LEAN 911

Ever wonder what a Lean Investor thinks? What they see? The questions they ask? Probably not, since there are so few in existence. In this episode, Mark talks with his long-time friend and colleague of 34 years, Cliff Ransom, of Ransom Research. As a Wall Street Analyst, Cliff covered Danaher, starting in 1990 at their Jake Brake Division. He has dedicated his professional career to the understanding of Lean Thinking as it relates to investing and profitable growth. A life-long learner who has invested his own time on Shingijutsu Study Missions around the world, including Toyota Japan. Having grown up with Danaher, Cliff understands the growth and mindset that made Danaher the powerhouse it is today. Listen as you learn to see Lean through Cliff’s eyes as well as our discussion on the “next generation Danahers.”

Like many poisons, they initially taste good. However, over the course of time, the poison will be your ultimate demise. Mark and Jon talk about how our metrics drive behaviors that fly in the face of Lean principles. Most metrics today do little to truly solve a problem. Traditional accounting, Gemba Boards, and standard KPIs need to be carefully evaluated to ensure they are congruent with your Lean transformation.

Learn about the 7 Flows of Manufacturing as taught by our Sensei Chihiro Nakao of Shingijutsu. Jon takes us through The 7 Flows, which are easy to understand. However, not all that easy to implement. These concepts are a must if you are to call your operations “Lean.”

Mark discusses why TOC was not included in the framework of DBS and how TOC is in conflict with fundamental Lean principles. In the final analysis, it was determined that TOC offered nothing unique when compared to Lean and had the potential to drive the wrong behaviors while creating mass confusion amongst Danaher companies.

Mark talks with Art Byrne, former Danaher executive and Wiremold CEO, about the early days at Danaher. Learn that it was more than the factory floor that had to change…more importantly, it was the mindset of Danaher’s leadership. Art and Mark discuss the history of Jake Brake and Jacobs Chuck, the two early adopters of the Toyota Productions System, as led by the disciples of Taiichi Ohno, Shingijutsu Consulting, LTD. Little did Art know that we would be setting the stage for the adoption of Lean in the United States and beyond.

Mark talks with Art Byrne, former Danaher executive and Wiremold CEO. Art talks about the elements to create a Lean culture. In plain words, Art states that culture is defined as: “Just the way we do things here.” As you listen to Art, who pioneered one of the most successful Lean transformations at Wiremold, you will see the emphasis he places on people and his strict advice as to the changes a CEO needs to make in order to successfully execute a Lean transformation.

Mark talks with Lean Horizons’ Managing Director, Kevin Mathis, about why a company needs an experienced Lean Sensei (teacher). Learn Kevin’s 5 Points of a Lean Sensei as well as what Toyota has to say about this.

Mark talks with Art Byrne, former Danaher executive and Wiremold CEO. This Lean Pioneer has led some of the most successful Lean turnarounds in brownfield environments. Art discusses his latest publication, “The Lean Answer Book” which documents the most common questions Art had been asked in over four decades regarding Lean Transformations.