Teaching People to See Waste
How Manufacturers Improve Podcast
Learn how to teach manufacturing teams to identify the 8 forms of waste. Discover why culture beats training and practical tools for waste walks that drive real, continuous improvement results. Manufacturing leaders don’t have to figure it out alone. and tap into workshops, tools, and a network of peers who are ready to share what works.
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Anything is Possible, Everything is Not
How Manufacturers Improve Podcast
Learn how manufacturing leaders balance ambitious goals with limited resources without burning out their teams. Discover prioritization strategies and resource management techniques. Transform your top performers into confident, capable supervisors.
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Launching Lean in Spanish Digital Courses
How Manufacturers Improve Podcast
Discover how manufacturers are solving the lean training gap for Spanish-speaking teams. Learn why authentic, practitioner-led courses outperform scripted content in developing real problem solvers. Turn your best problem solvers into confident improvement leaders.
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A Roadmap to Operational Excellence
How Manufacturers Improve Podcast
Learn the 8-step roadmap that helped cut costs in half and achieve operational excellence. Discover how to create purpose-driven teams, implement tier meetings, and engage frontline problem solvers. Do you have team members ready to lead improvement projects with data-driven precision?
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Top Quality Tools
How Manufacturers Improve Podcast
Learn the essential quality tools every manufacturer needs, including control charts, Pareto analysis, and root cause methods. Discover how to distinguish between normal and special cause variation. Do you have team members who need problem-solving and continuous improvement skills?
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Adapting Your Leadership Style
How Manufacturers Improve Podcast
Manufacturing leaders who adapt their leadership style see greater team engagement and results. In this episode, Richele Butler, the VP of HR at Japs-Olson Company, shares proven strategies for understanding individual team member preferences, reading non-verbal cues, and creating effective communication approaches. Learn how to focus on what you can control, group similar styles together, and build trust through style adaptation. Do you have team members who need leadership training?
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Delegate and Elevate Performance
How Manufacturers Improve Podcast
Manufacturing leaders often struggle with delegation, but mastering this skill is critical for leadership growth and organizational success. In this episode, Jennifer Schwan, Vice President of Operations at CDI Curbs, shares proven strategies for effective delegation. Learn how to identify your "why" for delegating, build trust through alignment rather than process control, and shift your perspective from personal achievement to team development. Podcast Resources: Digital Course: Podcast: Listen to Certification: Not a Manufacturers Alliance member?
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Building High-Performing HR Teams
How Manufacturers Improve Podcast
Build high-performing HR teams that drive real business impact. In this episode, Kirby Sneen sits down with Dale Fruehauf to explore what HR leaders must focus on to shape successful teams, and how manufacturers should prioritize HR roles. Dale shares his secret to attracting top HR talent, strategies for recognizing and rewarding HR team members, ways to leverage “alumni” for advocacy, and insights on how HR can use AI to stay competitive. Whether you're growing your HR function or refining it, you'll find practical takeaways for Building High-Performing HR Teams.
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Staying Coachable as an Executive
How Manufacturers Improve Podcast
What does it take to stay coachable at the highest levels of leadership? In this episode, Steve Murray, Manufacturing Executive, shares powerful lessons on remaining open to feedback, recognizing blind spots, and prioritizing personal growth throughout your career. Whether you're leading a team or aspiring to the next level, you'll gain actionable insights on how coachability can transform your leadership impact and drive continuous improvement in manufacturing. Not a Manufacturers Alliance member? Have a question or topic you’d like featured in a future podcast episode? Podcast...
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5S That Sticks
How Manufacturers Improve Podcast
Sustaining 5S is the hardest step—but it’s also the most important. In this episode, Gary Olson, Operational Excellence Leader, shares expert insights on why 5S often fails and how manufacturers can create a culture where organization and efficiency become second nature. Learn how leadership commitment, daily habits, and employee engagement can drive long-term success with 5S. Tune in for actionable strategies to make 5S stick in your facility. Not a Manufacturers Alliance member? Have a question or topic you’d like featured in a future podcast episode? Podcast Resources: ...
info_outlineRunning a successful Kaizen event requires more than just gathering a team—it's about strategic planning, leadership support, and long-term sustainment. In this episode, Kirby Sneen sits down with Robert Dewane, Sr. OpEx Change Agent at Trane Technologies, to uncover the essential elements of impactful Kaizen events. Discover how to secure top-down buy-in, engage the right stakeholders, and implement changes that last. Whether you're new to Kaizen or looking to refine your approach, this conversation is packed with practical ideas and examples to help you eliminate waste and drive continuous improvement.
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