The Rest is Lean

Send us Fan Mail The Rest is Lean (#TRIL) Podcast brings you powerful conversations with professionals from across the globe, sharing real-world experiences in lean manufacturing and leadership.  Each episode dives into the principles, challenges, and successes that shape modern organizations—told by those who live them every day. From industry veterans to innovative thinkers, our guests reveal pr...

Send us Fan Mail Another episode for Team #tril to get their teeth into and they get underway with some subsciber questions, one of which with a 'divine' theme which leads them to exploring the statement that Lean can be applied anywhere and everywhere. Alan brings a recent experience of 5S/6S and even 7S, and asks if this is necessary or just over-complication.  Find out also what is me...

Send us Fan Mail John returns to the fold from his hiatus. Team #tril revisit a previous episode with some real world examples of where potentially doing too much lean has had some 'interesting' consequences! They also challenge their values and beliefs when it comes work. Find out what work the boys have declined and why, plus what are the red flags that make them think again! There&apo...

Send us Fan Mail The Dynamic Duo of Russell & Alan bring in Series 3 with a bang! With John missing (don't worry he'll be back!) the guys get stuck in to topics and comments from our audience. In this episode we focus on Voice of the Customer and the 'pull' this can provide businesses to learn about what adds value for customers. Knowing the difference between 'needs&a...

Send us Fan Mail As Team #TRIL bring this season to a close, they try to address some of the ever expanding questions the pod is receiving from its ever increasing subscriber base. "Which one of the improvement tools would you suggest to train a newbie in first?" "What improvement literature would you refer to someone interested in lean?" As ever, you maybe surprised by their a...

Send us Fan Mail This episode looks at a question many of our subscribers are asking: Can you do too much lean? Team #TRIL try their best to share their views on this very interesting topic by covering certain points such as: - "Rationing" Kaizen - Driving the right behaviours for Lean. - Dangers associated with building a CI Culture - Managing Opportunity - Insights into Tesla and Toyot...

Send us Fan Mail Continuing on from our previous episode on world class team leader competencies, the #TRIL Team talk about their experiences on courses they've led or experienced by others, to help create these competencies and instil in future team leaders. You'll find some of those experiences quite extreme to say the least! They also cover: - Bootcamps - Scenario Learning - Sheep Dip...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is going places! Russell shares with the team the reach that the podcast is extending to. You'll be surprised (but not as much as we were!) Team #TRIL delve into the world of the team leader to understand the competencies that make truly world class TLs, as well as discuss some of the pitfalls companies should be aware of when selecting them. Is there a secret sa...

Send us Fan Mail Following on from the last episode on SQCDP,  the #tril Team use this as an opportunity to answer some of the great questions we've had from our listeners. Topics include:  - Visual Management in general - The 1-3-10 rule & 1-3-3 rule for visual management boards - Rules of escalation - Scenario based training - The benefits of going to Gemba for a leader and how to make...

Send us Fan Mail Following the aftermath of #subcon2025, Team #TRIL discuss the dangers of measuring the wrong things in your business. and how to ensure you have balance to drive the right behaviours and enable your business to thrive! Other topics include:  - Russell interviewing the wife (will ours be next!) and the sacrifices we sometimes have to make.  - Being a pigeon and Floor Space Utilisa...

Send us Fan Mail Sustainability and keeping it simple!!  Continuing our conversations around lean transformation and sustaining it in your business, John, Russell & Alan (Team#tril) have finally recovered from their trip to #subcon2025. As well as our regular 'Japanese Word' slot the guys continue with their tips and thoughts which can simply be put into practice to aid you on your i...

Send us Fan Mail For the first time ever, The Rest is Lean Podcast goes on the road! This time to Subcon2025 at the NEC in Birmingham UK. #subcon2025   The #trilteam enjoy a jam-packed 2 days at the event, taking in some fantastic examples of manufacturing innovation from companies all over the globe.  We continued our theme on sustainability of lean transformation projects. Offering insights into...

