What You’ll Learn: In this two-parted episode, host Andy Olrich delves into Katie Anderson’s transformative Chain of Learning workshops in Australia. Tune in as they explore attendee expectations, workshop insights, captivating leadership themes, and profound reflections. About the Guest: Katie Anderson is an internationally recognized leadership consultant, coach, professional speaker, and learning enthusiast, dedicated to helping purpose-driven leaders create cultures of learning and accelerat...
Apr 23, 2024•20 min•Season 3Ep. 16
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Andy Olrich and Shayne Daughenbaugh discuss Kanban not just as a method, but as a choreography of productivity, transforming the manufacturing landscape into a finely tuned performance of excellence. Amidst this dance of efficiency, some voice the question: does Kanban suck? About the Guest: Steve Ansuini is the dynamic owner of the Center for Employee Development, LLC (C4ED), founded in 2007. Specializing in Lean Manufacturing, Transactional Lean, Healt...
Apr 16, 2024•49 min•Season 3Ep. 15
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams and Catherine McDonald discuss the common mistakes emerging leaders often encounter. It's a conversation that highlights the transformative power of errors, turning them into stepping stones for future leadership excellence. About the Guest: Phil Ranck , a retired 24-year United States Army veteran from Pennsylvania, excels in Lean Six Sigma methodologies, holding certifications such as Certified Department of the Army Master Black Belt and...
Apr 09, 2024•52 min•Season 3Ep. 14
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams and Andy Olrich discuss coaching and personal growth, highlighting the importance of iterations and experimentation in learning, emphasizing the need to focus on others rather than oneself in coaching practices. Everyone, regardless of position or expertise, shares common struggles and the importance of normalizing vulnerability and seeking support within professional communities is essential to success. About the Guest: Sam Morgan is a sel...
Apr 02, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 13
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams and Shayne Daughenbaugh discuss lean methodology and its promise of efficiency and productivity improvement. The sentiment towards Lean isn't always positive, especially when implementation goes awry. While Lean has proven to be a transformative approach for many organizations, it requires meticulous execution and a deep understanding of its principles. About the Guest: Maria Makrygianni is a seasoned Process Improvement Expert with 22 year...
Mar 26, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 12
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams and Catherine McDonald discuss a common problem in organizations which leads to misguided initiatives and wasted resources: fake lean people. Fake lean individuals falsely claim to adhere to lean principles, adopting superficial aspects without a genuine commitment to continuous improvement. On the other hand, real lean individuals actively embrace and implement lean methodologies, fostering a culture of efficiency, waste reduction, and con...
Mar 19, 2024•55 min•Season 3Ep. 11
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams and Andy Olrich discuss a culture that values open communication, employee empowerment, and a commitment to learning enables teams to leverage tools effectively and adapt to evolving challenges. The true strength of an organization lies in its cultural foundation – a vibrant lean culture that embraces collaboration, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of improvement. A culture that values open communication, employee empowerment, and a com...
Mar 12, 2024•42 min•Season 3Ep. 10
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Andy Olrich and Shayne Daughenbaugh discuss The Wheel of Sustainability – a transformative framework to enhance your leadership commitment and empower teams for enduring success, as well as ideal leadership development, its impact on profitability, organizational support structures, and strategies for sustaining leader empowerment. About the Guest: The creator of “The Wheel of Sustainability,” Adam Lawrence is an industry expert, speaker, and author who ...
Mar 05, 2024•47 min•Season 3Ep. 9
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Andy Olrich and Catherine McDonald explore the slow adoption of Lean principles in small businesses, highlighting the challenges in learning Lean and coaching these principles. The emphasis on hands-on learning and the effectiveness of the KATA approach suggest that its practical skill set makes it stand out among various Lean methodologies, prompting a discussion on why it isn't more widely promoted by leaders in the Lean space. About the Guest: Don Wat...
Feb 27, 2024•48 min•Season 3Ep. 8
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Andy Olrich and Patrick Adams discuss embracing and celebrating failures, encouraging a mindset shift from a fear of failure to an embrace of experimentation and innovation. Celebrating failures in Lean promotes transparency, collaboration, and a shared commitment to organizational learning, ultimately leading to more resilient and adaptive teams capable of achieving sustainable success. About the Guest: Mark Graban , author of "The Mistakes That Make Us...
