The Just-in-Time Cafe Podcast

Running the Experiments at Menlo Innovations, with Rich Sheridan

It's episode 95 and the highlight is Tracy & Elisabeth's interview with Rich Sheridan, the CEO and Chief Storyteller at Menlo Innovations. Rich’s ingeniously Lean-incognito workplace sparks joy in all who enter. Menlo recovered from Covid with their best year to date, and Rich explains why. For Hot Apps, the AI exploration continues. This time it's some free help with project presentations. And for Q&A it's the Praise Paradox. We all want to be acknowledged, but we don’t often see ourselves as the source of praise for others. Why is that, and what can we do about it?

 

• 0:00 - Intro
• 01:23 - What's on the Menu?
• 02:32 - Hot Apps
  • SlidesAI.io (Chrome Extension)
• 10:09 - Q&A
  • "How do you handle the Praise Paradox?"
• 19:58 - Featured Guest
  • Rich Sheridan
• 46:46 - Upcoming Events
  • New Workshop 10/24: "Value Stream Mapping Unleashed"
  • October Webinar 10/19: "Causal Reasoning: Lean Special Sauce for Root Cause Analysis"
  • New Bestselling Book, "Picture Yourself A Leader"
  • New Lean Parody Video, "Baby Got Tools!"

 

Thanks for Listening!

 

Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com.

 

Link to the video version of this podcast: https://www.jitcafe.com/post/running-the-experiments-at-menlo-innovations-with-rich-sheridan

 

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A Lean Revolution in Higher Education, with Krista Schulte

It's Episode 94 and the highlight is Tracy & Elisabeth's interview with Krista Schulte, the Assistant Director of Operational Excellence for the University of Michigan. Krista gave us a glimpse into how Lean gains traction in higher education. For Hot Apps, we’ll delve into Artificial Intelligence again–and the results are real–and really useful. We’ll tell you how to use it for problem-solving change management. And for Q&A, we touch on the temptation to do things ourselves even when we sacrifice collaboration.

 

• 0:00 - Intro
• 01:33 - What's on the Menu?
• 02:21 - Hot Apps
  • Writesonic
• 12:33 - Q&A
  • "What is the cost of working in isolation?"
• 17:59 - Featured Guest
  • Krista Schulte
• 41:50 - Upcoming Events
  • September Webinar: "Value Stream Mapping: Charting the Course & Unveiling the Power"
  • New Bestselling Book, "Picture Yourself A Leader"
  • New Lean Parody Video, "Baby Got Tools!"

 

Thanks for Listening!

 

Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com.

 

Link to the video version of this podcast: https://www.jitcafe.com/post/when-strategy-vision-and-queens-convene-with-deondra-wardelle

 

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- RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/JITCafe/feed.xml

When Strategy, Vision, and Queens Convene, with Deondra Wardelle

It's episode 93 and the highlight is Tracy & Elisabeth's interview with the internet doyenne, Deondra Wardelle. We explore the intersection she’s created between Vision, Strategy, and Continuous Improvement—and maybe tiaras For Hot Apps, Deondra is sitting in as our guest reviewer to showcase an app that helps you with the elusive goal of staying on top of everything and get stuff done with other people. And for Q&A, we touch on an issue that came up during our recent livestream session–how do leaders form bonds with workers when workloads seem to get in the way? It's an iced coffee day at the Cafe!

 

• 0:00 - Intro
• 01:11 - What's on the Menu?
• 02:11 - Hot Apps
  • Basecamp
• 16:25 - Q&A
  • "How can leaders form relationships with their staff when workloads seem to get in the way?"
• 22:05 - Featured Guest
  • Deondra Wardelle
• 50:10 - Upcoming Events
  • August Webinar: "The Triple Win: Designing Work that Delivers for Everyone"
  • Lean Leadership Workshop at UC San Diego in August
  • New Bestselling Book, "Picture Yourself A Leader"
  • New Lean Parody Video, "Baby Got Tools!"

 

Thanks for Listening!

 

Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com.

 

Link to the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/Vno832Cs5Rs

 

Find us on:

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- RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/JITCafe/feed.xml

Embracing Mistakes, Courage, and Culture, with Mark Graban

It's Episode 92 and the highlight is Tracy & Elisabeth's interview with powerhouse author Mark Graban. They dig into his latest book that just hit the bookshelves—The Mistakes that Make Us. They delve into how he turned an innovative podcast into a bestselling workplace culture guide. For Hot Apps we highlight a way to use your phone and friends to build your habits of excellence. And for Q&A we address the challenge of showcasing the return on investment, ROI, of continuous improvement. Each improvement effort is an asset, and yet when budgets get tight, dispensing with Lean Six Sigma can be seen as a cost-saving maneuver. We’ll discuss why that happens, and what you can do about it.

