Best Lean 6 Sigma Podcasts (2024)

1
E106: The Lean Journey at Rockwell Collins with Clay Jones - Part 3 11:55

31m ago11:55

11:55

This is part 3 of the 2006 speech given by Rockwell Collins CEO, Clay Jones. I worked at Rockwell Collins from 1999-2017, and was heavily involved in the Lean Electronics program. In this clip, you'll hear him discuss why they brought in some external consultants like John Shook and Denny Mead to try and figure out why all the improvements were not…

1
Why Did You Join KaiNexus? Andrea Beidl, Manager of Customer Enablement 10:00

3d ago10:00

10:00

Today, host Mark Graban (a Senior Advisor) with KaiNexus is joined by our new Manager of Customer Enablement, Andrea Beidl.We'll learn about her background, why she joined KaiNexus, and what appealed to her during the recruiting and interviewing process. Learn a little about her onboarding process -- and what she thinks are the best things and the …

1
E105: The Lean Journey at Rockwell Collins with Clay Jones - Part 2 12:17

4d ago12:17

12:17

This is part 2 of the 2006 speech given by Rockwell Collins CEO, Clay Jones. I worked at Rockwell Collins from 1999-2017, and was heavily involved in the Lean Electronics program. In this clip, you'll hear him discuss how they created and rolled out Lean Electronics program across both manufacturing and the office, and selected Decorah (Iowa) as th…

1
Webinar: Ask Us Anything! The KaiNexus Lean Strategy Team - Linda Vicaro, Lynn Howell, Mark Graban 1:00:10

8d ago1:00:10

1:00:10

It's time for another lively and informative "Ask Us Anything!" webinar. This time, we're featuring Linda Vicaro and Lynn Howell, the KaiNexus Lean Strategy team, joined by host and moderator Mark Graban.Learn more about our webinars: https://www.kainexus.com/webinars It's time for another lively and informative "Ask Us Anything!" webinar. This tim…

1
Ask Us Anything! KaiNexus Lean Strategy Team [Webinar Preview] 5:08

9d ago5:08

5:08

Join us for another exciting and insightful "Ask Us Anything!" webinar featuring the KaiNexus Lean Strategy team. This interactive session is scheduled for June 20 from 2:00 - 3:00 ET. Register here Presenters: Linda Vicaro Lynn Howell Host and Moderator: Mark Graban In this live event, our experts will tackle your questions about continuous improv…

1
Why Gemba Walks Matter & How to Make Them Work 21:47

10d ago21:47

21:47

Blog post link Gemba walks have become a widely adopted management technique. Leaders gain valuable insights into organizational value flow and often discover improvement opportunities by directly visiting the work environment. This collaborative approach involves employees sharing details about their tasks and the reasons behind them. Why are Gemb…

1
Why Did You Join KaiNexus? Josh Feldman, VP of Marketing 7:45

17d ago7:45

7:45

Today, host Mark Graban (a Senior Advisor) with KaiNexus is joined by our new Vice President of Marketing, Josh Feldman. We'll learn about his background, why he joined KaiNexus, and why he moved from Chicago. Is he is Cubs fan or a White Sox fan? And what does his think about Chicago pizza? The answer may surprise you. Learn more about KaiNexus: h…

1
Quick Guide: Process Thinking in Operations Management 11:18

24d ago11:18

11:18

The blog post James Womack and Dan Jones are the founders of the Lean Enterprise Institute and the Lean Enterprise Academy (UK), respectively. Their book, Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation, is considered by some to be the bible of Lean Manufacturing. It was initially published in 1996 based on their in-depth study of…

1
[Webinar] Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence - William Harvey 58:49

29d ago58:49

58:49

Watch the recording and more info This was presented on May 30, 2024 by Dr. William HarveyEnterprise excellence and inclusive excellence are closely linked, and real-world challenges have shown that both are essential to the success of any organization. To achieve enterprise excellence, organizations must focus on improving their operations and pro…

