The Lean Solutions Podcast

In this episode, Rich Sheridan and I discuss the impacts of implementing a culture of storytelling. What You'll Learn: 1. Why are you called the Chief Storyteller at Menlo? 2. Why is storytelling such an important part of your company's culture? 3. What kinds of stories are relevant to tell? 4. How do you curate stories? 5. How do you build a storytelling culture? About the Guest:  Rich Sheridan, CEO and Chief Storyteller at Menlo Innovations, is a successful entrepreneur and author of two best-selling books—Joy Inc.: How We Built Workplace People Love and Chief Joy Officer: How Great Leaders Elevate Human Energy and Eliminate Fear. Rich’s passion for inspiring organizations to create their own joy-filled cultures has led him to address audiences across the world—through four continents and 18 countries (and counting) as well as throughout the United States. Links: Click here to learn more about Rich Sheridan Click Here to learn more about Menlo Innovations Click here for more information on Rich Sheridan's books Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Katie Anderson and I discuss a culture of excellence through continuous improvement during a pre-recorded webinar. What You'll Learn: 1. What are the ingredients that make up a culture of excellence? 2. In cultures of CI, what does it mean to “learn, lead, and care”? 3. Can you share your favorite story from Mr. Yoshino that exemplifies a culture of CI? 4. Why do you do the Japan study trip? 5. What will we see that backs up how the Japanese culture played a part in Toyota’s success? 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, Toby Curry and I discuss lean process implementation in an organization as well as factors that can contribute to failure in a lean practice system. What You'll Learn: 1. Can you give us some background on who you are and some of your work experience? 2. Lean manufacturing practices have been around for decades. Throughout the life of Lean Practices, the demand for these skills and practices has been cyclical. Why do you feel there is or should be a heightened awareness or attraction to Lean practices in today's climate? 3. Can you give us an example of a lean process implementation that your organization has benefited from? 4. What do you feel is the largest factor that contributes to failed lean initiatives in manufacturing facility? 5. If you could go back now and impart some wisdom to yourself before you started practicing lean initiatives, what would it be? About the Guest:  Toby Curry serves as the director of operations for Coastal Automotive, a Tier-1 global automotive safety component manufacturer, where he is responsible for operational P&L, continuous improvement, production, logistics and quality. Toby has spent over 20 years in the automotive manufacturing industry, with 10 of those years in executive leadership. He’s passionate about making a positive difference for customers, community, and employees through building a great workplace culture. A US Navy Submarine Veteran, prior to joining Coastal, Toby served in various roles including process engineering, continuous improvement, and production supervision. He earned his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from Grand Valley State University and a certificate in executive management from the University of Notre Dame.  Links: Click here for Toby Curry's LinkedIn To Contact Toby Curry Directly: toby.curry@coastal-automotive.com Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Katie Labedz and I discuss trends and ways to become successful in terms of a person's CI journey as well as improving everything in every process. What You'll Learn: 1. Tell us about your new book "How to Improve Absolutely Every Process" 2. What trends are you seeing in the CI space? 3. Why are people hesitant to start or restart their CI journey? 4. Why do most CI journeys fail? 5. How can people set themselves up for success in their CI journey and where to start? About the Guest:  Katie Labedz is the President of Learning to Lean, LLC.  She is a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt and Project Management Professional. She has been practicing Lean, Six Sigma and Project Management concepts for over 20 years. She has a diverse background that includes manufacturing, materials, supply chain, HR and IT in the automotive and electronic industries. Katie makes it her professional goal to expose the genius in all of her students.  She has also authored two books: "How to Improve Absolutely Anything-Continuous Improvement in Your Home, Office and Family Life" and "How to Improve Absolutely Every Process-Kaizen for process improvement and fun." Links: Click here for more information on Katie Labedz Click here for Katie's New Book Click here for the Kaizen "Go" Bundle Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Tony Hayes and I discuss ways to create a lean learning culture through an organizations atmosphere and leadership platforms. What You'll Learn: 1. What is the definition of a good Lean “Learning Culture? 2. What are the challenges to creating this type of atmosphere within an organization? 3. What role does Leadership play in facilitating or creating the platform for learning? 4. Can you share some examples of how you have done this at your current company or others from your past experiences? 5. What advice would you give our listeners as the consider creating their own Learning Culture within their organizations? About the Guest:  Tony is an Executive Lean Leader, responsible for the Wabash Management System, Continuous Improvement and Quality at Wabash, supporting the CEO and the Executive Leadership Team, driving customer value creation. He has extensive experience in delivering profitable growth, improving risk profile, and increasing return on invested capital in the automotive, transportation, aerospace and defense industries. Tony is a seasoned operations and lean expert with extensive experience in strategy and organizational governance. Tony has utilized his lean expertise to assist organizations with their most complex problems in manufacturing, engineering, material planning and logistics, value chain management, and quality. Links: Click here for Tony Hayes' LinkedIn To Contact Tony Hayes Directly: dhayes3396@gmail.com Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Steve Johnson and I discuss training paths and employee tools when it comes to a robust training program. You'll also here how a robust training program can help reduce employee turn-over. What You'll Learn: Why did you start a training program for technicians? What does the training path look like for a technician? Does an employee need any experience or certifications to start this program? Does the employee need any tools? How long will it take to complete this program? About the Guest: Steve Johnson has over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. He served as a certified technician at a local Gm dealership for about 8 years. Steve's work ethic was unmatched, which is what earned him a position as a Service Advisor. Eventually, when a service manager position became available, Steve was asked to grab the metaphorical reigns and lead the service team to achieve an unprecedented level of customer service and shop performance. To achieve this, Steve had to develop a service team that would exceed his level of expectations for professional business and work culture needed to create the best service team Berger has ever had. The dealership has received GM dealer of the year award 11 times and has continued to break multiple financial records year after year. Links: Click here for more information on Steve Joh⁠nson To Contact Steve Johnson Directly: sjohnson@bergerchevy.com Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Tanya Stinson and I discuss the impacts of costly wastes and modern technology as well as one of healthcare's number one problems: communication. What You'll Learn: What are a few of the most costly wastes in healthcare currently? If there was one thing that you could change in healthcare right away, what would it be? Do you feel like healthcare organizations are siloed? Do you think technology can help with the issues we have impacting patients in healthcare today? What is an improvement in healthcare that costs nothing to implement? About the Guest: Tanya is the Founder of Leaning Towards Change, LLC. Tanya is an Experienced Leader in the Healthcare industry where she is responsible for Performance Improvement, Quality, Risk, Patient Safety, and Compliance. She serves as a Mentor and Coach to Physicians, Nurses, and other clinical and non-clinical staff in utilizing the Lean and Six Sigma Methodology. Links: Click here for Tanya Stinson's Linkedin Click here to learn more about Leaning Towards Change Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit

