Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.
Sustaining Improvement Efforts: Minimizing Waste and Maximizing Impact
Years ago, I led a team at a manufacturing plant facing rising costs and the persistent challenge of sustaining improvements over time. We were using outdated processes that led to recurring inefficiencies, and previous improvement efforts had faded into "flavor of...
Advancing Continuous Improvement In Africa
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, host Patrick Adams, Shayne Daughenbaugh, and guest Royden Johnson discuss the global adaptability of Lean principles, emphasizing its core values of customer focus and respect for people. About the Guest: Royden Johnson is a...
How Gratitude Fuels Leadership and Drives Success in Continuous Improvement Cultures
Gratitude is a practice that has profoundly shaped my life, both personally and professionally. As a business owner, leader, and continuous improvement practitioner, I’ve learned that gratitude isn’t just a mindset—it’s a cornerstone for building resilient teams and...
Show Me Excellence
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, host Patrick Adams discusses the importance of continuous improvement using the analogy of climbing Mount Everest, emphasizing preparation, teamwork, and simplicity. About the Host: Patrick Adams is an internationally...
Kaizen for Everyone: Making Continuous Improvement Accessible to All
As a lean practitioner, coach, and consultant, I’ve seen the incredible impact of kaizen—a concept at the heart of lean thinking. But I’ve also noticed that the way we talk about it can sometimes feel intimidating, especially for those outside traditional industries...
OPTICS – The Intersection Of People & Process To Accelerate Performance
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Andy Olrich, Catherine McDonald, and guest Ryan Weiss discuss Ryan's Optics System, which aligns people and processes for enhanced organizational performance. The system uses a five-step process: identifying the work stream,...
Developing a Culture of Continuous Improvement
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Patrick Adams and Andy Olrich discuss the challenges and strategies for developing a culture of continuous improvement. About the Host: Andy Olrich brings over 25 years of expertise in engineering trades, services,...
The Importance of Effective Communication in a Lean Organization
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Andy Olrich, Catherine McDonald, and guest Lesley Worthington discuss the importance of effective communication in Lean management and workplace communication. They highlight how clear, respectful communication can make or...
Unleashing the Hunter’s Spirit: Lessons from an Elk Hunt in Colorado for Embracing Lean
I recently ventured deep into the Colorado backcountry on an elk hunting expedition. The experience challenged me, sharpened my instincts, and provided valuable insights that echo the lean principles I apply in my personal and professional work. The parallels between...
Helping Local Government Leaders “Manage Meteors”
What You’ll Learn: In this episode, hosts Shayne Daughenbaugh, Catherine McDonald, and guest Shane Silsby discuss the difficulties of managing limited resources in local government, such as budget constraints and public input, compared to the private sector's focus...