Quality Time With MoreSteam

Explore Generative AI and its impact on process improvement! On August 13, 2024, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Ken Robinette delivered a presentation to the ASQ Columbus Section titled "Revolutionizing Process Improvement with the Power of Generative AI and Large Language Models." In this episode of Quality Time With MoreSteam, host Dan Swartwout brings you some highlights from Ken's presentation. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or new to the field of operational excellence, this episode offers a fascinating (and fun!) glimpse into the future of continuous improvement. In this episode, you will hear about: 0:55 - A description of Ken's Presentation 1:58 - What is Generative AI? 5:26 - AI continues to evolve 6:47 - How you can use AI at your job 8:11 - How organizations are using AI 10:44 - How experimenting with AI can make you more effective 12:59 - How Ken uses Generative AI 15:38 - Keeping pace with technology 21:00 - How MoreSteam is using Generative AI Additional Resources: MoreSteam's Website Subscribe to MoreSteam's Newsletter Ken Robinette on LinkedIn ASQ Columbus Section Event Page MoreSteam's Webinar: Accelerating Process Improvement with AI MoreSteam on LinkedIn MoreSteam's YouTube Channel Dan Swartwout on LinkedIn Subscribe to Quality Time With MoreSteam Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music YouTube iHeart

In this episode of Quality Time With MoreSteam, Lean Six Sigma Maser Black Belt Maria Fry joins the podcast to discuss all things Mast Black Belt. Maybe you're curious about what a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt does. Maybe you're interested in earning your Master Black Belt. Maria talks about all this and more. As both a teacher and consultant, Maria performs at the highest levels of continuous improvement and operational excellence. In her conversation with Dan, Maria shares both her experiences and advice. Topics include communicating with stakeholders, mentoring other continuous improvement professionals, and stealth Sigma. (Yes! Stealth Sigma!) "What problem are we solving? Who's your audience? And then you fit the approach to make it most effective in that organization." Thanks for the advice, Maria. Our approach was asking MoreSteam's own Lindsay Van Dyne to also join this episode. Maria believes you must "know your audience." At Quality Time With MoreSteam, we do! In this episode, you will hear about: 3:24 - Maria's start as a Master Black Belt 4:35 - Black Belt versus Master Black Belt 9:09 - How Maria describes her job outside the world of continuous improvement 10:25 - A Master Black Belt's organizational impact 13:23 - The Master Black Belt as a consultant 15:55 - Communicating with stakeholders within an organization 18:05 - The modern certification requirements 19:53 - The Master Black Belt Curriculum 23:22 - A potential Master Black Belt's preparations and considerations 26:40 - Conversations leading up to Master Black Belt certification 28:33 - People, process, and culture: know your audience! 33:07 - Advice for potential Master Black Belts 33:58 - Maria organically names the episode Additional Resources: MoreSteam's Master Black Belt Certification Maria Fry on LinkedIn Lindsay Van Dyne on LinkedIn MoreSteam's 2024 Best Practices in Operational Excellence Conference MoreSteam's Website EngineRoom Data Analysis Software Subscribe to MoreSteam's Newsletter MoreSteam on LinkedIn MoreSteam's YouTube Channel Dan Swartwout on LinkedIn Sigmapedia Subscribe to Quality Time With MoreSteam Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music YouTube iHeart

Karina Dubé, Director of Product for EngineRoom and former electrical engineer turned interactive media specialist. She talks about using statistics and simulation for continuous improvement. Hear about choosing a North Star metric, Process Playground discrete event simulation, visual reporting and data integrity in EngineRoom, and applying an experimentation mindset — with a side of adventurous ice cream testing.

