so thank you for that.

Well today we have a really good show planned for you.  We're joined by Michael Lombard.  Michael and I explore the Toyota Kata topic... so let's get to the show.

Michael, thanks for joining us today. Why don't you give us your background and tell us what you're up to these days?

Michael Lombard:  Sure. Thanks for having me on. It's a pleasure. I'm currently working as the Director of Operational Excellence at a hospital in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex.

I came to healthcare through an unconventional route. I wasn't a clinician and don't have any real healthcare experience prior to starting to work for hospitals. I worked in manufacturing. Came across the whole concept of lean. Quickly realized that's what I wanted to do with my career.