Lean Blog Interviews - Healthcare, Manufacturing, Business, and Leadership Mark Graban Podcasts

My guests for Episode #512 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast are Steve Pereira and Andrew Davis, authors of the new book Flow Engineering: From Value Stream Mapping to Effective Action.

Steve Pereira has spent over two decades improving workflow across various organizations. His experience spans tech support, IT management, platform and infrastructure engineering, product management, and serving as a founding CTO for an enterprise SaaS company. Currently, he is the CEO of Visible Consulting, COO of the Value Stream Management Consortium, and co-founder of the Flow Collective.

Andrew Davis is the Chief Product Officer at AutoRABIT and the author of "Mastering Salesforce DevOps." With a background as a Salesforce architect, developer, and product leader, Andrew focuses on the human side of software development. He spent 15 years as a Buddhist monk, teaching meditation and personal transformation, and now studies the intersection of business, technology, and psychology through systems thinking.

In this episode, we discuss the principles of flow engineering, the importance of psychological safety in process improvement, and their experiences in writing the book. We also dive into their personal journeys, inspirations from industry giants like Deming and Goldratt, and the challenges and lessons learned in collaborative work. Stay tuned for a deep, insightful conversation on enhancing workflows and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Questions, Notes, and Highlights:

Can you discuss the relationship between making mistakes and learning from a Buddhist perspective, Andrew?

Why do you resonate with figures like Deming, Goldratt, and Ackoff in your improvement work, Steve?

How did you two end up collaborating on the book?

Did you apply flow engineering concepts to the development and writing of the book together?

How did the process of writing the book evolve over time?

What lessons did you learn about collaboration and flow from writing this book?

How does psychological safety impact value stream mapping and flow engineering?

How do you involve workers in process design to avoid negative perceptions of imposed processes?

What challenges did you face in maintaining a regular cadence of work while writing the book?

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.

In this special live-streamed bonus episode of the Lean Blog Interviews podcast, host Mark Graban is joined by Paul Critchley for an impromptu experiment in recording a live podcast. The episode begins with a brief introduction and a discussion about the decision to try a live format.
Paul Critchley, a seasoned Lean consultant, shares his background, detailing his journey from a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry to his current role as a Lean practitioner and consultant. He highlights his experiences working with Toyota and Pratt & Whitney, emphasizing the practical application of Lean principles in various industries, including aerospace.
Summit info: https://newenglandleanconsulting.com/summit/
The conversation then shifts to Paul's upcoming event, the New England Lean Summit, scheduled for September 12-13, 2024, in Cromwell, Connecticut. Paul discusses the summit's agenda, which includes workshops, sessions, and a Lean Happy Hour. He expresses his excitement about bringing together Lean professionals from diverse industries to foster learning and networking in a fun and engaging environment.
Paul also introduces the New England Lean Collaborative, a member-based organization aimed at building a community of Lean practitioners in the New England region. He explains the collaborative's activities, such as book clubs, site tours, and resource sharing, designed to facilitate continuous learning and improvement.
The collaborative: https://newenglandleanconsulting.com/the-nelc/
The episode wraps up with Mark and Paul addressing a viewer's question about implementing Lean practices in small companies with limited resources. Paul advises starting small, focusing on incremental improvements, and maintaining momentum through continuous, manageable changes.

Throughout the episode, Paul emphasizes the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment for learning and experimenting with Lean practices, highlighting the benefits of fun and engagement in the process. The episode concludes with a reminder of the event details and an invitation for listeners to join the New England Lean Summit and Collaborative.

