The Lean Solutions Podcast

In this episode, Steve Johnson and I discuss training paths and employee tools when it comes to a robust training program. You'll also here how a robust training program can help reduce employee turn-over. What You'll Learn: Why did you start a training program for technicians? What does the training path look like for a technician? Does an employee need any experience or certifications to start this program? Does the employee need any tools? How long will it take to complete this program? About the Guest: Steve Johnson has over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. He served as a certified technician at a local Gm dealership for about 8 years. Steve's work ethic was unmatched, which is what earned him a position as a Service Advisor. Eventually, when a service manager position became available, Steve was asked to grab the metaphorical reigns and lead the service team to achieve an unprecedented level of customer service and shop performance. To achieve this, Steve had to develop a service team that would exceed his level of expectations for professional business and work culture needed to create the best service team Berger has ever had. The dealership has received GM dealer of the year award 11 times and has continued to break multiple financial records year after year. Links: Click here for more information on Steve Joh⁠nson To Contact Steve Johnson Directly: sjohnson@bergerchevy.com Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Tanya Stinson and I discuss the impacts of costly wastes and modern technology as well as one of healthcare's number one problems: communication. What You'll Learn: What are a few of the most costly wastes in healthcare currently? If there was one thing that you could change in healthcare right away, what would it be? Do you feel like healthcare organizations are siloed? Do you think technology can help with the issues we have impacting patients in healthcare today? What is an improvement in healthcare that costs nothing to implement? About the Guest: Tanya is the Founder of Leaning Towards Change, LLC. Tanya is an Experienced Leader in the Healthcare industry where she is responsible for Performance Improvement, Quality, Risk, Patient Safety, and Compliance. She serves as a Mentor and Coach to Physicians, Nurses, and other clinical and non-clinical staff in utilizing the Lean and Six Sigma Methodology. Links: Click here for Tanya Stinson's Linkedin Click here to learn more about Leaning Towards Change Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit

In this episode, Tom Hughes and I discuss the extensive experience Tom has gained helping hundreds of organizations across the world do standard work / digital work instructions better with his software product GembaDocs. What You'll Learn: 1. How did the whole GembaDocs thing happen? 2. How can you say it’s a Game Changer? That’s a pretty big claim! 3. Why is OWNERSHIP so important with Standards? 4. Why / how can we implement standards in a more intelligent way? 5. Improvement Starts With I ; GembaDocs – how do people access them? About the Guest: Tom Hughes is an Ireland-based entrepreneur and the author of "Improvement Starts With I." He is the creator of GembaDocs, a software company that assists businesses in creating quick, simple, and digital standard work practices. Tom is currently a partner in Lumen Electronics, an Irish business that develops and manufactures products. Links: Click here for more information on Tom Hughes  Click here for more information on GembaDocs Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Mark Deluzio and I discuss the Danaher business system, as well as the art of Lean Transformation.What You'll Learn:Why do Lean Transformations fail?Could you explain the importance of having a business strategy and the ability to deploy/execute the strategy.What made the Danaher Business System so successful?As the "Father of Lean Accounting," how important is it to change the accounting systems when embarking on a Lean Transformation?What role does Respect for People play in the success of a Lean TransformationAbout the Guest:Mark DeLuzio is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lean Horizons Consulting. He is also a former Corporate Officer and Vice President of Danaher Business System (DBS) for Danaher Corporation.Danaher has been recognized as the leading implementer of Lean globally and has been rated as the 3rd most profitable US stock over the last 30 years. Mark is also credited with developing the first Lean Accounting process in the United States for Danaher’s Jake Brake Division, where he served as their Chief Financial Officer. Mark is the author of “Turn Waste into Wealth,” which offers practical advice for those considering a Lean transformation and “Flatlined – Why Lean Transformations Fail and What to do About It”, which offers the lessons learned from Mark’s association with hundreds of Lean transformations on a global basis.Links:Click here for more information on Mark DeluzioClick here to order one of Mark Deluzio's booksClick here for Mark Deluzio's PodcastClick here for more information on B.R.A.V.E.Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Bob Emiliani and I discuss the problem of classical management. What You'll Learn:What is classical management?You put together an A3 and challenged lean practitioners. Can you tell our listeners what is an A3?What were the root cause results of the A3 investigation?What are your suggested solutions?Any new books in your future?About the Guest:Dr. Bob Emiliani has been a Lean practitioner and professor of Lean management for over 25 years.Prior joining academia, he worked in industry for 15 years and had management responsibility in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain management. He was the first academic to establish a research agenda focused on Lean leadership, resulting in numerous publications and varied leadership development workshops. His work on Lean leadership and Lean as applied to higher education are widely recognized.Links:Click here for more information on Bob EmilianiClick here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Sam Morgan and I discuss his personal journey into launching his coaching business to include his personal use of kata to make it happen.  We discuss the use of kata for both business and personal applications. What You'll Learn:How did you get to the point of starting your own coaching business?You don't have any lean certifications (LSSMB) or coaching certifications (ICF) What makes you feel like you are qualified to coach lean and ops leaders?You talk to lots of lean and ops leaders, what's the biggest challenge you are hearing that they face on a daily basis?What do you feel like we need to do to solve this challenge?What does continuous improvement mean to you?About the Guest:Sam Morgan is a self-proclaimed “confident learner.” After spending the past five years of work in the continuous improvement space he landed at KataCon, a conference for continuous improvement professionals who practice the Toyota Kata.  There he had a powerful moment realizing where his true passion lies: transforming people through coaching.Links:Click here for Sam's Linkedin PageClick here for Sam's WebpageClick here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Dr. Joe Sprangel and I discuss Humanist Manufacturing.  Joe explains the Humanist Manufacturing Framework to include the humanist commitments necessary for leader success.  What You'll Learn:What is Humanist Manufacturing?Could you share the phases of your humanist manufacturing framework?What are the humanist commitments you used as the foundation of your framework?The second phase is focused on the leader and the leadership team.  Why is this important?It appears that you have a strong emphasis on creating a human-centric organization.  What does this mean to you?About the Guest:Dr. Joe Sprangel is an associate professor of business at Mary Baldwin University.  He is also the founder and principal consultant of Emmanuel Strategic Sustainability.  He made the transition to higher education after 28 years of industry experience.  His industry career included work in machine build and repair, machine design, manufacturing engineering, and plant and engineering management.Links:Click here to purchase a copy of Joe's book on AmazonClick here for Joe's Website Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