 

• 0:00 - Intro
• 01:20 - What's on the Menu?
• 02:11 - Hot Apps
  • HabitShare
• 09:20 - Q&A
  • "How to connect finance with problem solvers"
• 17:27 - Featured Guest
  • Mark Graban
  • Buy the book, The Mistakes That Make Us
• 51:39 - Upcoming Events
  • July Webinar: "Strategic Innovation: Empowering Changemakers"
  • Lean Leadership Workshop at UC San Diego in August
  • New Bestselling Book, "Picture Yourself A Leader"
  • New Lean Parody Video, "Baby Got Tools!"

 

Thanks for Listening!

 

Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com.

 

Link to the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/N4x8KhntGxM

 

Find us on:

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- RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/JITCafe/feed.xml

Six Sigma Sauvignon, with Christian and Rachel Ahlmann

It's Episode 91 and the highlight is Tracy’s interview with Rachel and Christian Ahlmann. They own a winery that answers the question, what if you combined Six Sigma with fermentation? The most efficient venue for growing, bottling, and tasting in Northern California! For Hot Apps we’re highlighting the e-gathering spot for the gig economy—named after the idea that $5 is an excellent place to start. And for Q&A we address the issue of myths and misinformation—do you know the source of the facts you’re citing?

 

• 0:00 - Intro
• 01:29 - What's on the Menu?
• 02:11 - Hot Apps
  • Fiverr
• 08:55 - Q&A
  • "Do you know the source of the facts you're citing?"
• 16:13 - Featured Guest
  • Christian & Rachel Ahlmann
  • Six Sigma Ranch & Winery
• 48:27 - Upcoming Events
  • June 22 Webinar: "Creativity: Gift, Necessary Skill, or Superpower?"
  • Lean Leadership Workshop at UC San Diego in August
  • New Bestselling Book, "Picture Yourself A Leader"
  • New Lean Parody Video, "Baby Got Tools!"

 

Thanks for Listening!

 

Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com.

 

Link to the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/x_eSbW7ZY64

 

Find us on:

- Apple Podcasts

- Stitcher

- Podbean

- Spotify

- RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/JITCafe/feed.xml

Four-Legged Lean and the Voice of the Underdog, with Katie Labedz

It's Episode 90 and the highlight is Tracy and Elisabeth's interview with a kindred Lean spirit and author, Katie Labedz! She’s written a couple of very accessible books and they uncover her secrets to helping ordinary people apply Lean to places you wouldn't expect. And for Q&A we tackle the paradoxical reality of leaders who don’t see themselves…as leaders. Why does that happen and how do you address it?

 

• 0:00 - Intro
• 01:26 - What's on the Menu?
• 02:04 - Q&A
  • Do you see yourself as a leader?
• 09:22 - Featured Guest
  • Katie Labedz
• 34:50 - Upcoming Events
  • May 25 Webinar: How to Use Knowledge Management for Organizational Good with Cindy Young
  • Lean Leadership Workshop at UC San Diego in August
  • New Bestselling Book, "Picture Yourself A Leader"
  • New Lean Parody Video, "Baby Got Tools!"

 

Thanks for Listening!

 

Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com.

 

Link to the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/v2EVg6BJU7A

 

Find us on:

- Apple Podcasts

- Stitcher

- Podbean

- Spotify

- RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/JITCafe/feed.xml

A Lean Rap Video and a New Book at the Cafe!

It's Episode 89 and the highlight is Elisabeth and Tracy! They were so excited that they completely hijacked the podcast, so this month’s episode is dedicated to the cafe founders. Elisabeth discovers what led to Tracy's internet-busting lean parody music video, and Tracy grills Elisabeth about her brand new Lean leadership book! Listen in for the behind-the-scenes stories and get the scoop on upcoming events for these two.

It’s all happening at the cafe!