1
E104: The Lean Journey at Rockwell Collins with Clay Jones - Part 1 8:32

1M ago8:32

8:32

For the next few podcasts, I'll be sharing clips from a 2006 speech given by Rockwell Collins CEO, Clay Jones. I worked at Rockwell Collins from 1999-2017, and was heavily involved in the Lean Electronics program. I credit Clay and the "Lean Electronics" program for giving me the skills and experience to make this my passion, allowing me to eventua…

1
[Preview] Enterprise Excellence is Inclusive Excellence with Dr. William Harvey 6:50

1M ago6:50

6:50

Register to attend the webinar or view the recording Presented by Dr. William Harvey on May 30, 2024, 1 pm ET. Enterprise excellence and inclusive excellence are closely linked, and real-world challenges have shown that both are essential to the success of any organization. To achieve enterprise excellence, organizations must focus on improving the…

1
E103: How to gather data before starting an improvement project 7:01

2M ago7:01

7:01

In a recent class I taught, we were discussing the Project Charter, which asks you to fill in the baseline data for the metric you're trying to improve. I explain how you need to be persistent to find data, and not to start a project if you don't have any data, especially for a training class, or for your first project. I also answer a student ques…

1
Quick Guide: Process Thinking in Operations Management 11:08

2M ago11:08

11:08

Link to the blog post James Womack and Dan Jones are the founders of the Lean Enterprise Institute and the Lean Enterprise Academy (UK), respectively. Their book, Lean Thinking: Banish Waste and Create Wealth in Your Corporation, is considered by some to be the bible of Lean Manufacturing. It was initially published in 1996 based on their in-depth …

1
6 Essential Continuous Improvement Metrics That Matter 7:15

2M ago7:15

7:15

Read the blog post Maybe Albert Einstein was talking about continuous improvement when he said, “Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted.” We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Too often, we see organizations struggling to measure only those things that can be tied to a dollar amount and they, u…

1
E102: How Green Belt training can benefit you personally and your organization 5:07

2M ago5:07

5:07

In this podcast, I share a short clip from a recent training class, explaining the benefits of Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training to an organization, but more importantly, why it's important to the people attending the clas personally. If you're interested in taking a Lean, Green Belt or Black Belt course, consider these self-paced affordable cours…

1
[Webinar] Lean: From Theory to Practice - One City’s (and Library’s) Lean Story… Abridged 1:00:20

2M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

Presented by Elizabeth ChaseView slides and videoJoin us for a look at how one library’s practice of Lean introduced a city to its benefits and informed the design of the 5th largest public library in Texas, a 158,000-square-foot library (in a repurposed rocket factory).Covering everything from creating a Lean training curriculum to specific exampl…

1
12 Characteristics of a Lean Organization 6:52

2M ago6:52

6:52

Read the blog post The renowned football coach and philosopher, Vince Lombardi, once said, “Perfection is unattainable, but if we chase perfection, we catch excellence.” That’s the mindset of a Lean organization. There’s a bedrock belief that every process, investment, employee, or action should directly translate to value for the customer with no …

1
[Preview] Lean: From Theory to Practice, Webinar by Elizabeth Chase 7:55

2M ago7:55

7:55

Register for the webinar Join Mark Graban as he hosts Elizabeth Chase to preview her webinar... April 24 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ET Presented by Elizabeth Chase One City’s (and Library’s) Lean Story… Abridged Join us for a look at how one library’s practice of Lean introduced a city to its benefits and informed the design of the 5th largest public l…

1
6 Steps to Continuous Improvement in the Automotive Industry 6 Steps to Continuous Improvement in the Automotive Industry 8:15

3M ago8:15

8:15

Find the blog post and the infographic Written by Danielle Yoon, read by Mark Graban. The post starts: Manufacturers of all kinds seek to achieve continuous quality improvement because it ensures the consistency of products delivered to customers and protects against the competition. It also paves the path to compliance with industry-specific stand…

1
E101: My thoughts on former Boeing Quality Manager (John Barnett) interview prior to death 7:50

3M ago7:50

7:50

In episode 101, I share an interview clip from John Barnett, former Boeing Quality Manager, as he discusses the culture of quality that might explain the recent airline issues. He was found dead while he was giving a deposition about his former company, but I don't go into those details. I wanted to share my insights about a comment he made that in…

