It's Episode 105 and the highlight Tracy & Elisabeth's interview with Meg Brown, Vice President of Human Resources at Cambridge Air Solution, where they’ve built an amazingly successful Lean culture by combining sheet metal with unconditional love–you know you need to know more about that. For Hot Apps we’ve got a mobile diary that helps you form a practice of reflection and adjustment. And then for Q&A, we asked, what is it that makes us constantly try to fit 10 pounds of…STUFF… in a 5 pound bag? Come hang at the cafe while we discuss! 0:00 - Intro 1:29 - What's on the menu? 2:18 - H ..read more

It's Episode 104 and the highlight is our interview with Paul Critchley, the President of New England Lean Consulting where we find out what’s in store at the first ever New England Lean Summit this September–there’s rumors of a DJ... For Hot Apps, we sampled a platform that could inject a stealth bit of productivity into your family’s day-to-day activities. And for Q&A, we asked, “Is there an optimal intersection of fun and productivity?” Is there ever enough fun? Can you have too much? We’ll settle that question AND have fun doing it. ?  Sit back and enjoy! 0:00 - Intro 1:20 - What ..read more

It's Episode 103 and the highlight is our interview with Ahren Crickard, the Director of the Center for Operational Excellence at UC San Diego and she’ll be sharing all things Process Palooza–the yearly problem-solving festival with the highest octane MC available–a certain Tracy O’Rourke. For Hot Apps, we’ll give you our take on a conference app how good it is at networking. And then for Q&A, we pose the question, "How do you feel about getting lost. Is it a failure or an opportunity?" Sit back and enjoy! 0:00 - Intro 1:22 - What's on the menu? 2:02 - Hot Apps Whova 8:45 - Q&A Lo ..read more

It's Episode 102 and the highlight is our interview with Maribel Topf the Division Manager of Continuous Improvement at Snap-on Tools author of the new book Process Alchemy–she put all her insights into print and we’re going to get a few gems from her. For Hot Apps, we’ll cover an app that might help you find space for yourself in your day. And then we’ll dig into the question of timing–what happens when we wait for just the right moment?   0:00 - Intro 1:07 - What's on the menu? 1:49 - Hot Apps Headspace 8:39 - Q&A Do It Scared!   12:58 -Featured Guest Maribel Top ..read more

It's Episode 101 and the highlight is Tracy an Elisabeth's interview with Tracy Minutolo—Head of Operational Excellence at the technology health company Hologic. We’ll find out how Tracey morphed from a microbiologist into a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt. For Hot Apps, we’ll give you our take on a serious rival for ChatGPT—or a perfect companion for Google—or both. And then we’ll dig into a question that came up recently about our negativity bias—is it a force for good or evil? In the meantime, fill that mug and get comfy! 0:00 - Intro 1:37 - What's on the menu? 2:23 - Hot Apps Perplexity 9:42 ..read more

Today’s highlight is whisky cocktails! Or the reason behind our whiskey cocktails. In a crossover celebration of 100 Cafe episodes, Tracy and Elisabeth invited their good friends Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh of the Lean Whiskey podcast to mark this cafe milestone. They're primed to talk all things podcasting. And for a special Hot Apps segment, these four will let you in on their current favorites, so stay tuned for some solid work tips …but with a twist, or possibly a garnish! 0:00 - Intro 1:52 - What's on the menu? 21:06 - Hot Apps Trello Kainexus Asana Evernote Credly 14:49 - Featu ..read more

It's Episode 99 and the highlight is Tracy and Elisabeth's interview with Allison Kestenbaum, the Supervisor of Spiritual Care and Clinical Pastoral Education at UC San Diego Health. She just got her Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification so we dig into the intersection of continuous improvement and Spiritual care–that’s a new one for everyone out there. For Hot Apps, we’ll cover an app that gives you credit—and we all need credit and recognition. Then we’ll cover a book that recently got some credit and the author just happens to be one of the hosts of this podcast—so stay tuned for gold-med ..read more

It's Episode 98 and the highlight is Tracy & Elisabeth's interview with Lifesharing’s Executive Team—Jeff Trageser and Mike Vazquez. Lifesharing is a nonprofit arm of UC San Diego Health dedicated to organ procurement and—lucky for everyone—they're steeped in continuous improvement. For Hot Apps, we’ll cover a networking app you’re probably aware of, you might even be using, but are you making the most of it? And for Q&A, we’ll discuss the topic of work relationships. Are you a “just-the-facts ma'am” Joe Friday type? If asking people about themselves feels like “fluff” —are you hamstri ..read more

It's Episode 97 and the  highlight is Tracy & Elisabeth's interview with Cheryl Jekiel, the Founder of Lean Leadership Center, get the scoop on her latest book, Let Go To Lead. Cheryl has a deep background in helping managers go from overpowering to empowering.  For Hot Apps, we’re going to delve into an app that’s been referred to as your "adjunct brain.” It’s a way to hold onto all that stuff you learn and access it when you need it it.  For Q&A, we’ll discuss how to take advantage of an age-old truism–”Necessity is the mother of invention”—If that’s true, how do we co ..read more

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 - Int ..read more