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

This week's guest is Clint West. Ron and Clint discussed MacDonald & Owen's lean journey, the state of lean in the lumber industry, navigating biases, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote Clint likes (4:57) How he sees bias as an obstacle (6:43) His background (8:34) The progression of his career (11:44) What Clint feels he has done well and not done well (13:25) What Clint is trying to improve (17:49) The benefits of lean at MacDonald & Owen (20:34) The state of lean in their industry (22:18) The hardest part of his job as CEO (25:20) His advice for those at the beginning of their careers (30:26) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 MacDonald & Owen's Website GA 514 | Turning the Tables on Ron with Clint West 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 navigate biases at your organization?

This week's guest is Ahmed Radwan. Ron and Ahmed discussed engagement, what it means to build a "lighthouse," sustaining kaizen efforts, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Ahmed's favorite quote (2:25) His background (3:28) The challenges he's faced (8:15) How to sustain kaizen efforts (13:52) Keeping people engaged (15:03) Building a "lighthouse" (19:30) How lean has impacted Ahmed personally (20:13) His struggle with humility (24:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Ahmed on LinkedIn Kaizen Made Easy on YouTube Kaizen Made Easy 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 keep people engaged in your kaizen efforts?

This week's guest is Kurt Sears. Ron and Kurt discussed continuous improvement at Dollar Shave Club, happiness versus joy, the power of living out your beliefs, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quote that Kurt likes (2:29) His background (5:47) The continuous improvement environment at Dollar Shave Club (7:37) His two statement philosophy (9:10) How bias plays a role in the culture (9:38) Happiness vs. joy (13:05) His take on stoicism (18:31) The role of leadership in a culture of continuous improvement (21:44) Advice for fostering project success (25:11) Kurt's final advice (31:06) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Kurt 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 are your thoughts on stoicism?

This week's guest is Matthew Townsend. Ron and Matthew discussed what a broken process looks like, what happens when you automate waste, how to identify and remove it, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  Matthew's favorite quote (3:09) His background (3:54) Defining a "broken" process (8:28) Examples in manufacturing (13:58) The other issues that surface when you automate waste (17:30) Tips for identifying and removing automated waste (19:57) Specific mapping techniques for a front office environment (22:07) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Matthew on LinkedIn Sparc Engineers Sparc Engineers on LinkedIn Sparc Industries on Instagram 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? Describe a time you automated a bad or broken process.

Guest Zack Estes, a business coaching expert, discusses applying lean in non-manufacturing contexts and the five functions of business. Topics include operationalized frameworks, making work visible, AI implications, learning from books, and personal growth.

This week's guest is Jason Henderson. Ron and Jason discussed what managing expectations looks like, scientific thinking, dealing with negativity, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn:  The quotes that Jason likes (2:25) His background (4:21) How he discovered lean (8:46) What managing expectations means to Jason (10:04) Some examples (12:48) How Jason deals with negativity (18:32) Advice for anyone who is struggling (21:45) What Jason would tell his younger self (23:39) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Jason 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 managing expectations mean to you?

Guest Jennifer Drago discusses crafting long-term visions, data-driven strategies, overcoming resistance to change, and more. Highlights include balancing profit with altruism, creating strategic pillars, and effective communication of vision. Jennifer shares how she overcame resistance to change and reflects on career successes, including a remarkable obstetrics program achievement.

Lean expert Royden Johnson from South Africa discusses lean practices in his country, emphasizing connection before correction, 5S implementation, moral vs formal authority, and advice for those starting their continuous improvement journey. He reflects on the state of lean in South Africa and highlights the importance of ownership and accountability in lean processes.

Lean practitioner Tim Pettry discusses outside perceptions of Toyota, Cleveland Clinic's continuous improvement journey, physician involvement, and an unusual workshop at the upcoming Shingo Conference.

Guest April Bell discusses how Jack Henry uses Toyota Kata for continuous improvement, quantifying waste in office settings, and the intersection of tools and scientific thinking. They explore challenges, vision, and advice for getting started.