TWI Archives | Gemba Academy

GA 595 | Dynamic Work Design with Don Kieffer

By Jessica Bush - August 28th, 2025

This week’s guest is Don Kieffer. Ron and Don discussed the concept of dynamic work design, their individual takes on AI, Don’s book, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this ep

GA 537 | Standing Up a Lean and Six Sigma Program with Gary Cihak

By Jessica Bush - July 18th, 2024

This week’s guest is Gary Cihak. Ron and Gary discussed what it takes to build a Lean and Six Sigma program, the Job Instruction component of TWI, why 5S isn’t just a series of chores, and more. An MP3 audio version of this

GA 532 | Martial Arts and Continuous Improvement with Chad Senkowski

By Jessica Bush - June 13th, 2024

This week’s guest is Chad Senkowski. Ron and Chad discussed martial arts, Chad’s podcast The Journey, coaching, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll lea

GA 518 | Building a Culture of Continuous Improvement with Jim Huntzinger

By Jessica Bush - March 7th, 2024

This week’s guest is Jim Huntzinger. Ron and Jim discussed what it means to build a culture of continuous improvement, what the future of continuous improvement looks like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is availa

GA 501 | Reducing Chaos with Brandon Brown

By Jessica Bush - November 9th, 2023

This week’s guest is Brandon Brown. Ron and Brandon discussed TWI, and why reducing both personal and professional chaos is so important. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you

GA 497 | Navigating Generational Diversity with James Newell

By Jessica Bush - October 12th, 2023

This week’s guest is James Newell. Ron and James discussed generational diversity and how it affects workplace dynamics. James explained how we can navigate these differences, ensure that the knowledge transfer happens, and more.

GA 494 | TWI and the Training Timetable with Brandon Brown

By Jessica Bush - September 21st, 2023

This week’s guest is Brandon Brown. Ron and Brandon discussed TWI, training timetables, and what it means to live a life you’re proud of. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode

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 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

A Simple Plan for Starting Your Lean Journey

By Steve Kane - September 23rd, 2022

There are many ways to lead a continuous improvement journey in an organization. A frequent question we get at Gemba Academy is, “Where do I start?” One strategy is to simply start eliminating pain-points in processes. R

GA 398 | Lean Storytelling Part Two with Adam Lawrence

By Jessica Bush - November 18th, 2021

This week’s guest is Adam Lawrence. Adam is back this week to tell a few more inspiring lean stories we didn’t get to last time. Be sure to check out Episode 393 for Part One! An MP3 audio version of this episode is availab

GA 356 | How Standards Prevent Turnover with Jason Haines

By Jessica Bush - January 28th, 2021

This week’s guest is Jason Haines. Ron and Jason discussed the importance of having a visual workplace, and how it, along with standard work, can actually help you retain employees. A MP3 audio version of this episode is availabl

GA 353 | Creating the Jeep with Paul Bruno

By Jessica Bush - January 7th, 2021

This week’s guest is Paul Bruno. Paul doesn’t have a traditional lean background, but the fascinating research he shared on the story behind the creation of the Jeep is full of lean parallels and lessons. A MP3 audio versio

GA 340 | Modernizing TWI with Ryan Weiss

By Jessica Bush - October 8th, 2020

This week’s guest is Ryan Weiss. Ryan, a lean consultant, shared his approach to optimizing performance. He and Ron also discussed the modernization of TWI, and how different learning styles play a role. A MP3 audio version of th

GA 333 | The Five Skills for Effective Leadership with Hugh Alley

By Jessica Bush - August 20th, 2020

This week’s guest is Hugh Alley. Ron and Hugh discussed the five core skills to being a good leader and boss, how it all relates to TWI, Hugh’s book, and more. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download h

GA 329 | Gathering Lean Stories with Dewey Mauldin

By Jessica Bush - July 23rd, 2020

This week’s guest is Dewey Mauldin. Dewey, who works for Daimler Trucks, shared some of the experiences that have stuck with him over the years. Dewey specifically touches on takt time, purchase processes, and more. A MP3 audio v

GA 320 | Lean in the Legal Profession with Jaclyn Harder

By Jessica Bush - May 21st, 2020

This week’s guest is Jaclyn Harder. Ron and Jaclyn discussed how lean applies to practicing law, as well as the power of taking action. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’

GA 298 | Defining Standardized Work with Mike Thelen

By Jessica Bush - December 19th, 2019

This week’s guest is Mike Thelen. Ron and Mike explored all things standardized work, including the components, how often it should be improved, and more. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In thi

GA 289 | Combining TWI and Process Behavior Analysis with Panos Efsta

By Jessica Bush - October 17th, 2019

This week’s guest is Panos Efsta. Ron and Panos discussed how TWI and process behavior analysis can be integrated to create a powerful, holistic approach to continuous improvement. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available

GA 283 | Leveraging the Spirit of Learning with Ryan McCall

By Jessica Bush - September 5th, 2019

This week’s guest is Ryan McCall. Ryan shared some of what he’s learned so far on his lean journey and got Ron to weigh in on some of the interpersonal issues that can arise when experimenting with new lean approaches. A MP

GA 279 | The Future of Lean with Olu Amodeni

By Jessica Bush - August 8th, 2019

This week’s guest is Olu Amodeni. Ron and Olu discussed the future of lean, including the roles robots and humans play in manufacturing. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you̵

GA 273 | Lean as a Management System with Skip Steward

By Jessica Bush - June 27th, 2019

This week’s guest is Skip Steward. Ron and Skip continued their conversation from Episode 269, diving deeper into scientific thinking, Toyota Kata, management systems, and more. A MP3 audio version of this episode is available fo

GA 271 | Scientific Thinking as a Lifestyle with Panos Efsta

By Jessica Bush - June 13th, 2019

This week’s guest is Panos Efsta. Ron and Panos discussed the value of scientific thinking, confirmation bias, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn: A

GA 269 | Establishing a Standard Behavior with Skip Steward

By Jessica Bush - May 30th, 2019

This week’s guest is Skip Steward. Ron and Skip had a long conversation all about healthcare and the transformative powers of TWI, Toyota Kata, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In thi

GA 266 | The True Value of Cost Reduction with Amery Williams

By Jessica Bush - May 9th, 2019

This week’s guest is Amery Williams. Ron and Amery discussed cost reduction and its role in continuous improvement, which can sometimes be controversial. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In thi

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