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

This week's guest is Jim Vaselopulos. Ron and Jim discussed business distractions, AI, and the lean parallels in Jim's book on clarity. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Jim (2:41) His background (3:45) Why he wrote a book (5:10) What "clarity" means to Jim (8:03) What he means by "business distractions" (13:39) The lean parallels in this book (18:14) Ron's fear regarding AI (21:52) What it means to "leave folks one inch taller" (25:27) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Jim on LinkedIn Jim's Book on Amazon 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 does "clarity" mean to you?

This week's guest is Nikhil Joshi. Ron and Nikhil discussed the role of software in continuous improvement, what the future of AI looks like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Nikhil likes (2:45) His background (3:35) How software plays a role in the continuous improvement world (5:44) The future regarding AI (9:29) Whether we'll still talk to each other (16:50) Practical tips for using technology and software (18:59) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Lean Startup Digital Hesitation Nikhil on LinkedIn Nikhil on Twitter Nikhil on Facebook Nikhil on Instagram SNIC Solutions 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 does the future hold as far as AI goes? Will we still know how to think?

This week's guest is Clint West. Clint "turned the tables" this week by interviewing our host, Ron Pereira instead. Together they covered everything from lean in the office, to DMAIC, resistance, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Clint likes (6:35) His background (7:26) The "calmness" at certain facilities (15:38) Dealing with resistance (21:05) A story about Clint's family (25:08) What Ron has seen about eliminating waste in an office environment (26:27) Ron's pet peeve regarding DMAIC (33:22) About our Gemba Academy teleprompter evolution (39:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Clint on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba AcademyOur newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think?What is one of your lean "pet peeves"?

This week's guest is Sam Morgan. Ron and Sam discussed Sam's journey with live coaching, including who he typically works with and what these sessions look like. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Sam loves (3:04) His background (4:31) How he started doing live coaching (5:34) Who his clients are (9:50) What one of these sessions looks like (10:33) What Ron is working on at Gemba Academy (15:10) An experiment Ron could run on this obstacle (18:37) Sam's plan for the future (26:40) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Practice by Seth Godin GA 461 | Scientific Thinking and Confidence with Sam Morgan GA 477 | Building a Diverse Continuous Improvement Community with Sam Morgan and Andres Alamillo Sam on LinkedIn Illuminate Coach 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

This week's guest is Bill Leahy. Ron and Bill discussed Bill's critically important initiative to support veterans as they transition back into civilian life, and his documentary "Unturning Steel." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Bill (3:04) His background (3:45) Unturning Steel's mission (8:28) About Renaissance Reliability (12:50) What the film is about (15:06) About SkillBridge (21:30) The role that lean plays (26:59) What society can do to support veterans (30:15) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Unturning Steel Website Unturning Steel on Facebook Unturning Steel on LinkedIn Unturning Steel on Instagram Bill on LinkedIn 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? How else could the principles of lean support and add value to this c

This week's guest is Eric Recker. Ron and Eric discussed bullying, avoiding burnout, and what it means to "Win the Now." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Eric (2:05) His background (5:01) What he's up to these days (7:49) The levels of bullying (11:04) Eric's "Win the Now" initiative (12:31) His morning routine (18:48) How he felt at the top of Mount Princeton (20:19) Balancing achievement and fulfillment (25:42) A heartwarming anecdote from Ron (29:53) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Eric's Website 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? How do you plan to "Win the Now"?

This week's guest is Scott McDuffee. Ron and Scott discussed the role of curiosity in leadership, dealing with "CAVE" people, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Scott's favorite quote (3:12) His background (3:59) The challenges he's faced (6:01) The role of curiosity in leadership (11:08) A technique Scott used (13:29) Opening up with general questions (16:30) Scenarios that involve the power of questioning (17:50) Dealing with "CAVE" people (21:44) Advice Scott would give to his younger self (25:34) What he is most proud of as it relates to his lean journey (27:22) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Our Live Instructor Events Scott on LinkedIn Scott's Art Scott on Instagram 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? How else do you leverage curiosity and

This week's guest is Marc Braun. Ron and Marc discussed all things coaching, including some truly powerful anecdotes. They also explored the concept of "coachability." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Marc's favorite quote (3:07) His background (5:13) What he's up to these days (9:57) Powerful coaching memories (14:47) Marc's thoughts on "coachability" (18:16) His nightly routine (21:05) General leadership advice (25:54) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Marc's Website 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? Describe a time you were coached or you coached someone else. What makes it stand out in your memory?