"If you don't hate waste, why are you here?" That's how Omar Mora views continuous improvement. "You hate the waste," Omar said. "It has to be that kind of feeling." Omar Mora is an industrial engineer, a certified Six Sigma Black Belt, and the founder of Blackberry & Cross. As the business development manager for Costa Rica-based Blackberry & Cross, Omar specializes in working with companies in Central America to build their operational excellence infrastructures. On this episode of Quality Time with Moresteam, Omar and Dan talk about some of Omar's first continuous improvement projects, building F1 pit crew efficiency, and the value of experimentation. Omar Mora hates waste. After this episode, you will, too. In this episode, you will hear about: 1:12 – Omar's first continuous improvement projects 2:52 – One of Omar's most memorable continuous improvement projects 5:37 – Continuous improvement and experimentation 9:10 – The fear of failure should not prevent you from experimenting 13:10 – The unstoppable desire to improve 16:34 – Continuous improvement is not maintenance 19:25 – How Omar uses continuous improvement principles in his own small business 24:19 – Using EngineRoom® data analysis software 30:11 – How EngineRoom eliminates waste 31:57 - Voice of the Customer Additional Resources: Omar Mora on LinkedIn Blackberry & Cross MoreSteam's 2024 Best Practices in Operational Excellence Conference MoreSteam's Website Subscribe to MoreSteam's Newsletter MoreSteam on LinkedIn MoreSteam's YouTube Channel Subscribe to Quality Time With MoreSteam Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music YouTube iHeart

Emmanuel Aouad, a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt who moonlights as a musician and game designer, talks about turning continuous improvement into music and playable art. He discusses the Gemba Walk song, applying Voice of the Customer and CTQs, and using AI to speed up process-improvement analysis. He also explains creating a playable rap album that blends gaming and Lean themes.

Have you ever been to a tailgate party hosted by a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt? In this episode, Ken Robinette talks about the leanest tailgate party on the banks of the Olentangy. Ken is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, a former high school quarterback, and the Vice President for Business Development at MoreSteam. It's not just tailgating in this episode. Ken and Dan also talk about leadership, coaching, and seeking out the influencers within an organization. Fire up the grill! Grab a drink! And enjoy some Quality Time with MoreSteam. In this episode you will hear about: 0:41 - Ken's high school football career and lessons in leadership 4:09 - Aerospace engineering at Kent State University 5:53 - Ken's first exposure to the quality world 8:26 - When it all came together for Ken 13:21 - Informal leaders and influencers 15:06 - The certification process: combining Lean and Six Sigma 21:53 - Coaching and helping others succeed 24:24 - Ken's role as a coach at the Center For Operational Excellence 27:38 - Lean Six Sigma tailgate parties Additional Resources Ken Robinette on LinkedIn MoreSteam's Website Subscribe to MoreSteam's Newsletter MoreSteam on LinkedIn MoreSteam's YouTube Channel Subscribe to Quality Time with MoreSteam Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music YouTube iHeart

Once again, the timing is perfect for the latest Quality Time with MoreSteam. On this episode, Alan Goodman joins the podcast. Alan is the Instructional Chair for Quality Engineering & Technology at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He is also a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, a consultant and public speaker, and an award-winning baker. What makes Alan one of the most fascinating people in the Lean space? In this episode, Alan and Dan talk about Alan's introduction to Lean, using Lean in businesses of all sizes, including small businesses, and Alan's work teaching Lean principles to children. In this episode you will hear about: 0:54 - Using Lean principles in a small business 6:30 - The importance of good customer service 9:04 - Teaching Lean principles and concepts to children 11:57 - Introduction to Lean summer camp 13:42 - The operational definition of clean 19:19 - Identifying a pipeline of leaders 20:38 - Children as natural problem-solvers 24:24 - Experiences after the introduction to Lean camp Additional Resources Alan Goodman on LinkedIn A Goodman's Desserts Developing the Next Generation of Lean Problem Solvers MoreSteam's Website Subscribe to MoreSteam's Newsletter MoreSteam on LinkedIn MoreSteam's YouTube Channel Subscribe to Quality Time with MoreSteam Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music YouTube

