Lean Office Archives | Page 6 of 12

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 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

GA 251 | Lean in New Hampshire with Heather Barto and Tommy Lencki Jr.

By Jessica Bush - January 24th, 2019

This week’s guests are Heather Barto and Sergeant Tommy Lencki Jr. Heather and Tommy both work for the state of New Hampshire, and they described their involvement in the state’s continuous improvement initiatives. An MP3 v

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 248 | The Importance of Creativity with Karyn Ross

By Jessica Bush - January 3rd, 2019

This week’s guest is Karyn Ross. Ron and Karyn talked all about the power of creativity, why lean thinkers should focus on it, and how you can learn to be more creative. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download he

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 241 | How to Make Work More Human with Renée Smith

By Jessica Bush - November 15th, 2018

This week we’re continuing our live AME San Diego series with Renée Smith of Results Washington. Ron and Renée both shared some powerful anecdotes and insights into the humanity of lean and its potential to really change lives.

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

Constraints Are Opportunities

By Steve Kane - September 28th, 2018

I started my lean journey many years ago while working in the motorcycle industry. I was a parts and accessories manager for a BMW Motorcycles dealership in the Monterey Bay area of California. This dealership had been in business

GA 234 | How to Apply Lean to Transportation with Gary Vansuch, Michelle Malloy, and Geneva Hooten

By Jessica Bush - September 27th, 2018

This week’s guests are Gary Vansuch, Michelle Malloy, and Geneva Hooten of the Colorado Department of Transportation. Together they shared how their Process Improvement program came to be, how it has changed, and some of the chal

You Want Me to Do What!?!

By Steve Kane - August 24th, 2018

I coach a variety of teams in diverse industries in the area of continuous improvement. A common struggle is overcoming an obstacle that is often perceived as resistance to change. Improvement is Inherent Change for the better s

GA 227 | How to Leverage Lean in Banking with Danny Conroy and Daniel Lichty

By Jessica Bush - August 9th, 2018

This week’s guests are Danny Conroy and Daniel Lichty. Danny and Daniel explained how they use lean in banking, specifically to improve the mortgage process. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In this

GA 223 | How to Apply Lean to the Government with Justin Kenney

By Jessica Bush - July 12th, 2018

This week’s guest is Justin Kenney. Justin, who works for the state of Vermont, explained how he and his team leverage continuous improvement at the government level. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here.

Set Full Sail

By Steve Kane - June 22nd, 2018

Getting started with lean in an existing organization challenging on many levels. Often some of the most important steps in a lean journey are not recognized. A common place people think they start is with 5S. It’s an

GA 219 | How to Adopt the Best Mindset for Lean with Kyle Kumpf

By Jessica Bush - June 14th, 2018

This week’s guest is Kyle Kumpf. Kyle walked us through his lean journey thus far, explaining why it’s important to be critical on processes and not people. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In

GA 217 | How Gemba Academy Practices Lean with Leslie Moles and Jennifer Scott

By Jessica Bush - May 31st, 2018

This week’s guests are our own Leslie Moles and Jennifer Scott. Leslie and Jennifer shared what it’s like practicing lean at Gemba Academy, specifically how we leverage Toyota Kata. An MP3 version of this episode is avail

Instructions Aren’t Enough

By Steve Kane - May 25th, 2018

During a recent airline emergency, cabin pressure was lost and the oxygen masks dropped from the ceiling. Passengers donned the masks, but not quite as instructed. Mobile phone videos of the incident showed many passengers wearing th

GA 214 | How to Set a Challenge with Mark Rosenthal

By Jessica Bush - May 10th, 2018

This week’s guest is consultant Mark Rosenthal. Mark shared some insights regarding the various components of Toyota Kata, including setting a challenge and determining a target condition. An MP3 version of this episode is availa

GA 213 | How to Lead with Joy with Richard Sheridan

By Jessica Bush - May 3rd, 2018

This week’s guest is Richard Sheridan, CEO of Menlo Innovations. Ron and Richard discussed the premise of Richard’s new book, Lead With Joy, including what it means to be a humble, compassionate, joyful leader. An MP3 ver

Where Do I Start with Lean?

By Steve Kane - April 27th, 2018

Where should I start with Lean? is a common question we receive at Gemba Academy. Some say starting with 5S is a must. Others favor eliminating the seven deadly wastes. Others still suggest value stream mapping. A great question

GA 200 | What We’ve Learned from 200 Episodes with Ron Pereira and Past Guests

By Jessica Bush - February 1st, 2018

This week we’re celebrating a milestone: our 200th episode. For this special episode we decided to highlight some of the major themes we’ve had thus far, featuring some truly incredible guests. An MP3 version of this episod

Big Decisions Don’t Lead to Results

By Steve Kane - January 26th, 2018

The Big Idea January’s the month for resolutions–big decisions to make significant changes in one’s life. Celebration of the new year offers a sense of renewal and opportunity for change. While the month of Januar

GA 199 | How to Understand Your Current Condition with Drew Locher

By Jessica Bush - January 25th, 2018

This week’s guest is Drew Locher. Drew explained a huge issue in continuous improvement…rushing into countermeasures before taking the time to investigate and understand the current condition. An MP3 version of this episode

GA 198 | How to Start and Fund Your Lean Journey with Ron Pereira

By Jessica Bush - January 18th, 2018

This week we’re sharing our first two Gemba Talk episodes, a new video series available without a subscription. Specifically, Ron explains what it takes to both start and fund a lean journey. An MP3 version of this episode is ava

GA 197 | How to Use Continuous Improvement in Untraditional Settings with Veronica Silva

By Jessica Bush - January 11th, 2018

This week’s guest is Veronica Silva. Veronica shared some great stories of how she’s used continuous improvement in all different kinds of settings, including bartending and banking. An MP3 version of this episode is availa

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