Productivity

607 Articles

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

GA 225 | How to Create a Strategy Execution Plan with David Asher

By Jessica Bush - July 26th, 2018

This week’s guest is our new Director of Certification & Coaching, David Asher. Ron and David talked about the importance of having a Strategy Execution Plan, among other things. An MP3 version of this episode is available fo

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 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.

GA 222 | How to Sustain Improvements with Brian DeVries

By Jessica Bush - July 5th, 2018

This week’s guest is Brian DeVries. Ron and Brian talked about sustaining improvements and showing empathy throughout the process. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:

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

GA 220 | How to Ensure the Longevity of Your Lean Success with Mohamed Aref

By Jessica Bush - June 21st, 2018

This week’s guest is Mohamed Aref. Mohamed shared his lean journey with us, including his take on what makes a lean initiative stick, and what lean is like in Egypt. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here.

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 218 | How to Harness the Power of A3 Thinking with Captain Brad Brown

By Jessica Bush - June 7th, 2018

This week we’re sharing the audio of a presentation given by Captain Brad Brown at the 2017 Lean Municipal Government Forum in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Brad shared how the fire department’s use of A3 thinking has yielded rea

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 216 | How to Reignite a Continuous Improvement Program with Casey Johnson

By Jessica Bush - May 24th, 2018

This week’s guest is Casey Johnson. Casey and Ron discussed the best ways to help an organization who has experienced a failed CI initiative get back on track. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In thi

GA 215 | How to Reflect on Lessons Learned with Brian Buck

By Jessica Bush - May 17th, 2018

This week’s guest is Brian Buck. Brian reflected back on his journey thus far and shared some of the lessons he’s learned, including the importance of defining and maintaining standards. An MP3 version of this episode is av

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 212 | How to Combine TWI, Kata, and a Kaizen Event with Brandon Brown

By Jessica Bush - April 26th, 2018

This week’s guest is Brandon Brown. Brandon explained how he and his team have combined elements of TWI, kata, and kaizen events into a unique and effective learning system. An MP3 version of this episode is available for downloa

GA 211 | How to Navigate a Kaizen Journey with Jeff Kaas

By Jessica Bush - April 19th, 2018

This week’s guest is Jeff Kaas, President of Kaas Tailored and Lead Consultant at Truth Bit Pull Consulting. Jeff described how he discovered kaizen, how it changed his company, and more. An MP3 version of this episode is availab

GA 208 | How to Define Lean, Success, and Strategy with Jon Miller and Michael Ballé

By Jessica Bush - March 29th, 2018

This week’s guests are Jon Miller and Michael Ballé. Together with Ron, they discussed the definitions of lean, success, and strategy, as well as using lean as a strategy for innovation and growth. An MP3 version of this episode

GA 207 | How to Define the Role of People in Lean with Jon Miller

By Jessica Bush - March 22nd, 2018

This week’s guest is GA Co-Founder Jon Miller. Ron and Jon discussed the people side of lean, specifically why stating that lean is “all about people” can be problematic. An MP3 version of this episode is available fo

GA 206 | How to Sustain Your Lean Success with Geoff Cox

By Jessica Bush - March 15th, 2018

This week’s guest is Production Manager Geoff Cox. Geoff and Ron discussed the key role of culture, and why lean really is all about people. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’

GA 205 | How to Use Lean in the Cafeteria with Willy Bustillos

By Jessica Bush - March 8th, 2018

This week’s guest is Willy Bustillos, a Food Service Manager who uses lean principles to improve high school cafeterias. Willy explained what it’s like applying lean in such an untraditional setting, including some of the c

GA 204 | How to Set the Stage for Your Lean Journey with Matt Kellett

By Jessica Bush - March 1st, 2018

This week’s guest is continuous improvement leader Matt Kellett. Matt and Ron discussed what needs to be in place in order to successfully start and sustain a lean journey. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download

Avoid the Ambush

By Steve Kane - February 23rd, 2018

As I’m writing this, I’m attending the Toyota Kata Summit in Atlanta.  The early keynotes of the conference touched on several important aspects of Lean leadership.  Among them were the general topic of respect for people

GA 203 | How to Apply Lean to Manufacturing Location Decisions with Harry Moser

By Jessica Bush - February 22nd, 2018

This week’s guest is Harry Moser, Founder and President of the Reshoring Initiative. Ron and Harry discussed reshoring, including what it is and how lean plays a role. An MP3 version of this episode is available for download here

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