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Lean by Doing

Brian Meyers

Welcome to Lean by Doing, the place where we’re taking you along for the ride of our epic business transformation to full-on lean! Buckle up, because we’re sharing all the juicy insights, behind-the-scenes stories, and lively conversations about lean and company culture. Whether you’re just starting your lean journey or looking to level up, we’ve got the good stuff to make it happen.

Hosted by Brian Meyers—a Lean enthusiast, and president of Fat American Mfg Group (yep, that’s Victory4x4, JcrOffroad, and Squatch Proof)—this is where passion meets process. Ready to lean in? Let’s go!

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  • 21 episodes
  • Avg 33 min
  • English

Episodes 21

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  • Tuesday · 27 min

    Ryan Tierney | Reducing Customer Friction

    Ryan Tierney and the guys discuss customer friction and how to remove it from the process. This will reduce the burden on your customers and your team!

  • September 23 · 31 min

    Ryan Tierney Visits the Growing Lean Culture in the Midwest

    Ryan Tierney from Lean Made Simple traveled from Ireland to visit Lean By Doing and other companies throughout the area. The guys discuss the differences they saw in lean practices, rethinking their processes, and the lean culture that has begun here in the Midwest.

  • Nov 14, 2025 · 31 min

    How to go from Worst to Best | 180 Degree Change with Lean!

    Joe sits down to talk about his incredible change from before Lean to now and encourages anyone out there to do the same!Chapters00:00 Introduction and Fresh Perspectives04:03 Joe's Transformation Journey07:21 The Shift in Leadership Dynamics10:10 Empathy vs. Compassion in Leadership13:04 The Importance of Mentorship16:19 Unlocking Potential in Employees19:15 Leadership Styles and Personal Growth22:10 Challenges and Learning from Failures24:57 Conclusion and Call to Action

  • Nov 7, 2025 · 32 min

    How do you Implement Lean in an Employee-Owned Company? | Die Co.

    The great people from Die Co. stopped by for a lean tour, and Brady Neuhart sat down to talk about their new lean implementation in an employee-owned company. Chapters00:00 Introduction to Lean Transformation and Employee Ownership03:13 The Journey of Lean Implementation at Dyco06:09 Financial Literacy and Employee Engagement09:33 Overcoming Resistance to Change12:20 Building a Culture of Ownership and Accountability15:16 Guiding Principles for Employee Owners18:09 The Role of Leadership in Lean Transformation21:28 Connecting Work and Family24:22 Conclusion and Future Aspirations31:08 Introduction to Leadership Insights31:31 The Lean Leadership Action Guidebook Overview

  • Oct 17, 2025 · 35 min

    Lean Leadership with Joey Mayfield of FBI Buildings

    In this conversation, Brian and Joey discuss their evolution as leaders and their different styles. They explore the challenges of setting a clear vision, balancing strategy with execution, and the need for continuous improvement in leadership approaches. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of fostering a supportive environment that encourages employee engagement and growth while maintaining high standards.Chapters00:00 Introduction02:55 Transformation and Environment06:01 Leadership Styles and Approaches11:38 Vision and Clarity in Leadership17:46 Balancing Strategy and Execution23:37 Challenges in Leadership and Culture29:38 Actionable Takeaways and Conclusion

  • Oct 10, 2025 · 18 min

    How Lean Has Changed Work & Life | Chris Hamilton

    This week on the Lean by Doing Podcast, Brian talks with Chris Hamilton about how our Lean implementation has changed his work, confidence, and daily life.Get a FREE Lean Resource Kit with tools for your Lean implementation!https://www.leanbydoing.com/resource-kit-sign-up

  • Jul 11, 2025 · 32 min

    Implementing Lean in a Large Company | Lamar Trailers

    In this conversation, Willie Peters from Lamar Trailers shares insights into the company's journey, emphasizing their faith-based values and the importance of operational excellence through Lean principles. He talks about the challenges faced in implementing Lean in a large company (200+ employees).00:00 Introduction to Lamar Trailers02:32 Faith-Based Business Values05:33 The Lean Journey Begins08:26 Implementing Lean Practices11:46 Challenges in Lean Adoption14:35 Struggles with ERP Systems17:26 Innovative Solutions and Kanban20:36 Reflections on Lean Successes and Failures23:28 Future Directions and Closing Thoughts

  • Jul 5, 2025 · 18 min

    Keep the Rope Tight on the Process | Give the people some slack

    Brian talks about recent life updates, time off, and keeping the rope tight with Lean. Keep the rope tight on your processes, not too tight on people.Get a FREE Lean Resource Kit with tools for your Lean implementation!https://www.leanbydoing.com/resource-kit-sign-up

  • Jun 13, 2025 · 20 min

    ERP Systems ≠ Lean

    In this episode of Lean by Doing, I dive into the complexities and challenges of implementing ERP systems in lean manufacturing environments. While ERP systems are often seen as solutions to a wide range of business problems, I’ve found that they can actually introduce significant inefficiencies and hidden costs. Drawing from my own experiences, I talk about the importance of data integrity, the potential for waste, and why businesses need to critically assess their reliance on ERP systems. I also suggest exploring alternatives like AI and lean methodologies before fully committing to an ERP solution. Get a FREE Lean Resource Kit with tools for your Lean implementation!https://www.leanbydoing.com/resource-kit-sign-up Chapters 00:00 Understanding ERP Systems in Lean Manufacturing 05:46 The Limitations of ERP Systems 13:59 Practical Recommendations for ERP Users

  • Jun 6, 2025 · 13 min

    3 Things I Do Daily as a Lean Business Owner

    This week, we hosted our first AME 2 Second Lean Tour. One of the best questions was "Brian, what does a typical day look like for you?". I didn't get a chance to answer it then, so this week I talk about what my day looks like as a lean leader and the changes I made to get to this point. I hope this helps you in your lean journey! 00:00 Introduction to Lean Transformation04:09 The Shift in Leadership Approach04:13 Embracing the GEMBA05:03 Maximizing Existing Sales05:47 Structuring the Day for Success07:58 The Importance of GEMBA Walks10:09 Coaching for Continuous Improvement12:06 Creating Lean Content and Its Impact

  • May 30, 2025 · 22 min

    Lean Implementation | 3 Tips & 3 Traps!

    In this episode, I talk about my personal experience implementing lean at Fat American Manufacturing. Here are 3 traps to watch out for and 3 tips to help you in your lean implementation. I hope this helps you and your business. If you have any tips, wisdom, experiences...leave them in the comments, they can help us all learn!Get a FREE Lean Resource Kit with tools for your Lean implementation!https://www.leanbydoing.com/resource-kit-sign-up

  • May 23, 2025 · 26 min

    Real Lean Talk: 5 Things That Suck Right Now

    In this episode, Brian discusses his personal struggles with Lean implementation, focusing on five key areas: distractions from a new building project, missing KPIs, staff development challenges, the gap between expectations and reality, and the busy culture affecting leadership transitions. He emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement and the frustrations that come with managing a team while striving for Lean excellence.

  • May 16, 2025 · 53 min

    Incredible Lean Tour Through Ireland! | What We Learned

    Brian shares his incredible lean adventure across Ireland, where he and his colleague explored various businesses implementing lean practices. They visited seven companies, each showcasing unique approaches to lean, from office organization to manufacturing processes. The journey highlighted the importance of developing people, embracing lean culture, and the community's eagerness to learn and improve. Brian reflects on the insights gained and the potential for lean practices to transform businesses in Ireland, making it a relatable model for others.Check Out the Businesses We Visited:Adman Steel ShedMurphy Precast Concrete Applied Concepts ATC Advanced Technical Concepts Seating Matters SDC Trailers Hampton Conservatories

  • May 9, 2025 · 44 min

    Building a Lean Culture in US Manufacturing | Command Electronics

    This week, Brian and Chris discuss the journey of Command Electronics in implementing lean manufacturing practices. They explore the challenges faced during the transition, the importance of building a lean culture, and the impact of COVID-19 on their operations. Chris shares insights on improving lead times, quality control, and fostering team engagement through morning meetings and continuous improvement initiatives. The discussion highlights the significance of collaboration and innovation in the manufacturing industry, as well as the future goals of Command Electronics in expanding their lean practices.Get a FREE Lean Resource Kit with tools for your Lean implementation!https://www.leanbydoing.com/resource-kit-sign-upChapters00:00 Introduction and Backstory03:41 The Evolution of Command Electronics06:55 Challenges and Changes in Manufacturing09:43 Implementing Lean Manufacturing Practices12:38 Building a Lean Community15:55 Lessons Learned from Lean Implementation19:10 Navigating Market Challenges21:34 Innovations in Product Development25:50 Quality and Lead Time: The Key to Success31:05 Embracing Lean: The Journey of Continuous Improvement35:45 Building a Culture of Trust and Transparency41:27 Future Growth: New Opportunities and Challenges46:16 Collaboration and Communication: The Lean Advantage51:12 Exploring Lean Principles with Chris Campagna51:16 Exploring the Lean Toolkit

  • May 2, 2025 · 29 min

    Is Your Hiring Process Lean? Revolutionizing Hiring in a Lean Business

    Brian discusses the challenges and innovations in implementing Lean practices within a business, particularly focusing on the hiring process. He sits down with new employee, Wyatt, to discuss the importance of trial days, standard work, and continuous improvement in creating a culture that aligns with Lean principles. They highlight the need for adaptability in hiring and onboarding processes to ensure a good fit for both the company and the employees.

  • Apr 25, 2025 · 39 min

    From Traditional to Lean: An Engineer's Perspective

    Brian talks with Alex, the engineering manager, about the journey of the engineering team transitioning from traditional practices to Lean methodologies. It highlights the challenges faced in a conventional engineering environment, the implementation of Lean tools, and the cultural shifts within the team. The discussion also delves into product development, continuous improvement, and aligning the company's vision and mission with engineering practices.00:00 Introduction and Background03:37 Career Journey and Early Experiences06:22 Challenges in Engineering Before Lean09:28 Transition to Lean Methodology12:35 Implementing Lean in Engineering15:22 Cultural Shifts and Team Dynamics18:19 Product Development and Design Improvements21:39 Adapting to Shipping Challenges24:27 Continuous Improvement and Customer Focus27:19 Vision and Mission in Product Development30:26 Case Study: Land Cruiser Bumper Redesign33:20 Final Thoughts and Future Directions42:00 Exploring the Lean Toolkit

Showing 1–20 of 21 episodes