The Rest is Lean – Details, episodes & analysis

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The Rest is Lean

Alan Lothian, John Dee, Russell Watkins

Business

Frequency: 1 episode/12d. Total Eps: 47

The Rest is Lean Channel is a light-hearted and educational look at how to make businesses better through Lean Manufacturing and Operational Excellence.

Suited for all levels of understanding and from any industry or geographical region.

John, Alan & Russell are time-served lean professionals with over 30 years each in this field. Leading and coaching some of the best businesses from SMEs to multi-nationals.

Trained by some of the highest calibre Japanese masters from Toyota(one step from Ohno himself), Honda and Nissan , we want to share our experiences with you, allowing some of these 'pearls of wisdom' to help make your business processes, people, and profitability that little bit better each day.

We welcome your comments, questions, and guidance on future discussion topics so feel free to drop us a line via the comments section or via email.

therestislean@gmail.com

Oh, and don't forget to subscribe!!

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https://www.buzzsprout.com/2445331/fan_mail/new
47 shares
https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2445331/open_sms
31 shares

https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/tril
3 shares
https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/teamtril
3 shares

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Score global : 68%

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Leadership, Listening and Gemba aka Looking Through a Different Lens

Season 3 · Episode 7

Sunday, December 28, 2025 • Duration 34:35

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The #TRIL Team get together once again to share their experiences through their decades in Lean Transformation, Leadership and Continuous Improvement endeavours.

In this episode learn about:

- Traits of a good leader such as active listening
- The Importance of Gemba
- Football Mascots
- Spying in changing rooms (not!)
- Clarity & Conciseness
- Why are John's jacket pockets so big?!

If you're enjoying what we do and want to keep up to speed with the latest episodes, then don't forget to subscribe, click the bell notification icon, and share with anyone else you know who may be interested.

Remember also that we are now available on all good (and some not so good) streaming platforms!

The #TRIL Team are:
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

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The Tact of Takt II aka You Can't Be a Little Bit Pregnant!

Season 3 · Episode 6

Sunday, December 14, 2025 • Duration 32:24

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A continuation from our previous Tact is Takt episode, due to the deluge of questions asked by our subscribers.

Options to deal with variations in your Takt calculation, visualising the opportunity for further improvement, skills, flexibility, 8 Wastes, and the impact of WIP are all touched upon in this jam-packed episode.

If you're enjoying what we do and want to keep up to speed with the latest episodes, then don't forget to subscribe, click the bell notification icon, and share with anyone else you know who may be interested.

Remember also that we are now available on all good (and some not so good) streaming platforms!

The #TRIL Team are:
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

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World Class Team Leader Competencies aka Going Global

Season 2 · Episode 9

Sunday, August 10, 2025 • Duration 30:12

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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 sauce?

Topics include:

Strategic approaches to Organisational Capability.
Safe Scenario Setting
Managing upwards / downwards
and many more.
Last but not least, don't forget to listen to Russell's story about 'Jim'

If you're enjoying what we do and want to keep up to speed with the latest episodes, then don't forget to subscribe, click the bell notification icon, and share with anyone else you know who may be interested

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Visual Management, Gemba and Escalation aka 'The Autonomic System'

Season 2 · Episode 8

Sunday, July 27, 2025 • Duration 28:16

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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 time if you're struggling
- What is an Autonomic System?

Let's not forget the Japanese word of the week, plus also understand the Rainbow Style of Management - Bungle, George, or Zippy anyone!

If you're enjoying what we do and want to keep up to speed with the latest episodes, then don't forget to subscribe, click the bell notification icon, and share with anyone else you know who may be interested.
Remember also that we are now available on all good (and some not so good) streaming platforms!

The #TRIL Team are:
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

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Measuring SQCDP and ensuring value over cost aka 'The measures of unintended consequence'

Season 2 · Episode 7

Monday, July 21, 2025 • Duration 34:10

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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 Utilisation.
- The Parenting Problem
- John and his measures of unintended consequence.
- Alan and the importance of value rather than cost when it comes to setting the best out of your people long term.

