The Lean Solutions Podcast

In this episode, Dr. Michael Sanders, Sean Fields, and I explore Quantum Lean - its essence, unique steps, and origins - while uncovering why it stands as a beacon of progress in operational excellence. What You'll Learn: 1. Why Quantum Lean? 2. What is Quantum Lean? 3. What are Quantum Lean's key steps? 4. How is Quantum Lean different from other approaches? 5. How did Quantum Lean come about? About the Guest:  Sean Fields, a 35-year industry veteran with experience in various sectors including oil field equipment manufacturing, food processing, and job shops, has a comprehensive background in all aspects of business, from the shop floor to quality, safety, and engineering. As a published author and contributor to numerous industry publications, including the co-authorship of "Quantum Lean," Fields brings a wealth of expertise to his approach. His adaptable and user-friendly methods for improving operations stem from a diverse range of environments, from mass production to custom shops, offering unique solutions to business challenges. Dr. Michael Sanders, co-founder of Beehivefund, leverages over 30 years of diverse industry experience - from welding apprentice to CEO in various sectors - to advise on business strategies. Teaming up with Sean Fields, they have honed their lean methods, consistently achieving proven success. Dr. Sanders, a sought-after expert in lean, six sigma, and quality systems, holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering, an MBA from Texas Tech University, and is a certified Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Links: ⁠Click here to learn more about Quantum Lean: Taking Lean Systems to the Next Level ⁠Click here for more information on Beehive Fund ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Katie Anderson and I discuss our trip to Japan, as we immersed ourselves in a profound exploration of lean principles and their practical applications. What You'll Learn: Reflections on Japan and our carefully planned itinerary, which included visits to well-known manufacturing facilities and conversations with experienced lean practitioners. About the Guest: Katie Anderson is an internationally recognized leadership and learning coach, consultant, and professional speaker, best known for inspiring individuals and organizations to lead with intention and increase their personal and professional impact. Katie is passionate about helping people around the world learn to lead and lead to learn by connecting purpose, process, and practice to achieve higher levels of performance. Her book Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn: Lessons from Toyota Leader Isao Yoshino on a Lifetime of Continuous Learning is an international #1 Amazon bestseller Links: Click here to learn more about Katie Anderson Click here for more information on Katie Anderson's books Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Stéfany Oliver and I discuss their Lean coaching journey, 'Staying Flowcused', and how wellness ties into Lean leadership. What You'll Learn: 1. How did you get into Lean coaching? 2. What are your current areas of focus? 3. Tell us more about your concept of Staying Flowcused and what it entails? 4. Bringing it back to Lean and leadership for a moment, tell me more about the links between wellness and Lean leadership? 5. What's next for you? About the Guest:  Stéfany is driven by her passion for helping people who feel overwhelmed. She's on a mission to help people find flow: in their work, in their kitchen and in their heart. She lives and teaches the manifesto of being Fueled by plants, Fueled by perspective and Fueled by prayer. She's a Lean Management Coach by trade but didn't start off her professional career that way. Over the years, she's been coming into the full expression of who God has created her to be as a food creator, speaker, cookbook author and inspirational storyteller. She’s also been building her own health, wellness and optimization coaching business. Links: Click here to learn more about Stéfany Oliver Click here for more information on Stéfany's Book Click here to contact Stéfany Oliver ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Glenn Wilson and I discuss DevSecOps, lean manufacturing in digital contexts, cybersecurity's evolution, total security, and building resilience in an uncertain world. What You'll Learn: What is DevSecOps and what is the problem it is trying to solve? What can digital organizations learn from lean manufacturing in relation to delivering high quality digital products? What should continual learning and improvement look like in cybersecurity? Can organizations become totally secure and provide products and services with zero defects? Can organizations become more resilient to cybersecurity threats in an uncertain world? About the Guest:  Glenn is a management consultant specializing in DevOps, Agile, and security. He is founder of Dynaminet and holder of a CISSP. He is also the best-selling author of the book “DevSecOps: A leader’s guide to producing secure software without compromising flow, feedback and continuous improvement”. He is an experienced security professional who has worked for over 20 years in the IT industry across multiple sectors. Glenn focuses on strategy and employs systems thinking in practice to enable organizations to apply secure processes and principles across the organization to enrich their relationship with their customers. Links: Click here to connect with Glenn Wilson Click here for more information on Glenn's Books ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

Tim Schipper, a Lean and Agile expert, delves into the captivating aspects of Lean in action, the core intersections between Lean and Agile, and how these strategies enhance development. Topics include continuous improvement, Agile methodology advantages, applying Lean/Agile to development, and measuring success in Lean and Agile methodologies.

