

Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership
Ron Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy
Improvement Learning, Improved.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 23, 2025 • 30min
GA 564 | ISO 9001 and Continuous Improvement with Ridha Dhrifi
This week's guest is Ridha Dhrifi. Ron and Ridha discussed ISO 9001, how it aligns with lean manufacturing, balancing compliance with operational efficiency, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
Ridha's favorite quote (3:01)
His background (4:29)
The alignment between ISO 9001 and lean manufacturing (5:49)
About ISO 9001 (7:09)
Industries interested in ISO 9001 (8:31)
Making sure it's an authentic certification adding real value (10:42)
How lean thinking can help and harmonize (12:45)
How current and future state works in ISO (14:16)
Combining ISO and lean (16:30)
Advice for a quality manager on balancing compliance and operational efficiency (20:03)
How long it takes to realize ISO 9001 certification (22:49)
The order of operations (25:44)
Podcast Resources
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Ridha on LinkedIn
Integration of the Lean in ISO 9001
Integration of the Lean in Chemical Industry
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What Do You Think?
What are the upsides to combining lean and ISO? The downsides?

Jan 16, 2025 • 23min
GA 563 | Habits Over Resolutions with Ron Pereira
This week's guest is Ron Pereira. In this new years-themed episode, Ron explains why forming new habits is often more effective than keeping new resolutions, how to form those habits, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
Why resolutions fail (3:20)
Outcomes versus the process (4:51)
Ron's habit of exercising (7:05)
Creating standard work for habits (8:14)
Lean and new habits (11:06)
Define value (11:20)
Start small (12:07)
Measure your progress (14:22)
Eliminate waste (15:15)
Standardizing the approach (16:22)
Sustaining these habits over time (17:50)
Podcast Resources
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GA 261 | Building the Habit of Excellence with James Clear
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What Do You Think?
What are some new habits you'd like to form this year?

Jan 9, 2025 • 36min
GA 562 | Lean in the Prison Industry with Brandon Bunn
This week's guest is Brandon Bunn. Ron and Brandon discussed what it looks like to leverage lean and continuous improvement inside prison facilities, some of the obstacles that arise, and how other lean leaders can get involved. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
The quote that inspires Brandon (3:06)
Brandon's background (4:06)
Why he got into the prison industry (7:45)
What a "Day in the Life" looks like (9:05)
The improvements that are being done (12:13)
Some of the obstacles (18:28)
The role that motivation plays (26:02)
Brandon's advice for those in similar situations (28:33)
How lean leaders can get involved (30:45)
Podcast Resources
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Brandon on LinkedIn
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What Do You Think?
How else can lean be used to change lives in profound ways?

Jan 2, 2025 • 30min
GA 561 | People and Process Integration with Beau Groover
This week's guest is Beau Groover. Ron and Beau discussed people and process integration, lean leadership, Beau's "GSD" system, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
The quote Beau likes (2:52)
His background (3:16)
What people and process integration is (5:54)
Why it's so important and why it's difficult (7:42)
What it means to be vulnerable (10:16)
Where we're "missing the mark" (14:10)
Some practical tips (17:14)
An example of improvement Beau has seen (23:46)
Beau's final words of wisdom (27:29)
Podcast Resources
Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
Beau's Website
Beau on LinkedIn
Building a Kick-Ass Culture: 20 Effective Steps
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What Do You Think?
What are some other challenges of people and process integration?

Dec 26, 2024 • 33min
GA 560 | Flow Engineering with Steve Pereira
Steve Pereira, author of 'Flow Engineering' and an expert in software delivery, shares captivating insights into flow engineering. He discusses the crucial connection between value, clarity, and flow, emphasizing its role in enhancing organizational collaboration. The conversation delves into the impact of AI on flow, unlocking new potential for data management. Steve also highlights reader responses to his book, showcasing the emotional connections and empowerment found within the concept of a flow engineer.

Dec 19, 2024 • 35min
GA 559 | Organizational Problem Solving with Matt White
This week's guest is Matt White. Ron and Matt discussed problem solving, Matt's backgrounds in both manufacturing and healthcare, the importance of using the "language" of a company, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
The quotes Matt likes (3:22)
His background (4:40)
Why lean works in many different industries (8:41)
Matt's thoughts on identifying problems in organizations (9:45)
Using PDCA and A3 Reporting (14:06)
How scientific thinking plays a role (15:09)
Using the language of the company (16:43)
Getting the right people involved (20:15)
The leader's role in problem solving (27:19)
Advice for getting leadership commitment (29:30)
Podcast Resources
Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
Matt on LinkedIn
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What Do You Think?
What's your approach to problem solving? What tools do you use?

Dec 12, 2024 • 34min
GA 558 | The Power Is in the Question with Topaz Adizes
Topaz Adizes, a filmmaker known for his work on The Skin Deep and {The And} project, dives into the art of human connection through innovative conversation. He discusses how well-crafted questions can strengthen relationships and enhance understanding. Topaz also explores various conversation card decks designed for deeper dialogues. Furthermore, he reflects on the role of listening in effective communication and embraces discomfort as a pathway to personal growth. His unique insights promise to inspire meaningful exchanges in everyday life.

Dec 5, 2024 • 23min
GA 557 | Meeting Customer Demand with Gary Cihak
This week's guest is Gary Cihak. Ron and Gary discussed Gary's Six Sigma Green Belt project, what he learned from it, how he dealt with the resistance that followed, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
The quote that inspires Gary (3:21)
About Gary and his background (3:52)
How he was introduced to continuous improvement (4:29)
The problem Gary was trying to solve with his Six Sigma Green Belt project (5:07)
A project Ron worked on (8:23)
What Gary did and learned from his project (9:03)
The resistance he was met with (10:37)
Tactics he used with frontline workers (11:45)
Getting leadership buy-in (12:38)
Navigating the transition from batch production to one-piece flow (13:23)
What he learned about people (19:12)
Advice to those at the beginning of their lean journeys (20:05)
Podcast Resources
Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
Gary on LinkedIn
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What Do You Think?
What did you do for your Six Sigma belt project?

Nov 28, 2024 • 37min
GA 556 | What a Successful Lean Transformation Looks Like with Chad Bareither
This week's guest is Chad Bareither. Ron and Chad discussed lean transformations, the role leaders play in them, creating a sense of ownership, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
The quote Chad likes (2:44)
Chad's background (7:15)
What a successful lean transformation looks like (8:12)
The role leaders play in the transformation (14:01)
How we can ensure there are more long-term ongoing transformations (18:16)
How we can help teams feel a sense of ownership (20:38)
Putting people at ease (23:54)
His final words of wisdom (31:40)
Podcast Resources
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Chad on LinkedIn
GA 498 | The Power of Improving Less with Chad Bareither
Chad's Website
"Improve Less" - Free Chapter
"Improve Less" on Amazon
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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 successful lean transformation look like to you?

Nov 21, 2024 • 33min
GA 555 | The Key to Successful Daily Management with José Ferro
This week's guest is José Ferro. Ron and José discussed daily management, what it is, what the main obstacles involved are, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
The quote José likes (3:39)
His background (5:28)
About his book Daily Management to Execute Strategy (9:45)
What Daily Management is (11:39)
Deciding if you're "winning" or "losing" (19:03)
The main obstacles to daily management (23:49)
Podcast Resources
Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3
Interview with José Ferro and Robson Gouveia
How to Create an Effective Daily Management System
José on the Lean Enterprise Institute Site
"Daily Management to Execute Strategy"
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 successful daily management look like to you?