Process Debt

In this episode, Toby and Chris dive into the art of starting a new job, sharing personal anecdotes and challenges they've faced. They discuss strategies for understanding a new workplace, the importance of acknowledging what you don’t know, and the surprises that can come with new roles. The conversation also veers into leadership territory, comparing Steve Jobs' return to Apple with the challeng...

Join us on our 16th podcast episode as we delve into a controversial topic: How AI might be leading to degenerative human intelligence. In this lively discussion, Toby and Chris explore whether AI tools like large language models are making us lazier by reducing the need for deep thinking and problem-solving. They touch on how AI is increasingly handling tasks, potentially causing humans to lose c...

Welcome to the 15th episode of Processed Debt! In this episode, hosts delve into the impact of unproductive meetings on businesses. They explore the relationship between commitment and memory, emphasizing the need for clear accountability and actionable commitments. They discuss how meetings can often result in storytelling rather than productive outcomes and provide insights into creating value t...

Join Chris and Toby as they discuss their New Year's resolutions, both successes and failures. Chris shares his decade-long success of not drinking Diet Coke while Toby mentions his resolution to be healthier, albeit derailed by unforeseen circumstances. They delve into why people make and often break resolutions, and the idea of setting manageable and controlled goals. The discussion covers the c...

In this episode, Chris and Toby celebrate a year of podcasting and delve into the often-overlooked topic of administrative process debt (SADMIN). They discuss the frustrations of overflowing inboxes, email miscommunication, and the inefficiencies of modern technology in the workplace. They highlight common issues like the 'Amish virus' and the struggle to perfect presentation drafts and share insi...

In this episode, Toby and Chris dive deep into the intricacies of transforming zero-trust work environments into collaborative communities using lean manufacturing principles. They discuss the importance of community ownership, psychological safety, and respect within the workplace. Drawing lessons from Toyota's manufacturing culture, they emphasize the need for a clearly defined process and the r...

In this week's episode, Toby and Chris explore the concept of building trust in the workplace using the analogy of zero-trust processes. They discuss the balance between building trust and fostering a strong community and how achieving this balance can lead to a more efficient and positive work environment. Chris introduces the ACTS framework – Absorb Choose Take Action Status Update This is a met...

In this episode, hosts Chris and Toby dive deep into the concept of buffering systems within the realm of knowledge work. They begin by discussing the traditional role of buffering in physical processes and its often-overlooked counterpart in knowledge-based environments. Chris highlights the significance of trust among colleagues as a form of buffer but also emphasizes its limitations. The conver...

Elon Musk's 5-Step Strategy for Eliminating Dumb Processes In the ninth episode of 'Processed Debt,' hosts Chris and Toby dive into Elon Musk's five-step approach to business: removing dumb processes, deleting unnecessary steps, simplifying and optimizing, accelerating, and finally automating. They discuss Musk's potential challenges in applying this framework to government systems, highlighting t...

In episode eight of the Process Debt podcast, hosts Toby and Chris delve into the concept of virtuous and unvirtuous cycles, particularly in the context of business processes and knowledge transfer. They discuss how inconsistent deliverables, such as PowerPoint presentations and Word documents, can send mixed signals, leading to trust issues and inefficiencies. They contrast this with virtuous cyc...

Join us in this episode as we dive into the hidden costs and impacts of the increasing number of meetings in the post-COVID work environment. We discuss the shift in communication habits, the challenges of managing productive team processes, and the irony of feeling overburdened by meetings meant to foster connection. Discover how technology, such as AI, and meeting recordings might affect workpla...

Join Chris and Toby in their latest podcast episode as they explore the concept of process debt and its implications for businesses. They discuss the parallels between financial debt and process debt, the situations where taking on process debt can be beneficial, and the importance of identifying and managing process efficiencies. Using examples from HR, startup environments, and operational chall...

In this episode of the Process That Podcast, Toby and Chris discuss the challenges faced by new employees and new bosses when joining a company. They dive into the concept of 'process debt,' highlighting how fresh eyes can reveal hidden inefficiencies in existing processes. Both junior employees and experienced managers bring unique perspectives and challenges to the table, from following rigid ru...

In Episode 4 of the Process Debt Podcast, hosts Toby and a guest delve deeper into the concept of process debt. They compare it to the more commonly understood tech debt, define process debt as the hidden inefficiencies that hinder growth, employee satisfaction, and organizational success. The discussion highlights how unseen burdens and inefficient processes can cause significant impact within or...

In this episode of Process That, hosts Toby and Chris delve into the intricacies of 'accountability gaps' within process debt and explore the challenges of the Scrum methodology. They candidly discuss the frustrations tied to tasks that lack accountability, the persistence of outdated processes, and the importance of aligning teams for efficiency. By examining both home and work scenarios, the hos...

Making Knowledge Work Discoverable and Transferable | Process Debt Podcast In this episode of 'The Five Minute Process Debt Podcast,' Toby and Chris discuss the importance of making knowledge work both discoverable and transferable. They delve into the disconnect between business consulting practices and the need for transparency and information sharing within organizations. Highlighting the ineff...

📢 We all have a little 'process debt' in our lives and careers. In our new podcast, 'Process Debt #1: Why Another Podcast?' Toby Lucich and I explore everyday challenges with a dose of humor and real talk. From personal anecdotes to professional insights, join us for a quick yet insightful five-minute episode. Catch the launch now and share your thoughts!"