PODCAST · business
The Rest is Lean
by Alan Lothian, John Dee, Russell Watkins
The Rest is Lean Channel is a light-hearted and educational look at how to make businesses better through Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence. Suited for all levels of understanding and from any industry or geographical region. John, Alan & Russell are time-served lean professionals with over 30 years each in this field. Leading and coaching some of the best businesses from SMEs to multi-nationals. Trained by some of the highest calibre Japanese masters from Toyota(one step from Ohno himself), Honda and Nissan , we want to share our experiences with you, allowing some of these 'pearls of wisdom' to help make your business processes, people, and profitability that little bit better each day. We welcome your comments, questions, and guidance on future discussion topics so feel free to drop us a line via the comments section or via email. [email protected] Oh, and don't forget to subscribe!!
Episodes
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Freedom within a Framework - A Safe Place to Develop Leadership Capability & Empowerment
Send us Fan Mail Toyota leadership thank the operator when the Andon is activated and the line stops. If an operator stopped a machine in your organisation, would you say the same? In this episode we discuss Freedom within a Framework. An opportunity to safely develop leadership capability…
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Recruiting Lean Queens - LinkedIn Lunacy, Zoom Chaos & Gemba Games
Send us Fan Mail Problem solving the challenge of finding Lean strength and depth in your organisation. What traits should we be looking for and what should set the alarm bells? Does LinkedIn and Zoom help or hinder in making the right decision? These are some of the questions we take from our...
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Lean v Elon Musk, Smugglers and "The Idiot Index"
Send us Fan Mail Elon Musk and Drug Smugglers. Can we learn from those we may not like? Are our biases meaning that we are missing a good opportunity to learn? The new series of The Rest is Lean Podcast gets underway, full of interesting discussion and plenty of laughs Following on from Alan's...
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5S, 6S or 7S? 7 or 8 Wastes? Find out what boils our p!$$
Send us Fan Mail Do you really know the real well-meant intent of the Lean Tools / Techniques of 5S and 7 Wastes? Maybe you've heard 6S (or even 7S) and 8 Wastes for example and then wondered why? If so, this is the podcast episode for you! S5 P1 The new series of The Rest is Lean Podcast gets...
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Which Gemba would you like to go to? Lean Leadership & Analogies in Premier League Football
Send us Fan Mail Can Lean tools & techniques be applied successfully in all walks of life? Which Gemba would you like to visit to develop your knowledge and experience? From design offices to premier league football, Team TRIL discuss and debate if lean thinking is transferrable, and if so, what...
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The Rest is Lean Podcast LIVE Edition at Subcon 2026 aka Why does lean fail & how to avoid it
Send us Fan Mail Suffering with long lead times, poor productivity, quality, or delivery performance? Struggling to make your improvement efforts stick? Learn from those with over nearly 30 years experience in the field. Japanese trained from Toyota & Honda #TheRestIsLean goes live with our…
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The TRIL Leadership Interview Series Part 2 - Mark Hemming
Send us Fan Mail The Rest is Lean (#TRIL) Leadership Series of Podcasts brings you powerful conversations with professionals from across the globe, sharing real-world experiences in lean manufacturing and leadership Each episode dives into the principles, challenges, and successes that shape…
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The TRIL Leadership Interview Series Part 1 - Mark Hemming
Send us Fan Mail The Rest is Lean (#TRIL) Leadership Series of Podcasts brings you powerful conversations with professionals from across the globe, sharing real-world experiences in lean manufacturing and leadership Each episode dives into the principles, challenges, and successes that shape…
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Our Visit to SubCon 2026 aka The Take That Man
Send us Fan Mail Global Manufacturing Expertise & The take that Man. Our annual pilgrimage to the NEC for SUBCON 2026. One of 2 episodes recorded at the 2-day show which showcases some of the best products and companies that support global manufacturing This episode involves a whistle-stop tour…
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Questions to ask to get a feel for a business aka What problem are you trying to solve?
Send us Fan Mail Back to our usual episodes and this one will really help you really get under the skin of a company in a relatively short space of time. So if you're new to a business, or a lean change agent then this episode is for you! Russell shares his recent trip to the Northern Ireland…
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The TRIL Leadership Interview Series - Delphine Fillot
Send us Fan Mail The Rest is Lean (#TRIL) Leadership Series of Podcasts brings you powerful conversations with professionals from across the globe, sharing real-world experiences in lean manufacturing and leadership Each episode dives into the principles, challenges, and successes that shape…
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Sustaining Lean Transformation aka How Long Do You Persevere?
Send us Fan Mail Engaging people and gaining 'Buy-in' from employees. That's the main topic of this episode of The Rest Is Lean Podcast Join John, Russell & Alan for our usual 30minute ramble as we discuss our Lean experiences. Discussions include: Are there really that many 'negative' employees...
