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

This week's guest is Grace Gavin. Ron and Grace discussed the importance of open and honest communication, what it means to truly listen, the obstacles that get in our way, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Grace likes (3:36) Her background (4:22) Accountability versus open and honest communication (7:10) What else Grace has observed (14:46) Fake You versus The Wall (17:33) The obstacles that get in our way (23:35) Communicating on social media and "keyboard warriors" (29:52) Knowing where you are and are not open and honest (33:58) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Know Honesty Know Honesty Assessment Know Honesty Book Grace 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? What does "knowing honesty" mean to you?

This week's guest is Garrett Delph. Ron and Garrett discussed Garrett's company Clarity Ops, his take on continuous improvement, what it means to be emotionally neutral, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Garrett's favorite quote (3:53) His background (4:23) How he uses continuous improvement (7:40) What Garrett looks at when he is assessing a client (8:50) How Garrett approaches the "people" side (12:53) Other indicators of areas that need improvement (18:03) What Garrett does when the market is the issue (19:50) Practical tips for becoming more efficient (22:20) What "emotionally neutral" means (27:18) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Clarity Ops Clarity Ops Blog Garrett on LinkedIn Garrett on Medium Nexa 360 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 use a slightly less traditional version of continuous improvement that isn't lean or Six Sigma?

In this discussion with April Bell, who directs continuous improvement at Jack Henry, listeners dive into the transformative power of Toyota Kata. April shares insights on cultivating a culture of continuous improvement and the challenges faced in a non-repetitive environment. The conversation highlights the importance of making predictions in scientific thinking and the value of a structured approach to dealing with emotions in problem-solving. April also offers practical tips for managing remote coaching sessions and fostering collaboration among teams.

This week's guest is Dhana Hanumayya. Ron and Dhana discussed how Dhana uses continuous improvement and quality controls at home, the cause and effect matrix, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Dhana likes (2:43) What Dhana is up to (4:54) What it's like having John Knotts as a coach (7:29) Using quality tools in her daily life (8:09) About the cause and effect matrix (18:08) The first thing Dhana tried (20:05) Advice for being successful using these tools (23:20) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Dhana 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 use continuous improvement or quality controls at home?

This week's guest is Gregg Miner. Ron and Gregg discussed the difference between "doing" lean and "using" lean, how this applies to leaders, the true definition of lean, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that inspires Greg (2:23) His background (5:07) What it means to "do" lean (6:28) What lean is (8:54) Why people fall into the trap of "doing" lean (10:13) Why it's so important for leaders to know the difference (13:10) How to "use" lean (19:06) Why lean is more operationally focused (22:52) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Gregg on LinkedIn GA 416 | JELD-WEN's Lean Journey with Gregg Miner 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? In your opinion, what's the difference between "doing" lean and "using" lean?

This week's guest is Alfonso Aramburo. Ron and Alfonso discussed Alfonso's experiences with turnarounds, leadership styles, balancing financial restructuring and operational excellence, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that Alfonso likes (3:22) His background (4:20) How he helps organizations turn things around (7:34) What his role was (13:56) Balancing financial restructuring with operation excellence (14:26) The role that lean can and can't play in turnarounds (18:07) What Alfonso has seen from leaders (20:32) What he would change about his career and what he's proud of (23:40) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Alfonso 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 witnessed or experienced an organization execute a turnaround? Describe it.

This week's guest is Fabrice Desmarescaux. Ron and Fabrice discussed Fabrice's journey towards professional fulfillment and how he helps others find purpose in their life's work. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes Fabrice likes (4:32) His background (6:04) How Fabrice discovered he felt unfulfilled (9:27) What's contributing to this crisis (13:21) Encouraging others to tap into their purpose (16:58) Finding value and fulfillment (22:04) About his book The Art of Retreats (27:05) Embracing silence (29:50) Being kind to yourself (34:56) Being patient with the transformation (36:01) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Fabrice on LinkedIn The Art of Retreats Drive by Daniel Pink Fabrice'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? How do you find purpose in your work?

This week's guest is Alen Ganic. Ron and Alen, a Senior Lean and Six Sigma Coach at Gemba Academy, discussed the definitions of flow efficiency and resource efficiency, what differentiates them, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Alen's favorite quote (2:29) His background (4:02) What Alen means by "flow" (6:46) The definition of Flow Efficiency and Resource Efficiency (9:24) A paint booth example (16:17) The key things that differentiate Flow Efficiency and Resource Efficiency (19:30) Advice for someone who is just getting started (26:09) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Alen on LinkedIn GA 067 | Lean Dentistry with Dr. Sami Bahri, DDS GA 521 | Celebrating Quick Wins with Alen Ganic 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 one should be prioritized, flow efficiency or resource efficiency?

This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed the Wheel of Sustainability, how it plays into a kaizen event, and how improv can also be a powerful tool in a rapid improvement context. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  His favorite quote (3:45) His background (5:35) The Wheel of Sustainability (6:11) The intention behind the placement (11:39) Whether some are more important than others (12:36) How the Wheel of Sustainability plays into a rapid improvement event (15:20) Using improv during these events (17:10) The future of the lean and continuous improvement movement (27:37) Some upcoming conferences Adam will be speaking at (29:46) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Wheel of Sustainability PDF The Wheel of Sustainability on Amazon Adam's Past Gemba Academy Episodes Adam 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 is your initial reaction to the idea of improv being used in a kaizen event?

This week's guest is Ron Crabtree. The two Rons discussed the concept of digital transformation, or digitization, including what it entails, how to navigate these transformations, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Ron likes (2:54) His background (3:22) What a digital transformation or "digitization" means (7:47) An anecdote about a decal manufacturer (11:31) Ron's thoughts on where to start (13:15) The three things to think about first (20:14) His parting thoughts (24:50) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Gemba Academy Live Events Ron on LinkedIn MetaExperts MetaPod 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 digitization look like to you?