Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast Lean By Design
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0203: Build or Buy? Developing Internal Process Capabilities vs. Relying on External Experts with Liam O'Neill | 28 May 2025 | 00:45:08 | |
Have you ever noticed the gap between where your organization is and where it needs to be widening every day—especially when workflows are undefined or changing? In this episode of Lean by Design, we sit down with Liam O’Neill of BPM‑D to tackle the big question: do you invest in building process capabilities internally or lean on outside consultants? We’ll walk you through evaluating your readiness, embedding process ownership in leadership, and starting with a real business challenge so you can create sustainable, scalable process excellence rather than just putting out fires. Learn more about BPMD at https://bpm-d.com/ Connect with Liam at https://www.linkedin.com/in/l-oneill/ Ready to assess your organization’s efficiency? Connect with us at leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com to uncover high-impact improvement opportunities. 🚀 Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0202. When Everyone’s Rowing, But the Boat Isn’t Moving | 14 May 2025 | 00:52:33 | |
Have you ever watched a rowing team give it their all only to spin in circles? That’s exactly how we feel when our teams pour in effort without clear roles and responsibilities. In this episode of Lean by Design, we explore how vague decision‐making and overlapping tasks quietly drain momentum, leading to missed deadlines and frustrated teams. We’ll share how defining ownership, fostering psychological safety, and using simple digital tools can align everyone’s efforts so your boat actually moves forward. Join us to learn how clarity of roles can transform your team’s productivity and make the journey more rewarding for everyone. Ready to assess your organization’s efficiency? Connect with us at leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com to uncover high-impact improvement opportunities. 🚀 Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0115. Innovating for Tomorrow: Sustainable Pharma Facilities and Digital Revolutions | 14 Feb 2024 | 00:44:15 | |
- Unpacks insights from ISPE Facilities of the Future Conference Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0114. Triumphs in Team Bonding and Strategic Vision at Sigma Lab Consulting | 31 Jan 2024 | 01:05:41 | |
- Unexpected team bonding and strategic planning during a snowed-in off-site retreat at Sigma Lab Consulting Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0113. Seamless Teamwork and Strategic Tools for a Smooth R&D Operation | 17 Jan 2024 | 01:02:38 | |
- Boost R&D team efficiency through collaboration and accountability Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0112. Safeguarding Scientific Progress with a Maintenance Master Plan. | 03 Jan 2024 | 00:37:40 | |
- Highlight the critical importance of a robust asset management strategy. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0111. Mastering the Game of Operational Excellence and Continuous Improvement. | 20 Dec 2023 | 00:51:11 | |
- Discover actionable strategies for success, including data-driven decisions and effective communication. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0110. Exploring the Impact of Inventory Control on Business Performance. | 06 Dec 2023 | 00:40:09 | |
- Uncover the potential of inventory management for business success. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0109. The Art and Science of Optimizing R&D Timelines in Life Sciences. | 22 Nov 2023 | 00:40:22 | |
- Explore challenges and the fast-paced nature of R&D. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0108. Sigma Lab Consulting's First Year: Triumphs, Challenges, and the Art of Consulting. | 08 Nov 2023 | 00:58:24 | |
- Explore a year in the life of Sigma Lab Consulting. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0107. When "house flipping" meets corporate America. Process improvement for the eventual asset sale. | 27 Mar 2023 | 00:51:35 | |
What happens when an equity firm wants to add to their portfolio? Only the asset is not quite polished for purchase? In this episode we connect with Jon Holden, Private Equity Management Consultant. Jon walks us through various examples of how private equity firms launch teams into organizations in an effort to improve processes and quality of the assets. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0106. Workplace Conflict- Where does it come from? What can we do about it? | 13 Mar 2023 | 00:58:59 | |
In this episode, we connect with Ryan Dunlap, Founder & Chief Conflict Officer of Conflictish, a conflict strategy firm dedicated to helping leaders improve how they lead themselves and others through conflict. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0201. From Small Wins to Organizational Transformation: Building Momentum in Biopharma | 30 Apr 2025 | 00:45:00 | |
