The Lean Solutions Podcast

We've carefully selected a few of our standout episodes from Season Two. These episodes stood out for their ability to captivate and engage our audience, making them the highlights of the season. As always, the continued success of this podcast is made possible by your unwavering support, and for that, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. We're thrilled to revisit and share these moments with our dedicated listeners! Episode Details: In this episode, Katie Anderson and I discuss a culture of excellence through continuous improvement during a pre-recorded webinar. What You'll Learn: 1. What are the ingredients that make up a culture of excellence? 2. In cultures of CI, what does it mean to “learn, lead, and care”? 3. Can you share your favorite story from Mr. Yoshino that exemplifies a culture of CI? 4. Why do you do the Japan study trip? 5. What will we see that backs up how the Japanese culture played a part in Toyota’s success? About the Guest:  Katie Anderson is an internationally recognized leadership and learning coach, consultant, and professional speaker, best known for inspiring individuals and organizations to lead with intention and increase their personal and professional impact. Katie is passionate about helping people around the world learn to lead and lead to learn by connecting purpose, process, and practice to achieve higher levels of performance. Her book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning is an international #1 Amazon bestseller Links: ⁠Click here to learn more about Katie Anderson⁠ ⁠Click here for more information on Katie Anderson's books⁠

In this episode of The Lean Solutions Podcast, host Patrick Adams engages in a comprehensive exploration of a culture centered around continuous improvement, the implementation of visual management techniques, and the establishment of clear performance expectations. What You'll Learn: The annual Rapid Results Summit provides an opportunity for State employees, Rapid Results Agency representatives, and Executive Agency leadership to increase Rapid Results engagement throughout the State of Illinois, continue education on Rapid Results-related topics, engage with all levels of leadership, and network with other State leaders and continuous improvement professionals. About the Speaker:  Patrick is an internationally recognized leadership coach, consultant and professional speaker. He is best known for his unique human approach to sound team building practices, creating consensus and enabling empowerment. Patrick has been delivering bottom-line results through specialized process improvement solutions for over 20 years. He’s worked with all types of businesses from private, non-profit, government, and manufacturing ranging from small business to billion-dollar corporations. Patrick is an Author of the best selling book, Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap. Links: Click Here For More Information On Patrick's Best-Selling Book: Avoiding the Continuous Appearance Trap.

In this episode Lee Houghton and I dive into building a better workplace as well as measuring success in culture improvement. What You'll Learn: 1) What's the most important thing about creating an improvement culture? 2) What are the 2 most important measures companies should measure but don't? 3) How can the lessons of comedy help you overcome resistance to change? 4) At Get Knowledge you talk about a BEST model, what does that stand for? 5) How did losing your friend in 2018 reshape how you help people and what are the 3 lessons he shared? About the Guest: Lee is a business improvement coach who prides himself on helping people and teams make today better than yesterday, a lot of people can say these things about themselves though. So what makes Lee different is his random journey to get to where he has with, one pivotal moment in losing his best mate ‘Chris’ after his brave cancer battle that changed Lee’s life forever.Lee’s random journey has included writing 5 children books, owning a bouncy castle business AND DJ, including 18 months Dj’ing dressed as a monkey.... all these things have shaped his career from data input administrator to co-founding Get Knowledge in 2018. BUT, as a shiny object syndrome sufferer, it was losing Chris that has sharpened his focus and desire to help people confidently deliver change. Links: ⁠⁠Click here to connect with Lee Houghton

In this episode Catherine McDonald and I shed light on key principles of lean management, share success stories, discuss supporting leaders, and reveal strategies for sustaining effectiveness in the long term. What You'll Learn: 1. What do you see as the key principles and practices of Lean management and how can these be effectively applied in different organizational contexts? 2. Can you share some success stories of companies that have implemented Lean principles and practices and achieved significant improvements in operations and practices? 3. Leadership has a huge impact on the success of Lean management and CI. How do you support leaders to develop the skills they need to optimize their team and processes? 4. What strategies and techniques do you employe to engage and motivate people at all levels of an organization to embrace Lean thinking and get involved in CI? 5. How do you measure the effectiveness of Lean and Leadership Development initiatives and ensure they are sustainable in the long term? About the Guest:  Catherine is a Lean and Leadership Coach. Her work involves training and coaching executives and teams in organizations of all types and sizes. In 2018, Catherine started her own business- MCD Consulting where she works as a Lean and Leadership Coach. She specializes in Lean deployment in non-manufacturing industries, including food, retail, education, non-profit, health care, event management, hospitality and media. Catherine's approach is strategic, enthusiastic and empathetic. Through collaborative methods, she facilitates people and organizations to move from short-term reactive working to long-term strategic thinking. Links: ⁠Click here to connect with Catherine McDonald

In this episode Karen Martin and I discuss Hoshin Kanri's vital role in organizational alignment, true north establishment, troubleshooting, and long-term sustainability. What You'll Learn: What is Hoshin Kanri? Why is it so important for organizations to have complete alignment? How do organizations determine their true north? What are some examples of organizational noise or breakdowns in organizational Hoshin and what can we do about it? How do organizations sustain their Hoshin? About the Guest:  Karen Martin, President of the global consulting firm TKMG, Inc. and President and Founder of TKMG Academy, Inc., is a leading authority on business performance improvement, problem solving, and Lean management systems. Known for her keen diagnostic skills and rapid-results approach, Karen and her team have worked with clients such as Adventist Health, AT&T, Chevron, Epson, GlaxoSmithKline, International Monetary Fund, Lenovo, Mayo Clinic, Prudential Insurance, Qualcomm, and the United States Department of Defense to develop more efficient work systems, grow market share, solve business problems, and accelerate performance. An in-demand speaker, she’s the three-time Award-winning author of Clarity First, The Outstanding Organization, and Value Stream Mapping. Links: ⁠Click here to connect with Karen Martin ⁠Click here for more information on TKMG Academy Click here to take a look at Karen Martin's books