This week's guest is Karen Friedenberg. Ron and Karen discussed strategic planning, specifically Karen's strategy execution framework. They also talked about measuring initiatives. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire Karen (2:15) Her background (3:11) Her strategy execution framework (4:57) Strategy articulation (6:08) Translating it into operations (12:56) Why ownership is key (14:21) Making it sustainable (17:04) Some potential failure modes (20:01) The importance of "catchball" (21:58) How to measure initiatives (25:21) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Karen on LinkedIn Performance Improvement Consulting Performance Improvement Consulting on Linkedin Our Hoshin Planning Course Our X-Matrix Course GA 336 | The Process of Process Improvement with Karen Friedenberg  Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updat

This week's guest is Rick Foreman. Ron and Rick discussed dealing with resistance as well as choosing between different leadership behaviors and approaches. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Rick likes (3:39) His background (6:59) Dealing with resistance (11:28) Collaboration and cooperation (15:29) Kindness and niceness (21:13) Leadership and management (30:57) Ownership and accountability (35:28) Another powerful quote (40:12) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Rick on LinkedIn 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? How do you balance or navigate the different qualities mentioned in this episode?

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed kaizen events, specifically the different roles involved and how they function together. They also talked about dealing with "CAVE" People. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Adam likes (3:09) His background (4:14) What Adam means by a kaizen event (5:10) The skills and principles that need to be in place (6:06) The roles and relationships involved (9:13) How he got involved with CITY Furniture (12:34) Why and how Adam became a bottleneck in the process (20:55) Dealing with "CAVE" people (26:30) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Adam on LinkedIn Process Improvement Partners on LinkedIn Adam's YouTube Process Improvement Partners Website Process Improvement Partners Google Business Page The Wheel of Sustainability Adam's Past GA Podcast Episodes Get All the Latest News from Gemba AcademyOur newsletter is a great

  This week's guest is our own Steve Kane. Ron and Steve discussed Toyota Kata, coaching (specifically Steve's coaching style), running certification programs, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Steve's favorite quote (3:05) His early thoughts on Toyota Kata and scientific thinking (4:28) Steve's background (9:41) How he overcomes any objections to certification programs (10:35) How things are going (12:44) Steve's coaching style (16:25) The difference between values and principles (18:13) Working that into his day to day operation (21:23) Practical tips for coaching sessions (23:23) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Steve Kane Gemba Academy Podcast Episodes Steve on LinkedIn 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? Are you currently pursuing any continuous

This week's guest is Ron Pereira. Ron explained what we've been up to as a company this year, including our Live Instructor training, and some of the new courses we've released. We also shared some of the audio from these exciting new videos. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  About our Live Instructor offerings (0:41) An overview of Change Management (4:27) An overview of Facilitation (10:47) An overview of Qualify Function Deployment (16:04) Ron's shoutout to the Gemba Academy Content Development Team (22:42) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 What Is Change Management? Video What Is Facilitation? Video What Is QFD Quality Function Deployment? Video 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 did you accomplish in 2023?

This week's guest is Brent Weichers. Ron and Brent discussed the different kinds of motivation, presenting data to a non-technical audience, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Brent's favorite quote (3:10) Presenting data to a non-technical audience (6:37) What he's been learning at workshops (10:06) Balancing extrinsic and intrinsic motivation (13:29) Stories from working with trainers (19:58) How his approach is different or similar (28:17) His plans for 2024 (36:54) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Brent on LinkedIn 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 kind of motivation works best for you?

