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

This week's guest is Nick Katko. Ron and Nick discussed the importance of leveraging Lean Accounting, Nick's book "The Lean CFO," and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Nick likes (2:55) His background (3:51) Why lean accounting matters (6:37) The ramifications of a cost accounting system (8:07) Why he wrote the second edition (11:36) Why The Box Score matters (13:21) Financial performance vs. results (15:01) What "true north" means in lean accounting (16:42) Why he added value stream management (19:35) Nick's perspective on TOC (27:03) Practical tips for getting started (28:10) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Nick on LinkedIn The Lean CFO GA 399 | Practicing Lean Accounting with Mike De Luca and Nick Katko 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 Thi

This week's guest is Chris Hodges. Ron and Chris discussed Noble Automation, the role of AI in automation, the concept of monomyths, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Chris likes (3:01) His background (3:48) An example of noble automation (11:11) The role of AI plays in automation (14:29) A story about his own family (18:01) Helping humans be heroes (25:25) The concept of monomyths (26:55) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Noble Automation Now Chris on LinkedIn Chris on Calendly 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 think AI will change or has changed automation?

  This week's guest is Sarah Tilkens. Ron and Sarah discussed her career at GE, the impact coaching has had on her, and how she integrates coaching and lean. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Sarah has been thinking about (3:52) Her background (6:01) Identifying individual strengths (7:53) The impact coaching has had on her (12:12) Advice from Sahil Bloom (14:35) Integrating coaching and lean (16:46) What happens when you're dealing with a "tough" learner (19:56) What GE is up to continuous improvement-wise (22:39) How to be a better coach (25:15) What's next for Sarah (27:58) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Sarah on LinkedIn GA 275 | Leading vs. Serving with Sarah Tilkens GA 408 | Lean and Life Coaches with Sarah Tilkens 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 D

This week's guest is Calvin Williams. Ron and Calvin discussed Calvin's new book, "FIT: The Simple Science of Achieving Strategic Goals," and what setting strategic goals really entails. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Calvin's background (3:01) The quote Calvin likes (3:55) About his book (5:06) What FIT stands for (8:04) The problem they're trying to address (11:55) His advice for setting a strategic goal (16:01) Where this fits in the continuous improvement realm (20:59) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Calvin on LinkedIn FIT on Amazon Impruver GA 318 | Structuring Your Continuous Improvement Efforts GA 433 | Being a Scientific Leader 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 go about setting strategic goals?

This week's guest is Bonnie Davis. Ron and Bonnie discussed how the two pillars of lean should work together, A3 Thinking, and the importance of leadership buy-in and how to influence it. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Bonnie uses often (3:39) Her background (4:45) About Re:Build (6:33) What Respect for People means to Bonnie (7:23) The balance between the two pillars (10:43) What A3 Thinking means to Bonnie (14:13) Another way of documenting a value stream map (18:55) Advice for those who don't have senior leadership buy-in (22:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Bonnie on LinkedIn Re:Build 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 do the two pillars of lean mean to you?

This week's guest is Vince Sassano. Ron and Vince discussed KPIs, balancing them with what the customer wants, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Vince likes (2:49) Vince's background (4:33) What "Herbie" means (6:06) Balancing the KPI with what the customer wants (15:14) Shifting to actions (16:52) Why the way you collect data is important (24:56) How this applies to Six Sigma (28:46) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Goal Vince on LinkedIn SPC 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 approach KPIs?

This week's guest is Bobby Jackson. Bobby explained what it means to use your natural gifts, the six different types, and how to determine what yours are. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Bobby (3:01) His background (4:11) Using your natural gifts (11:01) The six different types of "working genius" (16:18) A review of the six (23:55) Identifying your natural gifts (25:40) Whether or not there's a balance (27:07) Bobby's natural gifts (28:54) His frustrations (32:37) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Bobby on LinkedIn Bobby on Medium 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 natural gifts?

