By Mark Graban
4.6
4545 ratings
The podcast currently has 650 episodes available.
My guest for Episode #515 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Jim Morgan, senior advisor at Lean Enterprise Institute and a board member at Adrian Steel. Jim’s most recent industry experience was as Chief Operating Officer at Rivian, an electric vehicle manufacturer.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
He was previously a guest in Episode 109 back in 2011.
Before joining Rivian, Jim spent a little over ten years at Ford Motor Company. He began by leading the development of the Global Product Development System (GPDS).
He then served the last nine years as Director of Global Body and SBU Engineering and Tooling operations, where he and his team contributed to the company’s historic, product-led revitalization under then-CEO Alan Mulally.
Prior to Ford, Jim served as Vice President of Operations at Troy Design and Manufacturing (TDM), a tier-one global automotive supplier of engineering services, prototype tools, and low to medium-volume production parts and subassemblies.
Jim holds a Ph.D. in Engineering from the University of Michigan, where his original research into Product Development won two Shingo Prizes for Research Excellence. In addition, he co-authored (with Professor Jeffrey Liker) the award-winning books The Toyota Product Development System (2006) and Designing the Future (2018).
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We’ll dive into his incredible journey, from his time at Ford, where he led the development of their global product system, to his work at Rivian, helping to shape the future of electric vehicles. Jim shares valuable lessons learned along the way, especially around integrating lean principles into product and process development. We also talk about how embracing risk and learning from mistakes can fuel innovation.
The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
My guest for Episode #514 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Hugh Alley, an author and consultant. He divides his time between coaching senior operational leaders in continuous improvement, training front-line leaders in core supervisory skills, and designing industrial facilities.
An industrial engineer, he has run three manufacturing and distribution firms, and a department in a government agency, teaching skills to over 1,000 front-line leaders.
He has written two books: Becoming the Supervisor: Achieving Your Company's Mission and Building Your Team, and The TWI Memory Jogger.
He frequently speaks about supervision, quality, lean manufacturing, and Toyota Kata. From his home near Vancouver, Canada, he helps clients across North America.
In today's episode, we explore the power of TWI (Training Within Industry), its impact on building trust and improving workplace culture, and stories of real-world applications in manufacturing and sports. From reducing cycle times to fostering better leadership, this episode covers key lessons in Lean methodology. Tune in to hear about Hugh's Lean origin story and his experiences in applying Lean principles across various industries. Don't miss out on a thoughtful discussion that blends Lean, leadership, and even hockey!
The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
My guests for Episode #512 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast are two of three co-authors of the upcoming book “Leading Excellence: 5 Hats of the Adaptive Leader” - Brad Jeavons and Stephen Dargan.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
Stephen Dargan
A diverse and inclusive, customer-centric, driven transformational leader with 20+ years of leadership experience spanning Australia and Europe. Stephen is a Shingo Institute Alumni, Shingo Facilitator and Examiner. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
Brad Jeavons
Brad Jeavons is a senior leadership coach focused on helping improve themselves and their organisations to create a better future economically, socially and environmentally for future generations. He is host of the Enterprise Excellence Podcast and Community and author of the book Agile Sales: Delivering Customer Journeys of Value and Delight. Brad was a guest back in episode 416, June 2021.
In this episode, Brade and Steve share insights into the key concepts of adaptive leadership, including the importance of understanding individual team members, cultivating psychological safety, and the five essential leadership hats: Inspire, Train, Support, Coach, and Direct. Brad and Stephen also discuss real-life applications, the significance of leadership shadow, and the critical role of serving the growth of others to drive organizational excellence.
The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
My guests for Episode #512 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast are Steve Pereira and Andrew Davis, authors of the new book Flow Engineering: From Value Stream Mapping to Effective Action.
Blog post with video, transcript, and more
Steve Pereira has spent over two decades improving workflow across various organizations. His experience spans tech support, IT management, platform and infrastructure engineering, product management, and serving as a founding CTO for an enterprise SaaS company. Currently, he is the CEO of Visible Consulting, COO of the Value Stream Management Consortium, and co-founder of the Flow Collective.
Andrew Davis is the Chief Product Officer at AutoRABIT and the author of "Mastering Salesforce DevOps." With a background as a Salesforce architect, developer, and product leader, Andrew focuses on the human side of software development. He spent 15 years as a Buddhist monk, teaching meditation and personal transformation, and now studies the intersection of business, technology, and psychology through systems thinking.
In this episode, we discuss the principles of flow engineering, the importance of psychological safety in process improvement, and their experiences in writing the book. We also dive into their personal journeys, inspirations from industry giants like Deming and Goldratt, and the challenges and lessons learned in collaborative work. Stay tuned for a deep, insightful conversation on enhancing workflows and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
My guests for Episode #512 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast are two of three co-authors of the upcoming book “Leading Excellence: 5 Hats of the Adaptive Leader” - Brad Jeavons and Stephen Dargan.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
Stephen Dargan
A diverse and inclusive, customer-centric, driven transformational leader with 20+ years of leadership experience spanning Australia and Europe. Stephen is a Shingo Institute Alumni, Shingo Facilitator and Examiner. He is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
Brad Jeavons
Brad Jeavons is a senior leadership coach focused on helping improve themselves and their organisations to create a better future economically, socially and environmentally for future generations. He is host of the Enterprise Excellence Podcast and Community and author of the book Agile Sales: Delivering Customer Journeys of Value and Delight. Brad was a guest back in episode 416, June 2021.
In this episode, Brade and Steve share insights into the key concepts of adaptive leadership, including the importance of understanding individual team members, cultivating psychological safety, and the five essential leadership hats: Inspire, Train, Support, Coach, and Direct. Brad and Stephen also discuss real-life applications, the significance of leadership shadow, and the critical role of serving the growth of others to drive organizational excellence.
The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
In this special live-streamed bonus episode of the Lean Blog Interviews podcast, host Mark Graban is joined by Paul Critchley for an impromptu experiment in recording a live podcast. The episode begins with a brief introduction and a discussion about the decision to try a live format.
Paul Critchley, a seasoned Lean consultant, shares his background, detailing his journey from a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry to his current role as a Lean practitioner and consultant. He highlights his experiences working with Toyota and Pratt & Whitney, emphasizing the practical application of Lean principles in various industries, including aerospace.
Summit info: https://newenglandleanconsulting.com/summit/
The conversation then shifts to Paul's upcoming event, the New England Lean Summit, scheduled for September 12-13, 2024, in Cromwell, Connecticut. Paul discusses the summit's agenda, which includes workshops, sessions, and a Lean Happy Hour. He expresses his excitement about bringing together Lean professionals from diverse industries to foster learning and networking in a fun and engaging environment.
Paul also introduces the New England Lean Collaborative, a member-based organization aimed at building a community of Lean practitioners in the New England region. He explains the collaborative's activities, such as book clubs, site tours, and resource sharing, designed to facilitate continuous learning and improvement.
The collaborative: https://newenglandleanconsulting.com/the-nelc/
The episode wraps up with Mark and Paul addressing a viewer's question about implementing Lean practices in small companies with limited resources. Paul advises starting small, focusing on incremental improvements, and maintaining momentum through continuous, manageable changes.
Throughout the episode, Paul emphasizes the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment for learning and experimenting with Lean practices, highlighting the benefits of fun and engagement in the process. The episode concludes with a reminder of the event details and an invitation for listeners to join the New England Lean Summit and Collaborative.
00:01:24: Guest Introduction - Paul Critchley
00:03:00: Paul's Career Background
00:03:39: Discussion on Practicing Lean - https://practicinglean.com/
00:05:02: New Projects and Endeavors
00:05:29: New England Lean Summit Introduction
00:06:08: Details about the New England Lean Summit
00:07:04: Summit Logistics and Activities
00:09:02: Lean Happy Hour Concept
00:10:00: Hope for Future Annual Events
00:10:19: Overview of the New England Lean Collaborative
00:11:00: Functioning of the Collaborative
00:11:42: Membership Benefits and Activities
00:12:48: Discussion about Industry Participation
00:14:23: Lean Tools and Concepts
00:15:23: Connection with Bob Rush and Workshop Details
00:16:36: Fun Activities Planned for the Summit
00:17:01: Emphasizing fun and networking at the summit
00:17:39: Lessons from Pascal Dennis at Toyota
00:18:31: Incorporating a DJ at the conference
00:19:48: Creating a relaxed and engaging atmosphere
00:21:02: Unique conference experiences
00:22:00: Opportunities for
My guests for Episode #512 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast are Steve Pereira and Andrew Davis, authors of the new book Flow Engineering: From Value Stream Mapping to Effective Action.
Steve Pereira has spent over two decades improving workflow across various organizations. His experience spans tech support, IT management, platform and infrastructure engineering, product management, and serving as a founding CTO for an enterprise SaaS company. Currently, he is the CEO of Visible Consulting, COO of the Value Stream Management Consortium, and co-founder of the Flow Collective.
Andrew Davis is the Chief Product Officer at AutoRABIT and the author of "Mastering Salesforce DevOps." With a background as a Salesforce architect, developer, and product leader, Andrew focuses on the human side of software development. He spent 15 years as a Buddhist monk, teaching meditation and personal transformation, and now studies the intersection of business, technology, and psychology through systems thinking.
In this episode, we discuss the principles of flow engineering, the importance of psychological safety in process improvement, and their experiences in writing the book. We also dive into their personal journeys, inspirations from industry giants like Deming and Goldratt, and the challenges and lessons learned in collaborative work. Stay tuned for a deep, insightful conversation on enhancing workflows and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
In this special live-streamed bonus episode of the Lean Blog Interviews podcast, host Mark Graban is joined by Paul Critchley for an impromptu experiment in recording a live podcast. The episode begins with a brief introduction and a discussion about the decision to try a live format.
Paul Critchley, a seasoned Lean consultant, shares his background, detailing his journey from a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry to his current role as a Lean practitioner and consultant. He highlights his experiences working with Toyota and Pratt & Whitney, emphasizing the practical application of Lean principles in various industries, including aerospace.
Summit info: https://newenglandleanconsulting.com/summit/
The conversation then shifts to Paul's upcoming event, the New England Lean Summit, scheduled for September 12-13, 2024, in Cromwell, Connecticut. Paul discusses the summit's agenda, which includes workshops, sessions, and a Lean Happy Hour. He expresses his excitement about bringing together Lean professionals from diverse industries to foster learning and networking in a fun and engaging environment.
Paul also introduces the New England Lean Collaborative, a member-based organization aimed at building a community of Lean practitioners in the New England region. He explains the collaborative's activities, such as book clubs, site tours, and resource sharing, designed to facilitate continuous learning and improvement.
The collaborative: https://newenglandleanconsulting.com/the-nelc/
The episode wraps up with Mark and Paul addressing a viewer's question about implementing Lean practices in small companies with limited resources. Paul advises starting small, focusing on incremental improvements, and maintaining momentum through continuous, manageable changes.
Throughout the episode, Paul emphasizes the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment for learning and experimenting with Lean practices, highlighting the benefits of fun and engagement in the process. The episode concludes with a reminder of the event details and an invitation for listeners to join the New England Lean Summit and Collaborative.