In this episode Jim Huntzinger and I discuss TWI, Toyota Kata, and their relation. What You'll Learn: 1. What is TWI? 2. Why is Toyota Kata important? 3. What is the relationship between TWI and Toyota Kata? 4. Why are TWI and Kata foundational skills? 5. Are TWI and Kata more than just front-line skills? 6. What role does coaching play in these fundamental skills? About the Guest:  Jim Huntzinger began his career as a manufacturing engineer with Aisin Seiki, a Toyota Group company transplanted to North America to support Toyota. Next he joined Briggs & Stratton where he held positions in engineering, operations, and management working to implement and evolve lean into operational and business practices, and several plant design & development and startups. He also spent a number of years consulting with organizations ranging from small privately-held to huge-global corporations in a variety of industries. In 2005 Huntzinger founded Lean Frontiers, producing Summits and immersive workshops to build and expand the lean community. He has researched at length the evolution of manufacturing in the United States with an emphasis on lean’s influence and development. Links: ⁠Click here to connect with Jim Huntzinger ⁠Click here for more information on Lean Frontiers ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Dr. Michael Sanders, Sean Fields, and I explore Quantum Lean - its essence, unique steps, and origins - while uncovering why it stands as a beacon of progress in operational excellence. What You'll Learn: 1. Why Quantum Lean? 2. What is Quantum Lean? 3. What are Quantum Lean's key steps? 4. How is Quantum Lean different from other approaches? 5. How did Quantum Lean come about? About the Guest:  Sean Fields, a 35-year industry veteran with experience in various sectors including oil field equipment manufacturing, food processing, and job shops, has a comprehensive background in all aspects of business, from the shop floor to quality, safety, and engineering. As a published author and contributor to numerous industry publications, including the co-authorship of "Quantum Lean," Fields brings a wealth of expertise to his approach. His adaptable and user-friendly methods for improving operations stem from a diverse range of environments, from mass production to custom shops, offering unique solutions to business challenges. Dr. Michael Sanders, co-founder of Beehivefund, leverages over 30 years of diverse industry experience - from welding apprentice to CEO in various sectors - to advise on business strategies. Teaming up with Sean Fields, they have honed their lean methods, consistently achieving proven success. Dr. Sanders, a sought-after expert in lean, six sigma, and quality systems, holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, an MBA from Texas Tech University, and is a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Links: ⁠Click here to learn more about Quantum Lean: Taking Lean Systems to the Next Level ⁠Click here for more information on Beehive Fund ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Katie Anderson and I discuss our trip to Japan, as we immersed ourselves in a profound exploration of lean principles and their practical applications. What You'll Learn: Reflections on Japan and our carefully planned itinerary, which included visits to well-known manufacturing facilities and conversations with experienced lean practitioners. About the Guest: Katie Anderson is an internationally recognized leadership and learning coach, consultant, and professional speaker, best known for inspiring individuals and organizations to lead with intention and increase their personal and professional impact. Katie is passionate about helping people around the world learn to lead and lead to learn by connecting purpose, process, and practice to achieve higher levels of performance. Her book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning is an international #1 Amazon bestseller Links: Click here to learn more about Katie Anderson Click here for more information on Katie Anderson's books Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Stéfany Oliver and I discuss their Lean coaching journey, 'Staying Flowcused', and how wellness ties into Lean leadership. What You'll Learn: 1. How did you get into Lean coaching? 2. What are your current areas of focus? 3. Tell us more about your concept of Staying Flowcused and what it entails? 4. Bringing it back to Lean and leadership for a moment, tell me more about the links between wellness and Lean leadership? 5. What's next for you? About the Guest:  Stéfany is driven by her passion for helping people who feel overwhelmed. She's on a mission to help people find flow: in their work, in their kitchen and in their heart. She lives and teaches the manifesto of being Fueled by plants, Fueled by perspective and Fueled by prayer. She's a Lean Management Coach by trade but didn't start off her professional career that way. Over the years, she's been coming into the full expression of who God has created her to be as a food creator, speaker, cookbook author and inspirational storyteller. She’s also been building her own health, wellness and optimization coaching business. Links: Click here to learn more about Stéfany Oliver Click here for more information on Stéfany's Book Click here to contact Stéfany Oliver ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Glenn Wilson and I discuss DevSecOps, lean manufacturing in digital contexts, cybersecurity's evolution, total security, and building resilience in an uncertain world. What You'll Learn: What is DevSecOps and what is the problem it is trying to solve? What can digital organizations learn from lean manufacturing in relation to delivering high quality digital products? What should continual learning and improvement look like in cybersecurity? Can organizations become totally secure and provide products and services with zero defects? Can organizations become more resilient to cybersecurity threats in an uncertain world? About the Guest:  Glenn is a management consultant specializing in DevOps, Agile, and security. He is founder of Dynaminet and holder of a CISSP. He is also the best-selling author of the book “DevSecOps: A leader’s guide to producing secure software without compromising flow, feedback and continuous improvement”. He is an experienced security professional who has worked for over 20 years in the IT industry across multiple sectors. Glenn focuses on strategy and employs systems thinking in practice to enable organizations to apply secure processes and principles across the organization to enrich their relationship with their customers. Links: Click here to connect with Glenn Wilson Click here for more information on Glenn's Books ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit