LSS Academy Podcast: Lean Manufacturing | Lean Enterprise | Six Sigma | Leadership

How much joy and happiness do you, and your colleagues, feel each and every day?  Are you excited to come to work or do you dread it?   No matter your answer... if you're interested in learning how to create a more exciting, and fulfilling, work environment while also understanding how lean thinking and a joyful workplace actually work hand in hand you're definitely going to want to give today's episode a listen. In this episode, I'm joined by Richard Sheridan, the CEO and Chief Storyteller at Menlo Innovations. Menlo is a software design and development company in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Last year, 2,197 people came from around the world to visit Menlo. They made the trek not to learn about technology, but to witness a radically different approach to workplace culture — one intentionally designed to produce joy. During this interview Richard and I discuss how he, and the entire Menlo team, makes this happen! To listen the podcast simply press press play and listen to it while you work... or download this episode onto your smart phone (iPhone users click here to install the Podcast app) and listen while you work out or on your commute to/from work. You can also read the full written transcript at the bottom of this page. Again, to hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here. In this episode you'll learn What “high tech anthropology” is all about Richard’s favorite quotation… think how to create a sustainable culture Why lean is actually about people and not spreadsheets What the book Joy, Inc. is about and how its goal is to end human suffering Why Menlo Innovations offers more than one tour per day Why the title of the book ends in “Inc.” Why Menlo programmers work in pairs and switch pairs every 5 business days How the Menlo culture developed as a result of Richard’s experience and background One practical piece of advice Richard has for any leader of people who wants to have a more joyful workplace What was holding Richard back from being successful when he first started his professional career The best advice Richard has ever received One of Richard’s personal productivity habits including how he keeps his inbox under 10 emails How Richard would approach his first week on the job at a distressed company void of any joy  Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Full Written Transcript in PDF Format Joy, Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love Joy, Inc.: How We Built a Workplace People Love - Kindle Version The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization Leadership and Self-Deception: Getting out of the Box The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable Getting Naked: A Business Fable About Shedding The Three Fears That Sabotage Client Loyalty Randy Pausch Last Lecture: Achieving Your Childhood Dreams Randy Pausch – Time Management Video Simon Sinek – Start with Why Video Richard Sheridan on Twitter Menlo Innovations Website Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and smartphone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is similar to iTunes and is definitely Android friendly. Please Leave Us a Review We'd also be honored if you'd leave us an honest review in iTunes.  This will really help the show grow and reach more people with the good news that is lean and six sigma! To leave a review please follow these steps: Click this link Click the blue button that says "View in iTunes" Log into your iTunes account as needed Click "Ratings and Reviews" which you'll find in gray text towards the top of the page Click "Write a Review" button

OK, folks, I'm extremely excited to release this edition of the LSS Academy podcast! You see, I've definitely enjoyed every podcast I've recorded... but, I must admit, this interview was incredible! In this episode, I'm joined by Matt May.  Matt is an incredible lean thinker who specializes in helping companies innovate. Originally, Matt and I were planning to talk about another topic... that was until I stumbled across an article that talked about the importance of being able to focus on what they called "main things." The reason this article troubled me is because I'm, admittedly, addicted to learning which, I worried, created tension between my ability to focus on "main things" and my love of learning "new things." Well, as you'll discover, Matt does an incredible job helping me to see why my "main things" weren't quite what I thought they were. So, with this said, if you're not sure about this whole podcasting thing all I can say is please give this episode a listen or read the full written transcript at the bottom of this page. Simply press press play and listen to it while you work... or download this episode onto your smart phone (iPhone users click here to install the Podcast app) and listen while you work out... or listen to it on your commute to - or from - work. I feel extremely confident you'll benefit from Matt's incredible wisdom. Also, please share this with your co-workers, friends, family, and anyone else you come into contact with! To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Matt's favorite quotation... think Lao Tzu! What the phrase "Learning Organization" means to Matt Whether there's a difference between "training" and "learning" How Matt's daughter runs experiments from her high chair! The relationship between Innovation & Learning Whether it's possible for learning to become a distraction What the "Main Thing" really is and why it's deceptively complex How Matt helped me identify what my "real" main thing is What the "story of ice" has to do with focus and innovation Why your purpose should never be an "activity" How Netflix is a great example of being able to identify main things Why Matt takes a break from his work every 90 minutes Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Full Written Transcript in PDF Format The Main Thing Article The Laws of Subtraction: 6 Simple Rules for Winning in the Age of Excess Everything Self Help; with illustrations of Conduct and Perseverance - Free eBook Version Self Help; with illustrations of Conduct and Perseverance - Free Kindle Version Self Help; with illustrations of Conduct and Perseverance - Paper Back Version The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization EDIT Innovations Register for Matt's Upcoming Webinars Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and smartphone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is similar to iTunes and is definitely Android friendly. Please Leave Us a Review We'd also be honored if you'd leave us an honest review in iTunes.  This will really help the show grow and reach more people with the good news that is lean and six sigma! To leave a review please follow these steps: Click this link Click the blue button that says "View in iTunes" Log into your iTunes account as needed Click "Ratings and Reviews" which you'll find in gray text towards the top of the page Click "Write a Review" button It may take up to 24 hours for your review to appear. Full Written Transcript Full Written Transcript in PDF Format

In this episode, I'm joined by one of the most experienced lean thinkers I know.  Bill Waddell is a lean author, blogger, and consultant. Bill is, without doubt, one of the most interesting and, some might even say, controversial lean thinkers out ...

In this episode, I'm joined by one of the most passionate lean thinkers I've ever met - Karen Martin. During this podcast Karen and I explore the topic of Value Stream Mapping. Specifically, Karen and I have an excellent discussion related to the traps many practitioners fall into when working with value stream maps as well as how, and why, this tool is being used by many non manufacturing focused organizations. Karen and Mike Osterling recently published a new book on the topic called Value Stream Mapping: How to Visualize Work and Align Leadership for Organizational Transformation. To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Karen's favorite quote... think W. Edwards Deming! Karen's elevator speech of what a Value Stream Map is including the history of the tool Some of the biggest mistakes people make when working with this tool How Value Stream Mapping is being leveraged in offices and the service sector Karen's spirited response to critics who claim Value Stream Maps actually slow the improvement process down What Karen struggled with the most when she first started down her lean journey The best advice Karen's ever received Karen's favorite personal productivity habits Podcast Resources Right Click to Download this Podcast as an MP3 Full Written Transcript in PDF Format Value Stream Mapping: How to Visualize Work and Align Leadership for Organizational Transformation Out of the Crisis The Fifth Discipline: The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization The Essential Drucker: The Best of Sixty Years of Peter Drucker's Essential Writings on Management (Collins Business Essentials) The Karen Martin Group Register for Karen's Upcoming Webinar Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and smartphone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast on iTunes. You can also subscribe via Stitcher which is similar to iTunes and is definitely Android friendly. Please Leave Us a Review We'd also be honored if you'd leave us an honest review in iTunes.  This will really help the show grow and reach more people with the good news that is lean and six sigma! To leave a review please follow these steps: Click this link Click the blue button that says "View in iTunes" Log into your iTunes account as needed Click "Ratings and Reviews" which you'll find in gray text towards the top of the page Click "Write a Review" button It may take up to 24 hours for your review to appear. Full Transcript Full Written Transcript in PDF Format Announcer: Welcome to episode 17 of the LSS Academy Podcast.[music] Announcer: You are now listening to the LSS Academy Podcast, the show that's spreading the good news that is Lean and Six Sigma. Now, here's your host, Ron Pereira. Ron Pereira: Hey there, welcome to another edition of the LSS Academy Podcast. Thank you so much for listening. Before we get started, I wanted to give a shout out to one of our listeners who recently sent in an email. Mark Reiken, who's from New Zealand, wrote in and commented that he had started listening to the Michael Lombard interview that we just released, on that morning that he sent the email, on his drive in to work. He said that he was quite interested in the whole Toyota Kata topic because one of his colleagues, had just given him Mike Rother's book to read. That's pretty cool. Mark concluded that, he said that we were doing some awesome work, which definitely made my day. The reason that I really love my work with all my being is that I could stand here in Keller, Texas, talk into a microphone or even better into a video camera shooting a video. Minutes later,