In this episode, Tom Hughes and I discuss the extensive experience Tom has gained helping hundreds of organizations across the world do standard work / digital work instructions better with his software product GembaDocs. What You'll Learn: 1. How did the whole GembaDocs thing happen? 2. How can you say it’s a Game Changer? That’s a pretty big claim! 3. Why is OWNERSHIP so important with Standards? 4. Why / how can we implement standards in a more intelligent way? 5. Improvement Starts With I ; GembaDocs – how do people access them? About the Guest: Tom Hughes is an Ireland-based entrepreneur and the author of "Improvement Starts With I." He is the creator of GembaDocs, a software company that assists businesses in creating quick, simple, and digital standard work practices. Tom is currently a partner in Lumen Electronics, an Irish business that develops and manufactures products. Links: Click here for more information on Tom Hughes  Click here for more information on GembaDocs Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Mark Deluzio and I discuss the Danaher business system, as well as the art of Lean Transformation.What You'll Learn:Why do Lean Transformations fail?Could you explain the importance of having a business strategy and the ability to deploy/execute the strategy.What made the Danaher Business System so successful?As the "Father of Lean Accounting," how important is it to change the accounting systems when embarking on a Lean Transformation?What role does Respect for People play in the success of a Lean TransformationAbout the Guest:Mark DeLuzio is Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Lean Horizons Consulting. He is also a former Corporate Officer and Vice President of Danaher Business System (DBS) for Danaher Corporation.Danaher has been recognized as the leading implementer of Lean globally and has been rated as the 3rd most profitable US stock over the last 30 years. Mark is also credited with developing the first Lean Accounting process in the United States for Danaher’s Jake Brake Division, where he served as their Chief Financial Officer. Mark is the author of “Turn Waste into Wealth,” which offers practical advice for those considering a Lean transformation and “Flatlined – Why Lean Transformations Fail and What to do About It”, which offers the lessons learned from Mark’s association with hundreds of Lean transformations on a global basis.Links:Click here for more information on Mark DeluzioClick here to order one of Mark Deluzio's booksClick here for Mark Deluzio's PodcastClick here for more information on B.R.A.V.E.Click here for The Lean Solutions Summit 

In this episode, Bob Emiliani and I discuss the problem of classical management. What You'll Learn:What is classical management?You put together an A3 and challenged lean practitioners. Can you tell our listeners what is an A3?What were the root cause results of the A3 investigation?What are your suggested solutions?Any new books in your future?About the Guest:Dr. Bob Emiliani has been a Lean practitioner and professor of Lean management for over 25 years.Prior joining academia, he worked in industry for 15 years and had management responsibility in engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain management. He was the first academic to establish a research agenda focused on Lean leadership, resulting in numerous publications and varied leadership development workshops. His work on Lean leadership and Lean as applied to higher education are widely recognized.Links:Click here for more information on Bob EmilianiClick here for The Lean Solutions Summit