00:01:24: Guest Introduction - Paul Critchley

00:03:00: Paul's Career Background

00:03:39: Discussion on Practicing Lean - https://practicinglean.com/

00:05:02: New Projects and Endeavors

00:05:29: New England Lean Summit Introduction

00:06:08: Details about the New England Lean Summit

00:07:04: Summit Logistics and Activities

00:09:02: Lean Happy Hour Concept

00:10:00: Hope for Future Annual Events

00:10:19: Overview of the New England Lean Collaborative

00:11:00: Functioning of the Collaborative

00:11:42: Membership Benefits and Activities

00:12:48: Discussion about Industry Participation

00:14:23: Lean Tools and Concepts

00:15:23: Connection with Bob Rush and Workshop Details

00:16:36: Fun Activities Planned for the Summit

00:17:01: Emphasizing fun and networking at the summit

00:17:39: Lessons from Pascal Dennis at Toyota

00:18:31: Incorporating a DJ at the conference

00:19:48: Creating a relaxed and engaging atmosphere

00:21:02: Unique conference experiences

00:22:00: Opportunities for

My guest for Episode #511 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Sam Yankelevitch, a distinguished global operations executive who has dedicated his career to advancing Lean principles, effective communication, and innovative problem-solving. Sam's journey began with managing international projects and optimizing processes in various industries. His expertise and passion for continuous improvement have made him a sought-after speaker, workshop trainer, and corporate coach.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more

Sam is one of the speakers and facilitators at the upcoming Global Lean Summit Event, being held in Indiana this September.

Since 2014, Sam has leveraged his vast knowledge by producing popular online courses that have reached over 500,000 students worldwide. His contributions to LinkedIn Learning include highly-regarded courses such as "Root Cause Analysis" and "Improve Communication Using Lean Thinking." Sam's ability to distill complex concepts into actionable insights has earned him a dedicated following among professionals seeking to enhance their skills.

In addition to his educational endeavors, Sam recently ventured into fiction writing with his debut book, An Interview with Failure. This unique narrative explores the lessons learned from setbacks and the value of embracing failure as a stepping stone to success.

Before establishing himself as an influential educator and author, Sam held several key positions, including Vice President and General Manager at a German-based automotive supplier and President and CEO of Ideace, Inc., an international manufacturer and exporter. His diverse background and hands-on experience provide a rich foundation for his teachings.

Sam holds an Industrial Engineering degree and an Executive Master's in Financial Management, further solidifying his expertise in operational excellence and strategic leadership.

In this episode, we discuss the pivotal role that effective communication plays within the framework of lean thinking. We also explore how clear, concise, and consistent communication can significantly enhance problem-solving capabilities, streamline processes, and foster a culture of continuous improvement. Sam shares his insights on the common communication pitfalls that organizations face and offers practical solutions to overcome these challenges using lean methodologies.

Additionally, we preview Sam's upcoming workshop at the Global Lean Summit, where he will be leading a session on lean communication. This workshop aims to equip participants with hands-on tools and techniques to improve communication within their organizations. Attendees will learn how to adapt lean principles to enhance clarity, reduce misunderstandings, and ensure that everyone in the organization is on the same page, thereby driving better results and fostering a more collaborative work environment.

Questions, Notes, and Highlights:

Tell us about the workshop you're doing at the Global Lean Summit.

What are some core communication problems that Lean thinking addresses?

Can you explain the concept of operational definitions from Dr. Deming?

How can Lean methods improve communication in an organization?

What's your lean origin story?

How did your international experience influence your Lean approach?

What were some challenges you faced when implementing Lean in the automotive industry?

What advice would you give to someone leading a Lean transformation?

How do you reframe failure as a learning opportunity?

Can you tell us about your book, "An Interview with Failure"?

How do you build trust in a coaching relationship?

What's the importance of commitment conversations in leadership?

How do you handle the word "accountability" in a positive way?

How does communication serve as a precondition to quality?

What can leaders do to improve their communication skills on the shop floor?

What are the benefits of standard work and 5S in a high-mix, l

My guest for Episode #510 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Karen Martin, Founder and CEO of TKMG and TKMG Academy, appearing for the fifth time.
Episode page with video, transcript, and more

She is the author of books including The Outstanding Organization, Clarity First, and Value Stream Mapping.

In this episode, we discuss mistake-proofing in lean practices, exploring its significance in various industries. The conversation begins with a light-hearted discussion about the "five-timers club" and Mark's "ZERO hat" from the Patient Safety Movement Foundation, which symbolizes the goal of zero harm in healthcare.

