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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 design
• How to recognize the “invisible waste” of human potential
• Why system redesign must go hand-in-hand with leadership and communication
• How Hanna's entrepreneurial journey has shaped her frameworks like HEART, BEAT, and CORE
• The tension between designing a scalable business and building one that fits your life

Whether 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/

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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 priorities
• The ripple effects of NIH cuts and disappearing IPOs on the innovation pipeline
• Why “free agent” scientists might drive the next wave of value creation
• Strategic considerations for biopharma teams navigating funding volatility

Whether 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.

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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 infrastructure
• How legacy behaviors and workflow inconsistency compound into massive risk
• What “owning a process” really means—and why most orgs get it wrong
• How early-stage companies fall into the trap of ad hoc systems and band-aid solutions
• Why consistency and connectivity—not heroics—are the foundation for scalable success

Plus, 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.