Lean Whiskey Episode 49
Episode 49: “Japan Study Tour, a Lost iPhone, and some Hibiki and Ichiro”
In Episode 49, Mark Graban shares tales of his holiday / study tour trip to Japan. Since we start with the whisky (like scotch, note the lack of an ‘e’), and Mark’s opportunity to visit bottle shops,his favorite whisky bar, and even a whisky museum, along with the many samples he had a chance to try along the way. He brought one home, a Ichiro’s Malt Wine Wood Reserve which he was able to find for a fair price (and also a ridiculous one), and it was the featured bottle for Mark’s pour. Jamie used Hibiki Japanese Harmony, a good entry-level Japanese blended whisky that is both easy to find and relatively affordable.
Mark and Jamie then discussed the Japan Study Tour itself, organized by Katie Anderson. This included Isao Yoshino as a co-host and Toyota alum, and another Toyota retiree sharing his story as well. It included trips to Toyota suppliers and Japanese food manufacturers including Ina Foods. There were many themes including providing an environment where employees have the opportunity to speak up, the benefits of a long-term view including a 100-year calendar, and a focus on employee development as a primary goal. Mark also introduced a word he learned about similar to kaizen and kaikaku, and that word is kaiteki which means comfort for the employee. We also discuss the benefit of study tours in general, including Jamie’s long-ago effort to organize one for the continuous improvement team at DTE Energy.
They finish by talking a bit about Thanksgiving including both how Lehigh University football won the Patriot League and go on to the FCS playoffs, and also lost very heavily to Northwestern in basketball. I guess you can’t win them all. Happy Thanksgiving, and Cheers!
- Jamie’s pour: Hibiki Japanese Harmony
- Mark’s pour: Ichiro’s Malt Wine Wood Reserve
- Jiro’s Sushi Restaurant
- Katie Anderson’s Japan Study Trip
- Podcast feed at LeanWhiskey.com or leanblog.org/leanwhiskey or jflinch.com/leanwhiskey
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