Feb 20, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 7
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Catherine McDonald and Patrick Adams discuss embracing the philosophy of 2-Second Lean, which empowers organizations to eliminate inefficiencies, fostering perpetual improvement for sustained growth and enhanced productivity. About the Guest: Alex Ramirez is a highly experienced Vice President of Operations at Vallourec Tube Alloy, bringing over a decade of expertise in manufacturing and Lean principles. With a focus on eliminating waste and fostering co...
Feb 13, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 6
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Shayne Daughenbaugh, and Patrick Adams discuss lean leadership, a transformative approach to management that prioritizes efficiency, continuous improvement, and respect for individuals within an organization. About the Guest: Charlie Protzman is an internationally renowned Lean implementer, trainer and Shingo Prize winning author with over 35 years’ experience in Materials and Operations Management. He has consulted with manufacturers, hospitals, governm...
Feb 06, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 5
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Shayne Daughenbaugh, Patrick Adams, Andy Olrich, and Catherine McDonald discuss a model that emphasizes the essential steps to launch an organization successfully, highlighting the obstacles preventing progress, such as the adverse effects of limited leadership support. It underscores the significance of daily management and leader standard work in reinforcing positive actions and behaviors. About the Guest: Shayne Daughenbaugh is a seasoned Process Impr...
Jan 31, 2024•41 min•Season 3Ep. 4
In our upcoming season, our mission remains clear: empower you with the insights needed for streamlined processes, waste elimination, and building a foundation for sustainable success. Season three brings inspiring interviews, industry trend analyses, and practical tips for navigating the business landscape. Our podcast boasts a stellar lineup of guests, from industry experts to visionary entrepreneurs, offering actionable strategies for both seasoned leaders and those starting their entrepreneu...
Jan 23, 2024•35 min•Season 3Ep. 3
In our upcoming season, our mission remains clear: empower you with the insights needed for streamlined processes, waste elimination, and building a foundation for sustainable success. Season three brings inspiring interviews, industry trend analyses, and practical tips for navigating the business landscape. Our podcast boasts a stellar lineup of guests, from industry experts to visionary entrepreneurs, offering actionable strategies for both seasoned leaders and those starting their entrepreneu...
Jan 18, 2024•37 min•Season 3Ep. 2
In our upcoming season, our mission remains clear: empower you with the insights needed for streamlined processes, waste elimination, and building a foundation for sustainable success. Season three brings inspiring interviews, industry trend analyses, and practical tips for navigating the business landscape. Our podcast boasts a stellar lineup of guests, from industry experts to visionary entrepreneurs, offering actionable strategies for both seasoned leaders and those starting their entrepreneu...
Jan 09, 2024•36 min•Season 3Ep. 1
In this episode, Michael Bremer and I discover the key differentiators of highly effective organizations, explore the concept of a gemba walk and its importance, and discuss how to keep gemba walks fresh for continuous improvement. What You'll Learn: What is different about organizations that are highly effective at improving and the rest? What is a gemba walk? And why should I do one? What do you mean when you say, "Keep Your Gemba Walks Fresh" About the Guest: Author, semi-retired from busines...
Jan 01, 2024•47 min•Season 2Ep. 46
In this episode, Stephanie Bown and I discuss solutions to common problems, the need for organizations to focus on performance systems, and the role of leaders in fostering high performance, offering practical tips for team leaders. What You'll Learn: Can you tell us a little bit about your book? What kinds of problems does this book help people address? Tell us about why organizations need to think about systems of performance? What role do leaders play in creating a high performance culture? H...
Dec 26, 2023•53 min•Season 2Ep. 45
In this episode, Trina Poston and I highlight the unique benefits lean brings, explore its next evolutions, and discuss the crucial skill set of a successful lean leader. What You'll Learn: What is your background / how did you get into lean? Many lean practitioners have engineering backgrounds, how do you feel having a non-engineering background benefits you as a lean practitioner? What is your favorite lean practice? In your opinion, what's the next evolution of lean? What do you feel is the m...
Dec 19, 2023•37 min•Season 2Ep. 44
In this episode, Adam Ward and I discuss quick insights on Lean's current state, avoiding common transformation errors, and unlocking momentum for stuck Lean practitioners. What You'll Learn: What are your thoughts on the state of lean today? How do you stay current with Lean trends? What are some common mistakes you see with transformations? What one piece of advice would you give Lean practitioners for the ‘20s? How can Lean practitioners who feel “stuck,” get momentum again? About the Guest: ...