This week's guest is Steve Bell. Ron and Steve discussed Steve's work applying lean to NGOs, how he approaches Change Management, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Steve's background (3:57) What NGO stands for (6:13) What problem Steve is trying to solve (10:25) An example Steve recently saw (14:01) How he handles the Change Management aspect (16:35) What the lean community can do (22:35) Two more stories of lean NGOs (27:30) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Lean Agile NGO Steve on LinkedIn Lean Agile NGO LinkedIn Group GA 010 | Using Lean to Help NGOs with Steve Bell 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 lean be used to help NGOs or non-profits?

This week's guest is Ryan Tierney of Seating Matters. Ryan and Ron discussed the reactions Ryan got when he first discovered lean, the importance of being both humble and curious, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Ryan likes (3:48) Ryan's background (4:30) Why they got started with lean (6:18) His colleagues' initial reactions (9:14) His siblings' initial reactions (13:24) His biggest struggle (15:51) How he got people engaged (17:31) What facilities Ryan toured (20:29) About their One-Piece Flow purchasing system (23:14) The "smallest batch practicable" (25:25) Being humble and curious (27:23) Remaining humble when you're successful (28:55) About "Lean Made Simple" (31:10) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 254 | Discovering Lean with Ryan and Louise Tierney Ryan on YouTube Ryan on LinkedIn Lean Made Simple Lean Made Simple on LinkedIn Get All the La

This week's guest is Andy Reith. Ron and Andy discussed Andy's time at Toyota as well as a tannery, and what Andy believes a brilliant process looks like. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Andy likes (2:30) Andy's background (3:30) How the tannery worked out (7:23) What a brilliant process looks like (10:21) What lean in footwear production is like (13:32) How he reinforced takt time (17:50) Advice Andy has for those just getting started (23:40) The great factories Andy has visited (25:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 308 | Lessons Learned at Toyota with Andy Reith Andy on Instagram Andy 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 does a brilliant process look like to you?

This week's guest is Jamie Flinchbaugh. Jamie updated us on what he's learned since publishing his latest book, how he recommends writing a good problem statement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Jamie likes (4:54) His background (7:45) Which of his books he would recommend and to who (10:40) What he's learned since writing People Solve Problems (12:09) Writing a good problem statement (14:51) The most common failure mode (18:40) Ideation versus brainstorming (21:33) Coaches creating and shaping experiences (25:58) Whether or not Jamie would do things differently (28:53) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Hitchhiker's Guide to Lean People Solve Problems Jamie on LinkedIn GA 016 | Developing Lean Leaders with Jamie Flinchbaugh GA 045 | Respect for People with Past Guests GA 083 | Getting the Board on Board with Lean with Jamie Flinchbaugh GA 314 | The 4C

This week's guests are Matt May and Pablo Dominguez. Ron, Matt, and Pablo discussed Matt and Pablo's book What a Unicorn Knows, the role of AI in business, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire them (3:44) Their backgrounds (4:47) Why they wrote the book (7:52) Unicorns and business (10:48) The current state of unicorns (12:48) Whether the world is a worse or better place because of unicorns (16:49) The Formula 1 analogy (18:48) What SCALE means (27:45) Practical tips and tools for those just getting started (33:33) The role of AI in business (35:50) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Matt on LinkedIn Pablo on LinkedIn What a Unicorn Knows GA 002 | Learning, Focus, and Innovation with Matthew May GA 100 | How to Survive with Matt May  Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog post

This week's guest is Andrew Piland. Ron and Andrew discussed how continuous improvement works in the construction industry, what Respect for People looks like, supply chain waste, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Andrew's background (5:25) What he's up to these days (11:05) About Last Planner (16:55) What Respect for People looks like in construction (21:59) How you avoid getting to that problem spot (23:31) What other lean tools Andrew uses (24:15) His focus on supply chain waste (26:47) Advice for getting started (28:34) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Andrew on LinkedIn Touchplan MOCA Systems MOCA PM 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? Is it better to start with software, or start with a process? Why or why not?

