• Lean Blog Interviews - Healthcare, Manufacturing, Business, and Leadership

  • By: Mark Graban
  • Podcast

Lean Blog Interviews - Healthcare, Manufacturing, Business, and Leadership

By: Mark Graban
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  • Summary

  • Started in 2006, the ”Lean Blog Interviews” podcast, hosted by Mark Graban, brings you conversations with leading experts, authors, and thought leaders in lean manufacturing and management. As a Lean practitioner, consultant, and author, Mark Graban offers deep insights, real-world experiences, and practical tips for implementing and enhancing Lean practices across various industries. The Podcast Experience Mark Graban engages his guests in a conversational format, covering a wide array of topics related to Lean. Guests come from diverse backgrounds, including healthcare, manufacturing, and service industries, sharing their unique experiences and perspectives on Lean implementation. Core Topics Lean Principles and History: Dive into the foundational aspects of Lean, its history, and core principles. Industry Applications: Explore how Lean is applied in different industries, such as healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. Continuous Improvement: Learn about value stream mapping, process improvement, and culture change. Leadership and Management Systems: Gain insights into the Toyota Production System and related methodologies, focusing on Lean as a culture, philosophy, and management system rather than just a set of tools. Unique Features Focus on Healthcare: Mark Graban, a renowned advocate for Lean in healthcare, frequently features experts who discuss patient safety, quality improvement, and waste reduction in healthcare settings. Hear success stories and practical advice on implementing Lean in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare organizations. Practical Advice and Real-World Examples: Guests share their experiences and insights into what works and what doesn’t in Lean implementation. Overcome common challenges and get inspired by success stories. Inclusivity and Diversity: The podcast features a range of guests from diverse backgrounds, enriching discussions and providing a comprehensive understanding of Lean’s challenges and opportunities. While we don’t talk much about Lean Six Sigma, we hope the podcast is helpful to you anyway. Why Listen? Whether you’re new to Lean or a seasoned practitioner, the ”Lean Blog Interviews” podcast is a valuable resource offering insights, tips, and inspiration for improving your organization’s performance and achieving Lean goals. With its engaging format, practical advice, and diverse range of guests, this podcast is essential for anyone interested in continuous improvement and operational excellence. Connect and Explore More Visit the blog at www.leanblog.org. For feedback, email mark@leanblog.org. Access all past episodes, show notes, and more at www.leancast.org. Subscribe to the ”Lean Blog Interviews” podcast today and join the journey toward Lean mastery and continuous improvement.
    All content copyright Mark Graban & Constancy, Inc, 2006 - present
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Episodes
  • Bonus: Preview of Mark Graban's AME Australia "Road Show" in 2025; Improving the Way We Improve

    Bonus: Preview of Mark Graban's AME Australia "Road Show" in 2025; Improving the Way We Improve
    Dec 11 2024

    Welcome to this bonus session of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast, originally recorded as a LinkedIn Live event! In this conversation, I partnered with Rebecca Michalik from AME Australia to discuss my upcoming workshops in Australia and New Zealand in March 2025.

    Episode page with video, transcript, and more

    We’ll dive into key themes like psychological safety as a foundation for continuous improvement and how to make smarter use of performance metrics through process behavior charts. Even if you’re outside Australia or New Zealand, the principles and practical examples we discuss have universal applications for leaders and organizations worldwide.

    If you're interested in learning more about the workshops, click here.

    Key Questions:

    • What is the purpose of the AME Australia roadshow, and what will attendees gain from it?
    • Why is psychological safety critical for Lean and continuous improvement?
    • How can leaders create an environment where employees feel safe to speak up?
    • What are process behavior charts, and why are they a better way to understand performance metrics?
    • Can you share examples of organizations that have successfully applied these principles?
    • What are some actionable steps attendees can implement immediately after the workshops?
    • Why is in-person learning particularly valuable for these topics?
    • How do you see these topics applying universally, regardless of industry or location?
    • What lessons have you learned in your career that you think every leader should know?
    • What would you say to someone who’s on the fence about attending?

    The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.

    This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.

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    37 mins
  • Daily Management, Strategy Execution, and Lean Leadership with José Ferro

    Daily Management, Strategy Execution, and Lean Leadership with José Ferro
    Dec 4 2024

    My guest for Episode #521 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is José R. Ferro, PhD, a Senior Advisor with the Lean Enterprise Institute and the Founder and President, Lean Institute Brasil.

    Episode page with video, transcript, and more

    By founding Lean Institute Brasil in 1999 to disseminate the principles and practices of lean thinking to Brazilian companies, Ferro helped catalyze a global movement to establish lean institutes in other countries, which ultimately grew into the Lean Global Network, chartered in 2007.

    In the late eighties, he was a visiting scholar in MIT’s International Motor Vehicle Research Program (IMVP), which introduced the term “lean” to describe Toyota’s revolutionary management system.

    Ferro received PhD and master’s degrees in business administration, Getulio Vargas Foundation, and production engineering from the University of São Paulo in São Carlos.

    His new book, Daily Management to Execute Strategy: Solving problems and developing people every day, is available now.

