PODCAST · business
A Quality Podcast
by John Thacker Jr
All things Lean and Continuous Improvement with your hosts, John Thacker Jr and Jake Harrell! Join us for insightful conversations with industry leaders, consultants, and others as we explore the world of Lean. Never dry, never dull, and sometimes a bit irreverent. Don't miss an episode!John Thacker Jr. is an MBA and Lean Six Sigma Black belt with decades of experience in manufacturing, supply chain, 3PL, and consulting.Jake Harrell - The Funniest Lean Guy on LinkedIn - is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with extensive experience in manufacturing, logistics, consulting, and humor.
Episodes
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Picture Yourself a Leader with Elisabeth Swan
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...
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Scaling Small and Medium Business CI with Rob Bull
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....
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How We Got This Way
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/...
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AQP Holiday Special 2022 - Leadership Lies!
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/
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Thinking About Safety! And what to do about it
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...
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Why Talent Acquisition Sucks
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...
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Lean and Love - Learning Self-Awareness with Lean Principles
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....
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Crisis Management During a Pandemic
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...
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LEAN at Gibson Custom Guitars with Bob Rush
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…
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Sifting Through LinkedIn Bullsh*t
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…
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Bringing Back Manufacturing with Jason Azevedo
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,...
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Technology! Embrace the Suck (without losing your mind)
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...
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How to Fit In - Cultural Adaptation for Change Agents
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...
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Rev Up Your Business by Taking Action Now!
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...
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How to do Risk Management Right
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...
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Overcoming Resistance to Change with Lee Houghton
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,...
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Saving the State with Lean Six Sigma! feat. Shayne Daughenbaugh
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...
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Change Fatigue! with Albert Oktovianus
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…
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Solving Real Problems with Jesse DePriest
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....
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My Biggest Mistake with Mark Graban
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…
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Surviving your CI role when it ain't all it's cracked up to be...
Are you a CI professional? Are you beating your head against the wall, panicking because it seems as if management doesn't actually want to improve? Bob Emiliani is a former manufacturing engineering manager and current professor at Central Connecticut State University. Bob is the mind behind...
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Leadership Mindset with Nick Usher
Do you lead a CI team or facilitate CI initiatives? Nick Usher has a long history of CI management, and is Managing Partner at Usher and Usher Consulting. Join us as Nick discusses mindsets that matter in CI leadership, as well as teasing some of the 12 leadership principles that he dissects in…
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AQP S03 E07 with Nathan Corliss
What does Kaizen have in common with Karate? In this episode, Performance Improvement Manager and co-founder of Aegis Self-Defense Nathan Corliss joins us to share his perspective on Lean, CI, and change management. In this episode Jake dresses up, John dresses down, Twisted Sister gets replaced…
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Translating Lean to Individual Environments with Sean Fields
Do you find it challenging to apply the vast, amorphous body of Lean knowledge to your business? Sean Fields is a veteran industrial engineer and author of "Quantum Lean - Taking Lean Systems to the Next Level". In this episode, Sean and co-author Michael discuss the concepts of Quantum Lean, and...
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Applying Lean in the Banking Industry with Kyle Kumpf
Do you work in a service industry? Have you wondered how to apply Lean principles to your processes? Kyle Kumpf is a PMO Management AVP in banking and shares his experience implementing Lean in banking. Learn from real-life examples emphasizing approach and relationalityy to maximize…
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Applying Lean to Service Industry Processes with Kyle Kumpf
Do you work in a service industry? Have you wondered how to apply Lean principles to your processes? Kyle Kumpf is a PMO Management AVP in banking and shares his experience implementing Lean in banking. Learn from real-life examples emphasizing approach and relationalityy to maximize…
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Building Team Capability with Adam Hoots
Do you lead a team? Do you need to get your team to the "next level"? Adam Hoots is Lean Construction Shepherd at Construction ACHE Solutions, and has twenty years of experience in the construction and architectural industries. With a background that spans CI leadership for major construction...
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All About SCRUM! With Felipe Engineer-Manriquez
What is Scrum? How do you do it? How can it help you? Felipe Engineer is a Registered Scrum Trainer (RST), Construction Scrum Expert, host of the EBFC Show podcast, author of Construction Scrum, and has the golden voice of a radio god. Listen along as we explore scrum, fight about Deming, and get...
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The Power of Positive Reinforcement with Tina Provost
How powerful is a team that believes in itself? And how do you get there? In this episode, we discuss keys to effective team culture and health with Tina Provost. Tina is Head of Continuous Improvement, North America for Covetrus, as well as the founder of Pep! - a company dedicated to enabling…
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Engaging Front-Line Workers with Paul Deane
How do you engage front-line workers to improve your business? And why does it matter? Paul Deane is Senior Business Improvement Leader at Australia Post, and is actively engaged in empowering front-line workers for success. A chemical engineer by training, and having spent years as an Operations...
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Christmas Special 2021 - Lean Myths and Legends
Happy Holidays from AQP! In this episode we go beyond fat men from the arctic and pop the lid on five Lean myths and legends. Be prepared to get your panties in a wad, and possibly start an internet flame war that will result in Skynet. You've been warned! https://www.johnthackerjr.com...
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AQP S02 E20 - People Centered Technological Innovation with Sean Driscoll
We live in a technological world, like it or not. But how we implement tech solutions is a significant factor in operations, company culture, and ultimately business success. In this episode, Sean Driscoll, President of Driscoll organizational Solutions, joins us for a lively discussion on a...
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Applying Systems Thinking to Business with Clinton D. Pope
Clinton Pope is a Quality Chief with the DoD, veteran, and industrial engineer. In this episode, we discuss the challenge of guiding teams and leaders into systems thinking. In this far-ranging discussion we talk about healthcare systems, the problem of credentials in modern CI, and general gaps…
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AQP S02 E18 - Liberating Structures with Brian Winningham
Brian Winningham is the owner at Field Driven Lean, and an expert in Lean for construction. Today, he introduces a set of tools known as "Liberating Structures" that can help facilitators, well, facilitate. Don't worry; as you might have guessed, it isn't dry and boring when Brian is involved!...
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AQP Halloween Special! with Derek Scott
Darth Derek Scott is the Director at Paragon Process Improvements, a consulting firm in northern Scotland. Derek has a long history as a quality professional, and is a senior member of AQS, a fellow at CQI, a fellow at Management and Strategy Institute, and a fellow at Royal Statistical Society....
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AQP S02 E16 - Jennifer Lacy
Jennifer Lacy serves as the Lean Practice Leader to Robins and Morton, a company that specializes in healthcare facility construction. Jennifer has a passion for the people element of Lean, and hosts "5S in Relationships" on LinkedIn Live. Join us as we dive into a deep and broad-ranging…
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AQP S02 E15 - Avi Fishman, MBA
Avi Fishman is the Director of Process Improvement at Memorial Healthcare System, and joins us this week to talk about Lean in healthcare. How do the principles ofLean apply to the healthcare industry? Find out in this episode! https://www.linkedin.com/in/avifishman/ https://www.zoomopex.com
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AQP S02 E14 - Jason Long
Jason Long is a General Manager in the cold storage supply-chain industry. Jason joins us to discuss "creating a winning work environment", and shares his stories of kaizen in a difficult industry. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in how to affect real change at work!...
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AQP S02 E13 - Kyle Kumpf
Kyle Kumpf is a Lean Process Manager in the banking industry, and he is on the leading edge of translating and implementing Lean principles to the banking sector. Join us for a humorous and insightful journey into the emerging world of lean finance.
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AQP S02 E12 - Brian Winningham
Brian Winningham is the owner of Field Driven Lean, a consulting company that specializes in Lean construction. With two decades of experience in construction project management, Brian is well equipped to handle the vagaries of the construction industry. In this episode, Brian discussed "better,...