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The TRIL Leadership Interview Series - Ian Mountain
Send us Fan Mail The Rest is Lean (#TRIL) Leadership Series of Podcasts brings you powerful conversations with professionals from across the globe, sharing real-world experiences in lean manufacturing and leadership Each episode dives into the principles, challenges, and successes that shape…
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Does removing variation inhibit innovation? aka The Normalisation of Deviation.
Send us Fan Mail This episode sees the #TRIL Team ramble and rummage through how lean tools and techniques, flow, and human behaviour are involved/applied to the experience of driving vehicles Russell talks about his recent speeding exploits and how his A3 summary helped him improve his driving...
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Thank you for Stopping the Line aka John's 'Cuddly' Trip to Toyota Deeside
Send us Fan Mail The #TRIL Team ramble through the 2nd podcast of series 4 where the trio of John, Russell and Alan share their recent exploits and experiences The guys talk about their recent visit to Leafield Marine where MD (and good friend of the team) Ian Mountain, took the time out to walk…
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Lean Browsers & Ugly Babies aka David's Sandwich
Send us Fan Mail Our very own Lean Leaders of Russell, John and Alan take to the floor once again in their 4th series of The Rest is Lean Podcast In this episode, Team #TRIL kick off the series with a rather detailed email from one of their long time followers. This develops into the usual…
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The TRIL Leadership Interview Series - Astrid Mozes
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, Alan welcomes his friend and work colleague from days gone by, Astrid Mozes. With decades of leadership experience within global manufacturing organisations such as Eaton and Danfoss, having held positions as CTO, VP, SVP and President, Astrid is now Chair of the...
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How Lean Helps in Real Life aka The Puppet Show Looks Different but the Strings are the Same!
Send us Fan Mail Another down to earth episode of #TheRestIsLean Podcast with Team TRIL (Russell, John and Alan). In this episode, find out: - How John's 'Soul Searching' went - The end result of Russell's recent training in Alchemy! - Tips on how to get the best out of your plant tours and…
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Who's your Phone-A-Friend Al? aka The Problem, The Difficulty!
Send us Fan Mail The 'Leaders of Lean' in the form of John, Russell, and Alan embark on another ramble of lean proportions In this jam-packed episode, Team #TRIL discuss topics such as: - Russell's start-up escapades - John's Coat of Arms and Alchemy links - Alan's appearance in the 'Hot Seat' of…
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The TRIL Leadership Interview Series - Rob Marchant
Send us Fan Mail The Rest is Lean (#TRIL) Podcast brings you powerful conversations with professionals from across the globe, sharing real-world experiences in lean manufacturing and leadership Each episode dives into the principles, challenges, and successes that shape modern organisations—told…
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I'll Stop When You Squeak! aka What Happens if We Don't Improve?
Send us Fan Mail Another exciting episode from the guys at TRIL In addition to the usual banter from the three lean musketeers, and the usual 'Quote of the Week' segment, find out why: - Russell enjoyed his books and recent Taphouse visits - John is getting so excited about his electric tricycle…
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Leadership, Listening and Gemba aka Looking Through a Different Lens
Send us Fan Mail The #TRIL Team get together once again to share their experiences through their decades in Lean Transformation, Leadership and Continuous Improvement endeavours. In this episode learn about: - Traits of a good leader such as active listening - The Importance of Gemba - Football...
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The Tact of Takt II aka You Can't Be a Little Bit Pregnant!
Send us Fan Mail A continuation from our previous Tact is Takt episode, due to the deluge of questions asked by our subscribers. Options to deal with variations in your Takt calculation, visualising the opportunity for further improvement, skills, flexibility, 8 Wastes, and the impact of WIP are...
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The Tact of Takt aka A Trip to Japan
Send us Fan Mail The #TRIL Team are back with another episode sharing their latest exploits and experiences, revolving around lean leadership, continuous improvement and OpEx. In this episode Russ gives us an insight into his recent trip to Japan, and John rambles on around the adventures of the...
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The TRIL Leadership Interview Series - Glyn Holman
Send us Fan Mail The Rest is Lean (#TRIL) Podcast brings you powerful conversations with professionals from across the globe, sharing real-world experiences in lean manufacturing and leadership. Each episode dives into the principles, challenges, and successes that shape modern organizations—told...