In this episode, I'm joined by Michael Lombard. During this podcast Michael and I explore the Toyota Kata. Specifically, Michael explains how the hospital he works at has leveraged the Improvement and Coaching Kata with great success. I'm also excited to announce that we've developed some new Podcast "Standard Work" allowing us to give our valued listeners more consistency. In other words, while all future podcasts will be "different" the approach I take towards interviewing them will be far more consistent. To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Michael's favorite quote... think Aristotle! What the Toyota Kata is all about The differences between the Improvement & Coaching Kata How Michael and his team have leveraged this new way of learning How to get started learning about the Toyota Kata Michael's excellent responses to our new Quick Fire segment! Podcast Resources: Right Click to Download the MP3 Full Transcript Available in PDF Format Book: The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business Book: Toyota Kata: Managing People for Improvement, Adaptiveness and Superior Results Website: Toyota Kata Michael on Twitter Michael on LinkedIn Register for Michael's Upcoming Webinar Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and smartphone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast. Please Leave Us a Review We'd also be honored if you'd leave us an honest review in iTunes.  This will really help the show grow and reach more people with the good news that is lean and six sigma! To leave a review please follow these steps: Click this link Click the blue button that says "View in iTunes" Log into your iTunes account as needed Click "Ratings and Reviews" which you'll find in gray text towards the top of the page Click "Write a Review" button It may take up to 24 hours for your review to appear. Full Transcript Full Transcript Available in PDF Format Announcer:  Welcome to episode 16 of the "LSS Academy Podcast." [background music] Announcer:  You are now listening to the "LSS Academy Podcast," the show that's spreading the good news that is lean and six sigma. Now here's your host, Ron Pereira. Ron Pereira:  Hey there. Welcome to another edition of the "LSS Academy Podcast." As always, thank you for taking the time to listen to the show. I am super excited for this episode since we're actually beginning a new chapter for the podcast. Specifically, I've put together some standard work for all future podcasts so our listeners know what to expect. For example, I'm going to ask all upcoming guests to share one of their favorite quotes related to continuous improvement. We're also going to start a new Quick Fire segment, where I ask guests specific questions. We're doing this so everyone has a familiarity with the show and knows what to expect. I think you're going to really like it. I definitely want to hear from you, so please head over to LSSacademy.com/16 and leave us a comment or suggestion for how we can make this show even better. Today's guest is a good friend of mine. Michael Lombard is a longtime lean thinker, who has recently discovered and begun to leverage the principles taught within the book called "The Toyota Kata," which was written by Mike Rother. During the show, Michael provides an overview of what the improvement and coaching kata are all about, and also explains how the hospital that he works at has benefited from this way of learning and coaching. Again, show notes and links to everything Michael talks about can be found at LSSacademy.com/16. Enough from me. Let's get to the show. Michael,

In this episode, I'm joined by Lean Frontiers President and Founder Jim Huntzinger. During this podcast Jim and I explore Training Within Industries (TWI) and how it was one of the primary enablers to what we call "lean" today. I've had the pleasure of knowing Jim for years, but we only recently met in person at ATC Trailers, where Gemba Academy filmed an upcoming episode of Gemba Live!. With Jim at the helm, Lean Frontiers brings together industry thought leaders by holding workshops, like the upcoming TWI Summit.  Jim and his team have also created the website WhatIsTWI? To hear the podcast just press the "Play" button at the top of this post. An MP3 version is also available for download here. In this episode you'll learn: Why TWI (Training Within Industries) was developed during WWII Toyota's role in the evolution of TWI methodologies Why TPS and lean practices wouldn't be the same without TWI Why we lost touch with TWI after WWII The J's of TWI - Job Instruction, Job Methods, Job Relations How and why TWI is making a comeback How to use TWI to improve your organization Podcast Resources: Right Click to Download the MP3 Books (Available on Amazon) Training Within Industry: The Foundation of Lean The TWI Workbook: Essential Skills for Supervisors Toyota Talent: Developing Your People the Toyota Way  Jim's Articles Roots of Lean: Training Within Industry, The Origin of Kaizen Why Standard Work is not Standard Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and smartphone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast. What Do You Think? Do you use TWI in your organization? Why or why not? Which "J" do you feel is the most important?

What's more important... going to gemba (the place the work is done) or being able to performance basic and/or advanced statistical analysis? Well, as it turns out, I have some strong opinions on the matter and am excited to share them with you in this podcast! To play the podcast please click the play button at the top of this post or download the MP3 file by clicking here. In this episode you’ll discover: What's happening at LSS Academy and Gemba Academy How I worked as a young process engineer at Nokia My thoughts on going to gemba and statistical analysis Podcast Resources: Right Click to Download the MP3 Click Here to Read the Article that Inspired this Podcast Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and Smart Phone.

We lean thinkers love to talk about time!  There's takt time, cycle time, and lead-time.  Oh, and don't forget about value added time and its nemesis non value added time. The good news is it doesn't have to be so hard.  In this podcast we bring clarity to the situation by clearly explaining what several of the most popular times are and how they are either measured or calculated; To play the podcast please click the play button at the top of this post or download the MP3 file by clicking here. And for those that prefer to read you can download a PDF transcript by clicking here. In this episode you'll discover: The difference between cycle time, lead time, and takt time Which measures of time are measured and which measures of time are calculated What inventory turns are and how they can be calculated Podcast Resources: Right Click to Download the MP3 Right Click to Download a Written Transcript Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and Smart Phone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast. What Do You Think? What other measures of time have you worked with?  And how does your computer go about calculating things such as inventory turns?