In this episode, Calvin Williams and I delve into the essence of FIT, exploring its foundational premise and its role in guiding organizations. As our conversation unfolds, we unravel the relationship between FIT and Agile Strategy Execution, dissecting how these concepts synergize to empower organizations with the adaptability and strategic prowess needed in today's dynamic landscape. What You'll Learn: What is the premise of FIT? How does an organization become FIT? How does FIT work with Lean? What exactly is Agile Strategy Execution? What is the relationship between FIT and Agile Strategy Execution? About the Guest:  Throughout his career, he has helped generate over $2.5B in cost savings and growth opportunities for some amazing organizations. This was done by applying sound principles of Industrial Engineering, Lean, Operations Leadership, and Respect for People. He works on the cutting edge of both Operational Excellence and technology and is also a SaaS founder who understands how to apply the latest developments in tech like AI, ML, IoT, VR/AR, Cloud, and many others to accelerate growth and Operational Excellence. Links: Click here for more information on Improver University Click here to connect with Calvin Williams Click here for "FIT: The Simple Science of Achieving Strategic Goals" ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

John Dyer explores insights from Dr. W. Edwards Deming's 'Red Bead Experiment' and 'The Leadership Experiment.' Topics include lessons from the Red Bead Experiment, power of hands-on teaching, description of the Leadership Experiment, lessons learned, and a future Lean process improvement competition.

In this episode, Dr. Jeff Liker and I dive into the fascinating world of Kata coaching and explore the key concepts from his novel on the subject What You'll Learn: 1. What led you to write a novel with Tilo Schwarz? 2. For the listeners that do not know, what is kata coaching? 3. What did Tilo add about coaching to Mike Rother's 5 question card? 4. Why a novel about kata coaching? I understand that Tilo already published a book about the coaching microskills. 5. What would you like to hear from readers that would really excite you? About the Guest:  Jeffrey K. Liker is Professor Emeritus, Industrial and Operations Engineering at The University of Michigan and President of Liker Lean Advisors, LLC. He is author of the best-selling book, The Toyota Way, Second Edition, and has coauthored nine other books about Toyota including The Toyota Way to Service Excellence, and The Toyota Way to Lean Leadership. His graphic novel with Eduardo Lander and Tom Root tells the story of lean transformation at a mail-order company: Lean in a High-Variability Business. His articles and books have won thirteen Shingo Prizes for Research Excellence. He was inducted into the Association of Manufacturing Excellence Hall of Fame and the Shingo Academy. Links: Click here for more information on "Giving Wings to Her Team: A Novel About Learning to Coach the Toyota Kata Way" ⁠Click here to connect with Jeff on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, John Willis and I discuss his upcoming book as well as key moments from our recent trip to Japan. What You'll Learn: 1.) John's upcoming book about Dr. Deming. 2.) Why Deming still matters today. 3.) What Mr. Yosino. said about Mr. Nemoto. 4.) What Mr. Youshino said about Dr. Deming. 5.) What were my favorite parts of Katie's Japan Study? About the Guest:  John Willis is Senior Director of the Global Transformation Office at Red Hat Prior to Red Hat, he was the Director of Ecosystem Development for Docker, which he joined after the company he co-founded (SocketPlane, which focused on SDN for containers) was acquired by Docker in February 2015. Previous to founding SocketPlane in Fall 2014, John was the Chief DevOps Evangelist at Dell, which he joined following the Enstratius acquisition in May 2013. He has also held past executive roles at Chef and Canonical. John was one of the earliest cloud evangelists and is considered one of the founders of the Devops movement. John is the author of 7 IBM Redbooks. He is also the co-author of the “Devops Handbook” and “Beyond the Phoenix Project” along with author Gene Kim. Links: Click here for more information on Deming ⁠Click here to connect with John on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Mark Graban and I discuss the value that comes from making mistakes and how learning from our mistakes is effective in lean culture. What You'll Learn: 1. What inspired you to write the book? 2. How does "learning from mistakes" fit into a Lean culture? 3. What is Psychological Safety and how can leaders create the conditions for it? 4. Examples from Toyota? A small software company like KaiNexus? 5. Why is it counterproductive to punish mistakes? About the Guest: Mark Graban is an author, speaker, and consultant, whose latest book, The Mistakes That Make Us: Cultivating a Culture of Learning and Innovation, was released in June. He is also the author of the award-winning book Lean Hospitals: Improving Quality, Patient Safety, and Employee Engagement and others, including Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve. He serves as a consultant through his company, Constancy, Inc, and is also a Senior Advisor for the technology company KaiNexus. Mark hosts podcasts, including “Lean Blog Interviews” and “My Favorite Mistake.” Mark earned a B.S. in Industrial Engineering from Northwestern University, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering, and an M.B.A. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Leaders for Global Operations Program. Links: Click here for more information on Mark's book: The Mistakes That Make Us ⁠Click here to connect with Mark on LinkedIn⁠ ⁠Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit