A business podcast dedicated to teaching and sharing how the popular business improvement methodologies of Lean and Six Sigma can be applied to environmental impacts (water, air emissions, solid waste, trash, rubbish, hazardous waste, toxins, and energy) and societal issues (homelessness, government agencies, education, healthcare, gender equality, poverty, etc). These techniques and principles can help businesses, nonprofit organizations, NGO's, not-for-profit organizations and local communities save money, engage employees and residents, and become better stewards of the environment. Learn more at LeanSixSigmaForGood.com
Keywords: Lean, Six Sigma, Environment, Sustainability, Green, Energy Reduction, Energy Conservation, Carbon Footprint, Triple Bottom Line, Eco-friendly, Environmental Sustainability, Water Conservation, Lean Six Sigma, Business Improvement, Process Efficiency, Zero Waste, Waste Reduction, Efficiency, Poverty, Donations, Homelessness, Healthcare
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A business podcast dedicated to teaching and sharing how the popular business improvement methodologies of Lean and Six Sigma can be applied to environmental impacts (water, air emissions, solid waste, trash, rubbish, hazardous waste, toxins, and energy) and societal issues (homelessness, government agencies, education, healthcare, gender equality, poverty, etc). These techniques and principles can help businesses, nonprofit organizations, NGO's, not-for-profit organizations and local communities save money, engage employees and residents, and become better stewards of the environment. Learn more at LeanSixSigmaForGood.com
Keywords: Lean, Six Sigma, Environment, Sustainability, Green, Energy Reduction, Energy Conservation, Carbon Footprint, Triple Bottom Line, Eco-friendly, Environmental Sustainability, Water Conservation, Lean Six Sigma, Business Improvement, Process Efficiency, Zero Waste, Waste Reduction, Efficiency, Poverty, Donations, Homelessness, Healthcare
E127: Applying Kaizen in Developing Countries with Sammy Obara
Lean Six Sigma for Good Podcast
44 minutes 32 seconds
2 months ago
E127: Applying Kaizen in Developing Countries with Sammy Obara
In this episode, I share an interview with Sammy Obara, Founder and Senior Partner at Honsha, a consulting firm made up of former Toyota employees. He recently presented a topic called “Kaizen without Borders” at the 2025 UCSD ProcessPalooza, and I invited him on the podcast.
We discuss applying these powerful concepts to NGOs and not-for-profits. From medical supply distribution in East Timor to coconut oil production in Kenya, Sammy shares inspiring stories of sustainable change and how simple and low-cost improvements can have a big impact.
00:00 Introduction to Lean Six Sigma for Good00:18 Meet Sammy Obara: Background and Experience01:05 Journey with Toyota: From Brazil to Japan03:40 Transition to the US and Academic Career04:52 Setting Up Honsha and Work with the Lean Enterprise Institute (LEI)06:43 Cultural Differences: Brazil vs. Japan12:14 Lean Principles in Action: NGO Projects15:06 Case Studies: East Timor and Kenya23:05 Lean for Hope: Global Impact41:26 Conclusion and Contact Information
Listen to the podcast on this page, download it on your favorite podcast player (search “Lean Six Sigma for Good”) or watch the entire interview at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm1dX_Me3mc
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A business podcast dedicated to teaching and sharing how the popular business improvement methodologies of Lean and Six Sigma can be applied to environmental impacts (water, air emissions, solid waste, trash, rubbish, hazardous waste, toxins, and energy) and societal issues (homelessness, government agencies, education, healthcare, gender equality, poverty, etc). These techniques and principles can help businesses, nonprofit organizations, NGO's, not-for-profit organizations and local communities save money, engage employees and residents, and become better stewards of the environment. Learn more at LeanSixSigmaForGood.com
Keywords: Lean, Six Sigma, Environment, Sustainability, Green, Energy Reduction, Energy Conservation, Carbon Footprint, Triple Bottom Line, Eco-friendly, Environmental Sustainability, Water Conservation, Lean Six Sigma, Business Improvement, Process Efficiency, Zero Waste, Waste Reduction, Efficiency, Poverty, Donations, Homelessness, Healthcare