    In today's episode, José will share practical insights on how to integrate daily management with strategy, the critical role of psychological safety in fostering problem-solving and improvement, and lessons learned from decades of leadership and Lean practice.

    So, stay tuned for an engaging conversation about Lean, leadership, and creating cultures that thrive on continuous learning and improvement!

    Questions, Notes, and Highlights:

    • José's Lean Origin Story: How did you first encounter Toyota-related practices, even before the term “Lean” was coined?
    • Initial Impressions: What was your perspective on Lean’s balance between efficiency and a humane approach in its early days?
    • Brazil’s Lean Journey: How did the opening of markets in the 1990s influence Lean adoption in Brazil across industries?
    • Daily Management Framework: How do you define daily management, and what are its key elements?
    • Challenges of Implementation: Why is there often a gap between technical Lean tools and the social aspects like leadership and problem-solving?
    • The Book’s Framework: Can you explain the three foundational blocks of daily management from your book?
    • Leadership's Role: What’s the leader’s role in connecting strategy to daily execution?
    • Psychological Safety: Why is psychological safety so foundational, and how does it coexist with challenging environments?
    • Problem-Solving Integration: How can organizations better connect daily huddles with deeper problem-solving efforts?
    • Examples in Practice: Can you share real-world examples of organizations successfully applying your daily management framework?
    • Future Vision: Where do you see opportunities for Lean to grow in Brazil or globally, especially in non-traditional sectors?

    The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more.

    This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.

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    57 mins
  • Transforming Operations with Lean Leadership: Bill Remy, CEO of TBM Consulting, on Driving Growth Through Continuous Improvement

    Transforming Operations with Lean Leadership: Bill Remy, CEO of TBM Consulting, on Driving Growth Through Continuous Improvement
    Nov 20 2024
    My guest for Episode #520 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Bill Remy, CEO of TBM Consulting. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Bill is both an accomplished business executive and leader who is frequently called upon for his credible voice, honesty, and pragmatism — and for his ability to leverage operational excellence and continuous improvement for long-term profitable growth. As former president of Thayer Aerospace, Bill doubled revenue in six years, expanded into Mexico, improved profitability, and increased inventory turns. He integrated the supply chain into a web-based pull system, consolidated divisions, and implemented an ERP system. Earlier in his career, Bill held progressively responsible roles in operations, including Vice President of Continuous Improvement at Invensys, Vice President of Operations at Learjet/Bombardier, Production Manager at Lockheed Arizona Missile Facility, and Materials Manager at Allied-Signal Aerospace. Bill holds both a Master of Science and Bachelor of Science degrees in Industrial Engineering from Oklahoma State University. He serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors for Pancon Corporation and on the Oklahoma State University /deans Advisory Board for the College of Engineering. He has over 25 years of leadership experience in general management and manufacturing operations. In this episode, we discuss the transformative power of Lean leadership and operational excellence. Bill shares insights from his extensive career, including how he first encountered Lean principles at Allied Signal and the dramatic improvements achieved through lead time reduction and flow. We explore the critical role of communication and employee involvement in overcoming resistance to change, the deep connection between safety and quality, and the importance of leadership in both driving transformation and sustaining long-term improvement. Bill outlines TBM’s four-phase framework for turning around operations, emphasizing the need for a holistic evaluation of people, processes, and performance metrics. Finally, we reflect on how organizations can leverage Lean as a strategic advantage to drive growth and profitability while fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: What’s your Lean origin story? How did you first learn about Lean, and what drew you to it?Can you describe the initial transformation you led at Allied Signal, focusing on lead time reduction and flow?How did you address resistance to change when implementing the model line at Allied Signal?How did you ensure communication and involvement during that transformation?Can you elaborate on the connection between safety and quality and how improving one supports the other?How do you help leaders recognize that safety performance can improve significantly, even if zero injuries seems aspirational?Have you seen Lean improve relationships between management and employees, especially where trust was broken?What have you learned over time about the cultural and technical aspects of standard work?How do you balance moving toward one-piece flow without overwhelming a system that isn’t ready for it yet?How do you distinguish between a one-off performance issue and a sign of deeper trouble? How do you address it?What qualities or mindsets do leaders need to lead both Lean transformations and long-term sustainment?What’s the difference between leaders who are effective in transitions versus those who excel in sustaining improvement?How does TBM Consulting evaluate the state of a plant during a turnaround? What does the assessment process involve?Can you outline the four phases of turning around operations and share an example of how this approach was applied?How do you prioritize improvement work when constrained by resources, like capex or time?What warning signs indicate a plant is in trouble, and how do you help organizations prevent further decline?How does TBM Consulting differentiate itself in helping businesses use operational excellence as a strategic advantage?What insights have you gained about Lean from your career as both a practitioner and a consultant?What’s the origin story of TBM Consulting, and how has its focus evolved over time?How do you integrate leadership development into Lean practices for long-term success? The podcast is brought to you by Stiles Associates, the premier executive search firm specializing in the placement of Lean Transformation executives. With a track record of success spanning over 30 years, it's been the trusted partner for the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare sectors. Learn more. This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.
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    56 mins

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