Productivity

629 Articles

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 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 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 247 | Using Lean in the U.S. Air Force with Greg Butler

By Jessica Bush - December 27th, 2018

This week’s guest is Senior Master Sergeant Greg Butler. Greg shared how he and his team use lean in the U.S. Air Force, some of the barriers to success he’s observed, and countermeasures you can use. An MP3 version of this

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 244 | How to Teach Kata in the Classroom with Mike Rother

By Jessica Bush - December 6th, 2018

This week’s guest is Mike Rother. Mike actually interviewed Ron for this episode, and the two of them discussed scientific thinking and Ron’s experience facilitating a kata workshop for kids. An MP3 version of this episode

GA 243 | How to Strive to Thrive with Michael Lombard

By Jessica Bush - November 29th, 2018

This week’s guest is Michael Lombard. Michael and Ron discussed Michael’s career thus far, specifically his work in healthcare and his use of kata. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In this epis

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 239 | How to Determine Root Causes with Ron Pereira

By Jessica Bush - November 1st, 2018

This week’s episode includes a little bit of everything. Ron provided an update on a few exciting things we have in the works, discussed a book he’s loving, and then explored the powerful concept of “5 Why.” An

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

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

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 231 | How to Think Scientifically in Healthcare with Maurene Stock and Katie Melching

By Jessica Bush - September 6th, 2018

This week’s guests are Maurene Stock and Katie Melching of Mercy Health Muskegon. They shed some light on the organization’s lean journey, including their approach and how they learned to think scientifically. An MP3 versio

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 228 | How to Apply Lean to Architecture and Engineering with Kurt Neubek

By Jessica Bush - August 16th, 2018

This week’s guest is Kurt Neubek, an architect who is also one of our Six Sigma Black Belt recipients. Kurt explained how he uses continuous improvement in his line of work. An MP3 version of this episode is available for downloa

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 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

Start your improvement training today.