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PDCA or CAPDo aka In-SPIRE-ing Lean
Send us Fan Mail Another episode for Team #tril to get their teeth into and they get underway with some subsciber questions, one of which with a 'divine' theme which leads them to exploring the statement that Lean can be applied anywhere and everywhere. Alan brings a recent experience of 5S/6S…
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Lean You Wouldn't Do? aka Red Flags & Frogs in Wells
Send us Fan Mail John returns to the fold from his hiatus. Team #tril revisit a previous episode with some real world examples of where potentially doing too much lean has had some 'interesting' consequences! They also challenge their values and beliefs when it comes work. Find out what work the...
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Voice of the Customer aka The 'Pull' of Learning
Send us Fan Mail The Dynamic Duo of Russell & Alan bring in Series 3 with a bang! With John missing (don't worry he'll be back!) the guys get stuck in to topics and comments from our audience. In this episode we focus on Voice of the Customer and the 'pull' this can provide businesses to learn...
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Season 2 Finale aka Tool or not to Tool, That is the Question
Send us Fan Mail As Team #TRIL bring this season to a close, they try to address some of the ever expanding questions the pod is receiving from its ever increasing subscriber base. "Which one of the improvement tools would you suggest to train a newbie in first?" "What improvement literature…
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Too Much Lean, Is it possible? aka Tesla and Toyota Insights
Send us Fan Mail This episode looks at a question many of our subscribers are asking: Can you do too much lean? Team #TRIL try their best to share their views on this very interesting topic by covering certain points such as: - "Rationing" Kaizen - Driving the right behaviours for Lean. - Dangers...
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World Class Team Leader Training Ideas aka Is This Legal???
Send us Fan Mail Continuing on from our previous episode on world class team leader competencies, the #TRIL Team talk about their experiences on courses they've led or experienced by others, to help create these competencies and instil in future team leaders. You'll find some of those experiences...
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World Class Team Leader Competencies aka Going Global
Send us Fan Mail This episode is going places! Russell shares with the team the reach that the podcast is extending to. You'll be surprised (but not as much as we were!) Team #TRIL delve into the world of the team leader to understand the competencies that make truly world class TLs, as well as...
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Visual Management, Gemba and Escalation aka 'The Autonomic System'
Send us Fan Mail Following on from the last episode on SQCDP, the #tril Team use this as an opportunity to answer some of the great questions we've had from our listeners. Topics include: - Visual Management in general - The 1-3-10 rule & 1-3-3 rule for visual management boards - Rules of...
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Measuring SQCDP and ensuring value over cost aka 'The measures of unintended consequence'
Send us Fan Mail Following the aftermath of #subcon2025, Team #TRIL discuss the dangers of measuring the wrong things in your business. and how to ensure you have balance to drive the right behaviours and enable your business to thrive! Other topics include: - Russell interviewing the wife (will...
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Keeping it simple is the key to sustainable lean transformation aka 'Goat or Car'
Send us Fan Mail Sustainability and keeping it simple!! Continuing our conversations around lean transformation and sustaining it in your business, John, Russell & Alan (Team#tril) have finally recovered from their trip to #subcon2025. As well as our regular 'Japanese Word' slot the guys continue...
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#subcon2025 Special Edition. Podcast live at the NEC 'Why lean sustainability can fail'
Send us Fan Mail For the first time ever, The Rest is Lean Podcast goes on the road! This time to Subcon2025 at the NEC in Birmingham UK. #subcon2025 The #trilteam enjoy a jam-packed 2 days at the event, taking in some fantastic examples of manufacturing innovation from companies all over the...
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Barriers to sustainable Lean. Visible support & need 4 lean aka 'When no problem is a problem'
Send us Fan Mail Sustainability is the name of the game. Lean Transformations and how to make them stick! In preparation for our pending visit to #subcon2025, Team #tril discuss some of the key attributes that make a lean transformation a successful lean transformation. The 'need' of the...
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Useful Gadgets & Team Dynamics for #lean professionals #nlp aka 'Man Down Man Down!'
Send us Fan Mail Oh no what are we to do? Where is Russell? Both John and Alan hold the fort this time around as Russ takes a well deserved break. As well as catching up on recent events, the #TRILTeam (Lite!) get onto the topics of Team Dynamics and Activity 'Gadgets'. How important is team…
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Quality, Cost & Delivery #qcd The essential KPI's for every lean team brief? aka Q&A Session
Send us Fan Mail If you thought the last episode was a good one then you're in for a real treat with this! Our first Q&A Podcast of the new series sees #TeamTRIL go through a raft of questions posed by our subscribers. Our Japanese word of the week segment gets another look in, plus the usual...
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The 4 types of problem solving skill. Is return to standard Kaizen? aka New season Rambling
Send us Fan Mail Series 2 gets underway with a belter! #TeamTRIL share some of their problem solving experiences (good & bad). There's some good old-fashioned 'kimono opening' by the guys along with Russ' Japanese Word of the Week and his "Ambush Question". There will definitely be some 'Restless...