Let's not forget the Japanese word of the week!

If you're enjoying what we do and want to keep up to speed with the latest episodes, then don't forget to subscribe, click the bell notification icon, and share with anyone else you know who may be interested.
Remember also that we are now available on all good (and some not so good) streaming platforms!

The #TRIL Team are:
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

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Keeping it simple is the key to sustainable lean transformation aka 'Goat or Car'

Season 2 · Episode 6

Sunday, June 29, 2025 • Duration 28:45

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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 improvement journey.

John brings 'The FOG Index' and 'The Stirling Engine' to the table (which blows Alan's mind!!!)

Russell discusses the power of 'Fixed Point Photography' to aid you in remembering where you have come from!

Alan & Russ take part in John's 'Goat v Car' game....!

And find out if Alan has to part with another £150 worth of Harvester Vouchers!! :O)

If you're enjoying what we do and want to keep up to speed with the latest episodes, then don't forget to subscribe, click the bell notification icon, and share with anyone else you know who may be interested.
Remember also that we are now available on all good (and some not so good) streaming platforms!

The #TRIL Team are:
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

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#subcon2025 Special Edition. Podcast live at the NEC 'Why lean sustainability can fail'

Season 2 · Episode 5

Saturday, June 14, 2025 • Duration 30:41

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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 what has worked (and not worked) for us during our careers, plus some great questions from our audience both during and after the session. Even some of our subscribers popped by to say hello!!

If you're enjoying what we do and want to keep up to speed with the latest episodes, then don't forget to subscribe, click the bell notification icon, and share with anyone else you know who may be interested.

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Barriers to sustainable Lean. Visible support & need 4 lean aka 'When no problem is a problem'

Season 2 · Episode 4

Sunday, June 1, 2025 • Duration 28:36

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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 some of his experiences on how he learned the hard way!

Russell shares his recent visit to Bentley Motors and shares a very interesting 'mystery' item.

Last but certainly not least, our 'Japanese word of the week' slot.

If you're enjoying what we do and want to keep up to speed with the latest episodes, then don't forget to subscribe, click the bell notification icon, and share with anyone else you know who may be interested.
Remember also that we are now available on all good (and some not so good) streaming platforms!

The #TRIL Team are:
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

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Useful Gadgets & Team Dynamics for #lean professionals #nlp aka 'Man Down Man Down!'

Season 2 · Episode 3

Sunday, May 18, 2025 • Duration 44:51

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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 come in useful when carrying out our lean activities and how has it changed through the years?

Also, Alan 'discusses' a recent experience with another airline, and their booking system challenges.

Remember that if you want to get involved with your questions, comments, and tips of your own then don't forget to email the podcast at therestislean@gmail.com or drop us a comment below.

If you're enjoying what we do and want to keep up to speed with the latest episodes, then don't forget to subscribe, click the bell notification icon, and share with anyone else you know who may be interested.
Remember also that we are now available on all good (and some not so good) streaming platforms!

The #TRIL Team are:
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

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Quality, Cost & Delivery #qcd The essential KPI's for every lean team brief? aka Q&A Session

Season 2 · Episode 2

Sunday, May 4, 2025 • Duration 50:41

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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 year as we take the podcast 'on tour' to the #subcon2025 event at the NEC Birmingham in June. It's free to participate and details can be found here https://www.subconshow.co.uk

Remember that if you want to get involved with your questions, comments, and tips of your own then don't forget to email the podcast at therestislean@gmail.com or drop us a comment below.

If you're enjoying what we do and want to keep up to speed with the latest episodes, then don't forget to subscribe, click the bell notification icon, and share with anyone else you know who may be interested.
Remember also that we are now available on all good (and some not so good) streaming platforms!

The #TRIL Team are:
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

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The Rest is Lean – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

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Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

The Rest is Lean – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Buzzsprout2

Youtube7

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Buzzsprout2

Youtube7

Other1