A Quality Podcast

In this episode, Elisabeth Swan joins us to discuss her new book, Picture Yourself a Leader. Elisabeth has been working as a business process improvement consultant and change leader for over 30 years, specializing in process-based organization design, problem solving, Lean Six Sigma and change management for blue chip clients. Her industry experience includes healthcare, hospitality, financial services, insurance, telecommunications, energy and technology. If that sounds like a lot of credibility, wait until you read her book! Picture Yourself a Leader is an excellent example of what self improvement books can be. Pull up a chair, and join us! Buy the book here -->https://www.amazon.com/Picture-Yourself-Leader-Illustrated-Micro-Lessons/dp/B0C1DJ42TR/ https://Elisabethswan.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabethswan/ https://www.zoomopex.com

Rob Bull of Plexus Consulting joins us from sunny, summer New Zealand! Rob specializes in helping SMEs improve their businesses, and is also a Lego Serious Play instructor. In this episode, we discuss the unique challenges facing SMEs, and some of the things smaller businesses can do to excel. http://www.zoomopex.com/ www.plexusconsulting.co.nz https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-bull-leanthinker/

It didn't involve a secret lab, vats of mysterious, boiling liquid, nor space aliens. We think. But there were some factors that helped us be successful in our careers, and we want to share that with you! https://www.zoomopex.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-thacker-leansixsigmablackbelt/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeharrellchasingexcellence/

What better way to celebrate the holidays than to sit back with a tall glass of nog-free eggnog and discuss a stocking full of "leadership" BS being peddled by unscrupulous and unskilled snake-oil-salepeople? Happy holiday's from the AQP team! http://www.zoomopex.com/

Have you thought about safety lately? Safety is a "safe" buzzword, but how safe is your business, really? In this episode, we invite author, Lean leader, and activist Sean Fields back on the program to talk about some of the ineffective things we have experienced, as well as a few helpful tips on how you can improve safety in your organization. Strap on your seatbelt, and let's go for a ride! http://www.zoomopex.com https://www.beehivefund.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-thacker-leansixsigmablackbelt/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeharrellchasingexcellence/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-fields-21290b45/

Trouble finding and hiring new talent? You're not alone! Don't worry, this isn't a total b*tch-fest...we include some helpful suggestions for pulling yourself out of the rut. Join us as we discuss why planet acquisition sucks - and what you can do about it. Discount code for Person John Thacker Edition Aviators: https://tinyurl.com/yc4hy2yd https://www.zoomopex.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-thacker-leansixsigmablackbelt/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeharrellchasingexcellence/

What happens when someone who cares about you tells you how you need to improve by using the language of Lean? Well, in this case, it turns into a book! Join AQP and authors Jennifer Lacy and Jesse Hernandez as we discuss Lean and Love...the uncomfortable art of self-reflection and healing. https://www.amazon.com/Lean-Love-Letters-Relationships-RipplesOfImpact/dp/B0B2TYD58G http://www.zoomopex.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jesus-jesse-hernandez-9b912327/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferlacy/

How does one do Lean during a pandemic? CAN one do Lean during a pandemic? Lean champion and guru sensei Nathan Corliss joins us this week to talk about cutting through the crap and getting things done - even when people are literally dying around you. A must listen for anyone working in an unpredictable environment! http://wwwzoomopex.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-corliss-a839836/

Bob is long time CI Industrial Engineer, trained in the Shingujitsu school of Lean. Bob's career spans supply chain, VP of Operations, Lean Engineer with Tesla, management consulting, and most recently CI Engineer at Gibson's famed Custom Shop. In this episode we talk about the application of lean to various industries - what is the same, and what is different. Don't miss the Jake Harrell filter challenge either! Winner gets a thing. http://zoomopex.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/bob-rush-865731/

There is a lot of total crap on the internet! A seemingly endless stream of self-proclaimed experts are poisoning the well with bad ideas and lack of experience. This is bad for the Continuous Improvement industry, and bad for business leaders who are too busy MAKING MONEY to fool around trying to figure out who can legit help them and who is full of crap. Catch this unfiltered screed about some of our pet peeves here! https://zoomopex.com/