This week's guest is John Abplanalp. Ron and John discussed all things productivity, including OEE, engaging employees, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  John's favorite quote (4:11) His background (5:37) How they approach OEE (13:51) Reducing the national debt through exporting (20:43) Engaging employees (23:31) Finding the obstacles and bottlenecks (25:55) John's take on AI (28:06) Practical tips for leaders (30:08) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 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? How do you increase your own productivity?

This week's guest is Brandon Brown. Ron and Brandon discussed TWI, and why reducing both personal and professional chaos is so important. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Brandon likes (3:18) His background (4:16) Brandon's thoughts on chaos (6:08) A story about "Bob" the supervisor (8:33) Reducing personal chaos (10:53) The role of personality (15:39) The most difficult part of the work (18:46) What Brandon does to get the facts (25:01) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 109 | How to Leverage Toyota Kata with Brandon Brown GA 189 | How to Use Kata in Healthcare with Brandon Brown GA 188 | How to Understand the Components of Kata with Brandon Brown GA 212 | How to Combine TWI, Kata, and a Kaizen Event with Brandon Brown GA 494 | TWI and the Training Timetable with Brandon Brown Continuous Coaching Commitment Continuous Coaching Commitment on LinkedIn Brandon on Lin

This week we're celebrating our 500th episode by sharing some of our team's favorite moments from over the years. Whether you're new to the podcast or you've been here since the beginning, thank you for listening. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The impact of running into a former student with David Tuttle (2:56) Billy Taylor on the importance of diversity (5:42) A story of survival with Matt May (10:26) Richard Sheridan on forgiveness (23:28) Peter Docker's take on making mistakes (31:11) Recovering from broken trust with Bhavana Bartholf (36:23) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 411 | Practicing Lean in High School with David Tuttle GA 347 | Leveraging Deliberate Practice with Billy Taylor GA 100 | How to Survive with Matt May GA 213 | How to Lead with Joy with Richard Sheridan GA 402 | Leading From the Jumpseat with Peter Docker GA 430 | The Importance of Empathetic Leadership

This week's guest is Jeff Reinke. Ron and Jeff discussed OT Cybersecurity, its role in manufacturing, dealing with hackers and ransomware, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Jeff likes (3:42) His background (4:27) What OT Cybersecurity is (7:01) What's driving the emphasis (7:47) Dealing with ransomware (9:25) The human elements involved (10:39) About whaling/spearfishing (14:19) Strategies and tactics to consider (15:28) The trends Jeff is seeing in manufacturing (19:06) Why "quiet quitting" is less of an issue (20:49) Some of the best practices (22:20) How continuous improvement teams can help (25:06) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Jeff on LinkedIn Manufacturing.Net 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? How else do cybersecurity and c

This week's guest is Chad Bareither. Ron and Chad discussed Chad's book, "Improve LESS," Toyota Kata, why continuous improvement is not just "extra work," and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Chad likes (2:08) His background (2:59) About entropy and why progress comes undone (4:59) The root cause (7:11) An example of a client who found success by "improving less" (9:29) The Effort vs. Impact matrix (12:08) Why Chad loves Toyota Kata (16:10) Getting away from the idea that continuous improvement is not "extra work" (17:30) An example from one of Ron's prior jobs (19:29) Understanding your "Why?" (24:05) About Chad's book, Improve Less (25:49) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Improve LESS Book Chad on LinkedIn Bareither Group Consulting on YouTube Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts,

This week's guest is James Newell. Ron and James discussed generational diversity and how it affects workplace dynamics. James explained how we can navigate these differences, ensure that the knowledge transfer happens, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  James' background (3:01) The quote James likes (5:13) Navigating differences in how people are wired (6:36) Dealing with generational diversity (10:23) Where the tension between generations comes from (13:58) Ensuring that the knowledge transfer happens (18:21) Agreeing to be open and willing to listen (23:31) How the way we learn hasn't changed (25:38) About his German-speaking podcast (29:37) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 James on LinkedIn Together4Success GA 224 | How to Apply Lean in Different Countries with James Newell GA 322 | Tailoring the Kata Model with James Newell GA 404 | Leading in a VUCA Environment with