Lean Manufacturing

596 Articles

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

What’s the Thinking Behind the Tools

By Steve Kane - January 25th, 2019

I have a small hobby business I run on the weekends.  It involves some simple assembly and kitting, which I do in my basement.  I’ve come to the point where flow has become the next problem to solve. What’s the Convention

GA 250 | Using Process Behavior Charts with Mark Graban

By Jessica Bush - January 17th, 2019

This week’s guest is Mark Graban. This is Mark’s sixth episode with us, and this time he discussed his new book, Measures of Success, as well as how Process Behavior Charts can be used in different contexts. An MP3 version

GA 249 | Lean in Thailand, China, and India with John Chacon

By Jessica Bush - January 10th, 2019

This week’s guest is John Chacon. Ron and John discussed John’s career, specifically his experiences practicing lean in different parts of Asia. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode

GA 246 | How to Admit When You’re Struggling with Gary Peterson

By Jessica Bush - December 20th, 2018

This week’s guest is Gary Peterson. Gary talked about his company O.C. Tanner’s lean journey, and shared some vulnerable anecdotes about failure, asking for help, and owning up to your mistakes.  An MP3 version of this epi

GA 242 | How to Leverage Different Lean Experiences with Katie Anderson

By Jessica Bush - November 22nd, 2018

This week we have another episode from AME San Diego. Our guest is Katie Anderson, who told us all about the AME Consortia program, her Japan Lean Study trips, and more.  An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here.

GA 240 | How to Leverage Lean Like Barry-Wehmiller with Brian Wellinghoff

By Jessica Bush - November 8th, 2018

This week we’re sharing the first of several episodes we recorded live at AME San Diego. For this episode, our guest is Brian Wellinghoff. Ron and Brian discussed Barry-Wehmiller’s lean journey, the lessons Brian has learne

GA 238 | How to Change Your Culture with Toyota Kata with Emiel van Est

By Jessica Bush - October 25th, 2018

This week’s guest is Emiel van Est. Ron and Emiel discussed the vital role that culture plays in continuous improvement, and how methodologies like Toyota Kata can help sustain your success. An MP3 version of this episode is avai

GA 237 | How to Incorporate and Leverage Sustainability with Brion Hurley

By Jessica Bush - October 18th, 2018

This week’s guest is Brion Hurley. A Lean and Six Sigma consultant with a true passion for sustainability, Brion shared some advice on the “Triple Bottom Line,” going paperless, and more. An MP3 version of this episod

GA 235 | How to Embody the Spirit of Toyota with Jess Orr

By Jessica Bush - October 4th, 2018

This week’s guest is former Toyota employee Jess Orr. Jess reflected on her time there by sharing their “10 Attitudes” with us, which really capture the overall spirit of Toyota. An MP3 version of this episode is avai

GA 233 | How to Develop a Strong Lean Culture with Raye Wentworth

By Jessica Bush - September 20th, 2018

This week we’re sharing another powerful keynote from the 2018 Lean Systems Summit, this time by Raye Wentworth. Raye has been with New Balance for 34 years, and she shared how the company has developed their lean culture. An MP3

GA 232 | How to Embrace the Higher Calling of Lean with Kevin Hancock

By Jessica Bush - September 13th, 2018

This week we’re sharing a moving keynote by CEO Kevin Hancock from the 2018 Lean Systems Summit. It’s impossible not to be inspired by Kevin’s refreshing take on lean and it’s true value. An MP3 version of this

GA 230 | How to Become a Six Sigma Black Belt with Md Hasan

By Jessica Bush - August 30th, 2018

This week’s guest is one of our Six Sigma Black Belt recipients, Md Hasan. Ron and Md discussed his background, the process of becoming certified, SMED, and more. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In

GA 229 | How to Run a Sustainable Organization with Dale and Dan Crownover

By Jessica Bush - August 23rd, 2018

This week we’re featuring some of the audio from our recent Gemba Academy Live! series at Texas Nameplate. Dale Crownover and his son Dan talked to Ron about their passion for sustainability and the concept of the “Triple B

GA 226 | How to Practice Lean in the UAE with Dan Whittaker

By Jessica Bush - August 2nd, 2018

This week’s guest is Dan Whittaker. Dan shared some interesting stories from his time working in Formula 1, and explained what it’s like applying lean in the United Arab Emirates. An MP3 version of this episode is available

GA 224 | How to Apply Lean in Different Countries with James Newell

By Jessica Bush - July 19th, 2018

This week’s guest is James Newell. James is American but has lived in Germany for the past twenty years, and he shared his experiences applying lean there. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In this ep

GA 221 | How to Think Scientifically with Stephen Derksen

By Jessica Bush - June 28th, 2018

This week’s guest is Stephen Derksen. Ron and Stephen discussed Toyota Kata and learning how to think in a scientific manner. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: Step

Start your improvement training today.