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Rachel Reeves faces UK manufacturing questions aka 'Look after our SMEs & Apprentices!'
Send us Fan Mail As Series 1 comes to a close #TeamTRIL discuss Russ' recent visit to the Make UK Conference in London. As well as playing 'Word Bingo' and fine craft beers (don't ask!!), some of the key questions, posed to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, are shared, providing an opportunity for the…
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Jugaad to TPM. The merits of using foreign words in your business aka "Talking Japanese'
Send us Fan Mail The Team discuss the use of non-native words and phrases within your business. Do they help or hinder? #Jugaad makes an unexpected appearance! Do Three-letter acronyms count as a foreign language? John Dee. DEE Enterprise Excellence Ltd. www.dee.uk.net Alan Lothian. 3A Business...
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Start your lean journey. Is Honda, Toyota, Nissan's approach different? aka 'A Borg Mentality'
Send us Fan Mail This episode is a real rollercoaster of a podcast! The TRIL Team offer their thoughts on a question about how to start your lean journey if your the leader of a business. They cover the capabilities required to make highly effective people within your lean organisation. Also some...
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Who is the best Operator? & how does a group share lean practice aka Buddy plants & pull
Send us Fan Mail This episode is jam-packed with tips and stories from our previous lean exploits. Picking up from an audience question, the team quickly get on to the topic of discussing their 'Best' Operator experiences. Also, how lean (if applied effectively) should helping the operator…
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Avoid the most common red tagging mistakes in 5S activities aka 'A Dose of 5S Part 2'
Send us Fan Mail This episode continues from the great discussions the team had previously on 5S (or 5C) Alan, Russell & John reflect on their experiences on 5S activities they've led over the years The purpose of 5S The real intent of the red tag (which may surprise a few!) When red tags are not...
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Deploying 5S, 5C, Workplace Organisation. It's a Lean model, not a script aka 'A Dose of 5S'
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the guys give their views and responses to some of the subscriber questions, including a continuation from our previous episode around 'The Toughest Job'. Having discussed what the guys have been up to since they last met, the episode primarily focussed on 5S (or...
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We name the toughest job in manufacturing & how to support them in lean aka "well meant intent"
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the guys give their views and responses to some of the subscriber questions, including the power of perspective! Russell also poses the question on what is the toughest role in an organisation. Many of you maybe surprised by our responses!! As ever, the TRIL Team...
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Live Pareto charts and alternate data for effective CI Op-ex and Lean, aka 'Skip Diving'
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the guys discuss Data and Digital Transformation. From the pitfalls of planning and preparation to simple, low cost alternatives to converting data into accurate information quickly, allowing you to make the right decisions fast! John tries out his new E-Bike and...
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Effective Start of Shift Briefs and the negative impact of bad ones aka 'Check-in Fury'
Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the guys find out that the podcast is gaining global reach and they take some Q&A from the audience. They also offer their take on the importance of starting your shift well and how to make your start of shift briefs as effective as possible. Last but certainly…
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The nature of night shifts, and avoiding the lean blocker 'Silo Mentality' aka 'Night Silos'
Send us Fan Mail In this Episode, the boys discuss amoungst other things, The culture challenges and advantages of working on Night shifts. Also we look at the importance of avoiding departmental or 'Silo' mentality. Russel also shares a top tip for our subscribers to try. If you want dry, facts…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The Rest is Lean Channel is a light-hearted and educational look at how to make businesses better through Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence.
Suited for all levels of understanding and from any industry or geographical region.
John, Alan & Russell are time-served lean professionals with over 30 years each in this field. Leading and coaching some of the best businesses from SMEs to multi-nationals.
Trained by some of the highest calibre Japanese masters from Toyota(one step from Ohno himself), Honda and Nissan , we want to share our experiences with you, allowing some of these 'pearls of wisdom' to help make your business processes, people, and profitability that little bit better each day.
We welcome your comments, questions, and guidance on future discussion topics so feel free to drop us a line via the comments section or via email.
Oh, and don't forget to subscribe!!
HOSTED BY
Alan Lothian, John Dee, Russell Watkins
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Rest is Lean have?
The Rest is Lean currently has 51 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Rest is Lean about?
The Rest is Lean Channel is a light-hearted and educational look at how to make businesses better through Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence. Suited for all levels of understanding and from any industry or geographical region. John, Alan & Russell are time-served lean professionals with...
How often does The Rest is Lean release new episodes?
The Rest is Lean has 51 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Rest is Lean?
You can listen to The Rest is Lean 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 The Rest is Lean?
The Rest is Lean is created and hosted by Alan Lothian, John Dee, Russell Watkins.
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