Lean By Design

Oscar Gonzalez & Lawrence Wong
  • 5.0 (3)
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Lean by Design explores how organizations can fix what’s predictably broken in their operations — starting with the systems, decisions, and behaviors that shape how work gets done. Hosts Oscar Gonzalez and Lawrence Wong speak with leaders from biopharma and beyond, drawing lessons from industries that share the same pursuit of clarity, efficiency, and sustainable execution. Each episode breaks down real challenges into practical insights that help teams align better, think smarter, and move faster. Produced by Sigma Lab Consulting, Lean by Design helps organizations design for what works—and eliminate what doesn’t. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

  1. NOV 19

    0210. The Real Bottleneck Isn’t the Process - It’s the People You Ignore with Hanna Bauer

    Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Hanna Bauer, CEO and Founder of HEARTnomics Enterprises, to talk about a challenge many organizations don’t see coming: the human cost of hyper-focused process improvement. Hanna’s worked across manufacturing, education, and organizational development, and now partners with leaders to build systems that perform—not just on paper, but in practice. She shares why organizations often miss the mark by optimizing processes without addressing the cultural friction, burnout, and misalignment that quietly erode performance. We explore: Why so many operational excellence efforts fizzle out—despite sound process designHow to recognize the “invisible waste” of human potentialWhy system redesign must go hand-in-hand with leadership and communicationHow Hanna's entrepreneurial journey has shaped her frameworks like HEART, BEAT, and COREThe tension between designing a scalable business and building one that fits your lifeWhether you're in biopharma, operations, or leading your own company, this episode challenges the idea that better processes automatically lead to better outcomes. True excellence comes when systems are designed with the people who power them. https://www.linkedin.com/in/bauerhanna/ https://heartnomics.com/ Join the book waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/sigmalabconsulting/nexus-email-series-lander-2 Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ Want our thoughts on a specific topic? Looking to sponsor this podcast to continue to generate content? Or maybe you have an idea and want to be on our show. Fill out our Interest Form and share your thoughts.

    51 min

  2. OCT 1

    0209. Efficiency Is Not Just Cutting Costs

    Send us a text In this episode, we discuss the 2025 MassBio Industry Snapshot  — an annual report tracking employment trends, investment, real estate, and pipeline activity across the life sciences ecosystem. With talent displacement, funding cuts, and lab vacancies reshaping the landscape, the conversation zeroes in on how biopharma companies should rethink efficiency. Instead of defaulting to layoffs and budget slashing, Lawrence and Oscar explore how operational clarity, thoughtful prioritization, and workflow discipline can unlock more resilient organizations. Key topics include: What efficiency actually means in a biopharma context (hint: it’s not just spending less)How real estate patterns reveal deeper shifts in R&D prioritiesThe ripple effects of NIH cuts and disappearing IPOs on the innovation pipelineWhy “free agent” scientists might drive the next wave of value creationStrategic considerations for biopharma teams navigating funding volatilityWhether you’re an operator, executive, or early-career scientist, this episode offers a grounded yet hopeful take on where the industry is headed — and how to adapt. 🔗 Listen now to learn why the next generation of leaders will need more than scientific chops — they’ll need systems thinking. Join the book waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/sigmalabconsulting/nexus-email-series-lander-2 Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ Want our thoughts on a specific topic? Looking to sponsor this podcast to continue to generate content? Or maybe you have an idea and want to be on our show. Fill out our Interest Form and share your thoughts.