The timing is perfect for the latest Quality Time with MoreSteam. On this episode, Alan Goodman joins the podcast. Alan is the Instructional Chair for Quality Engineering & Technology at Milwaukee Area Technical College. He is also a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, a consultant and public speaker, and an award-winning baker. What makes Alan one of the most fascinating people in the Lean space? In this episode, you will learn about Alan's connection to two of the most iconic movies of all time, Alan's role in a world championship season for the Milwaukee Bucks, and what started Alan on the path to lean. As Alan demonstrates, you can apply Lean principles to a business of any size. And sometimes, the results are delicious! In this episode you will hear about: 1:32 - Alan's participation in Rocky II 4:55 - Alan's educational background 9:35 - Working at the Philadelphia Stock Exchange 14:09 - Thinking about process improvement 16:17 - Starting A Goodman's Desserts 21:55 - Alan's association with the Milwauke Bucks 26:47 - The road to the championship 29:34 - Continuing to build A Goodman's Desserts Additional Resources Alan Goodman on LinkedIn A Goodman's Desserts Developing the Next Generation of Lean Problem Solvers MoreSteam's Website Subscribe to MoreSteam's Newsletter MoreSteam on LinkedIn MoreSteam's YouTube Channel Subscribe to Quality Time with MoreSteam Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music YouTube

Get more curious and creative! Manufacturing engineer and podcaster Shawn Washburn joins Dan on this episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam. In the "About" section of his LinkedIn profile, Shawn describes himself like this: "A manufacturing engineer with over 25 years experience in manufacturing, from product to design to manufacturing improvements. Well versed in Lean Manufacturing concepts and looking for ways to eliminate waste in all of its forms. Excellent communicator who strives to connect and communicate in visual and effective ways. Excellent problem-solver, utilizing root cause analysis skills and leveraging knowledge of the team involved." Shawn and Dan talk about creating a Lean culture, using the concepts of continuous improvement, building relationships, and becoming more curious. As Shawn says, "You don't have to be born curious. You can become more curious. You can ask better questions." In this episode you'll hear about: 2:31 - Shawn's podcast 4:51 - What a mechanical engineer does 6:14 - Shawn's introduction to Lean 8:10 - Using Lean principles at work 9:44 - Poka-Yoke 12:21 - Improving a current process 15:55 - The importance of relationships in Lean 17:16 - Having the entire organization on board 19:28 - Creating a new process 22:08 - Miscommunication as a source of waste 24:54 - Using Lean priciples outside of work 26:54 - Creativity in engineering and Lean 33:05 - Becoming more curious Additional Resources Engineering Your Business Podcast Shawn Washburn on LinkedIn MoreSteam's Website Subscribe to MoreSteam's Newsletter MoreSteam on LinkedIn MoreSteam's YouTube Channel Harnessing Process Modeling for Lean Transformations Process Modeling Fuels Operational Excellence in High-Stakes Industry Subscribe to Quality Time with MoreSteam Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music YouTube

WOW, what a difference! In this episode, Alan Payne joins the show to talk about the rise and fall of Blockbuster Video. Alan was one of the most successful franchisees in Blockbuster history. He literally wrote the book on Blockbuster -- Built to Fail: The Inside Story of Blockbuster's Inevitable Bust, which was released in 2021. Alan and Dan discuss the history of the video business, inventory management, new releases versus older movies, and other aspects of the Blockbuster story. Throughout the conversation, you will recognize many concepts and principles from the world of process improvement and operational excellence. And don't worry. You can listen to the show anytime you want! There won't be any late fees. In this episode you'll hear about: 1:14 - The transition from VHS to DVD 6:00 - The retail price of DVD as opposed to VHS 8:06 - Opening a video store across the street from a Blockbuster 10:30 - The video-rental industry and customer data 12:43 - The early days of Netflix 18:52 - Redbox and the kiosk rental business 22:13 - The Last Blockbuster 23:55 - Closing stores and Blockbuster nostalgia 26:47 - What Alan is doing now Additional Resources Built to Fail: The Inside Story of Blockbuster's Inevitable Bust by Alan Payne Alan Payne on LinkedIn MoreSteam's Website Subscribe to MoreSteam's Newsletter MoreSteam on LinkedIn MoreSteam's YouTube Channel Subscribe to Quality Time with MoreSteam Apple Podcasts Spotify Amazon Music YouTube