• 0:00 - Intro
• 00:38 - What's on the Menu?
• 01:15 - Featured Guests
  • Elisabeth Swan
  • Tracy O'Rourke
• 28:20 - Upcoming Events
  • April 19 Book Launch: Invitation to the Book Launch Party for Picture Yourself a Leader by Elisabeth Swan
  • April 21 Webinar: "Stay 'Flowcused': Use Lean Thinking to Go from Overwhelm to Flow" with Stefany Oliver

Thanks for Listening!

 

Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com.

 

Link to the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/df23qLXJ4ko

 

Find us on:

- Apple Podcasts

- Stitcher

- Podbean

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- RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/JITCafe/feed.xml

Lean, IT, and UC San Diego’s Process Palooza, with Miguel Rodriguez

It's Episode 88 and the highlight is Tracy and Elisabeth's interview with Miguel Rodriguez. Miguel is the Educational Technology Analyst in charge of Communication for this year’s Process Palooza—UC San Diego’s signature live, Lean Six Sigma Competition. He’s also been a contestant so we’ll hear his take on this crazy improvement festival. For Hot Apps we’re highlighting red-hot Artificial Intelligence—Depending on who you talk to it’s either a godsend of information, or the reason college students will never learn to write. And for Q&A we address the issue of expectations with improvement. Is it okay to improve things a little bit, or do you need to push for big dollar savings? What’s the right approach?

 

It's another great day at the cafe!

• 0:00 - Intro
• 01:25 - What's on the Menu?
• 02:23 - Hot Apps
  • ChatGPT
• 07:04 - Q&A
  • Is it okay for improvements to be small? Should there be a minimum threshold for dollar savings?
• 13:21 - Featured Guest
  • Miguel Rodriguez
• 41:08 - Upcoming Events
  • March 16 Webinar: Five Ways to Build a Healthy Workplace with Kim Crowder
  • March 30 Webinar: Salsa and Standard Work: : Why You Need Recipes, and How to Write Them with Hugh Alley

 

Thanks for Listening!

 

Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com.

 

Link to the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/P90h-74ZEPM

 

Find us on:

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- RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/JITCafe/feed.xml

Educating Educators About Lean, with Dr. Eric Cunningham

It's episode 87, and the highlight is Tracy and Elisabeth's interview with Dr. Eric Cunningham, the dynamic Superintendent for Halifax County, North Carolina. He’s got some inspiring insights on how to build problem solvers in education. He knows what it means to meet people where they are. For Hot Apps we’re highlighting one that’s right under your nose—and you might not be using it to your advantage. And for Q&A we address the issue of culture—It’s a contact sport, so why are people afraid to engage? It's another great day at the cafe!

It's another great day at the cafe!

• 0:00 - Intro
• 01:38 - What's on the Menu?
• 02:18 - Hot Apps
  
  • Your calendar!
• 07:05 - Q&A
  • How do we remind people that culture is a contact sport?
• 13:15 - Featured Guest
  • Dr. Eric Cunningham
• 43:30 - Upcoming Events
  • Webinar: Five Ways to Build a Healthy Workplace

 

Thanks for Listening!

Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com.

Link to the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/ACpzNRi4VHQ

Find us on:

- Apple Podcasts

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- RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/JITCafe/feed.xml

The Sweet Lean Science of Online Learning, with Karen Martin

It's Episode 86 and the highlight is Tracy and Elisabeth's interview with power consultant Karen Martin. A prolific author and longtime Lean Six Sigma juggernaut—Karen opens up about principles and educational science that form the backbone of her TKMG Academy. For Hot Apps we suss out a diagnostic toolset that uses data to helps you build stronger teams. And for Q&A we address the issue of one-and-done problem solvers. Once they’ve been through a workshop–and maybe received a coveted certificate–how do you leverage Lean-Six-Sigma trained employees into consistent contributors?

Happy New Year to the Just-in-Time Cafe Community!

• 0:00 - Intro
• 01:15 - What's on the Menu?
• 02:08 - Hot Apps
  
  • Valence
• 07:15 - Q&A
  • How do you leverage Lean Six Sigma-trained employees into consistent contributors?
• 18:51 - Featured Guest
  • Karen Martin
• 46:26 - Upcoming Events
  • Lean Communication Systems that Build Engagement & Trust

 

Thanks for Listening!

Listen to more podcasts at JITCafe.com.

Link to the video version of this podcast: https://youtu.be/wirJOjgq0fk

Find us on:

- Apple Podcasts

- Stitcher

- Podbean

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- RSS Feed: https://feed.podbean.com/JITCafe/feed.xml