Lean Office

284 Articles

Measuring The Pig In The Python

By John Knotts - January 20th, 2023

Data collection and analysis are critical in process improvement. Data shows progress in process improvement over time and serves as a barometer of process effectiveness and efficiency. Measuring a straightforward process that takes se

Quick Way To Time A Process

By John Knotts - December 16th, 2022

Understanding and measuring process time is one of the most important aspects of process improvement. Much of the waste (muda) in a process causes a process to take longer than it should. When a process takes longer, customers are wait

GA 454 | Practicing Lean in a Pandemic with Sabrina McCorvey

By Jessica Bush - December 15th, 2022

This week’s guest is Sabrina McCorvey. Ron and Sabrina discussed what it’s like practicing lean in a pandemic, how she has used Gemba Academy, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. I

Going To The Electronic Gemba

By John Knotts - November 18th, 2022

Going to Gemba — where the work is done — is a pretty simple concept. Go where the work is being performed and watch what is happening. What happens when the process is all online?  Where everything that is happening, is o

GA 447 | Reality Fights Back with Trond Undheim

By Jessica Bush - October 27th, 2022

This week’s guest is Trond Undheim. Ron and Trond discussed Trond’s book Augmented Lean, and his thoughts on automation and technology. He and Ron also each shared their stance on social media and its effects on humanity. A

GA 445 | Ventura County’s Lean Journey with Paul Stamper

By Jessica Bush - October 13th, 2022

This week’s guest is Paul Stamper. Paul shared how lean has helped Ventura County improve its processes and how continuous improvement can bring positive change to government and service environments in general. An MP3 audio vers

GA 442 | Getting Decisions That Stick with Kurt Neubek

By Jessica Bush - September 22nd, 2022

This week’s guest is Kurt Neubek. Kurt explained how lean is used in the Design and Construction industries, and the differences between virtual and in-person dynamics. He and Ron also discussed navigating biases. An MP3 audio ve

GA 441 | Strategic Visioning with Deondra Wardelle

By Jessica Bush - September 15th, 2022

This week’s guest is Deondra Wardelle. Deondra, a keynote panelist at the upcoming AME Conference, talked to Ron about her consulting work and strategic visioning. They also discussed kata and the future of lean. An MP3 audio ver

GA 438 | The Importance of Understanding People with Brent Weichers

By Jessica Bush - August 25th, 2022

This week’s guest is Brent Weichers. Brent explained how his organization has made real changes to improve the lives of the employees. He also shared what he’ll be presenting at this year’s AME conference. An MP3 audi

GA 437 | Virtual Training with Steve Kane

By Jessica Bush - August 18th, 2022

This week’s guest is Steve Kane. Ron and Steve discussed the benefits and challenges of virtual training. Steve also explained the trends in virtual training he’s observed recently. An MP3 audio version of this episode is a

GA 436 | Work Design and Intrinsic Motivation with Thomas Bertels

By Jessica Bush - August 11th, 2022

This week’s guest is Thomas Bertels. Ron and Thomas discussed how Thomas got into work design, how it relates to lean, and why intrinsic motivation is so critical. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download he

GA 432 | “Lean” versus “lean” with Martina Kuhlmeyer

By Jessica Bush - July 14th, 2022

This week’s guest is Martina Kuhlmeyer. Ron and Martina talked about the true definition of culture, what it means to build lean into your company culture, and how to tell when things go awry. An MP3 audio version of this episode

GA 430 | The Importance of Empathetic Leadership with Bhavana Bartholf

By Jessica Bush - June 30th, 2022

This week’s guest is Bhavana Bartholf. Bhavana is the Global Head of Digital & Sales Strategy at Microsoft and a keynote speaker at this year’s AME International Conference. Ron and Bhavana discussed empathy, culture, t

Three Most Important Metrics in a Continuous Improvement Culture

By John Knotts - June 17th, 2022

How many things do you measure in order to tell you how you are doing in business?  I have seen organizations that measure everything and anything.  Many times, what is being measured is not something the business can do anything abo

GA 426 | Deciding When to Use Technology with Lauren Hisey

By Jessica Bush - June 2nd, 2022

This week’s guest is Lauren Hisey. Ron and Lauren discussed the dangers of jumping straight into technology before exploring other options. They also covered value stream mapping, gemba walks, and more. An MP3 audio version of th

GA 425 | Lean and Racing with Beau Briggs

By Jessica Bush - May 26th, 2022

This week’s guest is Beau Briggs. Beau described his racing career and his family business, and how lean has been a part of both journeys. This is a particularly unique episode you won’t want to miss. An MP3 audio version o

Company Culture

Why Traditional Measurement Approaches Do Not Change A Culture

By John Knotts - May 20th, 2022

If you are a student of business, then you have probably heard all the quotes around measuring what you do. The bottom line is if you are not measuring what you are doing, you cannot improve it. Trust me…many organizations that I

GA 423 | Lean and Human-Centered Design with Michael Parent

By Jessica Bush - May 12th, 2022

This week’s guest is Michael Parent. Ron and Michael discussed human-centered design and how it intersects with lean. Michael also talked about his book, The Lean Innovation Cycle.  An MP3 audio version of this episode is availa

GA 422 | Getting Lean Buy-In with Adam Marsland

By Jessica Bush - May 5th, 2022

This week’s guest is Adam Marsland. Adam, who works in the legal industry, explained how his firm uses continuous improvement and what problems they’re solving. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download

GA 421 | What Employees Want with Dan Johnston

By Jessica Bush - April 28th, 2022

This week’s guest is Dan Johnston.  Dan explained how his company WorkStep approaches hiring and retaining employees and what employees truly want, with clear parallels to lean, PDCA, and Respect for People. An MP3 audio version

GA 420 | The Benefits of Gratitude with Rick Foreman

By Jessica Bush - April 21st, 2022

This week’s guest is Rick Foreman. Ron and Rick talked all about the importance of gratitude, both in professional and personal contexts. Listen and learn how being grateful can improve your health and overall happiness. An MP3 a

GA 419 | Lean in Venture Capital with Bryan Bauw

By Jessica Bush - April 14th, 2022

This week’s guest is Bryan Bauw. Bryan explained how he uses lean and continuous improvement in his role at a startup venture capital firm. Ron and Bryan also explored what we could learn from the world of venture capital. An MP3

GA 418 | Value Stream Management in Software Delivery with Lance Knight

By Jessica Bush - April 7th, 2022

This week’s guest is Lance Knight. Lance explained how lean and value stream management work in the software delivery field. He also shed some light on what they’re doing that traditional manufacturers could benefit from. A

GA 415 | Reacting vs. Responding with Sumit Gupta

By Jessica Bush - March 17th, 2022

This week’s guest is Sumit Gupta. Ron and Sumit discussed various aspects of leadership, including what it means to be a leader, dealing with different personality types, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is availabl

GA 412 | Lean and Design with Andy Switky

By Jessica Bush - February 24th, 2022

This week’s guest is Andy Switky. Ron and Andy discussed lean thinking versus design thinking, and what the two worlds could learn from each other. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this epis

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