Lean Coffee Talk (formerly known as Lean Whiskey)

Starbucks’ Gemba, Toyota’s Tour, Product Innovation & Lean Process Improvements

Mark Graban & Jamie Flinchbaugh
Alternative title: “I’ll have a half-caff no-whip soy-milk chestnut praline latte… to-go”
Episode page with video and links
In Episode 37, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays with some new (to us) holiday cocktails.
Mark tries the Bourbon Flip, and Jamie makes a Hot Buttered Bourbon. Neither will likely be in our regular rotation of cocktails, but they suit the “spirit” of the holiday season and might be a nice treat to make for guests. 
Your hosts explore the possible reinvention of Starbucks, which began with the return of CEO Howard Schultz. The stores have faced numerous pressures…increasing volume, increasing complexity, and growing barista dissatisfaction. Can these challenges be overcome by lean applied at the store level, or are more structural changes and innovations needed to get the job done? We explore a recent Wall Street Journal article about Starbucks' transformation and walk back to the beginnings of their lean journey over 10 years ago. Some of the problem statements examined: SKU proliferation, new blenders, and store layouts. We may start seeing a brand new layout for Starbucks stores, although the promised improves do not appear to be imminent. 
The hosts finish by exploring gift giving in the whiskey, and wine, genre, including a book recommendation from Mark on the history of the prohibition era in the US. 
Links From the Show:
Ted Stiles from Stiles Associates
David Meier's Glenn's Creek Distilling
Toyota's Georgetown, Kentucky plant
Four Roses' hot buttered bourbon recipe
Used Mellow Corn Bottled in Bond for hot buttered bourbon
Bourbon Flip recipe
Made with Benchmark Bonded bourbon
Mark's 2nd pour, a Bruichladdich Port Charlotte 10 Heavily Peated 
WSJ article Starbucks is Rethinking Almost Everything 
WSJ wrote about lean at Starbucks in 2009, and the same year, John Shook wrote about it for LEI
Starbucks' 3-day strike
LEI's 2020 book about lean at Starbucks, Steady Work
Book on the history of prohibition: Last Call
Podcast feed at LeanWhiskey.com or leanblog.org/leanwhiskey or jflinch.com/leanwhiskey 
 

Jamie Flinchbaugh & Chris Kauzmann on Design Thinking’s Relationship to Lean Thinking

In Episode 36, Jamie Flinchbaugh is joined by Chris Kauzmann, an Adjunct Faculty and Innovator in Residence at Lehigh University. Chris, a self-described “bottom shelf” whiskey drinker, joins Jamie to sample some Nikka Coffee Malt Whiskey and Blue Run High Rye Bourbon. 
We explore design thinking, which is both distinct from lean but also inherently consistent. The terminology is often quite different, but the essence of the work is very similar. Removing our biases and gaining insight through genuine exploration, whether to develop a business idea or improve a process or anything else, is one such example. Along the way, we cover many aspects of our shared experiences…the student entrepreneurs of Lehigh University that Chris supports and teaches full time and Jamie occasionally shows up to make a contribution. 
We close by deciding which building on Lehigh University's beautiful campus we would most want to convert into a whiskey bar, although we are quite certain that no one will allow us to do this.
Links From the Show:
Chris Kauzmann on LinkedIn
Old Crow, a typical selection for Chris
Nikka Coffey Malt Whiskey
Blue Run High Rye Bourbon
Lehigh University's Baker Institute  
Giana Jarrah's With Meraki Co, a student-founded startup
Sam Benchaghib's Make A Change World and Sungai Watch
Practicing Lean by Mark Graban 
Podcast feed at LeanWhiskey.com or leanblog.org/leanwhiskey or jflinch.com/leanwhiskey

