GA 557 | Meeting Customer Demand with Gary Cihak

GA 557 | Meeting Customer Demand with Gary Cihak

Author: Ron Pereira: Lean Thinker & Co-Founder of Gemba Academy December 5, 2024 Duration: 23:13

This week’s guest is Gary Cihak. Ron and Gary discussed Gary’s Six Sigma Green Belt project, what he learned from it, how he dealt with the resistance that followed, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here.

In this episode you’ll learn: 

  • The quote that inspires Gary (3:21)
  • About Gary and his background (3:52)
  • How he was introduced to continuous improvement (4:29)
  • The problem Gary was trying to solve with his Six Sigma Green Belt project (5:07)
  • A project Ron worked on (8:23)
  • What Gary did and learned from his project (9:03)
  • The resistance he was met with (10:37)
  • Tactics he used with frontline workers (11:45)
  • Getting leadership buy-in (12:38)
  • Navigating the transition from batch production to one-piece flow (13:23)
  • What he learned about people (19:12)
  • Advice to those at the beginning of their lean journeys (20:05)

Podcast Resources

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Hosted by Ron Pereira, a lean thinker and co-founder of Gemba Academy, the Gemba Academy Podcast is a deep and practical resource for anyone looking to build a better organization. The conversations here move beyond theory, focusing on the real-world application of methodologies like Lean Six Sigma and Toyota Kata. You’ll hear from practitioners and leaders who share stories from the front lines, detailing how they tackle complex problems, foster genuine productivity, and develop effective teams. Each episode feels like a candid workshop, breaking down concepts into actionable steps you can apply immediately. This isn't about abstract ideals; it's about the tangible work of improvement, from the shop floor to the executive suite. Tune in for a learning experience that challenges conventional wisdom and provides the tools for meaningful change. The Gemba Academy Podcast turns the philosophy of continuous improvement into a clear and accessible path forward for business professionals and educators alike.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Gemba Academy Podcast: Lean Six Sigma | Toyota Kata | Productivity | Leadership
Podcast Episodes
GA 538 | The High Achievers Success Cycle with Nina Sossamon-Pogue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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GA 537 | Standing Up a Lean and Six Sigma Program with Gary Cihak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week’s guest is Gary Cihak. Ron and Gary discussed what it takes to build a Lean and Six Sigma program, the Job Instruction component of TWI, why 5S isn’t just a series of chores, and more. An MP3 audio version of t…
GA 535 | Transforming Meetings with Evan Unger [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week’s guest is Evan Unger. Ron and Evan discussed what often goes wrong in meetings, especially high-stakes meetings, as well as practical tips for making meetings successful. An MP3 audio version of this episode i…
GA 534 | Leadership and The Virtue of Magnanimity with Ricky Shoop [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week’s guest is Ricky Shoop. Ron and Ricky discussed the concept of magnanimity, what it means to be a magnanimous leader, examples of magnanimous historical figures, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode i…
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Duration: 0:00
This week’s guest is Malti Bhojwani. Ron and Malti discussed personal and professional transformations, different types of motivation, the importance of having a good work/life balance, and more. An MP3 audio version of…
GA 532 | Martial Arts and Continuous Improvement with Chad Senkowski [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
This week’s guest is Chad Senkowski. Ron and Chad discussed martial arts, Chad’s podcast The Journey, coaching, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In this episode you’ll learn:…
GA 531 | Lean at MacDonald & Owen with Clint West [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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This week’s guest is Clint West. Ron and Clint discussed MacDonald & Owen’s lean journey, the state of lean in the lumber industry, navigating biases, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for downl…
GA 530 |  Keeping People Engaged with Ahmed Radwan [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
This week’s guest is Ahmed Radwan. Ron and Ahmed discussed engagement, what it means to build a “lighthouse,” sustaining kaizen efforts, and more. An MP3 audio version of this episode is available for download here. In t…

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