The wait is over....Its finally time for Season Two!  Listen in for background on The Lean Solutions Podcast, as well as impact metrics from this past year.  Season Two kicks off this Tuesday with Dr. Joe Sprangel.  Season Two includes video and audio for every episode.  Tune in every Tuesday with some returning and some new guests.  Find all episodes on your favorite podcast platform or go to www.findleansolutions.com and click on 'podcast.'  

In this episode, I am presenting our teams approach to lean product and process development events.  This was a presentation I gave at the LPPDE virtual conference last month.  You may be wondering why we haven't been posting regular episodes...we are preparing to launch season two this next year.  Stay tuned for more amazing podcasts as we kick off the new year.  About the LPPDE: The Lean Product and Process Development Exchange, Inc. is a nonprofit organization created to foster opportunities to grow and share the knowledge, expertise and experiences that help organizations use lean product development to dramatically improve product development performance. The LPPDE conferences are organized roughly yearly in both Europe and North America. These conferences are the motor for the flow of knowledge about lean in the product development context. We explicitly call our conferences "Exchange" - because that is what we think is the best moderator for learning: listen, experts, see peers, discuss, learn from best practices from others and participate in workshops, that are offered at introductory as well as advanced level. Many participants of LPPDE conferences return because they know: whenever I visit an LPPDE conference, I am sure I will return with a high number of great ideas, excellent examples, and practical tips to continue my journey on the lean path in product development. Check them out at www.lppde.org

In this episode of The Lean Solutions Podcast, I met with Craig Tedrow, Tina Pietrangelo, and Mark Schmidt to discuss the current workforce challenges in hiring and retaining employees.  About the Guests: Craig Tedrow is an experienced Continuous Improvement Professional with a demonstrated history of working in the automotive, aerospace, and defense industry. Skilled in Training Coordination, Continuous Improvement, Team Building, Presentation Skills, and Conflict Management. Strong professional with an Associate's degree focused in Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services from Grand Rapids Community College. Most recently managed the Continuous Improvement department at Plasan Carbon Composites. During exponential growth developed a week long training curriculum to provide a mix of lecture and lab instruction to on board new associates. Intensely involved in training and adherence to Standard Work Instructions using video technology, and Training Within Industry methods. Strong relationships with engineering, operations, maintenance, and facilities, helped to advance implementation of robotics and automation. Tina Pietrangelo is the Plant Manager at Pliant Plastics overseeing Manufacturing Operations. Pilant is a Plastics Injection Molding company and employs 120 members. She has lived in the Holland area for over 30 years and is currently on the board of Escape Ministries and formerly has served on the boards of the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland and Ready for School. Prior to joining Pliant, Tina held positions as Plant Manager within the office furniture industry and has held Human Resources positions for a recycling company and automotive interior company. She is also an owner/investor of some restaurants in West Michigan. Mark Schmidt is the founder of BizStream, a custom software and web development company. With more than 20 years of experience in custom software, website development, and content management systems (CMS), Mark grew the business from one to 33 employees, plus contractors, in 17 years.  He has managed purchase of new building, renovations, and furnishings for growing team and is a global leader in chosen web technology, Kentico CMS; top 3 partners of 1,100 total Kentico partners; Kentico Gold Partner with competencies in intranet, integration, training, EMS, mobile, and ecommerce; Kentico certified developer.