Lean thinking: slow down and focus

Welcome to the Artificial Intelligence Podcast with Jonathan Green! In this episode, we dive into the powerful intersection of AI and lean operations with our special guest, Chad Bareither, founder of Bareither Group and expert in operational excellence, continuous improvement, and lean thinking.

Chad brings a grounded, real-world perspective from years of working with manufacturing and utility companies. Together, he and Jonathan unpack a critical question for modern businesses:

Is AI actually making you more efficient—or are you just doing the wrong things faster?

They explore how easy access to AI tools can tempt leaders into “more, more, more”: more posts, more tools, more projects, more data. But without clear goals and a solid process, AI becomes an accelerant for chaos instead of a driver of meaningful results.

Chad explains how applying lean principles—clarity of purpose, focus on value, and disciplined measurement—can help business owners deploy AI intentionally, not emotionally. Instead of throwing AI at every problem, he shows how to treat AI like a team member: define its role, set expectations, and measure outcomes.

From manufacturing lines and data lakes to social media strategies and boutique consulting practices, this episode is a masterclass in doing less, better—and making sure AI serves your business instead of overwhelming it.

Notable Quotes:

• "There's nothing more wasteful than doing efficiently what should not be done at all." – [Paraphrasing Peter Drucker, cited by Chad Bareither]
• "AI is just an accelerant. If you have a bad process, you’re just going to do it faster." – [Jonathan Green]
• "I like to think about any type of AI solution you're putting in as a team member. What is the role of that team member, and how will I measure whether or not it's being successful?" – [Chad Bareither]
• "You have a presence, but you don't have a following." – [Chad Bareither]
• "The more viral something is, the less likely it is to appeal to your ideal customer." – [Jonathan Green]
• "What’s really going to eliminate your business is not AI in itself. It’s bad scoping and weak process." – [Chad Bareither]
• "We’re keeping people busy generating AI that’s generating a bunch of stuff—and this ‘more’ is now just amplified." – [Chad Bareither]

Connect with Chad Bareither:

• Website: https://www.bareithergroup.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadbareither/

Chad and Jonathan reveal how less but better thinking, combined with smart AI deployment, can help small and medium-sized businesses avoid costly mistakes, stay focused on what matters, and build operations that scale sustainably.

If you’re interested in how AI can support lean, focused, and truly effective business operations, this episode is a must-listen!

Connect with Jonathan Green

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