Beyond Deming

James Lawther
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Conversations on transformational leadership and management, inspired by the work of Dr W. Edwards Deming and brought to you by the Deming Alliance.

Episodes

  1. The Productivity Puzzle – John Seddon

    NOV 28

    The Productivity Puzzle – John Seddon

    In this thought-provoking episode, John Seddon joins James Lawther to unravel the complexities of productivity and growth within modern organisations. Seddon, an occupational psychologist, consultant and author, critiques the prevailing reliance on government regulation, economic theory, and technological quick fixes such as AI. He argues that these approaches often hinder genuine progress, advocating instead for a shift towards effectiveness at the enterprise level.  Through engaging anecdotes and references to Deming’s influential work, Seddon highlights the importance of systems thinking, knowledge, and purpose-driven management.  The discussion explores the pitfalls of target-setting, the unintended consequences of regulation, and the limitations of technology in addressing poor performance in service organisations. Seddon calls for politicians and regulators to step back, empowering managers to innovate and focus on delivering real value.  This episode offers valuable insights for leaders seeking sustainable improvement, challenging conventional wisdom and encouraging a more thoughtful, evidence-based approach to improving organisational performance.

    30 min
  2. The Cathedral Model – Frank Devine

    NOV 2

    The Cathedral Model – Frank Devine

    In this episode of Beyond Deming, host James Lawther sits down with Frank Devine to explore the innovative Cathedral Model for leadership and management development.   Frank shares his journey from traditional HR roles to developing a systematic, evidence-based approach that challenges the status quo of conventional leadership development programmes. Through engaging stories and real-world examples, Frank explains how the Cathedral Model integrates purpose, values, and practical skills to reduce variability in leadership quality and drive sustainable results.    The conversation delves into the pitfalls of conventional HR initiatives and the importance of addressing root causes rather than symptoms. Listeners will gain actionable insights on fostering genuine employee engagement, building high-performing teams, and creating environments where everyone can thrive. Whether you’re a leader, HR professional, or simply interested in organisational excellence, this episode offers fresh perspectives and practical tools to elevate your approach.

    43 min
  3. Kingman's Equation – John Bicheno

    SEP 23

    Kingman's Equation – John Bicheno

    In this episode of Beyond Deming, host James Lawther sits down with Professor John Bicheno of the Lean Enterprise Research Centre (LERC) to unravel the mysteries of Kingman’s Equation and its relevance to management thinking. Together, they debunk the common myth that maximum efficiency comes from running operations at full utilisation, revealing how this approach can actually drive up costs and create massive queues. John explains the non-linear relationship between utilisation and queue length, drawing on real-world examples from manufacturing, service industries, and even motorway traffic. The discussion covers the critical roles of arrival and process variation, the dangers of batching, and the infamous bullwhip effect in supply chains. Listeners will also hear about a simple dice game that brings these concepts to life, and get practical tips for reducing variation and improving flow. Whether you’re a manager, process improvement enthusiast, or just curious about the science behind queues, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice. Plus, John shares his favourite resources for learning more about lean thinking and systems improvement. Tune in to discover why understanding Kingman’s Equation is essential for anyone looking to optimise performance and reduce waste in any organisation.

    26 min
  • 3 Episodes

About

Conversations on transformational leadership and management, inspired by the work of Dr W. Edwards Deming and brought to you by the Deming Alliance.

Information

  • Creator
    James Lawther
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    3
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Beyond Deming
  • Show Website
    Beyond Deming