Interview – Andy & Me and the Hospital

By Pascal Dennis (bio)

Fine interview last month on my latest book, Andy & Me and the Hospital.

Good questions & a chance to talk about Tom & Andy’s latest adventures.

The boys get pulled into a major New York City hospital in crisis.

Can Tom & Andy translate Toyota’s powerful methods and thinking to save the hospital from disaster?

The book reflects my experiences the past ten years working with healthcare leaders at every level.

Had fun writing it. Hopefully, my best book.

Thanks to our colleagues at Taylor & Francis and Catalysis who will also be posting the interview presently on their website.

Best regards,

Pascal

Andy & Me and the Hospital – now available!

By Pascal Dennis

There is much opportunity, Tom-san!
Andy Saito

Dear friends,

I’m thrilled to announce the release of Andy & Me and the Hospital – Further Adventures on the Lean Journey [Amazon and Productivity Press].

Tom Papas and his sensei, Andy Saito, face perhaps their greatest challenge yet – a major New York City hospital.

Why a book about Toyota methods (aka ‘Lean’) in a hospital?

Because health-care is a dark realm full of opportunity. If we don't get it right, it could bankrupt us.

Why this book?

I want to answer some basic questions. What does a Lean transformation in a hospital feel like?

What overall approach should we take? What kind of leadership and behavior change is needed?

How do we develop and engage people? How do we improve processes?

How do we build a management system? How do we translate what Deming called the ‘profound system of knowledge’?

At the same time, I want to provide a clear and simple guide to Toyota methods and thinking, how they fit together, and the spirit that animates them.

Why a sequel to Andy & Me and The Remedy?

People seem to like Tom Papas and Andy Saito, and they’re like family to me now. Moreover, their journey is perhaps a useful metaphor for leaders at all levels.

Gave it everything I got. Hope you find it enjoyable and helpful.

Best regards,

Pascal

PS Special Offer from my publisher:

Please feel free to contact Charles Regan at the Taylor & Francis group for a bulk offer or customized version of Andy & Me and the Hospital,

E: Charles.regan@taylorandfrancis.com
P: 917-351-7122

Pascal Dennis Bio

Lean Production Simplified 3rd Ed. - Pascal’s Lean Insider Interview

By Pascal Dennis

Hi folks,

Fine interview recently with Lean Insider. Here are some highlights.

What motivated you to originally write the book Lean Production Simplified?

I wrote the first edition of Lean Production Simplified hoping to share what I’d learned at Toyota. I felt that if I could explain things simply, then perhaps I had gained a certain level of understanding. During the past 20 years, I’ve been the sensei helping companies apply the Toyota system or Lean.

Why did you write the 3rd edition?

My coaching practice has taken me far from the Toyota shop floor – into hospitals, power plants, container terminals, and research laboratories. And the more I learn, the more I think of Socrates -- "The more I know, the more I realize I don’t know." Hospitals, banks, universities, software developers, government agencies and other service providers are hungry for Lean thinking and methods. Their customers will no longer accept substandard safety, quality, delivery, or cost performance.

What’s different about the 3rd edition?

I’ve added many more examples from outside the factory (e.g. design, engineering, administration, etc.) and from the industry sectors I mentioned earlier. I’ve also included study questions at the end of each chapter.

How does Lean related to the martial arts?

My study of aikido helped prepare me for Toyota. I quickly realized the Toyota Way is a "do" or path, and that the Toyota shop floor is a dojo -- a place where you practiced a profound art or worked on your technique and on yourself. Indeed, before stepping on to the shop floor, I felt like bowing -- a sign of respect for my team, organization, and the art of management. I still feel that way.

Best regards, Pascal

PS Special Offer from my publisher:

Please feel free to contact my publisher Productivity Press (Taylor & Francis group) for a bulk offer or a customised version of Lean Production Simplified.

For North- and South-America: george.kenney@taylorandfrancis.com

For Rest of the World: georg.wanek@tandf.co.uk

Pascal Dennis Bio