Dec 12, 2023•38 min•Season 2Ep. 43
In this episode, Kerry L. Bass and I explore strategies for accelerating organizational change, building trust in elections, fostering societal success for all, attracting the right talent, and examining the continued relevance of quality management principles. What You'll Learn: 1. How can my organization get change faster? 2. What can be done to help citizens have more faith in elections? 3. How can societies be more successful in supporting all? 4. How do I get the right people to join my org...
Dec 05, 2023•39 min•Season 2Ep. 42
In this episode, George Saiz explores the essence of his book, "We Started with Respect," touching on its unique message, the significance of respect, overlooked key elements for cultural change, and personal writing insights. What You'll Learn: 1. Why a book on culture - there are so many out there? What important message do you bring? 2. Why the book title of "We Started with Respect," what's important about that to you? 3. Your front book cover says it's A Novel, but the word "Novel" is cross...
Nov 28, 2023•52 min•Season 2Ep. 41
We've carefully selected a few of our standout episodes from Season Two. These episodes stood out for their ability to captivate and engage our audience, making them the highlights of the season. As always, the continued success of this podcast is made possible by your unwavering support, and for that, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. We're thrilled to revisit and share these moments with our dedicated listeners! Episode Details: In this episode, Mark Deluzio and I discuss the Danaher business...
Nov 21, 2023•50 min•Season 2Ep. 40
We've carefully selected a few of our standout episodes from Season Two. These episodes stood out for their ability to captivate and engage our audience, making them the highlights of the season. As always, the continued success of this podcast is made possible by your unwavering support, and for that, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. We're thrilled to revisit and share these moments with our dedicated listeners! Episode Details: In this episode, Mike Leigh and I discuss the application of lea...
Nov 14, 2023•44 min•Season 2Ep. 38
We've carefully selected a few of our standout episodes from Season Two. These episodes stood out for their ability to captivate and engage our audience, making them the highlights of the season. As always, the continued success of this podcast is made possible by your unwavering support, and for that, we extend our heartfelt gratitude. We're thrilled to revisit and share these moments with our dedicated listeners! Episode Details: In this episode, Katie Anderson and I discuss a culture of excel...
Nov 09, 2023•49 min•Season 2Ep. 38
In this episode of The Lean Solutions Podcast, host Patrick Adams engages in a comprehensive exploration of a culture centered around continuous improvement, the implementation of visual management techniques, and the establishment of clear performance expectations. What You'll Learn: The annual Rapid Results Summit provides an opportunity for State employees, Rapid Results Agency representatives, and Executive Agency leadership to increase Rapid Results engagement throughout the State of Illino...
Nov 05, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Season 2Ep. 37
In this episode Lee Houghton and I dive into building a better workplace as well as measuring success in culture improvement. What You'll Learn: 1) What's the most important thing about creating an improvement culture? 2) What are the 2 most important measures companies should measure but don't? 3) How can the lessons of comedy help you overcome resistance to change? 4) At Get Knowledge you talk about a BEST model, what does that stand for? 5) How did losing your friend in 2018 reshape how you h...
Oct 24, 2023•46 min•Season 2Ep. 36
In this episode Catherine McDonald and I shed light on key principles of lean management, share success stories, discuss supporting leaders, and reveal strategies for sustaining effectiveness in the long term. What You'll Learn: 1. What do you see as the key principles and practices of Lean management and how can these be effectively applied in different organizational contexts? 2. Can you share some success stories of companies that have implemented Lean principles and practices and achieved si...
Oct 17, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 35
In this episode Karen Martin and I discuss Hoshin Kanri's vital role in organizational alignment, true north establishment, troubleshooting, and long-term sustainability. What You'll Learn: What is Hoshin Kanri? Why is it so important for organizations to have complete alignment? How do organizations determine their true north? What are some examples of organizational noise or breakdowns in organizational Hoshin and what can we do about it? How do organizations sustain their Hoshin? About the Gu...
Oct 10, 2023•45 min•Season 2Ep. 34
In this episode Jim Huntzinger and I discuss TWI, Toyota Kata, and their relation. What You'll Learn: 1. What is TWI? 2. Why is Toyota Kata important? 3. What is the relationship between TWI and Toyota Kata? 4. Why are TWI and Kata foundational skills? 5. Are TWI and Kata more than just front-line skills? 6. What role does coaching play in these fundamental skills? About the Guest: Jim Huntzinger began his career as a manufacturing engineer with Aisin Seiki, a Toyota Group company transplanted t...
Oct 03, 2023•36 min•Season 2Ep. 33