Going to ”Gemba” at Scotch Whisky Distilleries; Work Retreats

In Episode 35, Mark is recently back from his Scotland gemba visit. He isn't tired from jet lag, or from whiskey, but nevertheless, Mark and Jamie both end up complaining about being tired. Maybe we're just…old (gasp). We also didn't plan our color coordination (for those on video).
Episode page with video and more 
"We’re tired, but not tired of whisky. A gemba walk will pick us up..."
We focus this episode on going to the gemba in the making of scotch whisky, from Mark's recent trip. We talk about what is learned by going to the gemba, both in general and specific to whisky. You can hear more about peat, malting, distilling, and maturing, including is maturing inventory or a value-adding step? 
Of course, we also select scotch as our whisky of choice, opting for more obscure selections that you may not have heard of. Both were excellent. 
We also spend a little time talking about work retreats, whether it be for writing a book as both Mark and Jamie do, strategic thinking as Bill Gates would do, or just simply reflection and planning. We conclude by discussing what job at a distiller we would most like to do, although neither of us likely has the requisite skills. Slainte!
Links From the Show:
Jamie at the National Association of Corporate Directors Summit
Mark heading soon to the Association of Manufacturing Excellence and the Iowa Lean Consortium conferences. Look for him!
GE's Larry Culp's message. 
Former Supreme Allied Commander of NATO, Admiral Stavridis at NACD
Jamie's whisky selection Kilchoman
Mark's whisky selection Glen Scotia
Where are Islay, Jura, Campeltown?
Ron Swanson's visit to Lagavullin
Journeyman in western Michigan, Two James in Detroit, and Traverse City Whiskey up north
The Multnomah Whiskey Library in Portland
Jamie's post: how to do an effective personal work retreat

Crazy Ideas, From Shipping Flowers to Crab Whiskey

Episode page: https://leanblog.org/whiskey34
In Episode 34, Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh begin by belatedly celebrating the 3rd birthday of Lean Whiskey. No, this wasn’t a pandemic-launched podcast, although if we hadn’t started it yet it probably would have become one. We also learn of Mark’s pending trip to Islay, where an awful lot of good whisky is produced. Apparently, Jamie wasn’t invited to record an “on location” episode. 
Most of the episode we explore the challenges, benefits, and approaches to developing and seeing through the crazy ideas. This conversation builds from an episode of Mark’s My Favorite Mistake podcast in which he interviews 1-800-FLOWERS founder Jim McCann. FedEx founder Fred Smith told McCann that shipping flowers via FedEx wouldn’t work. Not only did Jim not fold in the face of Fred’s advice, he eventually partnered with FedEx to bring this program to life. But bringing big ideas to life is about more than just ignoring the doubters, but adjusting or trimming the idea, learning through rapid testing, and having the courage to move forward through adversity as our explanation of the Netflix story examines. 
We wrap up exploring another crazy idea, whiskey made from crabs. Well, that’s not technically true, but it is distilled crab stock added to a bourbon base, and specifically to raise awareness about the invasive green crabs that destroy the mussel population. Tamworth Distilling from New Hampshire are the brains behind this particular project. Thanks to our friend Dan Markovitz introduced us to this idea. Maybe Mark will detour his trip to Scotland towards New Hampshire instead.  
Happy 3rd birthday to Lean Whiskey, so here’s Episode 1
Mark heading to the Isle of Islay with their classic distilleries 
Jamie working with Lehigh University on building an accelerator (back of Jamie’s head in the photo while leading the design team)
Mark and Jamie both engaged with KaiNexus
Mark’s Moscatel Finished Straight Bourbon Whiskey from Woodinville near Seattle 
Jamie’s Four Roses Private Selection Single Barrel, see their bourbons and recipes
Our discussion builds on this episode of Mark’s My Favorite Mistake podcast with 1-800-FLOWERS founder Jim McCann, with this excerpt of the featured point
What’s crab whiskey all about? Check out Crab Trapper
Podcast feed at LeanWhiskey.com or leanblog.org/leanwhiskey or jflinch.com/leanwhiskey 
Please review us and follow!