Joining me for episode 12 of the LSS Academy podcast is my good friend and business partner, Jon Miller. Many of you know Jon from his blog Gemba Panta Rei.  In addition to being a founding partner of Gemba Academy Jon is also the CEO of the Kaizen Institute. I feel very comfortable in saying that Jon is, without a doubt, the most knowledgeable lean thinker I have ever known.  Jon's understanding on TPS, including the deep cultural aspects of the methodology, are incredible. To hear the podcast please press the play button at the top of this post.  You can also download a MP3 version of the podcast here. In this episode you’ll discover: How Jon and I first met at the beginning of my personal lean journey What a Kaizen Culture is all about What an adaptive culture is and how it aligns with lean thinking Whether kaizen is a Japanese thing? What some of the American roots of kaizen are Jon's thoughts on what "respect for people" means and why it's actually a poor translation What the "culture monster" is all about What to do if your leadership team isn't supportive of continuous improvement Podcast Resources: Right Click to Download the MP3 Kaizen Institute Consulting Group Creating a Kaizen Culture Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and Smart Phone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast. What Do You Think? What do you think a "Kaizen Culture" is?  Would you say your organization is adaptive and willing/able to change?  If so, how so?  And, if not, what needs to change?

Joining me for episode 11 of the LSS Academy podcast is Paul Akers, the President & Founder of Fastcap in Bellingham, Washington. FastCap was founded in 1997 by Paul Akers, a 20-year veteran in the cabinet-making/ woodworking industry . One day, while building some cabinets, Paul got an idea for a self-adhesive screw cap cover and the Fastcap was born. Since then Paul has made it his life's mission to develop products and people through lean thinking principles.  I am personally honored to call Paul my friend and can safely say I have never met another human being with more passion for lean, and really life in general. The theme of this episode is how Fastcap's style of Lean Thinking actually helps them innovate.  In fact, Paul contends that it's because they keep their approach to lean simple and fun that innovation and continuous improvement not only co-exists... it thrives! To play the podcast please press the play button at the top of this post.  You can also download a MP3 version of the podcast here. In this episode you’ll discover: Paul's thoughts on Lean Thinking & Innovation and how Fastcap develops new products Why Fastcap likes to keep their approach to lean simple and fun Why Toyota execs traveled to Africa in order to become better innovators Paul's thoughts on whether Steve Jobs had lean thinking tendencies What "respect for people" means to Paul and Fastcap What happens to Fastcap employees who come to work 1 minute late What kaizen foam is and why it was developed (hint: think lean) Podcast Resources: Right Click to Download the MP3 Fastcap Kaizen Foam The Lean Bathroom Here's a video from Fastcap's Gemba Live episode where Paul explains how the secret to their success can be found inside their 5 bathrooms! Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and Smart Phone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast. What Do You Think? What do you think of Fastcap's approach to lean?  I'm also curious to hear your thoughts on whether you agree that lean thinking and innovation can co-exist.  What do you think?

I'm a big fan of philosophy.  I don't pretend to be an expert in it... far from it. But, I can't help but think that René Descartes, one of the greatest philosophers of our time, may have gotten it backwards when he concluded, "Cogito, ergo sum" which means, "I think, therefore I am." You see, I contend he should have said, "I am, therefore I think."  I explain why in this short, 3 minute, podcast. To play the podcast please click the play button at the top of this post or download the MP3 file by clicking here. And for those that prefer to read you can download a PDF transcript by clicking here. Podcast Resources: Right Click to Download the MP3 Right Click to Download a Written Transcript Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and Smart Phone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast. What Do You Think? Do you agree with my thought process here?  What do you "think?"

Joining me for episode 9 of the LSS Academy podcast is Steve Kane, the VP of Operations at Specialty Silicone Fabricators in Paso Robles, California. SSF is a manufacturer of precision silicone components for the medical device industry, providing a full range of processing: molding, extrusion, sheeting, and dipping. SSF's lean efforts over the past decade have transformed the company and enable it to compete globally from facilities in California and Michigan. The theme of this episode is Lean Leadership.  I have met many different business leaders over the years and Steve is definitely one of the best.  He is an excellent communicator and knows the best way to solve problems is to head directly to the gemba, or the place the work is done. To play the podcast please press the play button at the top of this post.  You can also download a MP3 version of the podcast here. In this episode you’ll discover: How SSF got started with their lean journey What a Lean Thinking Vice President of Operations does on a day to day basis What the main characteristics of a lean leader are Steve's advice for the person who doesn't have top level management commitment Steve's advice for the leader or manager who is just starting out on their continuous improvement journey Podcast Resources: Right Click to Download the MP3 SSF Morning Meeting Video Here's the first video from the SSF Gemba Live episode. Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and Smart Phone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast. What Do You Think? What do you think of Steve's advice?  What do you think the main characteristics of a lean leader are?  And what advice do you have for those who don't have management support or may just be starting out on their continuous improvement journey?