Karen shares her extensive background in quality improvement and lean management systems, emphasizing the importance of building quality at the source. Drawing on the teachings of Dr. W. Edwards Deming and the Toyota Production System, Karen and Mark discuss the psychological impact of striving for zero harm, debating whether it is an inspiring goal or potentially demotivating.

The episode also explores real-world examples of organizations achieving zero harm and the cultural shifts required to reduce errors. Karen introduces the TKMG Academy and its comprehensive courses designed to enhance lean practices, including the new mistake-proofing course co-developed with Mark. Her passion for quality improvement and continuous learning shines through, offering listeners valuable insights into achieving operational excellence.

Questions, Notes, and Highlights:

Why is quality such a passion for you?

Why did you want to add the mistake-proofing course to the TKMG Academy catalog?

What are some common barriers to achieving zero harm in healthcare?

How do you differentiate between mistakes and errors?

How do you handle situations where the work system isn't at fault, but the individual continues to make mistakes?

Can you tell us more about the "slow work" movement?

What are your thoughts on final inspection versus quality at the source?

How do you address the challenge of maintaining standards in training and process design?

Could you elaborate on the spectrum of mistake-proofing from 100% prevention to error reduction?

How does the TKMG Academy help organizations with continuous improvement?

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. 

I'm very happy to be participating in Jared Thatcher‘s “Global Lean Summit” event this September in Indiana.
I'll be there to network and learn, which includes time visiting a Toyota Material Handling factory (an entire day!)
I'll be speaking and facilitating:
A workshop on Psychological Safety as a Foundation for continuous improvement
A learning session featuring Dr. Deming's “Red Bead Game“
A fun keynote talk on warning signs and mistake-proofing
Learn more and register
Here's a 13-minute conversation that I had with Jared about the event.

My guest for Episode #509 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Ankit Patel, the founder of My Business Care Team, a BPO company providing services for optometrists, and co-founder with his wife Classic Vision Care, an optometry group in Atlanta.
Episode page with transcript and more

With a strong background in Lean methodology, Ankit has worked as a Lean consultant at Dell and the Cleveland Clinic, driving process improvements and coaching executives. 

He holds a Master's degree in Positive Organizational Development and a Bachelor's in Industrial Engineering. 

Recognizing talent acquisition challenges, Ankit partnered with a Filipino team to source skilled, cost-effective staff for various business functions. He now leverages AI for hiring and automation to optimize his optometry practice and BPO services, applying Lean principles to drive efficiency and growth.

In this episode, Ankit shares insights from his journey, starting as a lean consultant at Dell and the Cleveland Clinic, and transitioning into optometry, where he focuses on building patient relationships and enhancing processes through lean principles and AI technology.

Mark and Ankit discuss the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI in business processes, the importance of positive organizational development, and how appreciative inquiry can drive team alignment and engagement. Ankit also highlights the role of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) in managing small businesses and improving training and development with AI tools, offering valuable lessons for anyone interested in continuous improvement and innovative approaches in healthcare and beyond.

Questions, Notes, and Highlights:

What is positive organizational development, and how did you come to study it?

How did your experience at Cleveland Clinic influence your involvement in your current business?

How do you balance focusing on optometry with the potential to expand into other medical practices?

How do you prioritize where to use AI in your processes without falling into the trap of using it because it's trendy?

Can you share an example of improving a process before thinking about automating it with AI?

How rapidly is AI technology advancing, and how does that impact your ability to adjust its use in your business?

How do you see AI tools facilitating faster PDCA or PDSA cycles in continuous improvement practices?

What led you to the positive psychology approach, and how does it differ from traditional organizational development?

How do you apply appreciative inquiry in your work, and what impact does it have on team alignment and engagement?

Can you discuss the origin and growth of your new business involving AI and BPO for optometry?

What role does EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) play in managing your business?

How do you evaluate the effectiveness of training and development using AI tools?

How do you communicate your practice's focus on building patient relationships in your marketing and branding?

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.