On the Road Again and In Person for the First Time

Episode page: https://leanblog.org/whiskey33
In Episode 33, we recognize some of the back to normal which includes Mark heading out on the road to do consulting again. That brings Mark close enough to Jamie for a new first: an in-person recording of Lean Whiskey. Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh meet up in Philadelphia to drink some Garrison Brothers special barrel selection from Mark as well talk about Lean 101 training. 
In many ways, this is an origin story for Lean Whiskey. Mark and Jamie would be opportunistic about their travels, end up in the same city, find a good whiskey bar, and talk shop. “We should record this” became almost a joke, until it became reality and Lean Whiskey was born. Now, 33 episodes in, we return to an in-person visit. 
Philadelphia becomes our destination, and after recording Mark and Jamie get to go sample some of the great food the city has to offer. We also get to share a bottle (ok, not the whole bottle, but the same bottle), compare hotel glasses to tasting glasses, and set up a different recording approach which unfortunately resulted in there being no video. However, the discussion was as rich as ever, so give Episode 33 a listen.
Links From the Show:
Our whiskey of choice is Garrison Brothers, and Mark's “One Off” — Episode 29 is where we talked about the story of this barrel and Mark's blog post about Garrison Brothers
Jamie's blog post “Skip the Intro to Lean Training“
Any Toyota / lean geek who wants to understand the history should be reading Michael Cusumano's The Japanese Automobile Industry: Technology and Management at Nissan and Toyota
How NOT to do Lean 101: Big Bang's Sheldon teaches physics to Penny (via YouTube)
In Philly, the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the Franklin Institute 
Double Knot and Morimoto restaurants, and Pat's and Geno's cheesesteaks

Employee Engagement Beyond Buying Them Pizza (or Bourbon)

Episode page: https://www.leanblog.org/whiskey32
In Episode 32 of “Lean Whiskey,” Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh have a first… comparing two similar whiskeys from the same distiller. In this case, family-owned Willett and their Willett Pot Still Reserve bourbon and the Johnny Drum bourbon.
We definitely both have our favorite of the two, but you'll have to listen to find out which. We also spend a little time exploring the history of this old brand, their departure, and their recent return to the spirits world. This all happens between NFL conference championship games where neither of our teams are playing. 
We discuss The Great Resignation and all of the many facets… the underlying long-term trends, the short-term adjustments, the data, the causes, and the solutions. Breaking the problem down is important, as there is neither one cause nor one solution. We need to move beyond “jerk bosses” such as seen at Better.com, underappreciation as seemingly demonstrated at former-lean-role-model Thedacare, and bad cultures found in many places. 2022 may finally be the year to truly make employee engagement a real strategic imperative. 
We finish talking about industrial-based movies and shows, such as the new NBC series “American Auto” or the movie “Gung Ho.” Please tell us your favorites… we'd love to hear from you! 
Links From the Show
Willett Pot Still Reserve 
Johnny Drum Private Stock
Insights by Jamie January 2022 newsletter 
Thedacare's employee issues, how it started and how it finished
Mark interviews the Lean dentist Dr. Sami Bahri in Lean Blog Podcast Episodes 29, 69, and 82
Some articles may require signup or subscription…
New York Times No More Working for Jerks
The Economist How to Manage The Great Resignation
“American Auto” TV Show
Movie “Gung Ho“
Movie “Mr. Mom“
Movie “Tucker“

