Podcasts about Lean Six Sigma

In this episode of Supply Chain Now, Scott Luton talks with Brett Johnson, IT Director at A&A Global, and Shannon Vaillancourt, President and Founder of RateLinx, about A&A Global's journey to transform their shipping operations. Brett details how they addressed inefficiencies in their old TMS, implementing RateLinx's flexible toolkit to streamline processes, reduce costs, and scale operations without adding staff.The conversation explores how A&A Global overcame challenges like manual data entry, slow carrier onboarding, and inaccurate rate quoting through powerful integrations like ScanForce, Cubiscan, and mobile printing. Brett and Shannon also highlight the role of Lean Six Sigma practices in driving continuous improvement and achieving significant cost savings, faster shipping, and enhanced efficiency.Jump into the conversation:(00:00) Intro(01:39) Meet the industry leaders(02:46) Challenges faced by A&A Global(05:56) Issues with previous TMS(08:30) The need for speed and efficiency(13:42) Selection process for a new TMS(18:03) Integration and implementation(27:55) The new car vs. new software analogy(29:42) Challenges with previous TMS(30:44) Choosing RateLinx and ShipLinx TMS(32:29) Implementation philosophy(37:29) Automation and labor cost savings(45:42) Advice for IT and operations leadersResources:Learn more about A&A Global: http://www.aaglobal.com Connect with Shannon Vaillancourt: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannon-vaillancourt/ INSIGHT 2025 Conference: https://www.ratelinx.com/ratelinx-insight-conference/Learn more about RateLinx: https://www.ratelinx.com/ Connect with Scott Luton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottwindonluton/Learn more about Supply Chain Now: https://supplychainnow.com Watch and listen to more Supply Chain Now episodes here: https://supplychainnow.com/program/supply-chain-now Subscribe to Supply Chain Now on your favorite platform: https://supplychainnow.com/join Work with us! Download Supply Chain Now's NEW Media Kit: https://bit.ly/3XH6OVkWEBINAR- Real stories: Fast-tracking value, a pioneering digital transformation with impactful results.: https://bit.ly/4mgp1EWWEBINAR- Real Shipping Stories. Real Money Saved.: https://bit.ly/45PegUmWEBINAR- From Compliance to Impact and Competitive Advantage: How to Decarbonize Your Supply Chain:

My guest for Episode #324 of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Trevor Schade. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Trevor began his career as a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with a strong background in coding and process improvement. He consulted on business efficiency and outsourcing before shifting into real estate in 2008. After earning his license, he quickly built a top-performing team of 26 agents with zero turnover over five years. By leveraging a virtual admin team in the Philippines and innovative automation, Trevor's group generated over a million dollars in commissions. In late 2023, Trevor stepped away from leading that large team to focus on investing, advising, and teaching. Today, he speaks on topics including negotiation, time freedom, and real estate strategy, and he has launched Life Wealth courses to help others pursue similar goals. In this episode, Trevor shares his favorite mistake: jumping into a multi-level marketing business at age 19. The venture wasn't financially successful, but it transformed his mindset. For the first time, Trevor developed a daily reading habit that exposed him to classics like Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People and Robert Kiyosaki's Rich Dad, Poor Dad. Those books gave him a foundation in psychology, leadership, and long-term thinking that continues to influence his work. We also explore: How lessons from Nebraska football and martial arts shaped Trevor's resilience What Lean Six Sigma taught him about efficiency, quality, and leadership Why he focused on psychological safety and belonging to keep his team intact How he used outsourcing and automation to scale without burnout The importance of setting trajectories instead of rigid goals in business and life Trevor's story is a reminder that sometimes the most unprofitable ventures provide the richest education — if we're willing to learn from them. Questions and Topics: What's your favorite mistake? How did joining a multi-level marketing company at 19 shape your growth, even if it wasn't financially successful? Did you ever think about leaving earlier, and was staying too long its own mistake? What lessons did you take from Nebraska football and sports about resilience and bouncing back? How did you first get into Lean Six Sigma and continuous improvement work? In what ways did Lean and coding skills help you scale your real estate business? What did you learn about leadership from running a 26-agent team with zero turnover? How did you create a culture of psychological safety and belonging for your team? Why do you emphasize inspiring people instead of “beating them over the head with metrics”? What role have outsourcing and automation played in your business success? You've said you set trajectories instead of rigid goals — what does that mean in practice? Looking back, how do you connect these mistakes and lessons to your current focus on investing, advising, and teaching?

In this episode of Quality Impact, host Rashad Issa sits down with neuroscience expert Hilary Scarlett and Lean Six Sigma specialist Martin Brenig-Jones to explore how understanding the human brain can transform change management. From building trust and psychological safety to navigating uncertainty and embracing AI, they share practical insights for leaders and quality professionals. Discover how neuroscience-backed strategies and empathy-driven leadership can make improvement initiatives more engaging, effective, and sustainable.

What happens when a nonprofit CEO brings Lean Six Sigma principles into the social sector? Phil explains how process improvement, a clear mission, and a culture of ownership can transform the way an organization serves families in crisis. He shares stories from the Furniture Bank, from eliminating wasted effort to creating dignified client experiences, and offers practical insights into building an organizational culture where every team member takes responsibility for excellence. This is a conversation for leaders who want to strengthen their mission while staying grounded in their values.

https://youtu.be/JgJaZ9-fg-E Steven Wilson, CEO of Parallel 42 Coaching & Consulting, Certified Working Genius Facilitator, and Six Sigma Black Belt, helps leaders unlock potential by applying Patrick Lencioni's Working Genius Framework to transform teams and organizations. His mission is to guide people and businesses to be better at who they are, what they do, and how they serve others. We explore Steven's journey from Lean Six Sigma process expert to leadership coach and how the Working Genius Framework helps individuals identify whether they're in the right seat, boosts productivity by focusing 80% on natural strengths and 20% on personality, and increases team collaboration. Steven explains how the six types of genius align with the phases of any project and how leaders can recognize where people are most engaged to build resilient, high-performing teams.He also shares why organizational “health” often matters more than “smarts,” how hungry, humble, and smart behaviors strengthen culture, and how servant leadership creates accountability, trust, and long-term success.

Enter to win a copy of "The Problem Solver's Toolkit" by Tracy O'Rourke and Elisabeth Swan by September 12.Organizations invest thousands of dollars and countless hours into lean, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement training programs. Certifications get awarded. Belts get earned.But nothing actually changes.Technical problem-solving training alone isn't enough to drive meaningful impact. Without guidance and support on how to apply problem-solving tools—and the people-side of leading change—improvements stall. In this episode of Chain of Learning, I'm joined by Tracy O'Rourke and Elisabeth Swan, co-founders of the Just-in-Time Café and co-authors of "The Problem-Solver's Toolkit." With more than 50 years of combined Lean Six Sigma experience, they've trained and coached thousands of problem-solvers across industries—from healthcare and government to manufacturing and service—helping teams turn knowledge into real results.Whatever problem-solving method you use—DMAIC, PDCA, or an A3—you'll walk away with practical insights to help you bridge the gap between knowledge and action.YOU'LL LEARN:Why traditional training programs fail to create lasting problem-solving capability—and what to do insteadThe importance of bringing others along in a change project and staying flexible and curious as the work evolvesWhy successful and sustainable problem-solving requires both technical know-how and people skillsHow to engage teams, navigate change, and keep momentum going while leading a process improvement team How to close the gap between learning and doing by turning skills into real-world resultsABOUT MY GUESTS:Tracy O'Rourke is a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt, and co-founder of the Just-in-Time Café. As a sought-after consultant, instructor, and speaker with over 25 years of experience, Tracy specializes in cultural change, leadership development, strategic alignment, and process improvement. Elisabeth Swan is a leadership coach, keynote speaker, award-winning author of “Picture Yourself a Leader”, and co-founder of the Just-in-Time Café. Elisabeth brings decades of experience helping Fortune 100 companies and nonprofits embrace conscious leadership and continuous improvement. IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/51My website for resources and ways to work with me KBJAnderson.comConnect with Tracy O'Rourke: linkedin.com/in/tracy-orourkeConnect with Elisabeth Swan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethswanFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalyst Get your copy of the “Problem-Solver's Toolkit”: www.jitcafe.com/book My Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantrip TIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:01:37 The inspiration behind the “Problem Solvers Toolkit” 02:54 The disconnect between what is education and what leads to retention 04:22 The aha moments in creating the revised second edition in leading process improvement05:55 Potholes and detours as a metaphor in process improvements not going the perfect way06:36 The journey of continuous improvement in taking your team on the journey with you07:26 Incorporating road games in getting the team involved in problem solving11:03 What led Tracy and Elisabeth to want to help people in leading process improvement13:31 The real meaning of being a leader — more than just being a senior executive16:04 The difference between lean and Six Sigma18:24 Why the process steps matter more than the name19:22 Why people feel lean has failed20:38 Additional learnings in making the second edition of “The Problem-Solver's Toolkit” 21:53 Changes made in the second edition including graphics, examples and templates22:19 What the Just-in-Time Café digital toolkit includes 25:23 How to solve problems based on solving similar problems27:19 The 5S Baby spoof music video inspired by process solving tools29:12 The next spoof song based on root cause analysis33:16 Elisabeth's takeaways from the Japan Leadership Experience in seeing worker happiness34:53 The importance of focusing on human happiness and engagement for growth36:53 Tracy's takeaways from the Japan Leadership Experience 40:00 Top recommendation for being the most effective in getting traction in solving problems41:41 The importance of building curiosity to get to know people and their experiences43:34 What is involved in successful problem-solving44:14 How to close the gap between learning and doing Enter to win a copy of "The Problem Solver's Toolkit" by Tracy O'Rourke and Elisabeth Swan by September 12. Apply today for the Japan Leadership Experience — last chance to join the November 2025 cohort. Applications also open for May 2026.

