Lean Manufacturing

590 Articles

GA 289 | Combining TWI and Process Behavior Analysis with Panos Efsta

By Jessica Bush - October 17th, 2019

This week’s guest is Panos Efsta. Ron and Panos discussed how TWI and process behavior analysis can be integrated to create a powerful, holistic approach to continuous improvement. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available

GA 288 | Adapting to Industry 4.0 with Luke Mullins

By Jessica Bush - October 10th, 2019

This week’s guest is Luke Mullins. Ron and Luke discussed the concept of Industry 4.0, including the challenges both current and future leaders may face as lean evolves. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for downlo

GA 286 | Lean and Robotic Process Automation with Saif Arshad

By Jessica Bush - September 26th, 2019

This week’s guest is Saif Arshad. Saif works for S&P Global, and he shared how they use lean thinking to improve their processes. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’l

GA 283 | Leveraging the Spirit of Learning with Ryan McCall

By Jessica Bush - September 5th, 2019

This week’s guest is Ryan McCall. Ryan shared some of what he’s learned so far on his lean journey and got Ron to weigh in on some of the interpersonal issues that can arise when experimenting with new lean approaches. A MP

Reframe Your Thinking

By Steve Kane - August 23rd, 2019

Part of my role at Gemba Academy is to coach customers along their continuous improvement journey.  Coaching sessions are typically brief phone conversations that help clients continually realign their efforts with organizational goal

GA 280 | The Values and Principles of Agile with Samuel Parra

By Jessica Bush - August 15th, 2019

This week’s guest is Samuel Parra. Ron and Samuel delved into all things Agile, including how it overlaps with lean. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  The qu

GA 279 | The Future of Lean with Olu Amodeni

By Jessica Bush - August 8th, 2019

This week’s guest is Olu Amodeni. Ron and Olu discussed the future of lean, including the roles robots and humans play in manufacturing. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you̵

Reflections on a Lean Futuring Discussion

By Steve Kane - July 26th, 2019

Last week I met with a dozen Lean practitioners, leaders, consultants, and advisors for the purpose of understanding where we’re headed as both individuals and as a community.  We had a very deliberate and structured discussion

GA 275 | Leading vs. Serving with Sarah Tilkens

By Jessica Bush - July 11th, 2019

This week’s guest is Sarah Tilkens. A Lean Manufacturing Leader at GE Healthcare, Sarah and Ron discussed the differences between mentoring, coaching, leading, and serving. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for dow

GA 274 | Retiring from a Lean Career with George Saiz

By Jessica Bush - July 4th, 2019

This week’s guest is George Saiz. George walked Ron through his career and the observations he’s made over the years, including during his time as President of AME. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for downl

GA 272 | The Role of Lean in Empowering People with Disabilities with Brent Weichers

By Jessica Bush - June 20th, 2019

This week’s guest is Brent Weichers of The Lighthouse for the Blind, a non-profit that employs people who are blind, DeafBlind, and blind with other disabilities. He explained the inner workings of this unique organization, and h

GA 271 | Scientific Thinking as a Lifestyle with Panos Efsta

By Jessica Bush - June 13th, 2019

This week’s guest is Panos Efsta. Ron and Panos discussed the value of scientific thinking, confirmation bias, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:  A

Lessons Learned as a Kata Coach

By Steve Kane - May 24th, 2019

I first learned about Toyota Kata many years ago by attending a one-day workshop presented by Beth Carrington.  A short time later, I read Toyota Kata and I began practicing.  The practice as a new kata coach was difficult for me. 

GA 268 | Breaking Down the Seven Wastes with Jeff Kaas

By Jessica Bush - May 23rd, 2019

This week’s guest is Jeff Kaas. We’re sharing the audio from an upcoming course that features Jeff’s company, Kaas Tailored. Using real life examples, Jeff explains each of the seven wastes in a unique and dynamic way

GA 267 | The Nature of Coaching with Steve Kane

By Jessica Bush - May 16th, 2019

This week’s guest is our Director of Customer Success, Steve Kane. Ron and Steve talked all about Steve’s coaching journey, including using kata, the power of the right mindset, what it means to be a coach, and more. An MP3

GA 266 | The True Value of Cost Reduction with Amery Williams

By Jessica Bush - May 9th, 2019

This week’s guest is Amery Williams. Ron and Amery discussed cost reduction and its role in continuous improvement, which can sometimes be controversial. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In thi

GA 265 | Finding Your Best Way with William Harvey

By Jessica Bush - May 2nd, 2019

This week’s guest is Dr. William Harvey. William and Ron discussed William’s research on Toyota Kata, including his process and what he learned from other lean thinkers. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for

GA 264 | Repeating the Process of Learning with Dr. Jeffrey Liker

By Jessica Bush - April 25th, 2019

This week we’re sharing an incredible keynote by Dr. Jeffrey Liker that he gave at KataCon5 earlier this year. Dr. Liker shared a wealth of information regarding his background, his lean journey, and the lessons he’s learne

GA 262 | The Next Generation of Lean with Tyler Athey

By Jessica Bush - April 11th, 2019

This week’s guest is Tyler Athey. Tyler is at the beginning of his career but has accomplished a lot in just a few years. Ron and Tyler touched on a lot of different aspects of lean, including kanban systems, flow, culture, and m

GA 260 | The Secret to Excellence with Oscar Roche

By Jessica Bush - March 28th, 2019

This week’s guest is Oscar Roche, Director of the TWI Institute in Australia & New Zealand. Ron and Oscar discussed the humanity of lean, the components of TWI, and more.  An MP3 version of this episode is available for down

GA 258 | Creating a Common Meaning with Billy Taylor

By Jessica Bush - March 14th, 2019

This week’s guest is Billy Taylor. Billy is a Senior Operations Executive at Goodyear and is known worldwide for his work in operational excellence. Also famous for his storytelling abilities, Billy shared some truly powerful ane

GA 257 | Sharing the Power of Lean with Bill Kraus

By Jessica Bush - March 7th, 2019

This week’s guest is Bill Kraus. Recorded live at KataCon5, Bill and Ron talked all about Bill’s impressive background and what he’s learned about kata, leadership, and scientific thinking. An MP3 version of this epis

GA 256 | Reflecting on a Career in Continuous Improvement with Jon Miller

By Jessica Bush - February 28th, 2019

This episode is Part 2 of last week’s conversation with GA Co-Founder Jon Miller. Jon discussed his career thus far, sharing some of the valuable lessons he’s learned along the way. An MP3 version of this episode is availab

GA 254 | Discovering Lean with Ryan and Louise Tierney

By Jessica Bush - February 14th, 2019

This week’s guests are Ryan and Louise Tierney. We recently went to Northern Ireland to tour and film at their company, Seating Matters. In this episode, they share how they learned about lean, and why they decided to embark on a

GA 252 | Standard Work in the Office with Steve Ansuini

By Jessica Bush - January 31st, 2019

This week’s guest is Steve Ansuini. Steve discussed his time at Toyota, including how he implemented Standard Work and Job Instruction Breakdowns in the office. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In th

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