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

This week’s guest is Brian Meyers. Ron and Brian discussed the heart-stopping story of how Brian’s facility caught fire, the profound difference lean made in saving it, what “unwavering commitment” means, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

The quote Brian likes (4:16)

His background (5:35)

The fire at Brian’s factory (8:40)

How lean saved the day (15:14)

How they moved forward (17:04)

The emotions Brian felt that day (18:48)

Unwavering commitment (22:57)

His final words of wisdom (26:55)

Podcast Resources

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Brian on LinkedIn

Lean by Doing

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What Do You Think?

In what other truly profound ways can lean save lives, factories, whole businesses, etc?

This week’s guest is Kristin Kielich. Ron and Kristin discussed Kristin’s experiences with continuous improvement in education, dealing with resistance, measuring success, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

The quote Kristin likes (2:51)

Her background (4:03)

About Kristin’s personal lean journey (11:48)

Dealing with resistance (14:13)

How the UC system uses Value Stream Mapping (19:01)

How their team is structured (21:23)

Measuring success (27:39)

Her final words of wisdom (31:03)

Podcast Resources

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Kristin on LinkedIn

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What Do You Think?

How else could continuous improvement be used in an educational setting?

This week’s guest is Randall Dupre. Ron and Randall discussed Randall’s book, “Everyday Lean,” the kinds of mistakes Randall sees people making, what good leadership looks like, his favorite lean principles, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

Randall’s quote (2:46)

His background (3:12)

Why he left the corporate world (6:22)

Why he wrote his book (8:38)

The mistakes people are making (9:39)

An example of good leadership (12:33)

His favorite lean principles (14:55)

A hard lesson he had to learn (20:06)

Randall’s final words of wisdom (24:47)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Randall on LinkedIn

Randall’s Website

Everyday Lean on Amazon

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What Do You Think?

How do you learn to see waste?

This week’s guest is Dean Svarc. Ron and Dean discussed Dean’s book, “Trojan Horse,” navigating hidden threats, why culture matters, the mistakes leaders make, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

The quote that inspires Dean (2:33)

His background (3:05)

Why he wrote his book (4:08)

What it’s about (5:18)

What the “hidden threats” are (6:25)

Why culture matters (7:33)

Some examples (8:37)

A success story (10:51)

Some of the mistakes Dean sees leaders make (13:28)

What he’s trying to instill in leaders (14:54)

The mindset shift Dean believes we all should consider (20:04)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Dean’s Website

Dean on LinkedIn

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What Do You Think?

What other “hidden threats” are there?

This week’s guest is Ashley Herd. Ron and Ashley discussed Ashley’s Pause, Consider, Act Framework, the concept of a career quilt, micromanagement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

Ashley’s background (3:36)

Her favorite quote (5:08)

About the Pause Consider Act framework (9:53)

Why “Pause” is the most difficult (13:04)

The PDCA framework (15:04)

What a “career quilt” is (15:42)

Her advice for young professionals (18:15)

Ashley’s thoughts on micromanagement (20:49)

About her “Great Minds Overthink Alike” sign (25:19)

Ashley’s final words of wisdom (26:56)

Podcast Resources

Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3

Ashley’s Website

The Manager Method Book

Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy

Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here.

What Do You Think?

What are your thoughts on the Pause, Consider, Act Framework?