Different approaches, same goal: better performance. That's why Agile and Lean Six Sigma work together; aligning people, roles, and responsibilities to get the best out of every team.Join Anthony Richardson in conversation with Susannah Clarke as they reveal how Lean Six Sigma roles like Green Belts, Black Belts, and Sponsors align with Agile roles such as Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Developers.Learn when and how these roles intersect, why it matters for delivering improvements, and how clear role alignment can make your projects faster, smarter, and more effective.More resources:Agile Improvement Explained  Agile Meets Lean Six Sigma: A Case Study Setting Up for Agile Success PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT IN AN AI-DRIVEN WORLD.Save the Date. 17th March 2026.The only improvement conference for practitioners, by practitioners. More from PMI: Dive into our Knowledge Hub for more tools, videos, and infographics Join us for a PMI LIVE Webinar Follow us on LinkedIn Take your improvement career to the next level with PMI's Lean Six Sigma Certifications - now available in two new and accessible formats, built around you. Explore On Demand >> Explore Distance Learning >>

Today's guest knows what it means to lead when the stakes are high. Nate Amidon spent 15 years guiding people and programs across the U.S. Air Force, Microsoft, Boeing, and Alaska Airlines. He's an Air Force C-17 evaluator pilot with more than 3,200 flight hours—including 800 in combat—and over 1,500 hours as an instructor teaching young pilots how to fly, make decisions under pressure, and lead crews on global missions. When he transitioned from active duty, Nate brought that same discipline into technology—consulting as a Project Manager, Scrum Master, and Scaled Agile Framework coach on enterprise software programs. He went on to found Form100 Consulting, where he helps clients apply military-tested leadership practices to build strong, high-performing teams that endure. In our conversation, Nate and I talked about how hard that transition actually was. Even with a degree from the Air Force Academy and an MBA, landing his first role at Microsoft wasn't simple—and it showed him how untapped the veteran talent pool really is. That frustration was the spark for Form100, where he now connects veterans with organizations desperate for alignment, communication, and trust. We also dug into why veterans are uniquely equipped for tech: they're trained to see the whole mission, not just their own slice. They know how to drive clarity in chaos, how to align teams across silos, and how to solve problems with urgency but also with care. Nate reminded us that in technology, speed without alignment is just drift. Veterans bring the perspective to check the vector, build relationships, and keep the team moving in the right direction. Nate holds a Management degree from the U.S. Air Force Academy, an MBA from the University of Nebraska, and certifications spanning PMP, CSM, SPC, Lean Six Sigma, and DevOps. He also continues to serve as a reservist C-17 pilot with the 313th Airlift Squadron.

Máme 1. září. Dnes to bude o Youtube, učení se a vtipných hláškách našich i vašich dětí. V dnešní epizodě podcastu budu mluvit o tom, jak se učí geniální šachista Magnus Carlsen, nevidomá bubenice Evelyn Glennie. A že je to jednoduší, než si myslíme. Minimálně to alespoň oba takto říkají. Ač zdaleka nedosahuji výsledků a slávy výše zmiňovaných, ukážu vám, jak se učím já. A to nejen z praxe či knížek, ale třeba i z YouTube a podcastů. Citovat budu mé oblíbené autory Adama Granta, Angelu Duckword a Tima Harforda: "Deliberate play - záměrný trénink nemusí být nuda a šeď, kdy potřebujeme hodně síly vůle. Nejlepší způsob jak odemknout skrytý potenciáln není toto přetrpět, ale redesignovat si trénink tak, aby to byla hra a zábava" "Většina úspěšných hudebníků nejsou ti, kteří obsesivně mnoho hodin denně trénují. Většina špičkových pianistů-třicátníků na začátku trénovali jen hodinu denně. A cvičili proto, že chtěli a zajímalo je to a bavilo je to, často pro to, že je bavila práce s jejich učitelem" "Klíčem je do cvičení zapojit variace a nové věci. Ukazují to stovky experimentů" Lidé s nejvíce disciplínou nepoužívají sílu vůle. Místo toho změni situaci tak, aby sílu vůle nevyžadovala. O podcastu Jak v práci dělat více zajímavých, smysluplných věcí a méně těch otravných? Příběhy a myšlenky o tom, jak získat kontrolu nad svou prací a čas i energii něco změnit. Jak se dostat k zajímavé práci? Jak se nezbláznit z meetingů? Kolik hodin pracovat? Jak zlepšit komunikaci? Jak přestat věci odkládat? To jsou palčivé otázky, na které každý hledá odpověď. Podcastem vás provází Jiří Benedikt, trenér, který pomáhá lidem ve firmě tvořit a růst v digitální době O autorovi Jiří Benedikt je inovátor a lektor. Učí lidi ve firmách vést inovační projekty, chytře používat technologie a pomáhá jim tak uspět v digitální době. Pracuje třeba pro Škoda Auto nebo Johnson&Johnson Má doma dvě malé dcerky. Rád chodí po horách, leze po skalách a leží v knížkách. Píše blog na JiriBenedikt.com a točí podcast DalsiKroky.cz viz profil autora na webu Sledujte další moji tvorbu Můj český Youtube kanál Můj anglický Youtube kanál Propojme se na Linkedin Sledujte můj blog na téma chytrá práce Odebírejte novinky Pokud chcete dostávat upozornění na nové díly, můžete jít na JiriBenedikt.com/novinky a já vám každý čtvrtek pošlu co je nového jak v podcastu tak na mém blogu. Budu taky rád, když podcast budete sdílet a doporučíte ho lidem, které by mohl zajímat. Pokud mi chcete cokoli vzkázat, okomentovat to, co říkám, nesouhlasit, nebo přidat vlastní zkušenost, napište mi email na adresu jiri@jiribenedikt.com, všechny emaily čtu a na všechny odpovídám. Videokurzy pro jednotlivce Na serveru Profikem.cz najdete moje videokurzy Excelu pro jednotlivce. Můžete se podívat na bezplatný kurz i na kurzy k zakoupení. Školení pro firmy Digitální transformace Design thinking Lean Six Sigma Time management Adaptabilita Kreativita Excel Bezplatně ke stažení Na svém webu mám spoustu výukových materiálů, šablon a taháků ke stažení na tyto témata: Design thinking MS Excel Lean Six Sigma Projektový management Time management Prezentační dovednosti Knihy, které doporučuju Toto je seznam českých i anglických knížek a online zdrojů, které zmiňuju a doporučuju na mých školeních Design thinking, Lean Six Sigma, Time management a dalších. www.jiribenedikt.com/knihy

In this episode of The Rainmaking Podcast, Scott Love interviews Catherine MacDonagh, a legal industry consultant and author of Lean Six Sigma for Law. Catherine explains how process improvement—defined as analyzing and refining repeatable, describable steps to achieve better outcomes—can significantly enhance client service, profitability, and rainmaking. She notes that while lawyers often resist by saying every matter is unique, many steps in legal work and firm operations (like intake, billing, or onboarding) are recurring processes ripe for improvement. By using tools such as scorecards, impact/ease matrices, and stakeholder analysis, firms can identify high-impact areas, streamline workflows, and improve both client and employee experiences. Catherine shares real-world success stories, including a global law department that collaborated with a law firm to reduce billing inefficiencies and deepen their relationship. She stresses the importance of involving cross-functional teams, listening to the “voice of the client,” and embedding change management into the process. Continuous improvement, she argues, is not just about efficiency—it's about building stronger client partnerships and staying competitive. Catherine closes with three action steps: start by trying small improvements, commit to continuous learning, and build skills in Lean, Six Sigma, and related disciplines. Her message is clear: process improvement works in law, and adopting it can transform rainmaking efforts and client development. Visit: https://therainmakingpodcast.com/ YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q36c2IBRpdc ---------------------------------------

Episode Description: In this episode, Ryan and Roa explore the relationship dynamics that often happen between men and women, especially as it relates to the Fearful Avoidant woman and Anxious Attachment man based on our lived experiences as well as study. We share helpful resources that will support you on your journey to call in the healthy, secure relationship you want and deserve! Connect with Ryan and Roa on Instagram: Roa & Ryan. Interested 1 on 1 work with Ryan: If you're interested in finally taking the action towards your goals of getting healthier, helping your business be more cost and time efficient or reducing your stress anywhere in your life; you can find me on The Coaching Academy with The Manifestor Community's website. Interested in Changing your Habits, The Manifestor Way: If you're interested in changing your habits like I did, check out The Manifestor's Guide to Healthy Habits! Interested working with Roa: If you're interested in working with your healing through a holistic lens with Roa you can find me on my Instagram where I offer 1:1 set-ups, written sessions & more online material to come. Interested in The Nervous System Bundle: The Nervous System Bundle is everything you need to know in order to heal or continue the journey of healing your Nervous System. As a Manifestor, your Nervous System works differently, because it needs to be in tune to fit your energetic dynamics. All of this is explained in detail from both a medical and biological lense and an energetic and spiritual lens. All of this culminated with you having access to a huge library of healing modalities, remedies, exercises, recipes etc. for healing your nervous system. Learn more about Ryan A 2/4 Splenic Manifestor here to initiate growth minded people into an aligned life and business that starts from a place of self love and internal wellness. He is a Trauma Informed, Life & Wellness Coach with 700+ hrs experience with over 100 clients from soulpreneurs to executives. Certified Business Consultant (Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma) with 14 years experience saving businesses 1,000's of hours, $100,000's in cost and massively reducing stress for business owners. He especially loves working with service based businesses like Coaches, Healers, Therapists and others that feel passionate about their work. Learn more about Roa: Roa is a 6/2 Splenic Manifestor. She is the Head of Healing for the Manifestor community. She is a Medical Doctor, an Ayurvedic practitioner, a Human Design Guide, an herbalist & Meta-health geek from Denmark, where she lives as a solo-mommy of 2 little boys. She sees us as existing entities through a holistic lens. Not just as a part of Nature, but as Nature. She views healing as a journey into finding a balance in our nature and aligning with our inner landscapes and energetics. And so she combines all of her embodied wisdom in one healing modality to truly embrace the word “Holistic” of the mind, the soul & the body.

