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The Rest is Lean

The Rest is Lean

By: Alan Lothian John Dee Russell Watkins
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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!!

© 2026 The Rest is Lean
Economics Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Freedom within a Framework - A Safe Place to Develop Leadership Capability & Empowerment
    18 Oct 2026

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    Toyota leadership thank the operator when the Andon is activated and the line stops. If an operator stopped a machine in your organisation, would you say the same?

    In this episode we discuss Freedom within a Framework.
    An opportunity to safely develop leadership capability, problem solving, empowerment and engagement.

    How do your escalation processes work?
    Is your well meant intent actually stifling development of your future leaders?
    Does a leader always have to be the hero?

    Our channel aims to explore the world of leadership, lean manufacturing, operational excellence and continuous improvement, by sharing our decades of experience in this field. Trained by Japanese Master Engineers from Toyota (2nd Generation Ohno trained) and Honda, we want to share our knowledge, experience and failures so you don't have to!


    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

    We also have a Leadership Interview Series which involves members of Team TRIL engaging with global lean leaders who are willing to share their experiences and challenges

    Whether you’re a business leader, lean practitioner, or simply curious about what makes organisations thrive, #TRIL delivers stories and lessons that inspire action

    Tune in and discover why, when it comes to leadership and lean, the rest is just noise

    Remember that we are also available on all good (and some not so good) streaming platforms!
    You can even email us at therestislean@gmail.com

    The #TRIL Team are:
    John Dee. DEE Enterprise Excellence Ltd. www.dee.uk.net
    Alan Lothian. 3ABEL. www.aaabel.co.uk
    Russell Watkins. Sempai Ltd. www.sempai.co.uk

    Show more Show less
    29 min
  • Recruiting Lean Queens - LinkedIn Lunacy, Zoom Chaos & Gemba Games
    4 Oct 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    Problem solving the challenge of finding Lean strength and depth in your organisation. What traits should we be looking for and what should set the alarm bells? Does LinkedIn and Zoom help or hinder in making the right decision?

    These are some of the questions we take from our subscribers and followers. In this episode we try to tackle these and ask a few more:

    Develop from within or recruit?
    What balance is to be made of theory v application?
    People centric or shiny new machines
    How should we setup the final interview?
    What questions should we ask to assess their suitability?

    Plus also find out why since John decided he was going to retire, he's become the busiest he's ever been!!

    Our channel aims to explore the world of leadership, lean manufacturing, operational excellence and continuous improvement, by sharing our decades of experience in this field. Trained by Japanese Master Engineers from Toyota (2nd Generation Ohno trained) and Honda, we want to share our knowledge, experience and failures so you don't have to!
    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.

    We also have a Leadership Interview Series which involves members of Team TRIL engaging with global lean leaders who are willing to share their experiences and challenges.

    Whether you’re a business leader, lean practitioner, or simply curious about what makes organisations thrive, #TRIL delivers stories and lessons that inspire action.

    Tune in and discover why, when it comes to leadership and lean, the rest is just noise.

    Remember that we are also available on all good (and some not so good) streaming platforms!
    You can even email us at therestislean@gmail.com

    The #TRIL Team are:
    John Dee. DEE Enterprise Excellence Ltd. www.dee.uk.net
    Alan Lothian. 3ABEL. www.aaabel.co.uk
    Russell Watkins. Sempai Ltd. www.sempai.co.uk

    Show more Show less
    31 min
  • Lean v Elon Musk, Smugglers and "The Idiot Index"
    20 Sep 2026

    Send us Fan Mail

    Elon Musk and Drug Smugglers. Can we learn from those we may not like? Are our biases meaning that we are missing a good opportunity to learn?

    The new series of The Rest is Lean Podcast gets underway, full of interesting discussion and plenty of laughs


    Following on from Alan's venting, the Team discuss how lean learning can come from those who are not necessarily the most well-liked of people

    • Does Elon Musk have a 'Lean' mindset?
    • How do drug smugglers use lean concepts for their ill-gotten gains?
    • What is the 'Idiot Index'?

    This leads onto the guys sharing some of their memories with their Japanese Mentors from Toyota and Honda and how the learning they received was delivered, would work with today's generation

    Our channel aims to explore the world of leadership, lean manufacturing, operational excellence and continuous improvement, by sharing our decades of experience in this field. Trained by Japanese Master Engineers from Toyota (2nd Generation Ohno trained) and Honda, we want to share our knowledge, experience and failures so you don't have to!


    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

    We also have a Leadership Interview Series which involves members of Team TRIL engaging with global lean leaders who are willing to share their experiences and challenges

    Whether you’re a business leader, lean practitioner, or simply curious about what makes organisations thrive, #TRIL delivers stories and lessons that inspire action

    Tune in and discover why, when it comes to leadership and lean, the rest is just noise

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


    You can even email us at therestislean@gmail.com

    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

    Show more Show less
    32 min
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