Episode

Mark’s Favorite Lean Financial Metric – Free Cash Flow as % of Net Income

Do you want to get the attention of leadership? Then you need to speak their language. In this episode, Mark DeLuzio discusses FCF %NI and why this measure is key to a successful Lean transformation.

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Death by Point Kaizen – Why You Need Kaikaku

You will never transform your company by point kaizen alone. Learn why traditional Japanese consultants were not enough in order to propel Danaher into a space all by themselves. Kaikaku (radical change) was a hallmark of Danaher’s Strategy Deployment process.

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The Games We Play With On-Time Delivery Metrics

Mark discusses how companies develop On-Time Delivery KPIs (OTD) that do not reflect the customer’s needs. Learn how Mark calls these “Watermelon KPIs” – GREEN on the outside and RED on the inside. Do your OTD metrics truly drive customer satisfaction?

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Target Costing – Make Money on Job #1

Mark discusses building profitability into the design process via the Target Costing methodology. Roughly 70% of a product’s cost is baked into the product’s design and process, leaving only 30% to Kaizen (post-design). Learn from Mark’s experience as CFO of Danaher’s JAKE Brake, where Target Costing played a significant role in JAKE’s profitability.

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Why Aren’t There More Value Stream Organizations?

Mark talks about the types of Value Stream organizations and their benefits. But why are organizations reluctant to move to a Value Stream structure? Mark discusses the reasons why.

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Jerry Wright – Book Review: “The Insanity Trap – What Your MRP Consultant Won’t Tell You”

Mark talks with Jerry Wright on his new book about the ills of MRP. Jerry talks about his experience of seeing failure after failure with companies trying to perfect MRP. He argues that a Lean Transformation is impossible if MRP is used as the primary resource planning tool. MRP was first introduced in 1964 and despite its failures, is still the tool of choice for so many companies today.

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Griselda Abousleman – The Power of Optimism 

Mark speaks with Griselda Abousleman, an inspiring Lean colleague whose life story encourages all minority women and anyone striving for success. Her journey is detailed in her book, “From the Border to the Boardroom,” where she recounts her upbringing in Brownsville, Texas, and her determination to succeed despite challenges.

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How Do You Define a Defect?

Most people define defects based on an engineering product specification. There is nothing wrong with this. However, in this episode, Mark DeLuzio explains why we need to broaden our thinking when it comes to defining defects.

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The Productivity Hysteria

Are you focusing on productivity as your barometer of Lean improvements? Mark DeLuzio discusses why this approach may be leading your Lean transformation into a brick wall.

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Death by Lean Audits

Have you ever wondered why a supplier is auditing their “customer?” Mark discusses the ills of Lean Audits and the destructive culture created by those executing these audits.

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Generational Yokoten

It appears that the Lean Community has lost its way from the originators of Lean…that is, Toyota. Mark DeLuzio discusses the many reasons why and points out the need for us to get back to basics.

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Respect for People with Nathan Corliss

Nathan Corliss joins Mark DeLuzio to discuss the crucial topic of respect for people within lean transformation processes. As they navigate through personal anecdotes and professional insights, they discuss the significance of understanding and valuing employees’ contributions and the principles of continuous improvement.

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