Productivity

607 Articles

GA 467 | What Makes a Brilliant Process with Andy Reith

By Jessica Bush - March 16th, 2023

This week’s guest is Andy Reith. Ron and Andy discussed Andy’s time at Toyota as well as a tannery, and what Andy believes a brilliant process looks like. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

GA 466 | Problem Statements, Ideation, and Coaching with Jamie Flinchbaugh

By Jessica Bush - March 9th, 2023

This week’s guest is Jamie Flinchbaugh. Jamie updated us on what he’s learned since publishing his latest book, how he recommends writing a good problem statement, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available

GA 465 | What a Unicorn Knows with Matt May and Pablo Dominguez

By Jessica Bush - March 2nd, 2023

This week’s guests are Matt May and Pablo Dominguez. Ron, Matt, and Pablo discussed Matt and Pablo’s book What a Unicorn Knows, the role of AI in business, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for do

GA 464 | Starting with a Process with Andrew Piland

By Jessica Bush - February 23rd, 2023

This week’s guest is Andrew Piland. Ron and Andrew discussed how continuous improvement works in the construction industry, what Respect for People looks like, supply chain waste, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is

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Conducting Engaging Virtual Meetings

By John Knotts - February 17th, 2023

In process improvement, it is always best to involve a team. This helps get different points of view and perspectives on a problem. Also, having a team means that you have more people to help you do the work — especially when it

GA 463 | Academics vs. Application with Phil Ranck

By Jessica Bush - February 16th, 2023

This week’s guest is Phil Ranck. Ron and Phil talked about Lean Alaska, which Phil founded, as well as his work with the United States Army. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you

GA 462 | Fort Collins’ Lean Journey with Roland Guerrero

By Jessica Bush - February 9th, 2023

This week’s guest is Roland Guerrero. Ron and Roland discussed Roland’s experience working with the city of Fort Collins on their lean journey. Ron also asked Roland to weigh in on whether contentment and continuous improve

GA 461 | Scientific Thinking and Confidence with Sam Morgan

By Jessica Bush - February 2nd, 2023

This week’s guest is Sam Morgan. Ron and Sam discussed Sam’s coaching experiences and the connection between scientific thinking and confidence. They also discussed whether contentment and continuous improvement can coexist

GA 459 | Dealing with CAVE People with Adam Lawrence

By Jessica Bush - January 19th, 2023

This week’s guest is Adam Lawrence. Ron and Adam discussed the Wheel of Sustainability, kaizen events, and how to handle “CAVE People.” An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this epis

GA 458 | Exploring Risk Analysis with Ron Pereira

By Jessica Bush - January 12th, 2023

This week we’re sharing audio from three of our newer courses on risk analysis. Learn all about Bowtie Analysis, FMEA, and Fault Tree Analysis, and check out our website to watch the free videos that accompany them. An MP3 audio

GA 455 | The Intersection of Lean and Sustainability with Julia Goldstein

By Jessica Bush - December 22nd, 2022

This week’s guest is Julia Goldstein. Ron and Julia discussed the concept of circular economy, what sustainability looks like in a lean context, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In th

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

GA 453 | Navigating the Struggle of Learning with Katie Anderson

By Jessica Bush - December 8th, 2022

This week’s guest is Katie Anderson. Ron and Katie met up at the AME conference in Dallas to discuss what Katie’s been up to as well as her book, Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn. Katie also shed some light on her approac

GA 452 | The Power of Transactional Lean with Jen Borden

By Jessica Bush - December 1st, 2022

This week’s guest is Jen Borden. Ron and Jen discussed transactional lean, what it entails, and how you can get started with it.  An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll

GA 451 | Good and “Evil” in Kata with Scott Laundry and Marc Bicknell

By Jessica Bush - November 24th, 2022

This week’s guests are Scott Laundry and Marc Bicknell. Ron, Scott, and Marc discussed all things kata, including being a good coach and how kata can be “evil.” An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for do

GA 450 | Governing the Standard with Billy Taylor

By Jessica Bush - November 17th, 2022

This week’s guest is Billy Taylor. We caught up with Billy at the recent AME conference in Dallas, where he and Ron discussed his book The Winning Link and the concept of governance. Billy also shared some powerful anecdotes we t

GA 449 | Firefighting, Docility, and the Top-Down Approach to Lean with Mike Thelen

By Jessica Bush - November 10th, 2022

This week’s guest is Mike Thelen. Ron and Mike caught up at the recent AME conference in Dallas, where they discussed company culture, the role of docility, and why “firefighters” get promoted instead of leaders.  An

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 446 | From “Here” to “There” in Leadership with Alex Judd

By Jessica Bush - October 20th, 2022

This week’s guest is Alex Judd. Alex explained his growth-oriented approach to leadership and coaching, and even gave Ron some parenting advice. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode

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 443 | Telling Stories and Making Meaning with Jamie Dixon

By Jessica Bush - September 29th, 2022

This week’s guest is Jamie Dixon. Ron and Jamie talked all about the power of storytelling, and how it’s done correctly. Jamie also specifically explained what the three ingredients of stories are.  An MP3 audio version of

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 440 | Engagement, Education, and Recognition with Tom Hughes

By Jessica Bush - September 8th, 2022

This week’s guest is Tom Hughes. Ron and Tom discussed how culture and standards coexist in lean, and why it’s so important to be candid. Tom also shared some great anecdotes and lean wisdom. An MP3 audio version of this ep

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