Joining me for podcast #8 is my good friend, and fellow lean thinking blogger/podcaster, Mark Graban. For those that don't know him... Mark is, in my humble opinion, the world's leading "Lean Healthcare" expert.  I know Mark doesn't like to be referred to as an "expert" but, in my opinion, he is. Since August 2005, Mark has worked exclusively in healthcare, where he has coached lean teams at client sites around the world.  Mark has also written several books (links below) and blogs/podcasts regularly at LeanBlog.org. Like many of you, I don't have personal "lean healthcare" experience... but trust me when I say there are MANY things we can all learn from people like Mark. So, even if you don't work in healthcare, I'd highly encourage you to listen to this podcast. To play the podcast please press the play button at the top of this post.  You can also download a MP3 version of the podcast here. In this episode you’ll discover: The person that influenced me the most to start a podcast! How Mark transitioned from the manufacturing sector to healthcare Mark's thoughts on why hospitals are, unfortunately, resorting to layoffs in order to cut costs How lean thinking can help any organization, including those in healthcare, improve without laying people off Some specific examples of how lean tools are being applied in hospitals Podcast Resources: Right Click to Download the MP3 Items mentioned in this podcast: Lean Blog Mark Graban's website (links to books) Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and Smart Phone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast. What Do You Think? Do you work in healthcare?  If so, does your organization practice any form of continuous improvement?  What are your thoughts on why hospitals are laying people off in order to cut costs?  Do you agree they are doing the right thing?

I believe Analysis Paralysis is one of the most significant reasons individuals, and organizations, fail to reach their potential. Many of us not only allow analysis paralysis to control our lives... some even embrace it as if it's a trusted friend that's always there to comfort and protect them. Make no mistake.  Analysis Paralysis is no friend of ours. In fact, it just may be one of the most cunning enemies of our time. As such, in this edition of the LSS Academy podcast, I'd like to share 5 tips for battling analysis paralysis. As I mention in the podcast, I'm not sure analysis paralysis can ever be truly defeated... but, if handled correctly, we can win individual battles against it on a regular basis. To play the podcast please press the play button at the top of this post.  You can also download a written transcript, in PDF format, here. In this episode you’ll discover: 5 Ways to Battle Analysis Paralysis What Parkinson's Law is and how it can be used to defeat Analysis Paralysis Why Thomas Edison is an excellent decision making role model Important advice from Aristotle Podcast Resources Full Written Transcript in PDF Form (Right Click to Download) Download the Podcast as MP3 (Right Click to Download) Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and Smart Phone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast. What Do You Think? Have you ever struggled with Analysis Paralysis?  If so, how did (or do) you battle it?  What other advice do you have for anyone struggling to make decisions or take action?

Taiichi Ohno once said, "Without standards, there can be no kaizen." The question is, how do we go about creating standards and Standard Work?  Are there prerequisites?  The short answer is yes. There are most definitely prerequisites that shouldn't be ignored prior to creating and implementing Standard Work.  As such, in this podcast we explore 5 specific prerequisites that should be in place if we hope to succeed with standard work. Now, as we mention in the podcast, we don't need to wait to perfect these prerequisites before attempting to standardize.  In fact, waiting for all 5 prerequisites to be perfect, which of course they never will be, could be used as an excuse to never start! To play the podcast please press the play button at the top of this post. In this episode we explore: 1 "process related" prerequisite that should be in place in order to maximize the benefits of standard work 4 "leadership" prerequisites that should be in place in order to maximize the benefits of standard work What comes first... a stable process or standard work?  Does it matter? Why Standard Work doesn't put handcuffs on associates! Podcast Resources: Right Click to Download the MP3 Standard Work Video Please Subscribe to this Podcast If you enjoyed this podcast please be sure to subscribe on iTunes.  Once you’re a subscriber all new episodes will be downloaded to your iTunes account and Smart Phone. CLICK HERE to subscribe to the LSS Academy podcast. What Do You Think? Do you agree that these prerequisites are important if we hope to succeed with Standard Work?  Also, what is your opinion on what should come first: a stable process or standard work can lead to more stabilization?  What do you think?