In today's episode of the Second in Command podcast, co-host Sivana Brewer is joined by Anthony Petitte, Chief Operating Officer at Finloc 2000 Inc.During this engaging conversation, Anthony shares candid insights about managing a fully remote team spread across diverse locations and cultures. The discussion explores the unique challenges of fostering connection and camaraderie when employees rarely meet face-to-face and highlights creative ways to build meaningful relationships that fuel collaboration and retention. You'll discover the importance of nurturing a positive company culture as a key driver for sustainable success.Sivana and Anthony also explore the human side of leadership, recognizing and addressing burnout, loneliness, and the emotional well-being of team members in an often isolating work environment. You'll hear thoughtful reflections on honest communication, empathetic follow-up, and the delicate balance between supporting individuals and meeting business goals. These themes underscore the evolving role of leaders as both strategists and caregivers in today's complex workplace.This episode provides practical tips and personal stories, offering a perspective on how leaders can stay grounded and inspire their teams amid constant change and uncertainty.If you've enjoyed this episode of the Second in Command podcast, be sure to leave a review and subscribe today!Enjoy!In This Episode You'll Learn:The day-to-day responsibilities of managing Finloc, FinPark, and VHub.The benefits of being a COO, such as ensuring efficiency and effectiveness and preparing the CEO for investor meetings. The tensions that exist with Anthony's CEO due to different approaches to building the company and fostering creativity.The challenges of managing a fully remote team across different time zones and cultures.The impact of AI on the transportation logistics industry and Finloc's approach to it.And much more...Guest Bio:Anthony Petitte is the Chief Operating Officer at Finloc 2000 Inc., where he leads operations, marketing, partnerships, and strategy for the company's innovative truck parking marketplace. A seasoned entrepreneur, investor, and advisor, Anthony previously founded and led the first truck parking marketplace in transportation, which successfully exited in 2021. With over 14 years of experience across logistics, executive search, and digital marketing, he is passionate about solving complex challenges in transportation and enhancing the stakeholder experience. Anthony is also an advisor to startups like Simporter, Zuum, and Torch, and holds certifications in Lean Six Sigma and Cybersecurity Board Governance. He earned his business degree with a minor in tourism from Kaplan University.Resources:Connect with Anthony: Website | LinkedInConnect with Cameron: Website | LinkedInGet Cameron's latest book – "Second in Command: Unleash the Power of Your COO"Get Cameron's online course –

My guest for Episode #532 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Anne Frewin, a seasoned Lean leader with over 12 years of improvement experience in healthcare, laboratories, and manufacturing. Updated with the correct audio Episode page with video, transcript, and more Anne's background in finance and healthcare administration provided her with a unique entry point into Lean -- first supporting improvement efforts through data, and then stepping fully into the role of change agent. She shares the story of how a persistent mentor who always asked "why" helped her shift from just reporting metrics to developing problem-solving thinking and leading transformation efforts herself. In this conversation, Anne and I explore how Lean principles, such as respect for people, effective idea systems, and a problem-solving culture, manifest in real-world settings. She explains why she prioritizes coaching people to become relentless problem solvers and how systems like visual management and simple idea boards, when supported with good questions, can lead to safer, more efficient work. We also discuss how Lean applies differently (but effectively) across industries, the balance between improvement and documentation, and how to avoid siloed thinking when solving cross-functional challenges--especially in healthcare. "A strong idea system is the first real show of respect for people--it tells the frontline we value their insight and want them to own the solution." Anne also shares her perspective on Lean, Six Sigma, and Lean Six Sigma, offering a practical framework for how these approaches can coexist while serving different purposes. Throughout the episode, we reflect on systems thinking, psychological safety, and the importance of learning through experimentation. Whether you're in healthcare, manufacturing, or any people-centric industry, Anne's passion for leadership development and continuous improvement offers valuable insights. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: How did you first get exposed to Lean, and why did it resonate with you? Looking back, did your mentor's persistent "why" questions help develop your thinking more than if he had been directive? How would you explain the concept of a Lean operating system to an executive unfamiliar with it? What's the difference between "respecting people" and "respect for people" in your view? Can you share an example of an effective idea system that truly engages frontline staff? How do you balance employee-generated ideas with the need for leadership support and coaching? What's your approach to helping people decide whether to use a rapid improvement event, an A3, or a PDSA cycle? What are the three questions you use to evaluate whether an idea is safe to try? How do you coach teams to iterate and learn from problems when working across functional silos? Can you share a healthcare example where process mapping revealed hidden breakdowns or assumptions? How do you handle improvement suggestions that require significant changes, like IT systems or facility layout? How do you view the relationship between safety, quality, delivery, and financial performance? What's your perspective on Lean vs. Six Sigma vs. Lean Six Sigma, based on your experience? How do you see variation reduction as part of Lean, not just Six Sigma? What was it like moving from healthcare into manufacturing? What was surprisingly transferable? Did you encounter documentation or quality systems in manufacturing that got in the way of improvement? How do you deal with the extremes--either lack of standardization or over-control through documentation? What reflections do you have about the human side of improvement--what helps people succeed in these systems? This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

Lean: The unsung hero of employee engagement that actually works You might think employee engagement is best created by HR. Think again. In this episode of the Consulting Matters podcast, I'm joined by Tom West and Mark Ryan of Green Dot Consulting - self-proclaimed improvement nerds on a mission to rescue the world from bad processes. If you're a consultant or coach who wants to help your clients improve performance and engagement (especially in these uncertain times), this conversation is a must-listen. We unpack why process improvement isn't just about efficiency… …it's a powerful, people-first strategy that boosts morale, productivity, and performance all at once! Tune in to discover: Why Lean and process improvement is the most overlooked secret to increasing employee engagement What leaders of highly engaged workforces NEVER do when faced with lots of employee complaints Why fixing broken processes (more than recognition or bumps in pay) makes employees feel respected, appreciated, valued and heard Where hidden opportunities for cross-functional collaboration between Lean, HR, and OD are waiting to be uncovered Why consultants and coaches who connect people, process, and profit are needed now more than ever How to make waste the enemy—not the economy—so you can boldly position yourself for the clients who need you right now Listen now and get ready to become an improvement nerd yourself (if you're not already). Where to dive in: (00:00) The Power of Lean for Engagement(04:59) Passion for Process Improvement(11:42) Uncovering Employee Engagement Gaps(27:20) The Value of Employee Engagement(37:58) Collaboration for Operational Excellence(49:19) Empowering People for Success(58:33) Uncovering Lean Process Improvement Value About the guests: Thomas West, founder of GreenDot, is an “Improvement Nerd” with a rare ASQ Master Black Belt and a string of other credentials that prove he's as good with strategy as he is with a stopwatch. A PMP, Organizational Change Management pro, and Malcolm Baldrige Examiner, Thomas helps organizations go from good to great by building cultures where ideas flourish and change sticks. When he's not improving processes, he's training for endurance races or visiting National Parks with his wife and three sons, on track to see them all before the boys graduate. Mark Ryan is a process improvement and operational leader at GreenDot, where he drives organizational change from the ground up. He empowers teams through Lean Six Sigma training and workshops, helping companies eliminate waste, boost efficiency, and build a culture of daily improvement. About the host: Betsy Jordyn is a business mentor, brand messaging strategist, and former Disney consultant who helps purpose-driven consultants and coaches build profitable businesses rooted in their unique strengths. With over 20 years in the industry and a knack for turning big ideas into clear positioning, she's your go-to for strategy that aligns with your calling. Ready to turn your expertise into a business that makes both impact and income? Work with me: https://www.betsyjordyn.com/services

What do therapy dogs and data-driven strategies have in common? They're both helping to move the needle on patient safety. In this APIC 2025 Annual Conference recap, hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard spotlight two infection prevention pros. Maria Vacca shares how her hospital centralized high-level disinfection to boost safety and efficiency. Later in the episode, Rachel Hyatt unveils a heartwarming initiative that taps into the charm of therapy dogs to revolutionize hand hygiene compliance. Hosted by: Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB About our Guests: Maria Vacca Maria earned her BSN and Masters of Science in Nursing from Drexel University, graduating Summa cum Laude for both degrees. She began her nursing career in Critical Care and transitioned to the Infection Control Department in 2004 when Infection Prevention and Control quickly became her passion. Over the course of her career, she's had the opportunity to provide oversight and obtain experience in numerous Infection Control roles including High Level Disinfection and Sterilization, Infection Prevention oversight of Ambulatory Practices and Regulatory Compliance Coordinator. Maria's Lean Six Sigma training helped her lead numerous successful performance improvement projects for which her teams have won several awards, presentations and publications. She was the principle investigator for a Covid-19 research study that was published in the June 2022 issue of AJIC. Maria received recognition as a APIC Fellow (FAPIC) in 2022. Maria and colleagues successfully submitted a poster presentation to APIC's 2025 Annual conference titled “From Decentralized to Centralized: Successfully Transforming High-Level Disinfection Practices in the Operating Room of a Large Academic Hospital." Rachel Hyatt Rachel Hyatt is a Community Health Specialist with a Masters in Business Administration. She driven by a passion for innovation and process improvement. As an Administrative Assistant with Infection Prevention for over two years, Rachel coordinated large-scale initiatives, from accreditation surveys to system-wide health campaigns. Her diverse experience in customer service, animal control, and zookeeping has given her a unique lens on behavior, shaping her approach to public education and engagement. Her ability to merge strategic planning with creativity fuels her mission to develop engaging, effective solutions in healthcare and community wellness. She is passionate about leveraging innovative ideas and interactive outreach to inspire lasting, positive change. Rachel successfully submitted an oral abstract presentation to APIC's 2025 Annual conference titled “Wash Your Paws: Using Creative Canine Marketing and Therapy Dogs to Promote Hand Hygiene Compliance.”

