In this special live-streamed bonus episode of the Lean Blog Interviews podcast, host Mark Graban is joined by Paul Critchley for an impromptu experiment in recording a live podcast. The episode begins with a brief introduction and a discussion about the decision to try a live format.

Paul Critchley, a seasoned Lean consultant, shares his background, detailing his journey from a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry to his current role as a Lean practitioner and consultant. He highlights his experiences working with Toyota and Pratt & Whitney, emphasizing the practical application of Lean principles in various industries, including aerospace.

Summit info: https://newenglandleanconsulting.com/summit/ 

The conversation then shifts to Paul's upcoming event, the New England Lean Summit, scheduled for September 12-13, 2024, in Cromwell, Connecticut. Paul discusses the summit's agenda, which includes workshops, sessions, and a Lean Happy Hour. He expresses his excitement about bringing together Lean professionals from diverse industries to foster learning and networking in a fun and engaging environment.

Paul also introduces the New England Lean Collaborative, a member-based organization aimed at building a community of Lean practitioners in the New England region. He explains the collaborative's activities, such as book clubs, site tours, and resource sharing, designed to facilitate continuous learning and improvement.

The collaborative: https://newenglandleanconsulting.com/the-nelc/ 

The episode wraps up with Mark and Paul addressing a viewer's question about implementing Lean practices in small companies with limited resources. Paul advises starting small, focusing on incremental improvements, and maintaining momentum through continuous, manageable changes.

Throughout the episode, Paul emphasizes the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment for learning and experimenting with Lean practices, highlighting the benefits of fun and engagement in the process. The episode concludes with a reminder of the event details and an invitation for listeners to join the New England Lean Summit and Collaborative.

00:01:24: Guest Introduction - Paul Critchley

00:03:00: Paul's Career Background

00:03:39: Discussion on Practicing Lean - https://practicinglean.com/

00:05:02: New Projects and Endeavors

00:05:29: New England Lean Summit Introduction

00:06:08: Details about the New England Lean Summit

00:07:04: Summit Logistics and Activities

00:09:02: Lean Happy Hour Concept

00:10:00: Hope for Future Annual Events

00:10:19: Overview of the New England Lean Collaborative

00:11:00: Functioning of the Collaborative

00:11:42: Membership Benefits and Activities

00:12:48: Discussion about Industry Participation

00:14:23: Lean Tools and Concepts

00:15:23: Connection with Bob Rush and Workshop Details

00:16:36: Fun Activities Planned for the Summit

00:17:01: Emphasizing fun and networking at the summit

00:17:39: Lessons from Pascal Dennis at Toyota

00:18:31: Incorporating a DJ at the conference

00:19:48: Creating a relaxed and engaging atmosphere

00:21:02: Unique conference experiences

00:22:00: Opportunities for