Andrew opens with a simple shop-floor idea that changed how their teams celebrate progress: a six-inch clear tube filled with colored marbles. That playful visual turns into a deeper conversation between Jay and Andrew about the power of collective improvement, the limits of mental capacity as organizations grow, and the art of estimating through Fermi numbers. They move from marbles to antennas, from CNC stencils to parabolic reflectors, and from daily shop habits to long-term business planning.
The episode also takes a serious turn as they take a blunt look at succession planning, wills, and preparing your company and family for emergencies. Jay adds insights from Pico La, including the lessons of shared leadership, clear org charts, and building resilient systems that survive beyond any one person.
Lean Built: Manufacturing Freedom