On this episode of Multifamily Mastery, John Casmon interviews Trevor Schade, a systems-driven real estate investor, tech consultant, and automation expert. Trevor shares how his early career in programming, analytics, and Lean Six Sigma efficiency principles led him to build a high-performing real estate business where he sold 27 homes in just his first seven months. He dives into how he uses AI, virtual assistants, and automation to manage multiple companies and streamline operations—eliminating or outsourcing low-value tasks. Trevor also explains his strategic investing approach across flips, long-term rentals, and multifamily, with an emphasis on fast-appreciating single-family homes and value-add apartment assets. Lastly, he shares powerful insights into culture building and hiring, including how he scaled a real estate team to 26 agents with zero turnover. Trevor Schade Current Role: Entrepreneur, Real Estate Investor & Automation Consultant Based in: Nebraska Say hi to them at: trevorschade.com Visit investwithsunrise.com to learn more about investment opportunities.  Join the Best Ever Community  The Best Ever Community is live and growing - and we want serious commercial real estate investors like you inside. It's free to join, but you must apply and meet the criteria.  Connect with top operators, LPs, GPs, and more, get real insights, and be part of a curated network built to help you grow. Apply now at ⁠www.bestevercommunity.com⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My guest for Episode #532 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Anne Frewin, a seasoned Lean leader with over 12 years of improvement experience in healthcare, laboratories, and manufacturing. Episode page with video, transcript, and more Anne's background in finance and healthcare administration provided her with a unique entry point into Lean -- first supporting improvement efforts through data, and then stepping fully into the role of change agent. She shares the story of how a persistent mentor who always asked "why" helped her shift from just reporting metrics to developing problem-solving thinking and leading transformation efforts herself. In this conversation, Anne and I explore how Lean principles, such as respect for people, effective idea systems, and a problem-solving culture, manifest in real-world settings. She explains why she prioritizes coaching people to become relentless problem solvers and how systems like visual management and simple idea boards, when supported with good questions, can lead to safer, more efficient work. We also discuss how Lean applies differently (but effectively) across industries, the balance between improvement and documentation, and how to avoid siloed thinking when solving cross-functional challenges--especially in healthcare. "A strong idea system is the first real show of respect for people--it tells the frontline we value their insight and want them to own the solution." Anne also shares her perspective on Lean, Six Sigma, and Lean Six Sigma, offering a practical framework for how these approaches can coexist while serving different purposes. Throughout the episode, we reflect on systems thinking, psychological safety, and the importance of learning through experimentation. Whether you're in healthcare, manufacturing, or any people-centric industry, Anne's passion for leadership development and continuous improvement offers valuable insights. Questions, Notes, and Highlights: How did you first get exposed to Lean, and why did it resonate with you? Looking back, did your mentor's persistent "why" questions help develop your thinking more than if he had been directive? How would you explain the concept of a Lean operating system to an executive unfamiliar with it? What's the difference between "respecting people" and "respect for people" in your view? Can you share an example of an effective idea system that truly engages frontline staff? How do you balance employee-generated ideas with the need for leadership support and coaching? What's your approach to helping people decide whether to use a rapid improvement event, an A3, or a PDSA cycle? What are the three questions you use to evaluate whether an idea is safe to try? How do you coach teams to iterate and learn from problems when working across functional silos? Can you share a healthcare example where process mapping revealed hidden breakdowns or assumptions? How do you handle improvement suggestions that require significant changes, like IT systems or facility layout? How do you view the relationship between safety, quality, delivery, and financial performance? What's your perspective on Lean vs. Six Sigma vs. Lean Six Sigma, based on your experience? How do you see variation reduction as part of Lean, not just Six Sigma? What was it like moving from healthcare into manufacturing? What was surprisingly transferable? Did you encounter documentation or quality systems in manufacturing that got in the way of improvement? How do you deal with the extremes--either lack of standardization or over-control through documentation? What reflections do you have about the human side of improvement--what helps people succeed in these systems? This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network. 

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Mark Reich, a former Toyota leader and current Chief Engineer for Strategy at the Lean Enterprise Institute. Mark is the author of Managing on Purpose. If you've ever tried to improve your team but felt like your strategy was stuck in a slide deck, this conversation is for you. Mark introduces the idea of hoshin kanri, a lesser-known but critical pillar of Toyota's management system, and explains how lean thinking is more than just tools--it's a way of developing people and aligning purpose across an organization. You'll hear why metrics alone won't get you to strategic clarity, how to escape the trap of firefighting, and why engagement, not just direction, is the key to long-term improvement. He also shares how lean thinking can be applied at home, even with your kids! If you're looking for insights on how to align teams, build capability, and lead with greater purpose, this episode is for you! Sound Bites "Don't focus on the tool. The tools have to serve a purpose." “Catchball is not just a handoff of plans. It's a conversation about what matters and how we'll learn together.” “Direction without development is just pressure.” They're not called punishment calls. They're called co-learning calls. “If strategy feels like something being done to people, you've already lost.” “You don't learn PDCA by attending a training. You learn it by doing it, with guidance, reflection, and coaching.” “It's not just about solving the problem. It's about who solves it and how they do it.” “We had to change how we talked about strategy before we could change how we worked on strategy.” Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:49 Start of Interview 02:01 What early experiences shaped your views on leadership, strategy, or lean? 05:28 How do you explain TPS and hoshin kanri as two pillars of Toyota's system? 10:36 What are common mistakes leaders make when trying to improve the business? 15:23 Where do you coach people to start when they want better alignment? 17:40 What myths or misunderstandings do people have about lean? 18:12 Case study example: Turner Construction 25:45 What lean tools or concepts should project managers explore more deeply? 29:24 Where do you recommend someone begin learning about lean? 34:47 How has lean thinking helped at home—and with raising kids? 36:09 End of Interview 36:36 Andy Comments After the Interview 40:53 Outtakes Learn More You can learn more about Mark Reich and his work at the Lean Enterprise Institute at Lean.org. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 438 with Jeff Gothelf. It's a book about OKRs, which is different from hoshin kanri, but the overall discussion is worth checking out. Episode 387 with Atif Rafiq. It's a book that has a strategic approach to dealing with uncertainty. Episode 320 with Greg Githins. It's more about how to think strategically. Pass the PMP Exam This Year If you or someone you know is thinking about getting PMP certified, we've put together a helpful guide called The 5 Best Resources to Help You Pass the PMP Exam on Your First Try. We've helped thousands of people earn their certification, and we'd love to help you too. It's totally free, and it's a great way to get a head start. Just go to 5BestResources.PeopleAndProjectsPodcast.com to grab your copy. I'd love to help you get your PMP this year! Join Us for LEAD52 I know you want to be a more confident leader–that's why you listen to this podcast. LEAD52 is a global community of people like you who are committed to transforming their ability to lead and deliver. It's 52 weeks of leadership learning, delivered right to your inbox, taking less than 5 minutes a week. And it's all for free. Learn more and sign up at GetLEAD52.com. Thanks! Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Business Acumen Topics: Lean, Toyota Production System, Hoshin Kanri, Strategy, Organizational Alignment, Leadership Development, Continuous Improvement, Team Engagement, Project Management, PDCA, Capability Building, Coaching The following music was used for this episode: Music: Underground Shadows by MusicLFiles License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Synthiemania by Frank Schroeter License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Industrial Talk is talking to James Soto, CEO at Industrial Strength Marketing about "Manufacturing resources for manufacturing success". Scott Mackenzie hosts James Soto on the Industrial Talk Podcast to discuss the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP). Soto highlights the MEP's role in supporting small and medium-sized manufacturers through resources like Lean Six Sigma and addressing skilled labor gaps. He emphasizes the MEP's importance in reshoring and nearshoring efforts and its collaboration with universities and advanced manufacturing institutes. Soto notes funding challenges and the need for continued support to maintain the MEP's impact. He advocates for manufacturers to engage with the MEP for efficiency, funding, and innovation, stressing the network's irreplaceable value. Action Items [ ] Explore the MEP national network and find the center closest to your manufacturing business to understand the resources and services they offer. [ ] Advocate for continued funding and support of the MEP program by contacting your local representatives. [ ] Reach out to James Soto on LinkedIn to learn more about the MEP program and how to get involved. Outline Introduction and Purpose of the Podcast Scott MacKenzie introduces the Industrial Talk Podcast, emphasizing its focus on industry professionals and innovations. Scott thanks listeners for their support and highlights the bravery and innovation of industrial professionals. Scott introduces James Soto, a returning guest, and mentions their previous collaborations. Scott emphasizes the importance of amplifying one's message and being aggressive in communication. James Soto's Background and Passion for Manufacturing Scott MacKenzie praises James Soto's contributions to the manufacturing industry and his active presence on LinkedIn. James Soto expresses his love for manufacturing and acknowledges the excitement and uncertainty in the industry. Scott and James discuss the fluid nature of the manufacturing industry and the importance of reshoring and nearshoring. James highlights the role of people in manufacturing and their potential to change the world for the better. Introduction to the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) James Soto provides an overview of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) and its centers across the country. He explains the MEP's affiliation with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and its focus on advanced manufacturing. James shares his involvement with the MEP in launching Manufacturing Day and its efforts to attract the next generation of manufacturing workers. He emphasizes the MEP's role in meeting with manufacturers, especially small and medium-sized ones, to help them grow and create jobs. Challenges and Threats to the MEP James discusses the funding challenges and threats to the MEP, including the uncertainty around procurement and economic impact. He mentions the efforts to reverse defunding and the importance of telling the MEP's story to encourage representatives to fight for funding. Scott MacKenzie simplifies the premise for manufacturers, emphasizing the importance of the MEP as a resource for introducing new technologies and ensuring a resilient manufacturing business. James explains the MEP's prioritization process based on the distinct nature of different manufacturing environments and the need to

Apply for the Nov 2025 or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ You're implementing the tools.Making the improvements.Delivering the project results.But the same problems keep resurfacing and you're left wondering: What's missing?In this episode, Josef Procházka, a lean consultant from the Czech Republic, shares his personal journey of transformation—from frustrated practitioner to heart-led coach—and the impact his shift in approach to consulting has had for his clients and for himself.Josef began his career focused on tools, metrics, and deliverables. But something didn't feel right.After reading Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn and joining two of my Japan Leadership Experience programs, Josef experienced a transformation of both mind and heart. He found a more meaningful path: one centered on people, purpose, and intentional leadership.Whether you're an external consultant, internal improvement or operational leader, or simply looking to grow your impact—Josef's story is a reminder that real change doesn't come from better systems alone. This episode will challenge you to rethink how you show up to lead change, what transformation really requires, and what it means to lead with intention.YOU'LL LEARN:How Josef shifted from tool-based delivery to people-centered transformationWhat it looks like to reframe 5S (a workplace organizational practice) into a more meaningful, people-centered practiceThe mindset change required to stop “doing Lean” for others and start leading change with themWays personal growth can unlock deeper change for your clients and organizationsWhy sustainable improvement depends on connecting people and purpose—not just applying toolsABOUT MY GUEST:Josef Procházka is a Lean Six Sigma consultant from the Czech Republic with 20+ years of experience helping manufacturing companies improve productivity, streamline processes, and enhance quality through structured problem-solving and project leadership. He specializes in making Lean practices meaningful by translating tools like 5S and A3 into values-driven change that engages people at every level. IMPORTANT LINKS:Full episode show notes: ChainOfLearning.com/48My website for resources and ways to work with me: KBJAnderson.comFollow me on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/kbjandersonDownload my free KATALYST™ Change Leader Self-Assessment: KBJAnderson.com/katalystApply for the Japan Leadership Experience: kbjanderson.com/japantripRead my book that played a role in Josef's leadership transformation: LearningToLeadLeadingToLearn.comTIMESTAMPS FOR THIS EPISODE:03:13 How the Japan Leadership Experiences influenced Josef's transformation05:27 The “aha” shifts that helped his transformation07:59 Why Josef's approach was not making an impact11:00 Reframing 5S to meaningful 5S to increase productivity in a client's workplace17:30 The importance of bringing meaningfulness to create impact20:03 The negative effect of short-term focus without a long-term view22:33 Why Josef decided to come back to the Japan Leadership Experience 25:32 Why Katie is passionate about leading her Japan Leadership Experiences 28:12 The connection leaders feel after the immersive experience in Japan29:07 Positive transformations from two clients Josef invited to the Japan Leadership Experience33:29 Importance of continuing to learn and going towards the North star to be a better leader37:52 Why real leaders practice lean for their team39:21 Josef's story on going to the Japan Leadership Experience44:21 Advice to make a shift towards greater impact46:21 7 key steps to create real long-term impact Apply for the Nov 2025 or May 2026 Japan Leadership Experiencehttps://kbjanderson.com/japantrip/ 

In this podcast, I share the summary of a project I worked on almost 20 years, but is still relevant today. A grant was awarded to the Cedar Rapids (IA) community to study anticoagulation management using Lean and Six Sigma. One of the key analysis performed in the project was a Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (R&R) study. We wanted to determine if blood samples taken from a patient on warfarin have the same International Normalized Ratio (INR) results when analyzed in different labs (reproducibility) and when analyzed multiple times in the same lab (repeatability). Results showed a statistically significant difference among labs. The therapeutic range for INR is typically 2.0 to 3.0, yet the data showed a difference in INR of 0.5 among labs on a small sample of 10 warfarin patients, almost 50 percent of the range. By the way, this entire podcast was spoken by my AI voice created by Eleven Labs. Links for this episode:AHRQ Grant Summary: https://www.ahrq.gov/downloads/pub/advances2/vol3/Advances-Hurley_55.pdfEleven Labs (affiliate link): ⁠⁠https://try.elevenlabs.io/lp5v7zzfm8mz⁠⁠Learn more about BPI7 Continuous Improvement Best Practices: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mail.biz-pi.com/lss-best-practices-funnel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Need help in your organization, or want to discuss your current work situation?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let's talk! Schedule a free support call⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Sponsor: Creative Safety Supply is a great resource for free guides, infographics, and continuous improvement tools. I recommend starting with their 5S guide. It includes breakdowns of the five pillars, ways to begin implementing 5S, and even organization tips and color charts. From red tags to floor marking; it's all there. Download it for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠creativesafetysupply.com/5S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIZ-PI.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a question? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a voice message at Podcasters.Spotify.com⁠⁠

What You'll Learn:In this episode, host Shane Daughenbaugh, Andy Olrich, and guest Jason Jackson discuss the concept of the Silicon Prairie and its growing tech innovation. Jason shares his leadership journey, emphasizing the importance of agility, self-awareness, and continuous improvement. They highlight the success of Nebraska's Center of Operational Excellence (COE) in fostering a culture of continuous improvement, which helped the state navigate the pandemic effectively.About the Guest:Jason Jackson is a Marine Corps veteran and Chief Human Resources Officer for the State of Nebraska. Known for blending Midwestern grit, military discipline, and a passion for public service, Jason drives government transformation through Lean principles and servant leadership.With experience in both public and private sectors, he champions simplicity, hard work, and continuous improvement. From optimizing HR systems to streamlining services, Jason proves that innovation and compassion can thrive in the heartland.Links:Click Here For Jason Jackson's LinkedIn

Ever worked somewhere that claimed "we're a family" but treated you like anything but? Stephen Bump has seen both sides—and he's building something different with Persperity.In this conversation with Cam and Otis, Stephen shares his journey from Air Force leadership to founding a consultancy that's deliberately challenging the "always-on" culture of modern business. "They actually treated people really well and understood that people had a life outside of work," he reflects about a former employer that got it right.From battling his own "shiny object syndrome" to making tough calls about which opportunities to pursue, Stephen offers a refreshingly honest look at the early stages of building a purpose-driven business. Plus, Otis shares a laugh-out-loud story about military decision matrices that anyone who's ever had their carefully-crafted presentation ignored by the boss will relate to.Whether you're scaling a business, leading a team, or just trying to find work that respects your whole life, Stephen's practical approach to building a company that values both results and people will leave you with actionable insights.More About Stephen:Strategic leader with deep expertise in life sciences, defense, and aerospace. At Persperity, I lead multi-million dollar initiatives for Fortune 500 clients, enabling them to scale within regulated industries. My career spans high-stakes program management with the U.S. Air Force, impactful continuous improvement projects at Eli Lilly, and Lean Six Sigma transformations. I started Persperity for two reasons: to help life sciences companies break through manufacturing and regulatory roadblocks so they can scale fast and meet demand, and to give employees the flexibility they crave without losing sight of meaningful, purpose-driven work. #10xYourTeam #LeadWithPurpose #PeopleOverProcess #AntiAlwaysOn #WorkLifeRespect #PurposeDrivenLeadership #BuildBetterCulture #FromMilitaryToMission #StartUpWithSoul #RealLeadershipMatters #NoMoreFakeFamilyChapter Times and Titles:The "We're a Family" Business Trap [00:00 - 12:00]Introduction to Stephen BumpThe problem with companies claiming to be "family"What good employers do differentlyLife Outside of Work Matters [12:01 - 17:00Building flexibility into early-stage businessesHow different life phases change what employees valueStephen's approach at PersperityFighting Shiny Object Syndrome [17:01 - 25:00]"Just because there's an opportunity doesn't mean you should go after it."Defining your business focusStrategic decisions in life sciences manufacturingWhen Gut Feeling Trumps Analysis [25:01 - 30:00]Otis's military decision matrix storyThe value of the process, even when the outcome is predeterminedFinding a balance between analysis and intuitionWorking On vs. In the Business [30:01 - 40:00]Stephen's honest struggle with stepping back"For me, working on the business means doing billable work."Building fences to prevent founder burnoutConsulting Relationships That Work [40:01 - End]The challenge of clients who don't follow adviceBuilding trust through expertiseFinal thoughts on creating meaningful workStephen BumpWebsite: https://persperity.net/

What if empathy isn't just about being nice, but your secret weapon for building systems that actually work? Lizabeth Wesely-Casella, CEO of L12 Services, spent her early career in construction wearing hard hats and reading blueprints in the 90s. She learned that communication wasn't just a nice-to-have—it was survival. That foundation led her to combine behavioral science, Lean Six Sigma, and internal communications into frameworks that create "clarity from chaos." What We Dig Into The Real Definition of Empathy in Business - Why feeling your team's pain (not just acknowledging it) changes how you design processes and communications. Why Structure Creates Freedom - How the right frameworks liberate people instead of constraining them. The Communications Chaos Tolerance Problem - Organizations are drowning workforces in messages. How to figure out what people can actually handle. People as Your Most Critical Channel - Your middle managers are communication channels, not just message recipients. AI as an Enabler (The Bad Kind) - Are we using AI to avoid the hard work of prioritization and focus? The CATS System - Her Communication Accountability Tool that holds leadership accountable for actually communicating. Why This Matters In our fractured landscape where priorities multiply daily, Lizabeth's approach of disciplined focus and human-centered processes feels essential. Whether you're managing return-to-office mandates or trying to get teams to read internal communications, this conversation bridges strategy and tactics. Notable Quotes "Clear communication was going to be my superpower. And it was, it was really the foundation of all good projects." - Lizabeth Wesely-Casella [05:54 → 06:07] "Our worlds are overwhelmed and it is noise. No matter whether you're getting your internal comms at the office or you're getting your advertisements on television or the radio, whatever, we are all at our max capacity for absorbing any more information." - Lizabeth Wesely-Casella [36:28 → 36:48] "Accountability means that we've created a structure that connects the dots, where along the way you'll be able to make sure that you are in line with what's expected of you and you don't have to have a major course correction." - Lizabeth Wesely-Casella [46:58 → 47:13] "My preference would be for people to focus on how to use AI in the internal comm space as a way of creating strategy for low engagement, for channel use, for opportunities to create greater organizational awareness between silos." - Lizabeth Wesely-Casella [58:28 → 58:47] "That's where the Internal Comms Pro becomes the specialist in understanding what the priorities are, reducing the noise and making really strategic decisions about what gets communicated. Because you can't communicate everything." - Lizabeth Wesely-Casella [1:03:58 → 1:04:14] Resources and Links Dan Nestle Inquisitive Communications | Website The Trending Communicator | Website Communications Trends from Trending Communicators | Dan Nestle's Substack Dan Nestle | LinkedIn Dan Nestle | Twitter/X Lizabeth Wesely-Casella L12 Services | Website Communication Accountability Tools (CATs) Bundle | Download Lizabeth Wesely-Casella | LinkedIn Timestamps 0:00 Intro: Empathy as a strategic advantage 5:19 From construction to communications expertise 10:10 Combining behavioral science and Lean Six Sigma 17:06 Overly optimistic about multitasking capabilities 24:42 AI as potential enabler of bad behaviors 31:27 Challenges of AI summarizing internal comms 39:43 Reframing accountability as a positive tool 46:18 Creating common language around accountability 51:26 AI adoption causing process breakdowns 58:28 Using AI strategically in internal comms 1:04:52 The irreplaceable human element in communication (Notes co-created by Human Dan, Claude, and  Flowsend.ai ) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The blog postManufacturers in the automotive sector face significant pressures today, from rising material costs and supply chain disruptions to the demand for faster production times and stricter regulatory requirements. Achieving continuous quality improvement (CQI) remains critical, as it not only enhances product consistency and drives compliance but also helps manufacturers stay competitive in a market that is constantly evolving.Fortunately, continuous improvement has a long history in automotive manufacturing. Many of the tools and techniques widely used by organizations worldwide were explicitly developed to ensure the quality and efficiency of automotive manufacturing. Toyota was a pioneer of many of the CQI approaches used today. Whether you are using language like CQI, TQM, Lean, TPS, or Lean Six Sigma, these approaches described below still apply.As you might imagine, the benefits of a successful continuous improvement program are significant, including...