This week's guest is Phil Ranck. Ron and Phil talked about Lean Alaska, which Phil founded, as well as his work with the United States Army. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Phil likes (4:05) Phil's background (6:11) A cool story about the military (10:08) The difference between corporate and military environments (14:27) Academics versus application (17:12) How else you can gain experience (19:52) The obstacles to getting started (24:21) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Phil on LinkedIn Lean Alaska Lean Alaska on Facebook 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 academics compare to application in a continuous improvement context?

This week's guest is Roland Guerrero. Ron and Roland discussed Roland's experience working with the city of Fort Collins on their lean journey. Ron also asked Roland to weigh in on whether contentment and continuous improvement can coexist. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Roland likes (2:34) Roland's background (3:35) Fort Collins' lean journey (5:10) Example improvements (7:27) Why it was challenging (12:48) Other tools they use (16:19) Whether contentment and continuous improvement can coexist (19:53) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Roland on LinkedIn Fort Collins 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 else could lean be used in a government setting?

This week's guest is Sam Morgan. Ron and Sam discussed Sam's coaching experiences and the connection between scientific thinking and confidence. They also discussed whether contentment and continuous improvement can coexist. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Sam's quote (3:45) Sam's background (5:04) What Sam identified as his purpose (12:13) The connection between scientific thinking and confidence (13:52) Whether contentment and continuous improvement can coexist (26:56) What Ron thinks (32:38) Rich's vision board (36:23) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Sam on LinkedIn Sam's Website Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway LinkedIn Thread 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? Can contentment and continuous improvement coexist? Why or why not?

This week's guest is our own Ron Pereira. Ron discussed two of his favorite email newsletters: The Process and The Curiosity Chronicle. He also shared some powerful content from each. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Companies that went bankrupt (4:30) Self-determination theory (8:41) A culture that resists complacency (14:43) About Sahil Bloom's newsletter (17:45) Life Lessons from 1,000 Years (20:06) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 The Process Sahil Bloom: Life Lessons from 1,000 Years Sahil's Newsletter 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? Which of the life lessons stood out to you the most?

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed the Wheel of Sustainability, kaizen events, and how to handle "CAVE People." An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Adam likes (3:17) Adam's background (4:31) The Wheel of Sustainability (5:15) Why he wrote his book (6:41) What Adam learned (8:29) An example of when things were tough (11:09) The plant manager role (16:47) Advice for the practitioner who is lacking support (18:21) Who gets nervous about committing (24:42) How you handle a "CAVE person" (25:56) The most powerful kaizen event (31:27) What Adam does on Day 3 (39:12) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Adam on LinkedIn PI Partners on LinkedIn PI Partners Adam on YouTube The Wheel of Sustainability on Amazon GA 287 | The Wheel of Sustainability with Adam Lawrence GA 303 | Running a Successful Kaizen Event with Adam Lawrence GA 330 | The Power of 3P

This week we're sharing audio from three of our newer courses on risk analysis. Learn all about Bowtie Analysis, FMEA, and Fault Tree Analysis, and check out our website to watch the free videos that accompany them. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  About Bowtie Analysis (1:06) The roots of Bowtie Analysis (3:01) The advantages of Bowtie Analysis (4:53) The disadvantages of Bowtie Analysis (5:58) About FMEA (7:14) The two types of FMEA (10:15) The differences between them (11:24) About Fault Tree Analysis (15:10) The structure of the fault tree diagram (16:24) What Fault Tree Analysis is used for (17:23) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Bowtie Analysis FMEA Fault Tree Analysis 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 could you use one or more of these tools

This week's guests are Bob DeKoch and Phil Clampitt. Ron, Bob, and Phil talked about servant leadership, toxic positivity, and what it means to lead with care. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that inspire them (1:52) Their backgrounds (2:44) What "beyond servant leadership" means (4:58) Pairing core beliefs with skills (8:53) About toxic positivity (12:17) Embracing uncertainty (18:19) Teaching these principles to young people (21:05) Leading with care (24:02) How different personality types play a role (27:43) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Phil on LinkedIn Bob on LinkedIn Leading with Care on Amazon Leading with Care 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? What does leading with care mean to you?