End a Year, End a Bottle; Start a Year, Start a Bottle

Show notes: https://www.leanblog.org/whiskey31
In Episode 31 of “Lean Whiskey,” Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh discuss the routines and practices of wrapping up a year, and kicking off a new year.
In that spirit, we either finish a bottle of whiskey, or start a new one. We also invite three guests to share their thoughts.
Past Lean Whiskey guests Jim Benson, Deondra Wardelle, and Chris Burnham join and share their thoughts on finishing up a year and starting a new one.
Routines, habits, practices that help you transition the year and set up for success in the new year. Lean thinkers know the fallacy of just having good intentions, such as New Year's Resolutions, and tend to focus more on purpose, reflection, structure, and systems. We put that hypothesis to the test by asking three lean thinkers how they approach this time period, and didn't know in advance what they would share. 
Jim Benson talked about their discussions within his company, which take place during huddles which allow the conversation to emerge. This is much different than the once-and-done offsite approach. They are exploring how to increase collaboration, as that is certainly the central theme of their work with clients.
Deondra Wardelle celebrates, which she often models for all of us. She also shared how she develops a theme for each year, which drives her plans and actions. The theme for 2022 is “laser focus” which was very intriguing.
Chris Burnham, who is Senior Lean Strategy Director, KaiNexus, shared his evolution of daily practices which includes reflection, prioritization, and planning. His methods include journals and digital tools and of course, having important conversations about the right topics with the right people. 
Mark and Jamie also share a bit of their perspective on the challenge, including the fact that the turning of a calendar is relatively arbitrary when it comes to performance management and continuous improvement, and Mark notes how often he sees people zero-out their measurements to start the new year (please don't do this).
Jamie observes that the open space often (but not always) created between your last and first meeting gives you more room to mentally breathe (inbox = zero helps too) which allows deep work, whether that is reflection or planning. 
Links From the Show
We record this episode just after Repeal Day 
Mark's whiskey selection: a new bottle of Yamazaki 12 – Thanks, Ralphs!!
Jamie's whiskey selection: finishing bottles of Larceny and Willett Pot Still Reserve Bourbon
Jim Benson's rum selection: Kohana Rum 
Jim Benson's guest appearance on Lean Whiskey Episode 25, and his Personal Kanban site
Deondra Wardelle's whiskey selection: starting a bottle of Old Pogue
Deondra Wardelle's guest appearance on Lean Whiskey Episode 23, and her own company and #rootcauseracism 
Chris Burnham's whiskey selection: finishing a bottle of Blanton's 
Chris Burnham's guest appearance on Lean Whiskey Episode 3, and his own podcast Lean Leadership including guest appearances by Mark on Episode 1 and Jamie most recently on Episode 62
Mark's post about starting the year with blank charts
Since both books came up, we might as well mention Jamie's People Solve Problems and Mark's Measures of Success.

Celebrating 30 Episodes, Writing Books, and Great Whiskey

Show notes: https://www.leanblog.org/whiskey30
In Episode 30 of “Lean Whiskey“, Mark Graban and Jamie Flinchbaugh find things to celebrate, starting with the fact that we have hit 30 episodes.
In that time, we've had 14 guests or co-hosts, and tasted 56 different whiskeys (not counting the gin and coffee detours) covering 5 countries and 7 states. We've also had over 10,000 downloads which is a celebration of its own right, and while we do not record this show just to get lots of listeners, we are extremely grateful for all of you who have tuned in. 
Having both just returned from our alma maters, Lehigh University (Jamie) and Northwestern (Mark), we share our whiskeys under the theme of the bottle you would pull off the shelf when you are in the mood to celebrate. Jamie had a 21 year old Glenfarclas and Mark finished off his bottle of the 6th release of the WhistlePig Boss Hog titled “The Samurai Scientist.” 
We are also celebrating the pending (October 26th) release of Jamie's latest book, People Solve Problems: The Power of Every Person, Every Day, Every Problem. Instead of In the News, we cover On the Bookshelf, and talk about why we write a book, how to pick a title, how to publish, and more. Mark has written several books, including Lean Hospitals, Healthcare Kaizen, The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen, Practicing Lean (as editor and publisher — and Jamie was a contributor), and most recently Measures of Success. Jamie has published two books now, starting with The Hitchhiker's Guide to Lean and now People Solve Problems. 
Links From the Show
Jamie's whiskey, a 21 year old Glenfarclas
Mark's whiskey, the WhistlePig Boss Hog Samurai Scientist
Mark's various books
Jamie's various books
Book The Complete Whiskey Course
Book resources such as editor and publisher Rob Worth, Bethany Brown of The Cadence Group, and coach Cathy Fyock  
Impactful books included Out of the Crisis, Understanding Variation, and Man's Search for Meaning.