In this episode, I share an uplifting interview with Kristle Bulleman, Process Manager at Make-A-Wish. She shares insights into her process improvement role at this well-respected nonprofit, outlining the impactful work done by Make-A-Wish to grant wishes for children with critical illnesses. We dive into her experiences in using Lean and Six Sigma tools to Continue Reading

In this episode, I share a clip from the book chapter I wrote for "Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba" Volume 1. I explain how I used net promoter score (NPS) to assess the attendee feedback of a fundraising conference I helped organize.By the way, this entire podcast was spoken by my AI voice created by Eleven Labs. Links for this episode:Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 1): ⁠https://www.leansixsigmaforgood.com/lean-six-sigma-for-good-lessons-from-the-gemba-volume-1-real-life-stories-and-experiences-written-by-lean-and-six-sigma-volunteers-working-with-not-for-profit-organizations/⁠Eleven Labs (affiliate link): ⁠https://try.elevenlabs.io/lp5v7zzfm8mz⁠Learn more about BPI7 Continuous Improvement Best Practices: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mail.biz-pi.com/lss-best-practices-funnel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Need help in your organization, or want to discuss your current work situation?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let's talk! Schedule a free support call⁠⁠⁠⁠Podcast Sponsor: Creative Safety Supply is a great resource for free guides, infographics, and continuous improvement tools. I recommend starting with their 5S guide. It includes breakdowns of the five pillars, ways to begin implementing 5S, and even organization tips and color charts. From red tags to floor marking; it's all there. Download it for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠creativesafetysupply.com/5S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIZ-PI.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a question? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a voice message at Podcasters.Spotify.com⁠⁠

In this episode, I share a clip from the book chapter I wrote for "Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba" Volume 1. I explain how I used risk management methods to reduce the chance of problems when planning my first fundraising conference.By the way, this entire podcast was spoken by my AI voice created by Eleven Labs. Links for this episode:Lean Six Sigma for Good: Lessons from the Gemba (Volume 1): https://www.leansixsigmaforgood.com/lean-six-sigma-for-good-lessons-from-the-gemba-volume-1-real-life-stories-and-experiences-written-by-lean-and-six-sigma-volunteers-working-with-not-for-profit-organizations/Eleven Labs (affiliate link): https://try.elevenlabs.io/lp5v7zzfm8mzTips and tricks for more efficient and effective PFMEAs: https://www.biz-pi.com/tips-and-tricks-for-more-efficient-and-effective-pfmeas/Learn more about BPI7 Continuous Improvement Best Practices: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mail.biz-pi.com/lss-best-practices-funnel⁠⁠⁠⁠Need help in your organization, or want to discuss your current work situation?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let's talk! Schedule a free support call⁠⁠⁠Podcast Sponsor: Creative Safety Supply is a great resource for free guides, infographics, and continuous improvement tools. I recommend starting with their 5S guide. It includes breakdowns of the five pillars, ways to begin implementing 5S, and even organization tips and color charts. From red tags to floor marking; it's all there. Download it for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠creativesafetysupply.com/5S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIZ-PI.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a question? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a voice message at Podcasters.Spotify.com⁠

Seus processos estão suficientemente organizados e retornando resultados? Neste Enzimas, recebemos Eduardo Morelli, especialista em experiência do cliente, que compartilha seus aprendizados aplicando o Lean Six Sigma em grandes corporações. Ele revela como a metodologia vai além de cortar custos, focando em entregar mais valor com menos desperdício, e explica por que o apoio da alta liderança é essencial para transformar a cultura organizacional e alcançar resultados expressivos. Ficou curioso? Então, dê o play! Links importantes: Newsletter Dúvidas? Nos mande pelo Linkedin Contato: osagilistas@dtidigital.com.br Os Agilistas é uma iniciativa da dti digital, uma empresa WPPSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this podcast, I explain a virtual coaching and mentoring program that will be starting next week.Whether you're rolling out a new project, stuck on data analysis, or facing resistance to change, you need specific help for your unique situation that aligns within your company culture. You're already solving problems. Now I'd like to help you solve them faster, with less frustration, and more impact.Here are the highlights of getting coaching from a Lean Six Sigma Master Black BeltTwo group coaching sessions (90 minutes each on Zoom, every other week, recorded if cannot attend) – $450 valueOne 30-min private coaching call per month (if group call isn't enough) – $75 valueWill group you with others based on skills, experience and needs (see details below)Learning modules, templates and guides to refresh you on improvement concepts and methods – $2500 valueOnly $50/week – cancel anytime (no contracts) Go to https://greenbeltcertification.com/lean-six-sigma-virtual-coaching-calls/ to learn more about the program.Learn more about BPI7 Continuous Improvement Best Practices: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://mail.biz-pi.com/lss-best-practices-funnel⁠⁠⁠⁠Need help in your organization, or want to discuss your current work situation?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let's talk! Schedule a free support call⁠⁠⁠Podcast Sponsor: Creative Safety Supply is a great resource for free guides, infographics, and continuous improvement tools. I recommend starting with their 5S guide. It includes breakdowns of the five pillars, ways to begin implementing 5S, and even organization tips and color charts. From red tags to floor marking; it's all there. Download it for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠creativesafetysupply.com/5S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIZ-PI.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a question? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a voice message at Podcasters.Spotify.com⁠

Hilary Constable is a writer, event host, and HR professional with over 20 years of business experience—and a passion for helping people do the work that truly matters. She brings a rare mix to the table: an MFA in Creative Writing, three Lean Six Sigma certifications, and deep expertise in both process improvement and human-centered HR.As the founder of Constable HR, Hilary has led projects across nonprofits, municipalities, and medical practices—building everything from employee handbooks to onboarding systems to compensation analyses.She's also a speaker at DisruptHR conferences this year, where she's helping leaders rethink the way we show up at work.But what makes Hilary especially interesting is her belief in the unexpected things that help us grow professionally like hobbies, personal development, and even the language we use in team meetings. I think that will come through in today's podcast because she's quite unique in terms of the topics she chooses to cover.Today, why your day job needs your hobby.Resources:Connect with Hilary Constable on LinkedInCheck out The Writers Escape PortalFollow us:Follow Let's Eat, Grandma on LinkedInUse Chris' LinkedIn for the newsletterCheck us out on Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I dig deeper on how impactful emotional healing and somatic work can be and how they specifically have improved my life and relationships. Specifically, I talk about it has helped me heal my mom wound, release my anxious attachment with dating and become a more grounded and confident man, just to name a few benefits. I am initiating the men in this audience that weren't encouraged to feel their emotions, struggling in their relationships or just feel the call to release past wounding to listen in. Connect with Ryan on Instagram: @ryanspencecoaching and feel free to share with me in my DMs on what inspired you and if you would like to hear more breakthroughs from emotional healing work in relationships or business. Interested in Changing your Habits, The Manifestor Way: If you're interested in changing your habits like I did, check out The Manifestor's Guide to Healthy Habits on The Manifestor Community's Website! Interested 1 on 1 work with Ryan: If you're interested in finally taking the action towards your goals of getting healthier, helping your business be more cost and time efficient or reducing your stress anywhere in your life; you can find me on The Coaching Academy with The Manifestor Community's website. Learn more about Ryan I'm a 2/4 Splenic Manifestor here to initiate growth minded people into an aligned life, relationship and business that starts from a place of self love and internal wellness. I'm a Certified Life & Wellness Coach with 700+ hrs experience with over 100 clients from solopreneurs to executives. Certified Business Consultant (Black Belt in Lean Six Sigma) with 14 years experience saving businesses 1,000's of hours, $100,000's in cost and massively reducing stress for business owners. I especially love working with service based businesses like Coaches, Healers, Therapists and others that feel passionate about their work.

In this mind-expanding episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik is joined by Trevor Schade—real estate mogul, coder, Lean Six Sigma black belt, and founder of Life Wealth Courses. Together, they dive deep into how subconscious mind training creates the foundation for success, not just in business, but in every facet of life. Trevor shares his journey from flipping his first property to building multimillion-dollar ventures—proving that mindset is the multiplier of strategy. Whether you're stuck in limiting beliefs or curious about manifestation backed by neuroscience, this episode bridges the gap between intention and execution. About the Guest:Trevor Schade is a dynamic entrepreneur and mindset coach. With a background in real estate, coding, process efficiency, and behavioral psychology, he's helped countless individuals scale their net worth and reclaim time through subconscious reprogramming. Trevor is the founder of Life Wealth Courses, guiding purpose-driven professionals to align their internal beliefs with external success. Key Takeaways: Your subconscious mind is your most powerful business partner—train it. The 80/20 rule applies to mindset: small mental shifts yield massive external results. Manifestation isn't magic—it's measurable through energy, emotion, and effort. Toxic positivity isn't the goal—taking conscious action is. Creating tangible wealth starts with invisible inner work. Connect with Trevor:Website: https://linktr.ee/trevorschade You can also find him on WhatsApp and all major social media platforms.   Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life?DM on PodMatch – Send me a message here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik Tune into all our 15 podcasts:https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/healthymindbyavik Subscribe to our Newsletter:https://healthymindbyavik.substack.com/ Join Our Community:https://nas.io/healthymind   Stay Tuned and Follow Us:YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/@healthymind-healthylifeInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/healthyminds.podThreads – https://www.threads.net/@healthyminds.podFacebook – https://www.facebook.com/podcast.healthymindLinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/reemachatterjee/ | https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikchakrabortypodcaster #podmatch #healthymind #healthymindbyavik #manifestation #mindsetmatters #realestatestrategy #wealthmindset #wellness

Listen to this #IISEAnnual2025 podcast break with Valerie Maier-Speredelozzi from the University of Rhode Island, recorded live on the floor of the IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2025 in Atlanta. Hit play to relive the energy, steal an idea before your next coffee refill, and stay plugged into the #IISEAnnual2025 buzz — wherever you engineer impact.SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S CULLEN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: At the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering, the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department prepares students not just to be team players — but to become dynamic leaders. Ranked among the Top 50 public universities by U.S. News & World Report, both the College and department are recognized for academic excellence and innovation. With flexible programs and industry-relevant certifications, such as our Lean Six Sigma program at lss.uh.edu we equip learners at every level to break through outdated systems and lead meaningful transformation. Discover more at ie.uh.edu.

