Episodes

  • GA 595 | Dynamic Work Design with Don Kieffer

    GA 595 | Dynamic Work Design with Don Kieffer
    Aug 28 2025
    This week's guest is Don Kieffer. Ron and Don discussed the concept of dynamic work design, their individual takes on AI, Don's book, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Don's quotes (2:13) His background (5:23) Why Don wrote his book (9:35) What a dynamic work design is (13:46) Don's process (16:34) Some example situations (18:45) What has surprised Don (22:10) Don's take on AI (24:59) Achieving the right balance using dynamic work design (30:02) How it compares to TWI (32:46) Don's final words of wisdom (34:22) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 There's Got to Be a Better Way The Most Underrated Skill in Management Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Have you used dynamic work design before?
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    38 mins
  • GA 594 | Common Failures in Modern Leadership with William C. Davis

    GA 594 | Common Failures in Modern Leadership with William C. Davis
    Aug 21 2025
    This week's guest is William C. Davis. Ron and William discussed some defining moments in William's impressive career, what leaders are doing wrong nowadays, dealing with tricky and uncomfortable situations, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quotes William likes (2:24) His background (3:25) Some of the common failures of modern leadership (8:51) William's take on the status quo (13:32) The most common failures in leadership (15:31) His outlook on the future (19:40) Some practical solutions (20:46) Dealing with difficult situations (25:52) His final words of wisdom (30:22) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 William's Website Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What are some other issues you've noticed in leadership today?
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    32 mins
  • GA 593 | The Importance of Simplification with Dr. Lucas Chesla and Kirk Nicholas

    GA 593 | The Importance of Simplification with Dr. Lucas Chesla and Kirk Nicholas
    Aug 14 2025
    This week's guests are Dr. Lucas Chesla and Kirk Nicholas. Luke and Kirk shared how continuous improvement is used in the military, the book they wrote together, their thoughts on AI, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quotes Luke and Kirk like (3:55) Kirk's background (5:16) Luke's background (10:04) The inspiration for the book (14:34) About their enterprise model (21:35) All about the five pillars (26:41) Their thoughts on ChatGPT (30:49) How they respond to pressures for results (35:29) How they met (42:55) Luke and Kirk's final words of wisdom (43:57) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Luke on LinkedIn Kirk on LinkedIn Value Added 616 Revolutionize Work on Amazon Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Which of the five pillars resonates with you the most?
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    47 mins
  • GA 592 | The Aha! Moment with Dexter Chan

    GA 592 | The Aha! Moment with Dexter Chan
    Aug 7 2025
    This week's guest is Dexter Chan. Ron and Dexter discussed handling resistance, other challenges he's faced, and why the "Aha!" moment makes all the effort worth it. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Dexter likes (2:18) His background (4:34) The key learnings he has taken from his diverse range of experiences (12:17) How he handles resistance (15:44) The "Aha!" moment (20:54) A challenge he's had to face (22:58) His advice for someone just getting started (25:32) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Dexter on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Share a recent "Aha!" moment you either experienced or witnessed.
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    30 mins
  • GA 591 | The Power of Slow, Incremental Growth with Brian Schreuder

    GA 591 | The Power of Slow, Incremental Growth with Brian Schreuder
    Jul 31 2025
    This week's guest is Brian Schreuder. Ron and Brian discussed Brian's company's lean journey, some of the challenges they've faced, what their material management looks like, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Brian likes (2:57) His background (3:58) The cultural side of things (9:35) Some of the challenges they've faced (13:15) What Brian has enjoyed the most (15:19) Time and patience (16:47) What their material management looks like (17:33) The financial impact they've seen (20:43) A favorite aspect of lean (22:58) His trip to Ireland (25:28) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Brian on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Is your company on a lean journey? How is it going?
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    30 mins
  • GA 590 | The Smart Factory with Nikhil Pal

    GA 590 | The Smart Factory with Nikhil Pal
    Jul 24 2025
    This week's guest is Nikhil Pal. Ron and Nikhil discussed the concept of the Smart Factory, the analytics involved, the effect technology has had on humanity, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Nikhil's quote (2:48) His background (3:50) What "Smart Factory" means (5:18) Continuously improving in a smart factory (6:54) What the analytics look like (8:20) The effect technology has on humanity (11:48) The key to managing the potential stress involved (15:06) Getting tools and lean fundamentals to work in harmony (16:58) The common pitfalls Nikhil has seen (18:33) A "favorite mistake" Nikhil has made (20:15) His final words of advice (22:54) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Nikhil on LinkedIn Process Masters on YouTube Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? What about a "smart factory" appeals to you? What concerns do you have?
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    27 mins
  • GA 589 | Implementing Lean at Small to Mid-Sized Manufacturers with Justin Goethe

    GA 589 | Implementing Lean at Small to Mid-Sized Manufacturers with Justin Goethe
    Jul 17 2025
    This week's guest is Justin Goethe. Ron and Justin discussed why people struggle to get on board with lean, the role traditional consulting can play, why "A Plan for Every Part" is important, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Justin likes (2:57) Why we're hesitant to take action (4:02) Justin's background (5:16) Who Justin would train first (12:13) Getting the finance community on board (14:10) Why people struggle with lean (17:03) The role a consultant can play (18:11) Justin's advice for where to start (23:42) Why "A Plan for Every Part" is important (25:38) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Justin on LinkedIn Allied Logistics Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? How do you get people on board with lean?
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    31 mins
  • GA 588 | When Lean Doesn’t Stick with Holly Plaga

    GA 588 | When Lean Doesn’t Stick with Holly Plaga
    Jul 10 2025
    This week's guest is Holly Plaga. Ron and Holly discussed why lean doesn't always take root, the mindset necessary for success, creating a sustainable lean culture, Holly's "favorite mistake," and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: The quote Holly likes (2:52) Her background (3:31) Why lean doesn't always take root (7:33) The mindset you need for lean to be successful (9:26) Tips for creating a sustainable culture (12:54) Holly's "favorite mistake" (14:50) Dealing with CAVE people (16:28) Her final words of wisdom (20:55) Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Holly on LinkedIn Get All the Latest News from Gemba Academy Our newsletter is a great way to receive updates on new courses, blog posts, and more. Sign up here. What Do You Think? Why else does lean and continuous improvement not stick?
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    23 mins