Hold on to your seats, because in this episode of the Ever-So-Lean Podcast, Matt is joined by James K. Franz, the Vice President of Global Operations at the Toyota Way Academy - the birthplace of Lean Excellence and the Toyota Production System. Jim's enviable Lean education, acquired through training in both Japan and the United States, has made him a recognized industry expert, earning global accolades. He shares his insights on how the Toyota Way has evolved and the importance of investing in people to create a true Lean culture. Jim warns against the dangers of blind benchmarking and provides practical examples of how he has successfully led enterprise-wide transformations across multiple industries, achieving significant improvements in quality, productivity, lead time, and cost reductions. Get ready to be inspired by Jim's expertise, as he talks about his Shingo-prize-winning book 'The Toyota Way to Continuous Improvement', co-authored with Dr. Jeffrey Liker. With engaging insights and practical tips, this episode is not to be missed - it's a gift to all those looking to achieve Lean excellence!

Find out more about the Toyota Way Academy at www.toyotawayacademy.com

Find out more about the Ever-So-Lean Podcast at www.eversolean.com