00:01:24: Guest Introduction - Paul Critchley
00:03:00: Paul's Career Background
00:03:39: Discussion on Practicing Lean - https://practicinglean.com/
00:05:02: New Projects and Endeavors
00:05:29: New England Lean Summit Introduction
00:06:08: Details about the New England Lean Summit
00:07:04: Summit Logistics and Activities
00:09:02: Lean Happy Hour Concept
00:10:00: Hope for Future Annual Events
00:10:19: Overview of the New England Lean Collaborative
00:11:00: Functioning of the Collaborative
00:11:42: Membership Benefits and Activities
00:12:48: Discussion about Industry Participation
00:14:23: Lean Tools and Concepts
00:15:23: Connection with Bob Rush and Workshop Details
00:16:36: Fun Activities Planned for the Summit
00:17:01: Emphasizing fun and networking at the summit
00:17:39: Lessons from Pascal Dennis at Toyota
00:18:31: Incorporating a DJ at the conference
00:19:48: Creating a relaxed and engaging atmosphere
00:21:02: Unique conference experiences
00:22:00: Opportunities for
My guest for Episode #511 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Sam Yankelevitch, a distinguished global operations executive who has dedicated his career to advancing Lean principles, effective communication, and innovative problem-solving. Sam's journey began with managing international projects and optimizing processes in various industries. His expertise and passion for continuous improvement have made him a sought-after speaker, workshop trainer, and corporate coach.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
Sam is one of the speakers and facilitators at the upcoming Global Lean Summit Event, being held in Indiana this September.
Since 2014, Sam has leveraged his vast knowledge by producing popular online courses that have reached over 500,000 students worldwide. His contributions to LinkedIn Learning include highly-regarded courses such as "Root Cause Analysis" and "Improve Communication Using Lean Thinking." Sam's ability to distill complex concepts into actionable insights has earned him a dedicated following among professionals seeking to enhance their skills.
In addition to his educational endeavors, Sam recently ventured into fiction writing with his debut book, An Interview with Failure. This unique narrative explores the lessons learned from setbacks and the value of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.
Before establishing himself as an influential educator and author, Sam held several key positions, including Vice President and General Manager at a German-based automotive supplier and President and CEO of Ideace, Inc., an international manufacturer and exporter. His diverse background and hands-on experience provide a rich foundation for his teachings.
Sam holds an Industrial Engineering degree and an Executive Master's in Financial Management, further solidifying his expertise in operational excellence and strategic leadership.
In this episode, we discuss the pivotal role that effective communication plays within the framework of lean thinking. We also explore how clear, concise, and consistent communication can significantly enhance problem-solving capabilities, streamline processes, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Sam shares his insights on the common communication pitfalls that organizations face and offers practical solutions to overcome these challenges using lean methodologies.
Additionally, we preview Sam's upcoming workshop at the Global Lean Summit, where he will be leading a session on lean communication. This workshop aims to equip participants with hands-on tools and techniques to improve communication within their organizations. Attendees will learn how to adapt lean principles to enhance clarity, reduce misunderstandings, and ensure that everyone in the organization is on the same page, thereby driving better results and fostering a more collaborative work environment.
The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
My guest for Episode #510 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Karen Martin, Founder and CEO of TKMG and TKMG Academy, appearing for the fifth time.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more
She is the author of books including The Outstanding Organization, Clarity First, and Value Stream Mapping.
In this episode, we discuss mistake-proofing in lean practices, exploring its significance in various industries. The conversation begins with a light-hearted discussion about the "five-timers club" and Mark's "ZERO hat" from the Patient Safety Movement Foundation, which symbolizes the goal of zero harm in healthcare.
Karen shares her extensive background in quality improvement and lean management systems, emphasizing the importance of building quality at the source. Drawing on the teachings of Dr. W. Edwards Deming and the Toyota Production System, Karen and Mark discuss the psychological impact of striving for zero harm, debating whether it is an inspiring goal or potentially demotivating.
The episode also explores real-world examples of organizations achieving zero harm and the cultural shifts required to reduce errors. Karen introduces the TKMG Academy and its comprehensive courses designed to enhance lean practices, including the new mistake-proofing course co-developed with Mark. Her passion for quality improvement and continuous learning shines through, offering listeners valuable insights into achieving operational excellence.
The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.
This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
The podcast currently has 650 episodes available.
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