Lean From The Frontlines: Recent Episodes
Drew Butler
Join Tom DeForge and Drew Butler as they interview Lean Six Sigma Experts about positive changes they have had on their businesses using real-life examples of success and Change for the Better!
Why do Lean? In this podcast we talk to Jeff Wagoner and discuss his experiences implementing Lean, and the changes and significant improvements it made to the organization. We talk about where to start Lean in your organization and how to create a Continuous Improvement Culture.
Change. It's all around us, and trying to persuade people to change and accept new ideas in your personal and professional life can be very challenging. Join us as we talk to Sui Lang Panoke about the rethink mindset, a mindset that empowers you and your team to face any challenges and not be afraid to tackle them. When you adopt this mindset, when you hit that wall, instead of stopping you go right thru it!
In this podcast Dr. Gerhard Plenert talks about the seven Ingredients of breakthrough thinking and how Toyota uses these throughout their organization to gain a competitive advantage. Many times we only think of breakthrough thinking as applying to manufacturing, but that’s not right. Toyota uses it throughout their entire organization and it's part of their culture! Listen in to see how you can leverage this in your own organization!
Missing Small Parts? Damaged Small Parts? In too many cases, assembly lines are started and have to stop because they are missing small parts. This delays delivery to customers and also adds the possibility of mistakes because of the starting and stopping of the assembly process. In this podcast, we talk to Phil Mader, founder of UPC LLC & MaagKit, about better ways to kit small parts to avoid these issues, prevent damage, FOD and how to add value to the assembly process by creating a process where people can be successful.
Industry 4.0, 4th Stage of the Industrial Revolution, Robotic Process Automation.......Over the last decade, strides have been made in technology that now allow us to eliminate waste at a whole new level. What was once a manual and “value add” task can now be eliminated or automated through the adoption of technology. Two areas that are seeing exponential growth fall under 1) collaborative work management and 2)robotics process automation (RPA). In this podcast we take a look at the future of Operational Excellence and introduce the 9th waste!
The first principle of the Shingo model is “Respect Every Individual”. This principle is foundational and if it is not followed, organizations will find it difficult, if not impossible, to implement a Lean transformation. In todays COVID-19 environment, this principle has gained increased significance as working remotely has become the new norm and has created tremendous challenges for organizations. How do we “Respect Every Individual” while providing people with the right tools to perform their work, caring for their mental health, and tracking performance, all while working remotely? In this Podcast, Silvia Butler discusses these challenges that organizations face in this new environment and how those that successfully adapt will increase their chances of success in these challenging times.
In this podcast Gurmeet Mangat discusses how he has applied Lean Thinking to the maintenance of wind turbines. Gurmeet has used Lean principles to reduce the time it takes to perform the maintenance, created standard "work" bags that contain all the necessary tools to perform the function and overall has improved the technicians work life. This is a fascinating application of Lean Principles and an episode you won’t want to miss!
Tim Pettry went from leading change at the Ford Cleveland Engine Plant, where he was part of the team that helped plant #2 win the Shingo Prize, to leading change in healthcare at the Cleveland Clinic. Hear how he led change in these challenging environments and how he working to make a difference by implementing Lean principles in healthcare.
Tune in to this podcast to hear Jim McNeil's journey from UAW President to Lean Champion and how he changed the hearts and minds of his Union members by listening to them and getting them involved. A fascinating story you won't want to miss!
In this very timely podcast, we talk to Craig Higton, who trained teams from L3Harris on the use of 5 Day Innovation Sprints. Hear how and how they used this innovation tool to quickly design a bagless ventilator to help in the fight against COVID-19. In the current environment, businesses have to be able to pivot and innovate very quickly to stay ahead of the competition. Hear how 5 Day Innovation Sprints can help you do this!
Why do some companies thrive on Lean Methodology and others continue to stumble? In this podcast, drawn from a live webinar event, Jim and David McNeil discuss their book The Five Keys - secrets as to why some companies are successful and others struggle with Lean implementation. Hear real-world examples of how companies succeeded or failed in their efforts, and why.
Curious about the Shingo Model? This podcast will help give you valuable context. Ken Snyder, Executive Director of the Shingo Institute discusses the Shingo Guiding Principles, and how purpose drives behavior. Companies must find their purpose, and when everyone in the organization understands this purpose, and everything they do supports this purpose, companies and their employees enjoy sustainable success. Ken also talks about how he found his purpose in life through a series of miracles and a tragedy. This podcast will change how you think about what your purpose is…Guaranteed!
Lean Champions don't always follow typical career paths, hear how Nermana Kuzamonovic went from war torn Bosnia to a Director level position while helping lead change at O.C. Tanner. Hear how Culture, Humility in the Leadership team all helped drive continuous improvement at O.C. Tanner.
Lean? 6 Sigma? Theory of Constraints? Which methodology should I use? In this discussion with Darren Lambert, a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, we explore these topics, when to use them, when not to use them and their power together.
Reshoring, its a hot topic today with the COVID pandemic causing major supply chain disruptions. After years of steering kids towards college where they are saddled with high debt and dimming job prospects, do we have the workers we need for this reshoring effort? In this podcast Lean experts Tom DeForge and Drew Butler talk to Fred Joseph, Tool & Die Maker Journeyman with 40+ years in manufacturing, about how college isn't the only path for young people and what it means to the future of the US economy.
Like many companies Signs.com was hit with the COVID crisis and hit hard. The company saw a 60% sales loss practically overnight, yet two months later, it was achieving record sales. Hear Nelson James talk about how Signs.com pivoted in these difficult times to take advantage of opportunities and come out stronger, and how Lean methodology helps you do that.
HKPO's Tom DeForge and Drew Butler interview Carlos Santos, Managing Director of Latin America Operations at Merit Medical – winner of the Shingo Prize. A multi-lingual, multi-cultural strategic leader, Carlos shares his experiences and how he has helped create a culture of excellence throughout his career.
In this episode, part 3 of 3, Listen to Noel discuss how lean increases engagement at Lake Region Medical.
Part 2 of 3, Lean from the Front Lines interview with Noel Hennessy about their continuous improvement journey.
In this 3-Part Podcast, Noel Hennessey, CI at Lake Region Medical, now Integer, discusses the organization's lean transformation and journey.
This episode is Drew Bulter interviewing Tom DeForge about Pratt Whitney's Transformation. his experience working through this time and working along with Japanese Sensei's.
Hosts Drew Butler and Tom Deforge interview Dr, Gerhard Plenert, Former Executive Director of The Shingo Institute, Published Author and Supply Chain expert with over 30 years of experience. During this episode they discuss the Supply Chain issues being caused by the current COVID-19 Pandemic.