This week's guest is our own Steve Kane. Ron and Steve discussed Toyota Kata, coaching (specifically Steve's coaching style), running certification programs, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Steve's favorite quote (3:05) His early thoughts on Toyota Kata and scientific thinking (4:28) Steve's background (9:41) How he overcomes any objections to certification programs (10:35) How things are going (12:44) Steve's coaching style (16:25) The difference between values and principles (18:13) Working that into his day to day operation (21:23) Practical tips for coaching sessions (23:23) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Steve Kane Gemba Academy Podcast Episodes Steve 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? Are you currently pursuing any continuous improvement certifications?

This week's guest is Ron Pereira. Ron explained what we've been up to as a company this year, including our Live Instructor training, and some of the new courses we've released. We also shared some of the audio from these exciting new videos. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  About our Live Instructor offerings (0:41) An overview of Change Management (4:27) An overview of Facilitation (10:47) An overview of Qualify Function Deployment (16:04) Ron's shoutout to the Gemba Academy Content Development Team (22:42) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 What Is Change Management? Video What Is Facilitation? Video What Is QFD Quality Function Deployment? Video 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 did you accomplish in 2023?

Brent Weichers, an expert in balancing intrinsic and extrinsic motivation, shares insights on presenting data to non-technical audiences, stories from working with trainers, and his plans for 2024.

John Abplanalp, productivity expert, discusses various topics including OEE, engaging employees, finding obstacles, and practical tips for leaders in the podcast.

This week's guest is Brandon Brown. Ron and Brandon discussed TWI, and why reducing both personal and professional chaos is so important. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Brandon likes (3:18) His background (4:16) Brandon's thoughts on chaos (6:08) A story about "Bob" the supervisor (8:33) Reducing personal chaos (10:53) The role of personality (15:39) The most difficult part of the work (18:46) What Brandon does to get the facts (25:01) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 109 | How to Leverage Toyota Kata with Brandon Brown GA 189 | How to Use Kata in Healthcare with Brandon Brown GA 188 | How to Understand the Components of Kata with Brandon Brown GA 212 | How to Combine TWI, Kata, and a Kaizen Event with Brandon Brown GA 494 | TWI and the Training Timetable with Brandon Brown Continuous Coaching Commitment Continuous Coaching Commitment on LinkedIn Brandon 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 do you go about reducing chaos?

This week we're celebrating our 500th episode by sharing some of our team's favorite moments from over the years. Whether you're new to the podcast or you've been here since the beginning, thank you for listening. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The impact of running into a former student with David Tuttle (2:56) Billy Taylor on the importance of diversity (5:42) A story of survival with Matt May (10:26) Richard Sheridan on forgiveness (23:28) Peter Docker's take on making mistakes (31:11) Recovering from broken trust with Bhavana Bartholf (36:23) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 GA 411 | Practicing Lean in High School with David Tuttle GA 347 | Leveraging Deliberate Practice with Billy Taylor GA 100 | How to Survive with Matt May GA 213 | How to Lead with Joy with Richard Sheridan GA 402 | Leading From the Jumpseat with Peter Docker GA 430 | The Importance of Empathetic Leadership with Bhavana Bartholf 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 of your favorite moments from the podcast?

This week's guest is Jeff Reinke. Ron and Jeff discussed OT Cybersecurity, its role in manufacturing, dealing with hackers and ransomware, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Jeff likes (3:42) His background (4:27) What OT Cybersecurity is (7:01) What's driving the emphasis (7:47) Dealing with ransomware (9:25) The human elements involved (10:39) About whaling/spearfishing (14:19) Strategies and tactics to consider (15:28) The trends Jeff is seeing in manufacturing (19:06) Why "quiet quitting" is less of an issue (20:49) Some of the best practices (22:20) How continuous improvement teams can help (25:06) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Jeff on LinkedIn Manufacturing.Net 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 else do cybersecurity and continuous improvement intersect?

This week's guest is Chad Bareither. Ron and Chad discussed Chad's book, "Improve LESS," Toyota Kata, why continuous improvement is not just "extra work," and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Chad likes (2:08) His background (2:59) About entropy and why progress comes undone (4:59) The root cause (7:11) An example of a client who found success by "improving less" (9:29) The Effort vs. Impact matrix (12:08) Why Chad loves Toyota Kata (16:10) Getting away from the idea that continuous improvement is not "extra work" (17:30) An example from one of Ron's prior jobs (19:29) Understanding your "Why?" (24:05) About Chad's book, Improve Less (25:49) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Improve LESS Book Chad on LinkedIn Bareither Group Consulting 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's your initial reaction to the idea of "improving less"?

This week's guest is James Newell. Ron and James discussed generational diversity and how it affects workplace dynamics. James explained how we can navigate these differences, ensure that the knowledge transfer happens, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  James' background (3:01) The quote James likes (5:13) Navigating differences in how people are wired (6:36) Dealing with generational diversity (10:23) Where the tension between generations comes from (13:58) Ensuring that the knowledge transfer happens (18:21) Agreeing to be open and willing to listen (23:31) How the way we learn hasn't changed (25:38) About his German-speaking podcast (29:37) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 James on LinkedIn Together4Success GA 224 | How to Apply Lean in Different Countries with James Newell GA 322 | Tailoring the Kata Model with James Newell GA 404 | Leading in a VUCA Environment with James Newell 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 has your experience been with generational diversity?

This week's guest is Kyle Brady. Ron and Kyle discussed suggestion boxes, how to handle suggestions that aren't accepted, and how to get started with your own suggestion program. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Kyle's quote (4:01) His background (5:13) About Kyle's continuous improvement program (6:27) How employees submit ideas (10:46) Communication and feedback (13:42) Their future state (15:49) Examples (18:33) The hardest part of this initiative (20:11) How Kyle handles disappointment when an idea isn't chosen (20:38) Kyle's advice for where to start (23:19) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Gemba Academy: Simple Kaizen Part 1 Video Gemba Academy: Simple Kaizen Part 2 Video Kyle 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? Do you have a suggestion box at work? How does your employer handle and/or process those ideas?