1
Greg Jacobson and Mark Graban Chat About KaiNexicon, the Kainexus User Conference, and More 23:52

3M ago23:52

23:52

Welcome to the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast. Today, we're excited to host Greg Jacobson, a lean thinker, and an inspiring visionary who has made significant strides in propagating the lean approach in the healthcare sector and beyond. Learn more about KaiNexicon In this captivating dialogue, Mark Graban helps unravel the remarkable journ…

1
[Webinar] Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours with Tracy Defoe 59:57

3M ago59:57

59:57

Video, slides, and more Presented by Tracy Defoe How do you develop coaching skills in yourself and others? Why would you want to? Everyone who manages people is asked to coach. Most of us think we are good at it. If you were lucky enough to learn how to develop and coach people because you were coached well from the start of your career, you are u…

1
The 5 M’s of Kaizen for Effective Management 6:44

4M ago6:44

6:44

Read the blog post We often describe Kaizen as a way of looking at the world rather than a prescription for how to achieve positive change. Kaizen thinkers seek to make small changes to operations daily in search of higher quality, more efficiency, and less waste. But because the concept of Kaizen is so philosophical, it can be a challenge for peop…

1
0116. Harnessing the Power of PPM Tools for Organizational Synergy: A review of Smartsheet's PPM whitepaper. 53:37

4M ago53:37

53:37

-Effective Project Portfolio Management Strategies -Challenges and Opportunities in PPM Tools -Implementing Technology in Organizational Processes -Effective Deployment of PPM Tools Want our thoughts on a specific topic? Looking to sponsor this podcast to continue to generate content? Reach out to leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com…

1
[Webinar Preview] Developing Coaching Skills: Mine, Yours, Ours - with Tracy Defoe 9:19

4M ago9:19

9:19

To be presented March 21 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ETThis is a quick preview where host Mark Graban, a senior advisor with KaiNexus, chats with webinar presenter Tracy Defoe. Registration LinkWebinar Description:How do you develop coaching skills in yourself and others? Why would you want to?Everyone who manages people is asked to coach. Most of us th…

1
How Pella Regional Medical Center Benefits from KaiNexus 4:03

4M ago4:03

4:03

Visit the KaiNexus YouTube Channel In this episode, we hear three clips with Tory Schrock, Director of Organizational Excellence at Pella Regional Health Center. Learn more about KaiNexus

1
Lean Waste Reduction Strategies and Real-Life Examples 12:06

4M ago12:06

12:06

The blog post Ecologists and other environmentally aware people often talk about the goal of "Zero Waste." But, of course, that's an outstanding goal for business as well. Reducing waste is at the heart of the Lean business methodology. The purpose of Lean is to spend more of your time creating value for customers by reducing or eliminating everyth…

1
E100: How 6 M's and Fishbone (Ishikawa) or Cause and Effect Diagrams Can Help Reduce Water Consumption Usage in your Company 7:07

4M ago7:07

7:07

In episode 100, I share a segment of a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt training course I conducted, where I went into details about the Fishbone Diagram and the 6 M's, and I thought you might find it useful. When you are trying to uncover possible causes of a problem, using the 6 M's with a Fishbone Diagram is a great way to enhance your team brainstormi…

1
10 Continuous Improvement Questions to Ask in Every Interview 6:36

4M ago6:36

6:36

The blog postCompanies dedicated to the practice of continuous improvement invest a lot of time and resources into training their employees and creating a culture centered around positive change. One way to make this easier and to smooth the path to improvement is to hire people who already have the right mindset.Bringing up continuous improvement …

1
E99: Excerpt from the book, "Lean Six Sigma for Good - Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 1)" 6:56

4M ago6:56

6:56

In episode 97, we released an excerpt by Elisabeth Swan from "Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 1)" This is an excerpt from the audiobook version Volume 1. I share the story of running a small nonprofit organization in Portland, called Recycling Advocates (now called Waste-free Advocates). We created a fundraiser conference ca…

