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

This week’s guest is William C. Davis. Ron and William discussed some defining moments in William’s impressive career, what leaders are doing wrong nowadays, dealing with tricky and uncomfortable situations, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quotes William likes (2:24) His background (3:25) Some of the common failures of modern leadership (8:51) William’s take on the status quo (13:32) The most common failures in leadership (15:31) His outlook on the future (19:40) Some practical solutions (20:46) Dealing with difficult situations (25:52) His final words of wisdom (30:22) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 William’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? What are some other issues you’ve noticed in leadership today?

This week’s guests are Dr. Lucas Chesla and Kirk Nicholas. Luke and Kirk shared how continuous improvement is used in the military, the book they wrote together, their thoughts on AI, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quotes Luke and Kirk like (3:55) Kirk’s background (5:16) Luke’s background (10:04) The inspiration for the book (14:34) About their enterprise model (21:35) All about the five pillars (26:41) Their thoughts on ChatGPT (30:49) How they respond to pressures for results (35:29) How they met (42:55) Luke and Kirk’s final words of wisdom (43:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Luke on LinkedIn Kirk on LinkedIn Value Added 616 Revolutionize Work 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? Which of the five pillars resonates with you the most?

This week’s guest is Dexter Chan. Ron and Dexter discussed handling resistance, other challenges he’s faced, and why the “Aha!” moment makes all the effort worth it. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Dexter likes (2:18) His background (4:34) The key learnings he has taken from his diverse range of experiences (12:17) How he handles resistance (15:44) The “Aha!” moment (20:54) A challenge he’s had to face (22:58) His advice for someone just getting started (25:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Dexter 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? Share a recent “Aha!” moment you either experienced or witnessed.

This week’s guest is Brian Schreuder. Ron and Brian discussed Brian’s company’s lean journey, some of the challenges they’ve faced, what their material management looks like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Brian likes (2:57) His background (3:58) The cultural side of things (9:35) Some of the challenges they’ve faced (13:15) What Brian has enjoyed the most (15:19) Time and patience (16:47) What their material management looks like (17:33) The financial impact they’ve seen (20:43) A favorite aspect of lean (22:58) His trip to Ireland (25:28) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Brian 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? Is your company on a lean journey? How is it going?

This week’s guest is Nikhil Pal. Ron and Nikhil discussed the concept of the Smart Factory, the analytics involved, the effect technology has had on humanity, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  Nikhil’s quote (2:48) His background (3:50) What “Smart Factory” means (5:18) Continuously improving in a smart factory (6:54) What the analytics look like (8:20) The effect technology has on humanity (11:48) The key to managing the potential stress involved (15:06) Getting tools and lean fundamentals to work in harmony (16:58) The common pitfalls Nikhil has seen (18:33) A “favorite mistake” Nikhil has made (20:15) His final words of advice (22:54) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Nikhil on LinkedIn Process Masters on YouTube 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 about a “smart factory” appeals to you? What concerns do you have?

Justin Goethe, a lean consultant with a background in logistics, shares insights on implementing lean practices in small to mid-sized manufacturers. He discusses the common hesitations people face towards lean and the essential role of leadership in driving transformation. Justin emphasizes the importance of a shared vision and accountability within teams. He also highlights the significance of 'A Plan for Every Part' in optimizing logistics, advocating for simple tools like Excel over complex ERP systems to enhance operational visibility.

This week’s guest is Holly Plaga. Ron and Holly discussed why lean doesn’t always take root, the mindset necessary for success, creating a sustainable lean culture, Holly’s “favorite mistake,” and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote Holly likes (2:52) Her background (3:31) Why lean doesn’t always take root (7:33) The mindset you need for lean to be successful (9:26) Tips for creating a sustainable culture (12:54) Holly’s “favorite mistake” (14:50) Dealing with CAVE people (16:28) Her final words of wisdom (20:55) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Holly 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? Why else does lean and continuous improvement not stick?

This week’s guest is John Knotts. Ron and John, a Senior Coach at Gemba Academy, discussed cultural alignment in continuous improvement, the key differences between the various Six Sigma belts, how continuous improvement leads to real savings, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quote John likes (2:25) His background (3:32) Getting tangible results (6:58) How continuous improvement adds real financial value (10:15) The key differences between the Six Sigma belts (14:09) The importance of understanding different documents (17:33) About cultural alignment (20:52) Thinking beyond belts (23:43) John’s parting thoughts (27:18) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 John 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 would you explain the difference between Six Sigma belts?

This week’s guests are Kirsten Gallagher and Adam Lawrence. Ron, Kirsten, and Adam discussed Kirsten and Adam’s individual backgrounds, what it means to be a “kaizen ninja,” how to handle reluctant participants, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quotes Kirsten and Adam like (2:30) Kirsten’s background (3:26) Adam’s background (6:17) What the “kaizen ninja” concept means (8:00) Their experiences with people reluctant to participate (10:14) Adam’s anecdote about making a personal impact (20:01) What’s unique about each of their styles (22:05) Their final words of wisdom (27:28) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Kirsten on LinkedIn Adam on LinkedIn Process Improvement Partners on LinkedIn Adam’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? What does being a “kaizen ninja” mean to you?

This week’s guest is Philipp Schett. Ron and Philipp discussed OKRs, accountability, making structural changes, balancing transparency and autonomy, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The quotes Philipp likes (2:02) What accountability looks like (6:52) About OKRs (10:23) How it could be beneficial in accountability (11:48) The structural changes they’ve made that have made an impact (17:58) Incorporating accountability whilst preventing surveillance culture (22:55) Balancing transparency and autonomy (28:35) Philipp’s parting thoughts (31:22) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Philipp 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? Have you ever used OKRs?