
Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership
Improvement Learning, Improved.
Latest episodes

Dec 14, 2023 • 32min
GA 506 | Roles and Relationships in Kaizen Events with Adam Lawrence
This week's guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed kaizen events, specifically the different roles involved and how they function together. They also talked about dealing with "CAVE" People. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.
In this episode you'll learn:
The quote Adam likes (3:09)
His background (4:14)
What Adam means by a kaizen event (5:10)
The skills and principles that need to be in place (6:06)
The roles and relationships involved (9:13)
How he got involved with CITY Furniture (12:34)
Why and how Adam became a bottleneck in the process (20:55)
Dealing with "CAVE" people (26:30)
Podcast Resources
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Adam on LinkedIn
Process Improvement Partners on LinkedIn
Adam's YouTube
Process Improvement Partners Website
Process Improvement Partners Google Business Page
The Wheel of Sustainability
Adam's Past GA Podcast Episodes
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What Do You Think?Have you ever led or participated in a kaizen event? Describe your experience.

Dec 7, 2023 • 35min
GA 505 | Values vs. Principles with Steve Kane
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
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Steve Kane Gemba Academy Podcast Episodes
Steve on LinkedIn
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What Do You Think?
Are you currently pursuing any continuous improvement certifications?

Nov 30, 2023 • 25min
GA 504 | Gemba Academy’s 2023 with Ron Pereira
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
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What Do You Think?
What did you accomplish in 2023?

Nov 23, 2023 • 42min
GA 503 | Balancing Intrinsic and Extrinsic Motivation with Brent Weichers
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.

Nov 16, 2023 • 32min
GA 502 | The Importance of Productivity with John Abplanalp
John Abplanalp, productivity expert, discusses various topics including OEE, engaging employees, finding obstacles, and practical tips for leaders in the podcast.

Nov 9, 2023 • 33min
GA 501 | Reducing Chaos with Brandon Brown
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
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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
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What Do You Think?
How do you go about reducing chaos?

Nov 2, 2023 • 43min
GA 500 | Celebrating 500 Episodes
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
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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
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What Do You Think?
What are some of your favorite moments from the podcast?

Oct 26, 2023 • 28min
GA 499 | OT Cybersecurity in Manufacturing with Jeff Reinke
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
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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?
How else do cybersecurity and continuous improvement intersect?

Oct 19, 2023 • 28min
GA 498 | The Power of Improving Less with Chad Bareither
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"?

Oct 12, 2023 • 35min
GA 497 | Navigating Generational Diversity with James Newell
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
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What Do You Think?
What has your experience been with generational diversity?
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