1
Episode 15. Innovating for Tomorrow: Sustainable Pharma Facilities and Digital Revolutions 44:15

5M ago44:15

44:15

- Unpacks insights from ISPE Facilities of the Future Conference - Focuses on sustainability and digital evolution in pharma - Next-gen facilities are efficient and eco-friendly - Shift to interconnected data systems revolutionizes research - Tools like Benchling streamline data and asset management - Networking fosters collaboration and innovation…

1
E98: Lean Six Sigma training and Coaching Program Case Studies 11:56

5M ago11:56

11:56

In this podcast, I expand on Podcast #96, where I talked about the questions to consider in a training and coaching program. I go through 6 different case studies of customized training and coaching programs I've helped develop with clients to meet their specific needs, and how the payback on training is often as short as a few months! If you'd lik…

1
Central Principles of the Continuous Improvement Model 10:40

5M ago10:40

10:40

Read the blog post Written by Maggie Millard, read by Mark Graban Businesses use a host of methodologies to bring structure to the process of identifying and acting upon opportunities for improvement. You may be familiar with Six Sigma, Kaizen, Lean, Toyota Production System, and others. Although these methodologies differ, the foundation of each o…

1
E97: Excerpt from the book, "Lean Six Sigma for Good - Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 2)" 6:44

5M ago6:44

6:44

This is an excerpt from the audiobook version of "Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 2)" Elisabeth Swan shares the story of volunteering with the Cape Cod Childcare Development nonprofit organization. She discusses getting a call from the CEO to help the organization utilize more Lean Six Sigma Green Belt skills and methods wit…

1
Apply Operations Science to Accelerate Success Now [Webinar Recording] Ed Pound 59:35

5M ago59:35

59:35

View video, slides, and more Operations science describes the fundamental relationships that drive operations performance. However, the concepts are not widely understood or applied properly. Join us for this webinar with Ed Pound, Managing Director of the Operations Science Institute to: Learn a fundamental, expensive problem that plagues nearly a…

1
E96: What is the best option for effective Lean Six Sigma training and coaching? 12:20

5M ago12:20

12:20

When I talk to clients about training their team, that usually opens up a lot of questions in my mind that we'll need to discuss before I can give them a ballpark number quote. In this podcast, I run through the questions you need to consider in order to create an effective training program that will result in hands-on application and payback on th…

1
Episode 14. Triumphs in Team Bonding and Strategic Vision at Sigma Lab Consulting 1:05:41

5M ago1:05:41

1:05:41

- Unexpected team bonding and strategic planning during a snowed-in off-site retreat at Sigma Lab Consulting - Reflecting on past year's successes and future opportunities - Team cohesion and unique problem-solving approach leading to repeat engagements with diverse clients - Integrating Lean Six Sigma with deep industry knowledge for success in ph…

1
Inspiring Improvement: Our Guiding Values at KaiNexus -- Greg Jacobson and Jeff Roussel Discuss 19:34

5M ago19:34

19:34

From this video, Jeff Roussel (chief revenue officer) and Greg Jacobson (co-founder and CEO) discuss the culture at KaiNexus. Learn more about jobs at KaiNexus In this enlightening episode of the KaiNexus Continuous Improvement Podcast, join Jeff Roussel and Greg Jacobson for a deep dive into the unique corporate ethos of Kinexis. Discover how this…

1
[Webinar Preview] Apply Operations Science to Accelerate Success Now - Ed Pound 7:06

5M ago7:06

7:06

Learn more and register hereFebruary 6 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm ETPresented by Ed Pound, joined by Mark Graban from KaiNexus for a preview discussion in this episode.Operations science describes the fundamental relationships that drive operations performance. However, the concepts are not widely understood or applied properly. Join us for this webina…

1
E95: Hypothesis Testing Basics - Can James Bond tell the difference between a shaken or stirred martini? 4:37

5M ago4:37

4:37

To explain the concepts of hypothesis testing (null and alternative hypothesis statements), I use an example of James Bond. His famous line is "shaken, not stirred" when ordering a martini. In a hypothesis test, we would set the null (default) hypothesis to say that he cannot tell the difference. The alternative hypothesis would be proven if there …