Yellow Cards, Coffee Cocktails, and a Smashed Barrel

Show notes: https://www.leanblog.org/whiskey29
In Episode 29, it's been a little while since Mark and Jamie got together for Lean Whiskey. We catch up on what's new, which includes Mark's new certification with distinction with the WSET Level 2 Spirits certification, and Jamie's new side-hustle as a soccer referee.
We return to making cocktails, this time building on our coffee theme from the pour-over edition of Episode 27. We both make coffee cocktails. Jamie's is a whiskey espresso martini, equal parts bourbon, Kahlua, and freshly pulled espresso, shaken and served in a martini glass. Mark worked his way towards his own concoction, based on the Revolver cocktail, using bourbon and coffee liqueur, but he used a couple Texas-based brands and named it the Texas Revolver. We both follow our cocktails with some Glenn's Creek Cafe Ole and discuss Mark's lost barrel of bourbon. 
We did "In the News" with a twist, building on our coffee theme we used something close to the Lean Coffee format and covered many news stories for 5 minutes each. These stories covered Starbucks as a talent pool, CEO pay and diversity, wage inflation, what work really needs to be in-person, people leaving the restaurant industry, and using lean to help get jabs in arms. There was no theme here, just two guys sitting around talking about the news from a lean thinker's perspective. Scroll down for links galore.
After covering a lot of ground, Mark and Jamie look forward to the fall, including football. We hope you enjoy this episode. Please send Mark or Jamie questions, suggestions, or comments for our future discussions. Until next time, cheers! 
Links From the Show
Mark's WSET Level 2 Spirits certification 
Jamie's retirement from coaching announcement and kickoff of a referee side-hustle 
Lean Coffee episode of Lean Whiskey, Episode #27
Jamie's new ECM Casa V espresso machine 
Jamie's Town Branch bourbon used for the espresso martini
Jamie's Buzzopolis espresso blend from Whole Latte Love
The base Revolver recipe that Mark started with 
Mark's "Texas Revolver" included 2 oz Garrison Brothers Hye Rye Bourbon, 0.5 oz Caffe del Fuego Reserve, 3 dashes orange bitters, 0.25 oz Dry Curacao, and 3 dashes coffee bitters
We both finished with David Meier's Cafe Ole
Mark's My Favorite Mistake episode with David Meier
The Lean Coffee method we somewhat followed 
In the News
News item #1: More U.S. companies tie CEO pay to diversity metrics
News item #2: Wage Growth Among U.S. Job Switchers Increased 5.8 Percent Since June 2020 as Businesses Struggle to Attract Workers
News item #3: Starbucks Is the New Talent Factory Powering Corporate America
News item #4: When Do We Actually Need to Meet in Person?
News item #5: How Lean Thinking and Practice Helped Put Shots in Arms, Part 1: Building the Process and Part 2: Wind-down and Reflection
News item #6: Restaurants Will Never Be the Same. They Shouldn't Be.
Our college football schedules for tailgating at Lehigh and Northwestern
 

Mistakes Make us Better (and Sometimes Make Whiskey Necessary?)

Show notes: https://www.leanblog.org/whiskey28
In Episode 28, Mark and Jamie begin by having our spouses pour mystery whiskeys for us. We don’t know what they are when we start drinking them. Mark’s wife at least joins him occasionally in a dram, but Jamie’s wife is truly pouring without experience, but he’s safe since it is from his own shelf. Mark and Jamie give their best guess, so listen and see if they get it right (or at least partially correct). 
Jamie and Mark then build on Mark’s highly successful, and prolific, podcast My Favorite Mistake. We talk about the podcast, its neat origin story, and then we dive into a couple of our own favorite mistakes, although without the systematic breakdown he includes in his podcast. We explore the whole point of examining our favorite mistakes.  Along the way we cover old label designs and baseball and sushi. 
Links:
Mark celebrated his 10 year anniversary as part of the KaiNexus team
Mark’s mystery pour, Old Pulteney Single Malt Scotch Duncansby Head Lighthouse and his 2nd pour from Teeling
Jamie’s mystery pour from 10 year old Whistle Pig rye and his second pour, a 10-year-old Jura scotch
Mark’s My Favorite Mistake podcast
Episodes that were lean-related, including Karyn Ross, Billy Taylor, and Karen Martin
Whiskey-related episode about Garrison Brothers
The favorite mistake story behind Angostura bitters’ label
Redemption Whiskey and Tyler’s Mistake  
Chicago Cubs baserunning mistake that wasn’t
Food: uni and poutine, just not together