Listen to this #IISEAnnual2025 podcast break with Jingfei Chen, senior principle product manager at ServiceNow, recorded live on the floor of the IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2025 in Atlanta. Hit play to relive the energy, steal an idea before your next coffee refill, and stay plugged into the #IISEAnnual2025 buzz — wherever you engineer impact.SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S CULLEN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: At the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering, the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department prepares students not just to be team players — but to become dynamic leaders. Ranked among the Top 50 public universities by U.S. News & World Report, both the College and department are recognized for academic excellence and innovation. With flexible programs and industry-relevant certifications, such as our Lean Six Sigma program at lss.uh.edu we equip learners at every level to break through outdated systems and lead meaningful transformation. Discover more at ie.uh.edu.

Carly Walker of Auburn University is a first-time IISE Annual Conference & Expo attendee. She said she's enjoyed her first year at the event thanks to what she describes as a “welcoming" atmosphere. Listen to this #IISEAnnual2025 podcast break with Carly, recorded live on the floor of the IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2025 in Atlanta. Hit play to relive the energy, steal an idea before your next coffee refill, and stay plugged into the #IISEAnnual2025 buzz — wherever you engineer impact.SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S CULLEN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: At the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering, the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department prepares students not just to be team players — but to become dynamic leaders. Ranked among the Top 50 public universities by U.S. News & World Report, both the College and department are recognized for academic excellence and innovation. With flexible programs and industry-relevant certifications, such as our Lean Six Sigma program at lss.uh.edu we equip learners at every level to break through outdated systems and lead meaningful transformation. Discover more at ie.uh.edu.

Listen to this #IISEAnnual2025 podcast break with David Gray from Autodesk Inc., recorded live on the floor of the IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2025 in Atlanta. Hit play to relive the energy, steal an idea before your next coffee refill, and stay plugged into the #IISEAnnual2025 buzz — wherever you engineer impact.SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S CULLEN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: At the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering, the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department prepares students not just to be team players — but to become dynamic leaders. Ranked among the Top 50 public universities by U.S. News & World Report, both the College and department are recognized for academic excellence and innovation. With flexible programs and industry-relevant certifications, such as our Lean Six Sigma program at lss.uh.edu we equip learners at every level to break through outdated systems and lead meaningful transformation. Discover more at ie.uh.edu.

Melika Jahan Beikloo is a Ph.D. candidate from Clemson University in the industrial engineering department. It's her first time at #IISEAnnual2025, and she's also giving a presentation Monday, June 2. Listen to this #IISEAnnual2025 podcast break with Melika, recorded live on the floor of the IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2025 in Atlanta. Hit play to relive the energy, steal an idea before your next coffee refill, and stay plugged into the #IISEAnnual2025 buzz — wherever you engineer impact.SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S CULLEN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: At the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering, the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department prepares students not just to be team players — but to become dynamic leaders. Ranked among the Top 50 public universities by U.S. News & World Report, both the College and department are recognized for academic excellence and innovation. With flexible programs and industry-relevant certifications, such as our Lean Six Sigma program at lss.uh.edu we equip learners at every level to break through outdated systems and lead meaningful transformation. Discover more at ie.uh.edu.

Listen to this #IISEAnnual2025 podcast break with Max Miller from Auburn University, recorded live on the floor of the IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2025 in Atlanta. Hit play to relive the energy, steal an idea before your next coffee refill, and stay plugged into the #IISEAnnual2025 buzz — wherever you engineer impact.SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S CULLEN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: At the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering, the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department prepares students not just to be team players — but to become dynamic leaders. Ranked among the Top 50 public universities by U.S. News & World Report, both the College and department are recognized for academic excellence and innovation. With flexible programs and industry-relevant certifications, such as our Lean Six Sigma program at lss.uh.edu we equip learners at every level to break through outdated systems and lead meaningful transformation. Discover more at ie.uh.edu.

Listen to this #IISEAnnual2025 podcast break with Sanjit Addepally from Rutgers University, recorded live on the floor of the IISE Annual Conference & Expo 2025 in Atlanta. Hit play to relive the energy, steal an idea before your next coffee refill, and stay plugged into the #IISEAnnual2025 buzz — wherever you engineer impact.SPONSORED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S CULLEN COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING: At the University of Houston's Cullen College of Engineering, the Industrial and Systems Engineering Department prepares students not just to be team players — but to become dynamic leaders. Ranked among the Top 50 public universities by U.S. News & World Report, both the College and department are recognized for academic excellence and innovation. With flexible programs and industry-relevant certifications, such as our Lean Six Sigma program at lss.uh.edu we equip learners at every level to break through outdated systems and lead meaningful transformation. Discover more at ie.uh.edu.

Send us a text Content Warning: Suicide ideation; mention of alcoholism, abuse, depressionAbout This EpisodeNina Eiland shares her extraordinary journey from questioning her worth to discovering a bold new path rooted in self-compassion and purpose. Starting over within the trucking industry, Nina's grit and determination caught the attention of mentors who helped her rise through the ranks. Choosing to redefine leadership on her own terms, she has leaned into being true to herself and sharing her story of perseverance. Now the author of Grace in Leadership: A Nobody's Guide to Inspired Leadership, Nina reminds us that true leadership begins within, and that embracing our perfectly imperfect selves can unlock a future brighter than we imagined. Tune in for a story of resilience, reinvention, and the power of believing in your own worth. About Nina EilandNina Eiland currently resides in Dothan, Alabama, with her husband, John, and their three beautiful children Brandyn, Celia and Charlotte. Professionally, Nina brings over a decade of leadership experience in human resources and people operations across both public and private sector organizations. She is a certified HR Consultant and Professional Life Coach, holding credentials including PHR, SHRM-CP, and certifications in Lean Six Sigma and People Analytics. Her debut non-fiction book, Grace and Leadership: A Nobody's Guide to Inspired Leadership, focuses on servant leadership, shaped by her journey of self-acceptance and the importance of showing grace to herself and others.  Additional ResourcesWeb: graceandleadership.comLinkedIn: @NinaEilandSupport the show-------- Stay Connected www.leighburgess.com Watch the episodes on YouTube Follow Leigh on Instagram: @theleighaburgess Follow Leigh on LinkedIn: @LeighBurgess Sign up for Leigh's bold newsletter

In this episode, I share an inspiring interview with Dr. Lucas Chesla, Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt with Value Added 616, and founder of the nonprofit, Full Armor Ranch. In a world where continuous improvement leads to transformative change, he stands out as a master in blending Lean Six Sigma methodologies with meaningful purpose. Continue Reading

Send us a textHave you ever felt your spark dimming at work? That creeping realization that your workplace might be harming your mental health? Terence Nislow's powerful story might be exactly what you need to hear.In this episode Terence shares with host Arthi that when he realized his prestigious job with amazing benefits was slowly changing who he was as a person, he faced a difficult truth many of us encounter but few discuss openly. Despite the 36 days of annual leave and impressive salary, he found himself unrecognizable – quieter, angrier, and losing his natural enthusiasm for life. The wake-up call came when a friend asked if someone had died because his personality had changed so dramatically.What makes Terence's story particularly valuable is his methodical approach to escaping toxicity. Drawing on his Lean Six Sigma background, he created what he called the "Get Terry Back" project – complete with Gantt charts, milestones, and actionable steps that transformed an overwhelming situation into manageable progress. This strategic exit plan helped him overcome the golden handcuffs of excellent benefits and find his way to true workplace happiness.Beyond sharing his personal journey, Terence offers practical wisdom for anyone feeling stuck in a similar situation. His advice spans from seeking trusted support and journaling to exploring options and creating structured exit strategies. Most importantly, he reminds us that "no job is worth your mental health" and "walking away from something toxic isn't a sign of failure – it's a sign of strength."Terence and his wife now help others navigate similar challenges through their business, Your Project Mentor, offering practical tools and emotional support to those feeling trapped in toxic work environments. Their mission reflects a powerful truth: you deserve better, and with the right approach, positive change is absolutely possible.Ready to reclaim your workplace happiness? Listen now, and discover how to create your own path forward when a job is draining your spirit.About Terence Niselow:Terence is a Henley MBA graduate, a seasoned operations and process improvement leader with deep expertise in Lean Six Sigma and has a passion for driving efficiency, quality, and business transformation. With a proven track record of leading high-performing teams and delivering measurable results across industries, Terence is currently applying his skills at Modulr as their Operations Director for Europe. Connect with him:Website: https://yourprojectmentor.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/terence-niselowYoutube: youtube.com/channel/UCGW8Ei_eDzIiZmg7mbztSVQSupport the show

Chris Holman welcomes Ann Marie Creed, Newly named president of University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing, Lansing, MI. Welcome Ann, can you share your career background? We understand you start this new role May 19th? Your roles in healthcare have prepared you well for this new position? What drew you to UMH Sparrow as they underwent their search? Are there any committees or boards you will keep ties with now in this new role? Experienced health care leader Ann Marie Creed named president of University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing LANSING, Mich. – Ann Marie Creed, MHSA, BA, who has extensive experience in health care leadership roles, has been named president of University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing. She will begin her new job on May 19. Creed has been a vice president of Henry Ford Health System in Detroit since 2012, overseeing surgical services, operations and currently as leader of system capacity command and patient logistics. In the latter role, she oversees all admissions, transfers, bed management and much more. She also served as interim president of Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, as vice president of Henry Ford's Wyandotte Hospital and in administrative roles with the Henry Ford Medical Group and the Wayne State Health Physician Group. Creed is also skilled in the integration of health systems and has been working on bringing Ascension hospitals' into the Henry Ford Health system. “We are incredibly pleased to have someone of Ann Marie's stature and experience join our team,” said Margaret Dimond, Ph.D., regional president, University of Michigan Health. “I worked alongside her during my time at Henry Ford Health System and have been so impressed by her knowledge and ability to execute innovative programs and initiatives. She is an exceptional leader with solid operational outcomes and expertise. Ann Marie will be a great addition to our team.” Creed's accomplishments at Henry Ford include overseeing creation of the system's virtual intensive care unit, nursing and sitter programs; consolidation of beds and transfers across the system; serving as operations lead during the pandemic; increasing surgical volume; and improving the nursing turnover rate. Creed succeeds interim president Christopher Palazzolo, who has served in that role since January and came to UM Health-Sparrow Lansing on a temporary basis as we began a nationwide search for a permanent president. Creed was selected by a search committee representing board, physician and nursing leadership and an extensive interview process that included input from team members across the organization. Creed has deep Michigan roots and received her Master of Science in Healthcare Administration from Central Michigan University and her Bachelor of Arts in Biology from Wayne State University. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE); is board certified as a medical practice executive from the American College of Medical Practice Executives; and is a certified green belt in Lean Six Sigma. She has served on committees of the Henry Ford Medical Group Board of Governors and the Southern Wayne County Regional Chamber. » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/

