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 t ..read more

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 Guest Elisabeth Swan Tracy O'Rourke 28:20 - Upcoming Events April 19 Book Lau ..read more

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 ..read more

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 ..read more

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 Y ..read more

It's Episode 84 and the highlight is Tracy & Elisabeth's interview with Lean practitioner Arnout Orelio who's latest book, Lean Thinking for Emerging Healthcare Leaders, is coming out this fall. Great insights on what makes improvements "stick" in healthcare. For Hot Apps we spotlight a super-basic digital whiteboard that adds simple sparks to collaboration. And for Q&A we asked our community about giving credit—it’s often what people care most about –so why doesn’t it happen enough?   Tune in and Tracy and Elisabeth will give you the credit you deserve! 0:06 - Intro 1:24 - What ..read more

It's Episode 83 and the highlight is Tracy's interview with AME President Kimberlee Humphrey. We’ll get an inside look at the Association for Manufacturing Excellence, what's in store for the Dallas conference, and how Kimberlee is changing the status quo. For Hot Apps we’ll review a remote technique for supporting teams in their quest for reflection and growth. And for Q&A we asked our community how they resist giving advice when it might rob others of the chance to learn and grow. It’s post labor day at the cafe, are you still wearing white?!   Timeline 0:06 - Intro 1:22 - What's O ..read more

It's Episode 82 and the highlight is Tracy and Elisabeth's interview with the host of the Lean Leadership for Ops Managers Podcast, Jamie Parker. She calls herself a "Recovering Command & Control" manager and we'll find out how she uses that experience to help other leaders. Next up we’ve invited a power user to tell us about an app that helps you gather onsite data in an instant. And for Q&A we asked our community if they ever realized the best thing to do was to get out of the way.   It's a good day to be at the cafe!   Timeline 0:06 - Intro 01:51 - What's On The Menu 02:3 ..read more

It's episode 81 and the highlight is Tracy and Elisabeth's interview with Visionary Leader Deondra Wardelle. They uncover how this Toyota Kata practitioner has put her considerable problem-solving skills to work supporting the #RootCauseRacism movement. Next up we’ll review an app that lets you collect, share, evaluate, experiment, incubate, & develop the best ideas in your organization. And for Q&A we asked our community if they ever got their customers “wrong.” Apparently that happens a lot more than you might think.   There's a lot going on at the cafe!   Timeline 0:06 ..read more

It's episode 80 and the highlight is Tracy and Elisabeth's interview with Business Consultant Thomas Bertals. As the host of the "Work Matters" Podcast, he's developed a way to address the "Big Quit" with a novel problem-solving approach. For "Hot Apps" we review a bare-bones, no frills "post-it" app that lets you brainstorm across oceans. And for Q&A we asked our community how they helped people navigate the “messy middle” of process improvement.   More crowd-sourced wisdom for the cafe community.   Timeline 0:06 - Intro 01:28 - What's On The Menu 02:13 - Hot Apps The Ideazboa ..read more