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AQP S02 E11 - Dr. Lucas Chesla
Dr. Lucas Chesla, LSSMBB, PMP, is a veteran of the United States Marine Corp (hoo-rah!), and the founder and president of ValueAdded616. VA616 has helped companies realize over $300,000,000 in bottom line savings, over 550,000 hours earned back for clients, and over 500 students trained and...
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AQP S02 E10 - Albert Octovianus
Albert Octovianus joins us from Jakarta, Indonesia to discuss change management! Albert has a background in engineering, but has spent his last few years working with the Human Resources department on facilitating change management. Albert brings deep insight and lots of good "gems" to a...
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AQP S02 E09 - Marnie Schmidt
This week Marnie Schmidt joins us to talk about getting CI and QA to play nice together! As companies have evolved over time, layers of management systems have sometimes left the organization clumsy, stiff, and resistant to change. Instead of fighting over territory, organizational silos can work...
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S02 E08 - Andrew McLaughlin
This week, Andrew McLaughlin joins us to discuss Lean in construction. Andrew is Lean manager for a large GC, and shares insights and thoughts around the challenges of implementing Lean in the trades.
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AQP S02 E07 - Adam Lawrence
Adam Lawrence is Managing Partner at Process Improvement Partners LLC and author of The Wheel of Sustainability. Join us as we discuss some of the challenges and rewards of coaching teams to sustainable success!
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AQP S02 E06 - Jesse Hernandez
Jesse Hernandez joins us to discuss "creating a winning culture". What does it take to turn your organization into a winner? Jesse points out three major characteristics of a winning culture in this sometimes informative, often humorous episode. Don't miss it!
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AQP S02 E05 - James Davis
James Davis is an Industrial Engineer with Epitec and has a passion for making people's lives better through continuous improvement methodology. Join us as we discuss the necessity of Lean adaptability and the MVP strategy for CI in operations.
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AQP S02 E04 - How to Ask Questions for Effective Operational Improvement
Join Jake Harrell and John Thacker as we dig into the theory of effective questioning! In this informative episode we look at the three main types of questions - Naive, Learning, and Teaching, and how and when to use each type to maximize your effectiveness as a leader of change....
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AQP S02 E03 - Valorie Hendrix
Valorie Hendrix, MBA, joins us to discuss the concept of value function analysis! Valorie is a long-time quality and continuous improvement professional, the owner of Dynamic Empire Consulting, and author of the recently released "Streamlining Function and Value: How to Reduce Cost and Deliver...
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AQP S02 E02 - Jason Haines
Jason Haines is a Lean Consultant and the epitome of servant leadership. Jason has a background as a factory worker, and discusses with us the importance of culture and connecting with your team as we strive for continuous improvement. Don't miss this impactful episode!
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
All things Lean and Continuous Improvement with your hosts, John Thacker Jr and Jake Harrell! Join us for insightful conversations with industry leaders, consultants, and others as we explore the world of Lean. Never dry, never dull, and sometimes a bit irreverent. Don't miss an episode!John Thacker Jr. is an MBA and Lean Six Sigma Black belt with decades of experience in manufacturing, supply chain, 3PL, and consulting.Jake Harrell - The Funniest Lean Guy on LinkedIn - is a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt with extensive experience in manufacturing, logistics, consulting, and humor.
HOSTED BY
John Thacker Jr
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does A Quality Podcast have?
A Quality Podcast currently has 59 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is A Quality Podcast about?
All things Lean and Continuous Improvement with your hosts, John Thacker Jr and Jake Harrell! Join us for insightful conversations with industry leaders, consultants, and others as we explore the world of Lean. Never dry, never dull, and sometimes a bit irreverent. Don't miss an episode!John...
How often does A Quality Podcast release new episodes?
A Quality Podcast has 59 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to A Quality Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts A Quality Podcast?
A Quality Podcast is created and hosted by John Thacker Jr.
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