In this episode of 10x Your Team, Camden and Otis McGregor are joined by Rachael Lee, a powerhouse in government contracting and a trusted strategist for businesses aiming to scale within the federal marketplace. With over 20 years of experience and a track record of securing over $20 billion in awards, Rachael shares her insights on navigating the complexities of government contracts. From her beginnings with a $4.5 billion contract to helping clients secure multi-billion-dollar deals, Rachael discusses the strategies and processes that drive success in this high-stakes arena. Whether you're a small business looking to break into government contracting or an established player aiming to scale, this episode offers invaluable advice from one of the industry's leading experts.More About Rachael:Rachael Lee is a government contracting powerhouse and trusted strategist for businesses ready to break into—and scale within—the federal marketplace. A proud U.S. Army veteran and Senior Government Contracts Consultant, Rachael has spent the past 20 years transforming businesses through government contracts, securing and managing over $20 billion in awards to date.Her journey began with a $4.5 billion contract right out of the military, setting the tone for a career defined by bold wins and unstoppable momentum. Today, she leads companies to similar success—most recently helping a client secure a $2.8 billion contract with the Department of Defense.As the founder of Rachael Consulting Services, she provides elite-level support in proposal writing, bid strategy, contract management, compliance, and small business certifications. Her firm specializes in scaling companies from modest beginnings—$2M to $5M revenues—into nine-figure contenders in the government space.Backed by an MBA in Lean Six Sigma Quality Management, a BA in Organizational Management, and a BA in Supply Chain Management, Rachael combines academic excellence with tactical precision. Her process-driven, results-focused approach consistently propels small and minority-owned businesses to the top.Rachael Lee is not your average consultant—she's the secret weapon behind today's fastest-growing government contractors. If you're serious about success in the federal arena, she's the one you want in your corner.Chapter Titles and Times:Introduction to Rachael Lee [00:00 - 05:00]Overview of Rachael's background and expertiseIntroduction to the episode's themesNavigating Government Contracts [05:01 - 15:00]Rachael's journey from the military to government contractingKey challenges and opportunities in the federal marketplaceStrategies for Success [15:01 - 25:00]Insights on proposal writing and bid strategyImportance of compliance and contract managementScaling Small Businesses [25:01 - 35:00]Rachael's approach to transforming small businesses into nine-figure contendersCase studies and success storiesThe Role of Lean Six Sigma [35:01 - 45:00]How Rachael's academic background informs her consulting approachThe impact of process-driven strategies on business growthClosing Thoughts and Takeaways [45:01 - End]Final reflections from Rachael and the hostsKey takeaways for businesses looking to succeed in government contractingRachael Lee#10xYourTeam #CamAndOtis #RachaelLee #GovernmentContracting #FederalMarketplace #ScalingWithStrategy #GovConExpert #VeteranLeadership #SmallBizToBigWins #ContractSuccess #DODContracts #BidToWin #LeanSixSigma #GovConGrowth #ProposalStrategy #MinorityBusinessSuccess #HighStakesLeadership #SupplyChainStrategy #ContractingWithConfidence #FederalWins #BusinessScalingExpertRachael Leehttps://www.instagram.com/rachael_consulting/https://www.tiktok.com/@rachaelconsultinghttps://x.com/RachaelsCo81056https://www.lin

In this episode, Adam Isaacs Rae is helping us to register our Medical Devices in Malaysia. We will review the requirements for it. You will see in this episode that some elements will be similar to registration in EU or US but you will also see a lot of differences. We will also talk about cost for the registration and you will see how this is affordable.  Who is Adam Isaacs Rae?  Chartered quality professional with a Master's Degree focused in Strategic Quality Management from University of Portsmouth. Demonstrated history of working aerospace & defence, medical device and the construction industry. Skilled in Operations Management, Lean Six Sigma, Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Value Stream Mapping and Supply Chain Management. Who is Monir El Azzouzi?  Monir El Azzouzi is the founder and CEO of Easy Medical Device a Consulting firm that is supporting Medical Device manufacturers for any Quality and Regulatory affairs activities all over the world. Monir can help you to create your Quality Management System, Technical Documentation or he can also take care of your Clinical Evaluation, Clinical Investigation through his team or partners. Easy Medical Device can also become your Authorized Representative and Independent Importer Service provider for EU, UK and Switzerland.  Monir has around 16 years of experience within the Medical Device industry working for small businesses and also big corporate companies. He has now supported around 100 clients to remain compliant on the market. His passion to the Medical Device filed pushed him to create educative contents like, blog, podcast, YouTube videos, LinkedIn Lives where he invites guests who are sharing educative information to his audience. Visit easymedicaldevice.com to know more.  Link Adam Isaacs Rae LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-isaacs-rae/ https://theotherconsultants.substack.com/p/register-your-medical-device-in-malaysia Social Media to follow Monir El Azzouzi Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/melazzouzi Twitter: https://twitter.com/elazzouzim Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/easymedicaldevice Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/easymedicaldevice

What You'll Learn:In this episode, hosts Catherine McDonald, Andy Olrich, and guest Leire Martinez discuss the importance of sustaining culture and connection in organizations. They emphasize that culture is crucial for continuous improvement and can vary across different departments and regions.About the Guest:With a strong Lean Six Sigma background, she is experienced as an Operations Director managing multi-site operations, as well as a Plant Manager, Production Manager, and Continuous Improvement Manager in the automotive sector within a VUCA environment and during challenging periods such as COVID, the chip crisis, and material shortages. Her aim is to inspire the teams she works with to achieve results as one, always acting with integrity, a willingness to win, and a commitment to making tomorrow better.Links:Click Here For Leire Martinez LinkedIn

Video Version About the Podcast In the realm of strategic business discussions, Ron Crabtree, a seasoned entrepreneur, assumed the mantle of authority. With a keen understanding of the trials and tribulations inherent in business scaling and talent acquisition within dynamic environments, he underscored the necessity of fostering robust professional networks and discerning between strategic and tactical hiring approaches. In collaboration with the esteemed Joseph Paris, they delved into the pivotal role of effective facilitation in propelling organizational transformation and spearheading digital integration within Lean Six Sigma frameworks. Their discourse emphasized the indispensable fusion of technical acumen with interpersonal finesse for facilitators, stressing the criticality of holistic skill sets in driving successful change initiatives. Further discussions between Joseph Paris and Ron Crabtree centered on the strategic importance of network cultivation in achieving business triumphs and the ongoing challenges entailed in sustaining enterprise prosperity post-initial program iterations. Their insights coalesced around the imperative of cultivating cultures steeped in continuity and excellence, underscored by a contemporary leadership ethos. Transitioning from discourse to actionable directives, the duo outlined a comprehensive set of strategic imperatives aimed at catalyzing tangible business advancements: Launching the Metapod podcast series in April 2024, with an inaugural focus on the Defense Production Act. Provision of diverse training programs and curricula spanning Lean Six Sigma, supply chain management, and facilitation skills, deployable via both online and in-person modalities. Engagement of meta experts as interim consultants, project managers, or subject matter authorities, fostering collaborative scoping processes to align client requisites with specialized resource allocations. Continuous refinement of vetting, skills inventory, and client alignment protocols to ensure optimal matching of meta experts with client demands and opportunities. Grounded in Ron Crabtree's entrepreneurial acumen and Joseph Paris's transformative insights, these action items epitomized a strategic blueprint poised to drive organizational excellence amidst the dynamic currents of contemporary business landscapes. About Ron Crabtree LinkedIn Profile: Company: Title: CEO of MetaOps Inc and MetaExperts Website: Year Founded: About:

Summary In this episode, Andy welcomes Corinna Freitag, a coach and project practitioner, to discuss the importance of interpersonal skills in project management. They explore how to navigate workplace conflicts, the significance of understanding others, and the role of Lean Six Sigma in project management. Corinna shares her experiences and insights on coaching STEM professionals, particularly those who may struggle with communication and conflict resolution. The conversation emphasizes the need for emotional intelligence and adaptability in leadership roles. Andy and Corinna delve into the significance of breathing techniques for mental well-being, the importance of understanding cultural differences in professional settings, the challenges of self-sabotage, and the continuous journey of personal development. Do you ever dread going to work on Monday morning? Corinna has practical insights in this episode for you! Sound Bites "I had the limiting belief that I am not good with people. And… surprise. Yes. Looks like I am." "There is no magic question. It's about starting to understand the person, not finding the perfect script." "If you say, 'This is my saboteur talking,' it's very different than saying, 'I'm not good enough.'" "Assume good intent. To them, their behavior is rational--even if it doesn't seem that way to you." "We never interact with a culture. We interact with a person." "My top saboteurs? The Stickler, the Hyper-Achiever, and the Hyper-Vigilant." "If you merge a little American boldness with German perfectionism, something great comes out." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Start of Interview 01:50 Corinna's Backstory 03:35 Project Management Lessons Corinna Has Learned 06:10 Lean Six Sigma and Project Management 10:02 Handling Difficult Stakeholders and Conflicts 13:52 Coaching Introverted STEM Professionals 17:31 Regaining Composure in Stressful Situations 21:05 Exploring Breathing Techniques 23:30 Lessons About Working Across Cultures 28:30 Overcoming Self-Sabotage 31:31 Continuous Self-Development 32:42 Connecting with Corinna 33:18 End of Interview 33:38 Andy's Comments After the Interview Learn More You can connect and follow Corinna on LinkedIn at LinkedIn.com/in/DrCorinnaFreitag. And check out her website at CorinnaFreitag.de/. For more learning on this topic, check out: Episode 397 with Dr. Julia DiGangi about her book Energy Rising. It's a wonderful book and discussion! Episode 164 with Derek Rogers and Nick Petrie about their book on stress. Episode 143 with Dr. Mark Goulston about his book on dealing with difficult people. Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast! Talent Triangle: Power Skills Topics: Leadership, Project Management, Coaching, Conflict Resolution, Lean Six Sigma, STEM professionals, Interpersonal Skills, Stakeholder Management, Communication, Culture, Emotional Intelligence, Cross-cultural Communication The following music was used for this episode: Music: Imagefilm034 by Sascha Ende License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license Music: Tropical Vibe by WinnieTheMoog License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license