by Nitya Iyer and Sanja Monteiro, ASQ Innovation TC
This podcast is for anyone who wants to learn more about what is happening in innovation today and for anyone who wants to make Innovation happen. We talk with innovators who are making contributions globally, across business, academia, government, and not-for-profit entities. The podcast is brought to you by the ASQ Innovation Technical Community, which is part of the American Society for Quality. "Innovation is something new that makes people happy." - Peter Merrill
Language
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Publishing Since
8/16/2021
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November 14, 2025
<p>How do you make quality and continuous improvement part of everyone's job, not just the quality department's? </p><p>In this episode, we sit down with Mark Alarik, a continuous improvement project strategist and ASQ-certified <strong>LSSGB</strong> (Lean Six Sigma Green Belt) with over 20 years of experience driving transformation across manufacturing, tech, healthcare, and more. Mark breaks down how to make quality everyone's job, not just a single department's. We dive into the power of systems thinking, "driving out fear" to create psychological safety, and why frontline worker insights are critical for innovation. Mark also shares a practical vision for replacing static SOPs with a dynamic "Quality Operating Procedures" (QOP) platform to embed continuous improvement directly into the daily workflow.</p><p>Join us for a masterclass (change to an insightful conversation) on turning continuous improvement from a siloed function into an everyday reality for every single worker.</p>
August 26, 2025
<p>In this episode, Tracy Owens, Lean Six Sigma and innovation expert at Ohio State, shares how hiring managers can use quality tools to accelerate onboarding and foster early innovation. He discusses balancing structured training with flexibility, adopting impactful onboarding tools, measuring success, and applying human-centered design to enhance the new hire experience. Tracy also highlights strategies for inclusivity and building cross-functional collaboration to nurture a systems-thinking mindset from day one. Practical insights for leaders aiming to create agile, engaged, and innovative teams.</p>
May 3, 2025
<p>In this episode, Mark Alarik, Continuous Improvement Project Strategist and Manager at GM Alarik, talks about the concept of systems thinking for driving innovation. Mark shares the foundational principles of systems thinking and explains how understanding the whole system—not just individual parts—can lead to more effective, future-ready solutions. He discusses how organizations can identify hidden constraints, unlock untapped value, and leverage cross-departmental collaboration for innovation. Mark also addresses the leadership mindset needed to remove systemic barriers and embrace transformation, especially during times of crisis. Drawing on over 20 years of experience across multiple industries, he highlights real-world examples and offers strategies for leaders to foster a culture of collaboration and innovation.</p>
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This podcast is for anyone who wants to learn more about what is happening in innovation today and for anyone who wants to make Innovation happen. We talk with innovators who are making contributions globally, across business, academia, government, and not-for-profit entities. The podcast is brought to you by the ASQ Innovation Technical Community, which is part of the American Society for Quality.
"Innovation is something new that makes people happy." - Peter Merrill
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