In this episode, we explore how small, intentional improvements—not sweeping changes—drive real progress in biopharma operations. The discussion highlights a common challenge: the disconnect between strategy and execution, often due to underutilized middle management. You'll learn a simple framework for creating meaningful change: start within your sphere of influence, map key inputs and outputs, and implement solutions that reduce effort while increasing visibility. Small wins in project management can build momentum, leading to better accountability, decision-making, and resource allocation. The conversation also covers the importance of tools and training—many organizations have powerful software but lack the support to maximize its potential. The takeaway? Improve your own workflows first to build credibility before driving broader change. Ready to assess your organization’s efficiency? Connect with us at leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com to uncover high-impact improvement opportunities. 🚀 Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0105. Automating simple processes to give time back on critical tasks. | 27 Feb 2023 | 00:48:43 | |
Episode 5 explores the world of automations. Have you found yourself in a position where mundane tasks seem to take too much time to perform? The copy+paste function is alive and well in 2023. In this episode, we hear from Dan Luu, Senior Data Engineering Consultant on why integrating automations in our day to day can help drive organizational success and allow for more time to work on impactful initiatives. Come along as we discuss scenarios and give tips on where listeners can bring automations into their workflows. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0104. REVIEW: Outsourcing Clinical Trials New England 2022. | 13 Feb 2023 | 00:50:00 | |
In this episode, Oscar Gonzalez gives us a review of Outsourcing Clinical Trials New England 2022 and his fireside chat titled: "Wearables, ePRO, eConsent, Big Data: Are We Prepared for the Digital Transformation?" Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0103. It was almost a fever dream. Transitioning from customer relations to building a Communications firm. | 30 Jan 2023 | 00:39:10 | |
In this episode, we welcome our first podcast guest Lauren Perna, CEO & Head Writer for Lauren Perna Communications. Lauren is also the founder of Mentally Fit Founder to bring awareness to mental health, speaking on her own challenges over the years. We touch on her transition into the life sciences industry and how that spearheaded her decision to start her own communications firm to help the life science community tell their story. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0102. Work doesn't have to be this difficult. | 16 Jan 2023 | 00:39:36 | |
In this episode, we get up close and personal with Sigma Lab Consulting co-founder and Lean by Design co-host, Lawrence Wong. We dig into early beginnings in New York, his choice of engineering in undergrad, and early thoughts when working through the development of Sigma Lab Consulting. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0101. Communicate with your clients, team, and yourself to solve the RIGHT problem. | 23 Dec 2022 | 00:37:04 | |
In our inaugural podcast episode, we get up close and personal with Oscar Gonzalez, co-host of the Lean By Design podcast and CEO of Sigma Lab Consulting. We dig into the early beginnings, early influences, and how Sigma Lab Consulting came to be, with a few lessons learned in between. Oscar provides background to the importance of change in organizations when building efficiencies and highlights key questions to consider when communicating with your clients, team, and yourself to ensure you are solving the RIGHT problem. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0122. Revolutionizing Project Management in Biopharma: Smartsheet Change Management Strategies | 17 Dec 2024 | 00:11:45 | |
Unlock the potential of Smartsheet for the biopharma industry with strategies that can transform project management. Can a minimalist approach to Smartsheet integration enhance team efficiency and adaptability? In this final part of our series on change management, we explore practical insights drawn from thousands of workflows designed to empower R&D and clinical operations with tailored, compliant solutions. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0121. Empowering Accountability through Smartsheet: Rethinking Team Dynamics and Automation in Biopharma | 10 Dec 2024 | 00:11:34 | |
Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0120. Securing Team Buy-In for Smartsheet Implementation in Biopharma: Strategies for Seamless Software Adoption | 03 Dec 2024 | 00:15:05 | |
Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0119. Unleashing Innovation Through the Power of Simplicity with Lisa Bodell | 19 Nov 2024 | 00:44:00 | |
In this episode of Lean by Design, we’re joined by Lisa Bodell, CEO of FutureThink, to unpack a counterintuitive truth: complexity is innovation’s worst enemy. From her days in advertising to her role as a simplicity guru in biopharma, Lisa shares a journey fueled by one mission—cutting through the noise to make work... actually work. Together, we get real about the meeting marathons, inbox floods, and busyness obsession that cloud judgment and strangle creativity. Lisa doesn’t just talk big ideas—she's here with tools and strategies, inspired by a "Marie Kondo" for the workplace approach, focusing on "killing stupid rules" and decluttering processes to create real impact and boost morale. It's about balancing people, process, and technology to make every minute matter and every task count. And if you’re leading a team or growing a new company, here’s where it gets practical. Lisa shares her "You Me We" method to help leaders ditch ambiguity, clarify roles, and clear the path for true innovation. It’s time to go beyond the ping-pong tables and snack bars, finding purpose in work that drives the team forward.
Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0118. Transformative Strategies for Scaling Operations in Biopharma Part 2 | 20 Aug 2024 | 00:13:52 | |
Ever wondered how continuous improvement can propel your organization's growth to new heights? In this episode of Lean by Design, host Oscar Gonzalez delves into innovative strategies drawn from recent projects. Discover how you can transform data into meaningful metrics that drive success and ensure everyone is aligned with clear, visible guidelines. Explore actionable tips for leveraging comprehensive checklists and team guidance to enhance workflow efficiency. Learn how making data-driven decisions can propel your organization forward and optimize team structures. By clearly defining roles and responsibilities, we show you how to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. Additionally, we discuss a significant miss in roles and responsibilities—aligning responsibilities with documents, reports, and other critical project tasks rather than defining roles with broadly sweeping, generic definitions. Gain clear guidance on the responsibilities for deliverables across a project to ensure accountability and clarity. Whether you're involved in project management, finance, or governance, this episode provides actionable insights to support your teams and ensure your organization runs smoothly and effectively. Tune in to Lean by Design for these valuable insights in the second part of our essential two-episode series! Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0117. Transformative Strategies for Scaling Operations in Biopharma | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:19:29 | |
Ever wondered how to supercharge your company's operations without expanding your team? In this episode of Lean by Design, host Oscar Gonzalez reveals innovative strategies from a recent project with a dynamic 100-person company. Discover how you can enhance workflow efficiency by reimagining and optimizing your existing data and documentation. Explore actionable tips for transforming digital assets like PowerPoint slides and governance documents into powerful tools that drive operational excellence. Learn how a human-centered design approach can break down departmental silos and create processes that benefit the entire organization. By engaging stakeholders across various departments, we show you how to streamline and implement impactful changes. Additionally, get introduced to our new assessments tailored for R&D, clinical operations, facility readiness, and manufacturing excellence. These assessments are crafted to elevate efficiency within the biopharma sector. Tune in for these valuable insights in the first part of our essential two-episode series! Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0116. Harnessing the Power of PPM Tools for Organizational Synergy: A review of Smartsheet's PPM whitepaper. | 13 Mar 2024 | 00:53:37 | |
-Effective Project Portfolio Management Strategies https://www.smartsheet.com/inside-smartsheet/research/IDC-project-portfolio-management-whitepaper Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0208. It’s Not the Science — It’s the System | 10 Sep 2025 | 00:54:51 | |
Why Operational Excellence is Biopharma’s Next Competitive Advantage In this special cofounder episode of Lean by Design, Oscar Gonzalez and Lawrence Wong pull back the curtain on the ideas behind Oscar’s upcoming book—and the operational realities that inspired it. The core message? The biggest risks in biopharma often don’t come from the science. They come from fragile systems, tribal knowledge, and disconnected processes that silently slow teams down or bring them to a grinding halt. With over 30 years of combined experience spanning R&D, clinical ops, and facilities management, Oscar and Lawrence unpack:
Plus, they preview the framework at the heart of Oscar’s forthcoming book: a practical guide for process owners, system stewards, and leaders ready to build resilient operations without boiling the ocean. If you’ve ever tried to fix a broken workflow while juggling 10 others, or wondered why your cross-functional projects keep stalling—this episode is for you! Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0207. Fix What Matters Most: Rethinking Workflow Improvement in Biopharma | 23 Jul 2025 | 00:56:11 | |
