Show Notes
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
In this episode of the Lean Solutions Podcast, hosts Patrick Adams and Shayne Daughenbaugh are joined by Marco Dannerhill to explore how Lean thinking must evolve in today’s fast-changing business environment. Drawing on more than three decades of experience in the plastics industry, Marco shares how Lean has shifted from focusing on localized process improvements to becoming a more strategic approach that supports long-term business success. The conversation dives into how global uncertainty, supply chain disruption, and emerging technologies like AI are changing the way organizations operate. Marco emphasizes that while technology can enhance productivity, people remain the heart of Lean, and leadership must prioritize coaching, mentoring, and building trust across teams. The discussion also highlights the importance of aligning improvement initiatives with strategic goals, empowering employees to lead smaller improvements, and ensuring that Lean efforts contribute to long-term growth rather than just short-term gains. Key Takeaways: Lean must evolve from local improvements to strategic impact Technology should support people, not replace them Leaders must coach and mentor to build a culture of improvement Strategy must be translated so frontline teams understand their role Links: Lean Solutions 2026 Summit Lean Solutions Website Click Here for Marco Dannerhill's LinkedIn
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What You’ll Learn in This Episode
What You’ll Learn in This Episode: In this episode, Patrick Adams and Catherine McDonald are joined by David Norris to explore why organizations should improve their processes before automating them. They discuss how jumping too quickly into automation or AI can result in organizations simply automating existing waste and complexity. David shares how leaders can understand the current state, identify root causes, involve the people doing the work, and eliminate unnecessary steps before introducing technology. The conversation also explores how to identify good opportunities for automation and build a culture where continuous improvement becomes part of everyday work. Episode 37_otter_ai_transcript Episode 37_otter_ai_transcript Key Takeaways: 1. Don’t automate waste—improve the process before adding technology 2. Understand the current state before designing the future state 3. Involve the people doing the work when identifying problems and improvement opportunities 4. Start small: choose one process, walk it, ask questions, and begin improving Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-norris-17016b146/ https://elevatedmtnsolutions.com/
What You'll Learn in This Episode: In this episode, Patrick Adams and Shayne Daughenbaugh are joined by returning guest Olaf Boettger to explore how continuous improvement and daily management apply beyond traditional operations, including sales, commercial teams, innovation, and product development. They discuss why effective daily management requires the courage to identify problems instead of hiding them, how leaders can create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing bad news, and why curiosity, humility, and consistent leadership behaviors are essential for building a true culture of continuous improvement.