    51 min

  3. SEP 10

    0208. It’s Not the Science — It’s the System

    Send us a text Why Operational Excellence is Biopharma’s Next Competitive Advantage In this special cofounder episode of Lean by Design, Oscar Gonzalez and Lawrence Wong pull back the curtain on the ideas behind Oscar’s upcoming book—and the operational realities that inspired it. The core message? The biggest risks in biopharma often don’t come from the science. They come from fragile systems, tribal knowledge, and disconnected processes that silently slow teams down or bring them to a grinding halt. With over 30 years of combined experience spanning R&D, clinical ops, and facilities management, Oscar and Lawrence unpack: Why innovation collapses without operational infrastructureHow legacy behaviors and workflow inconsistency compound into massive riskWhat “owning a process” really means—and why most orgs get it wrongHow early-stage companies fall into the trap of ad hoc systems and band-aid solutionsWhy consistency and connectivity—not heroics—are the foundation for scalable successPlus, they preview the framework at the heart of Oscar’s forthcoming book: a practical guide for process owners, system stewards, and leaders ready to build resilient operations without boiling the ocean. If you’ve ever tried to fix a broken workflow while juggling 10 others, or wondered why your cross-functional projects keep stalling—this episode is for you! Join the book waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/sigmalabconsulting/nexus-email-series-lander-2 Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ Want our thoughts on a specific topic? Looking to sponsor this podcast to continue to generate content? Or maybe you have an idea and want to be on our show. Fill out our Interest Form and share your thoughts.

    55 min

  4. JUL 23

    0207. Fix What Matters Most: Rethinking Workflow Improvement in Biopharma

    Send us a text In this episode, we introduce a new approach to operational excellence, one built for the realities of today’s biopharma landscape. As the industry faces tighter budgets and widespread restructuring, the pressure to “do more with less” has never been higher. But when you can’t fix everything, where should you start? We share how Sigma Lab Consulting helps clients focus on the workflows that matter most—those that, if broken, pose the greatest risk to execution, decision-making, or speed. Drawing on experience in R&D, clinical operations, and facilities management, they reveal how minor workflow gaps often compound into costly project delays. They also explain why many organizations waste time chasing the loudest problems, rather than identifying the most impactful ones—and how their Workflow Criticality Assessment offers a focused, scalable way to prioritize improvements and build long-term resilience. Whether you’re leading a transformation or trying to regain control of daily operations, this episode will give you a new way to think about where (and how) to begin. Join the book waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/sigmalabconsulting/nexus-email-series-lander-2 Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ Want our thoughts on a specific topic? Looking to sponsor this podcast to continue to generate content? Or maybe you have an idea and want to be on our show. Fill out our Interest Form and share your thoughts.

    56 min

  5. JUL 9

    0206. From Chaos to Clarity: Bridging the Gap Between R&D Decisions and Scientific Data with Bogdan Knezevic

    Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, to talk about a growing challenge in life sciences R&D: making smart decisions when data is scattered across teams, tools, and partners. Bogdan explains why disconnected systems lead to costly delays, duplicate experiments, and missed opportunities. He shares how the shift from academic to industry research, where projects are shared, not siloed, requires better workflows, clearer handoffs, and more thoughtful tools. We discuss: Why real-time access to decision-ready data matters more than connecting every systemHow delays between experiments quietly waste months of progressThe hidden cost of repeating work because past data is hard to findWhy user-friendly tools are just as important as powerful onesHow better data management can strengthen trust with partners and investorsIf your organization is working to scale R&D, improve collaboration, or simply make better use of the data you already have, this conversation is for you. Even small changes today can lead to huge gains tomorrow. Learn more about Kaleidoscope Bio at https://www.kaleidoscope.bio/ Connect with Bogdan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bogdanknezevic/ Ready to assess your organization’s efficiency? Connect with us at leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com to uncover high-impact improvement opportunities. 🚀 Join the book waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/sigmalabconsulting/nexus-email-series-lander-2 Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ Want our thoughts on a specific topic? Looking to sponsor this podcast to continue to generate content? Or maybe you have an idea and want to be on our show. Fill out our Interest Form and share your thoughts.