1
A Poka-Yoke Primer: Mistake-Proofing and Error Reduction [Webinar] 1:00:13

6M ago1:00:13

1:00:13

YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9A0Zlf_048&ab_channel=KaiNexus As presented by John Grout on 1/17/24. Hosted by Mark Graban of KaiNexus. This webinar is a 60-minute primer into mistake-proofing (a.k.a. poka-yoke). Information about the basics of mistake-proofing, why people make mistakes, and how to start the process of reducing mist…

1
Episode 13. Seamless Teamwork and Strategic Tools for a Smooth R&D Operation 1:02:38

6M ago1:02:38

1:02:38

- Boost R&D team efficiency through collaboration and accountability - Address inefficiencies in most R&D projects - Cultivate a successful life sciences workplace culture - Refine data for actionable insights and shared ownership - Align project goals with corporate objectives - Optimize equipment scheduling for lab efficiency - Balance detailed m…

1
Examples of the 8 Wastes of Lean Across Industries 9:30

6M ago9:30

9:30

One of the most critical concepts in Lean organizations is the idea that it is essential to eliminate waste. Why is it so central to the practice of Lean? The principles of Lean say that the ultimate goal is to provide perfect customer value. Anything that provides value to the customer is preserved. Everything else is considered waste. Some waste …

1
Webinar Preview: A Poka-Yoke Primer: Mistake-Proofing and Error Reduction with John Grout 6:13

6M ago6:13

6:13

Register for the webinar hereIn this video, host Mark Graban from KaiNexus talks with John Grout about his upcoming webinar to be held on January 17th.This webinar is a 60-minute primer into mistake-proofing (a.k.a. poka-yoke). Information about the basics of mistake-proofing, why people make mistakes, and how to start the process of reducing mista…

1
E94: Interested in a Free "Lean at Home" Coaching Program? 3:39

6M ago3:39

3:39

Back in 2020, I created a course called "Home Efficiency Using Japanese Lean Productivity Techniques" and I'm offering a free coaching program this month to help you complete the course and get help implementing the concepts into your personal life. Are you interested? Contact me at brion@biz-pi.com Links ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Home Efficiency Using Japanese Lean…

1
Episode 12. Safeguarding Scientific Progress with a Maintenance Master Plan. 37:40

6M ago37:40

37:40

- Highlight the critical importance of a robust asset management strategy. - Discuss maintenance scheduling, coordination, and the power of clear communication. - Emphasize post-service rituals to ensure optimal equipment performance. - Share personal experiences and lessons learned from overlooked maintenance. - Advocate for dialogue among technic…

1
11 Steps to an Effective Gemba Walk 13:35

6M ago13:35

13:35

Gemba walks are an increasingly popular management technique. By visiting the place where work is done, leaders gain valuable insight into the flow of value through the organization and often uncover opportunities for improvement and learn new ways to support employees. The approach is a collaborative one, with employees providing details about wha…

1
5 Principles of a High Reliability Organization (HRO) 7:04

6M ago7:04

7:04

A high-reliability organization (HRO) is an organization that has succeeded in avoiding catastrophes despite a high level of risk and complexity. Specific examples that have been studied, most famously by researchers Karl Weick and Kathleen Sutcliffe, include nuclear power plants, air traffic control systems, and naval aircraft carriers. Recently h…

1
Episode 11. Mastering the Game of Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement. 51:11

6M ago51:11

51:11

- Discover actionable strategies for success, including data-driven decisions and effective communication. - Learn why operational excellence involves refining resources, not just adding them. - Unlock the power of performance metrics and turning concerns into quantifiable data. - Explore making lasting workflow adjustments and the value of reeduca…

1
When Being Right is the Wrong Strategy for Change - Mark Graban from KaiNexus 36:54

7M ago36:54

36:54

Watch Mark Graban's keynote entitled "When Being Right is the Wrong Strategy for Change" from the 2018 KaiNexus User Conference to learn how you can become a better leader of continuous improvement.Slides and More: https://www.markgraban.com/kainexus2018/Join Mark Graban, an acclaimed author and consultant, in his enlightening keynote address at th…

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