Send us Fan Mail Sustainability is the name of the game. Lean Transformations and how to make them stick! In preparation for our pending visit to #subcon2025, Team #tril discuss some of the key attributes that make a lean transformation a successful lean transformation. The 'need' of the organisation. Visibility of the 'Why' and of Leadership Leader Standard Work Alan shares so...

Send us Fan Mail Oh no what are we to do? Where is Russell? Both John and Alan hold the fort this time around as Russ takes a well deserved break. As well as catching up on recent events, the #TRILTeam (Lite!) get onto the topics of Team Dynamics and Activity 'Gadgets'. How important is team makeup and what sources are out there which can help us establish the right balance? What gadgets...

Send us Fan Mail If you thought the last episode was a good one then you're in for a real treat with this! Our first Q&A Podcast of the new series sees #TeamTRIL go through a raft of questions posed by our subscribers. Our Japanese word of the week segment gets another look in, plus the usual trolling of Russell! There's even an opportunity to learn how to see us live later in the ye...

Send us Fan Mail Series 2 gets underway with a belter! #TeamTRIL share some of their problem solving experiences (good & bad). There's some good old-fashioned 'kimono opening' by the guys along with Russ' Japanese Word of the Week and his "Ambush Question".  There will definitely be some 'Restless Reflection' in this section of the Pod, including: Is get...

Send us Fan Mail As Series 1 comes to a close #TeamTRIL discuss Russ' recent visit to the Make UK Conference in London. As well as playing 'Word Bingo' and fine craft beers (don't ask!!), some of the key questions, posed to Chancellor Rachel Reeves, are shared, providing an opportunity for the guys to offer their thoughts on those very important topics Our Japanese word of the...

Send us Fan Mail The Team discuss the use of non-native words and phrases within your business. Do they help or hinder?  #Jugaad makes an unexpected appearance! Do Three-letter acronyms count as a foreign language?  John Dee. DEE Enterprise Excellence Ltd. www.dee.uk.net Alan Lothian. 3A Business Excellence Ltd.  www.aaabel.co.uk Russell Watkins. Sempai Ltd.  www.sempai.co.uk   Remember that if yo...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is a real rollercoaster of a podcast! The TRIL Team offer their thoughts on a question about how to start your lean journey if your the leader of a business. They cover the capabilities required to make highly effective people within your lean organisation. Also some great questions to ask when trying to establish how effective your processes are. John offers his view...

Send us Fan Mail This episode is jam-packed with tips and stories from our previous lean exploits. Picking up from an audience question, the team quickly get on to the topic of discussing their 'Best' Operator experiences. Also, how lean (if applied effectively) should helping the operator through making life less painful whilst maintaining safety levels and quality product. John discuss...

Send us Fan Mail This episode continues from the great discussions the team had previously on 5S (or 5C) Alan, Russell & John reflect on their experiences on 5S activities they've led over the years The purpose of 5S The real intent of the red tag (which may surprise a few!) When red tags are not allowed?? Pointers on conducting an effective 5S activity How 5S supports TPM Ending the epis...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the guys give their views and responses to some of the subscriber questions, including a continuation from our previous episode around 'The Toughest Job'. Having discussed what the guys have been up to since they last met, the episode primarily focussed on 5S (or 5C, Workplace Organisation, etc). One of the foundations of stabilising and improving your e...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, the boys share how they first got into Lean, and start to debate what makes someone well suited to a role as a 'change agent' If you want dry, facts or lessons on the use of Lean tools, you may need to look elsewhere. But if you are up for a laugh, and want to enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how lean really works from 3 guys who have dedicated more tha...

Send us Fan Mail In this Episode, the boys share some quick and easy techniques to learn about a company on a first visit, or to find out more about your own company. These techniques will often lead to insights and opportunities to improve If you want dry, facts or lessons on the use of Lean tools, you may need to look elsewhere. But if you are up for a laugh, and want to enjoy a behind-the-scene...

Send us Fan Mail In this Episode, the boys discuss amoungst other things, The culture challenges and advantages of working on Night shifts. Also we look at the importance of avoiding departmental or 'Silo' mentality.  Russel also shares a top tip for our subscribers to try.  If you want dry, facts or lessons on the use of Lean tools, you may need to look elsewhere. But if you are up for...