    51 min

  6. JUN 25

    0205. Before You Scale: Designing Workflows That Set Teams Up for Success with David Hirschfeld

    Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with David Hirschfeld, 35-year software veteran and founder of Tekyz, to talk about why designing workflows before you start building is critical for sustainable growth. We explore how the speed of modern tools and AI can create a dangerous illusion of progress, causing teams to skip planning and discovery. David challenges the common “build while flying” mindset and explains why taking time to think first actually speeds you up. You’ll also hear his contrarian, but highly practical, "Launch First" approach, where sales and marketing happen before building. It’s a powerful method for validating product-market fit early, avoiding wasted development cycles, and moving fast without flying blind. Whether you’re launching a startup, building internal platforms, or scaling R&D, this episode will reshape how you approach planning, execution, and risk. Learn more about the Launch 1st Method at https://launch1st.tekyz.com/ Connect with David at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhirschfeld/ Ready to assess your organization’s efficiency? Connect with us at leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com to uncover high-impact improvement opportunities. 🚀 Join the book waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/sigmalabconsulting/nexus-email-series-lander-2 Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ Want our thoughts on a specific topic? Looking to sponsor this podcast to continue to generate content? Or maybe you have an idea and want to be on our show. Fill out our Interest Form and share your thoughts.

    43 min

  7. JUN 11

    0204. Start With the End: How PRFAQs Create Clarity Before You Build with Marcelo Calbucci

    Send us a text Have you ever started a project only to realize you’re building something your leaders never asked for? You’re not alone. In this episode of Lean by Design, we sit down with Marcelo Calbucci, a veteran of Amazon, Microsoft, and multiple startups, to explore the PRFAQ Framework, Amazon’s secret weapon for aligning strategy and execution. By drafting a mock press release and FAQ before a single line of code is written, teams force themselves to clarify vision, spot roadblocks, and reach consensus across departments. The real magic comes from the collaborative review and no bullet‑filled slides, just a tight narrative that surfaces gaps in logic and focuses on solving genuine customer problems. Whether you’re battling scope creep as a product manager or aiming for alignment as an executive, this conversation will equip you with a powerful tool to kick off your next project with crystal‑clear purpose. Tune in and learn to work backward for forward momentum. Learn more about the PRFAQ at https://www.theprfaq.com/ Connect with Marcelo at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelocalbucci | https://x.com/calbucci Ready to assess your organization’s efficiency? Connect with us at leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com to uncover high-impact improvement opportunities. 🚀 Join the book waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/sigmalabconsulting/nexus-email-series-lander-2 Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ Want our thoughts on a specific topic? Looking to sponsor this podcast to continue to generate content? Or maybe you have an idea and want to be on our show. Fill out our Interest Form and share your thoughts.

    51 min

  8. MAY 28

    0203: Build or Buy? Developing Internal Process Capabilities vs. Relying on External Experts with Liam O'Neill

    Send us a text Have you ever noticed the gap between where your organization is and where it needs to be widening every day—especially when workflows are undefined or changing? In this episode of Lean by Design, we sit down with Liam O’Neill of BPM‑D to tackle the big question: do you invest in building process capabilities internally or lean on outside consultants? We’ll walk you through evaluating your readiness, embedding process ownership in leadership, and starting with a real business challenge so you can create sustainable, scalable process excellence rather than just putting out fires.  Learn more about BPMD at https://bpm-d.com/ Connect with Liam at https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-oneill/ Ready to assess your organization’s efficiency? Connect with us at leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com to uncover high-impact improvement opportunities. 🚀 Join the book waitlist: https://mailchi.mp/sigmalabconsulting/nexus-email-series-lander-2 Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ Want our thoughts on a specific topic? Looking to sponsor this podcast to continue to generate content? Or maybe you have an idea and want to be on our show. Fill out our Interest Form and share your thoughts.

    45 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Lean by Design explores how organizations can fix what’s predictably broken in their operations — starting with the systems, decisions, and behaviors that shape how work gets done. Hosts Oscar Gonzalez and Lawrence Wong speak with leaders from biopharma and beyond, drawing lessons from industries that share the same pursuit of clarity, efficiency, and sustainable execution. Each episode breaks down real challenges into practical insights that help teams align better, think smarter, and move faster. Produced by Sigma Lab Consulting, Lean by Design helps organizations design for what works—and eliminate what doesn’t. Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Information

  • Creator
    Oscar Gonzalez & Lawrence Wong
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    32
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Lean By Design
  • Show Website
    Lean By Design