In this episode, we introduce a new approach to operational excellence, one built for the realities of today’s biopharma landscape. As the industry faces tighter budgets and widespread restructuring, the pressure to “do more with less” has never been higher. But when you can’t fix everything, where should you start? We share how Sigma Lab Consulting helps clients focus on the workflows that matter most—those that, if broken, pose the greatest risk to execution, decision-making, or speed. Drawing on experience in R&D, clinical operations, and facilities management, they reveal how minor workflow gaps often compound into costly project delays. They also explain why many organizations waste time chasing the loudest problems, rather than identifying the most impactful ones—and how their Workflow Criticality Assessment offers a focused, scalable way to prioritize improvements and build long-term resilience. Whether you’re leading a transformation or trying to regain control of daily operations, this episode will give you a new way to think about where (and how) to begin. Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0206. From Chaos to Clarity: Bridging the Gap Between R&D Decisions and Scientific Data with Bogdan Knezevic | 09 Jul 2025 | 00:51:06 | |
In this episode, we sit down with Bogdan Knezevic, co-founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope, to talk about a growing challenge in life sciences R&D: making smart decisions when data is scattered across teams, tools, and partners. Bogdan explains why disconnected systems lead to costly delays, duplicate experiments, and missed opportunities. He shares how the shift from academic to industry research, where projects are shared, not siloed, requires better workflows, clearer handoffs, and more thoughtful tools. We discuss:
If your organization is working to scale R&D, improve collaboration, or simply make better use of the data you already have, this conversation is for you. Even small changes today can lead to huge gains tomorrow. Learn more about Kaleidoscope Bio at https://www.kaleidoscope.bio/ Connect with Bogdan at https://www.linkedin.com/in/bogdanknezevic/ Ready to assess your organization’s efficiency? Connect with us at leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com to uncover high-impact improvement opportunities. 🚀 Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0205. Before You Scale: Designing Workflows That Set Teams Up for Success with David Hirschfeld | 25 Jun 2025 | 00:43:05 | |
In this episode, we sit down with David Hirschfeld, 35-year software veteran and founder of Tekyz, to talk about why designing workflows before you start building is critical for sustainable growth. We explore how the speed of modern tools and AI can create a dangerous illusion of progress, causing teams to skip planning and discovery. David challenges the common “build while flying” mindset and explains why taking time to think first actually speeds you up. You’ll also hear his contrarian, but highly practical, "Launch First" approach, where sales and marketing happen before building. It’s a powerful method for validating product-market fit early, avoiding wasted development cycles, and moving fast without flying blind. Whether you’re launching a startup, building internal platforms, or scaling R&D, this episode will reshape how you approach planning, execution, and risk. Learn more about the Launch 1st Method at https://launch1st.tekyz.com/ Connect with David at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dhirschfeld/ Ready to assess your organization’s efficiency? Connect with us at leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com to uncover high-impact improvement opportunities. 🚀 Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||
| 0204. Start With the End: How PRFAQs Create Clarity Before You Build with Marcelo Calbucci | 11 Jun 2025 | 00:51:23 | |
Have you ever started a project only to realize you’re building something your leaders never asked for? You’re not alone. In this episode of Lean by Design, we sit down with Marcelo Calbucci, a veteran of Amazon, Microsoft, and multiple startups, to explore the PRFAQ Framework, Amazon’s secret weapon for aligning strategy and execution. By drafting a mock press release and FAQ before a single line of code is written, teams force themselves to clarify vision, spot roadblocks, and reach consensus across departments. The real magic comes from the collaborative review and no bullet‑filled slides, just a tight narrative that surfaces gaps in logic and focuses on solving genuine customer problems. Whether you’re battling scope creep as a product manager or aiming for alignment as an executive, this conversation will equip you with a powerful tool to kick off your next project with crystal‑clear purpose. Tune in and learn to work backward for forward momentum. Learn more about the PRFAQ at https://www.theprfaq.com/ Connect with Marcelo at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcelocalbucci | https://x.com/calbucci Ready to assess your organization’s efficiency? Connect with us at leanbydesign@sigmalabconsulting.com to uncover high-impact improvement opportunities. 🚀 Join the book waitlist: https://sigmalabconsulting.fillout.com/t/cjWN43iBNWus Learn more about us by visiting: https://sigmalabconsulting.com/ | |||