Jason Azevedo has had his heart in business development since an early age, starting a very successful apparel company that grew from humble garage beginnings to annual gross billings of over a million dollars at age 15. By 18 Jason was doing millions in business with Starbucks, Nike, Disney, Marvel, Volkswagen, Audi, Lucas films, Dodgers and countless NBA teams. In 2009, Jason co-founded Advoque, one of the only US based manufacturers located in SIlicon Valley, California. His emphasis on Made In America is a driving force for how the various companies he’s co-founded operate. As the founder of Manufacturing Revitalization Corporation of America, Jason is a driving force behind bringing American manufacturing back. In this episode, Jason talks about his vision for American manufacturing and how MRCA is changing the game for hundreds of US families and communities. www.mrca.net Twitter: https://twitter.com/GOMRCA Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/202657382027478 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manufacturingrevitalizationcorporationofamerica/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gomrca/ www.zoomopex.com

There is a good chance that you are hindered from improving your business because your technology...sucks. And don't get us started on the over-sold and under-utilized ERP monster! Commiserate while learning about some helpful approaches to taming the monster and coming out ahead on this high-octane episode of A Quality Podcast. Sponsored by R.N. Salt and James Bean. http://www.zoomopex.com/ john@zoomopex.com jake@zoomopex.com

You've been hired to make change - but what change? And how do you keep from breaking all the china? In this episode, Phil Ranck, US Army logistics veteran and founder of Lean Alaska, joins us to discuss cultural adaptation for change agents. If you are tasked with improving an organization, this is a must listen! http://www.zoomopex.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/philranck/ https://www.leanalaska.com

What are some things you can do right now in your operation to gain some quick wins? Whether you are a senior operations leader, a CI professional, or an internal or external consultant, you can benefit right now from these three actions. Join John Thacker Jr and Jake Harrell as we talk through these actions that you can take immediately - and "win right now...and in the future." https://www.zoomopex.com/ https://www.zoomopex.com/products/p/cycle-time-reduction-facilitators-workbook

Hit a snag? A big one? Perhaps you have come to the gripping realization that your risk management is not up to snuff - or perhaps you want to ensure that it is up to snuff before you hit that big snag! Mark Sneeringer is an experienced Continuous Improvement leader with deep expertise in Six Sigma, Lean, Change Management and Program Management. He has led improvement efforts for businesses ranging from consumer lifestyle products, to large household appliances, to complex medical devices. On this episode, Mark discusses some of the ways to make your risk management program effective and efficient.

Have you ever struggled to enact change within an organization? You are not alone! In this episode, Lee Houghton discusses important elements to change, what to expect when leading change, and how to overcome resistance to change. Lee is a business improvement coach with Get Knowledge in the UK, and host of the popular and highly recommended Get Business Results podcast. http://www.zoomopex.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lhoughton/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/business-problems-solved-podcast/id1444154403 https://getknowledge.co.uk

You may be surprised to learn that some state governments - notably Nebraska - employ an entire CI department! This week Shayne Daughenbaugh, Continuous Improvement Manager and LSS Black Belt with the state of Nebraska, joins us to discuss what it is like working with agencies and departments within a state. If you are interested in using Lean Six Sigma to improve a bureaucratic or siloed enterprise, well, this episode has you covered. http://www.zoomopex.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shayne-daughenbaugh-096b63b5/

If you are are in business, you are in the business of change...and that can have significant negative consequences on employee morale, retention, and performance. Albert Oktovianus has a background in industrial engineering, and now serves as Vice President of HR. In this episode, Albert discusses what change fatigue is, how to recognize it, and what to do about it. A must listen for all business leaders! http://www.johnthackerjr.com/ http://www.zoomopex.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/albert-okto/

Several years ago a special unit of military commandos was sentenced to prison for a crime they didn't commit. They promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Lean underground. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them, maybe you can hire...the J Team. On this episode of A Quality Podcast, John and Jake are joined by Jesse to discuss solving real problems. What does real problem solving look like, and how does your own company look? This episode brought to you by the letter "J". http://www.johnthackerjr.com/ http://www.zoomopex.com/ https://depriestconsult.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/fjdepriest/

Metrics, culture, leadership...they are all connected, and there is a way to integrate them effectively! In this episode we are joined by Mark Graban, consultant, author, podcaster, blogger, and Lean icon! Mark explores effective use of process behavior charts, the need for causal analysis, and the cultural essence of kaizen. http://www.johnthackerjr.com http://www.zoomopex.com https://www.markgraban.com https://www.leanblog.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgraban/