Ep. 17 · Harmonizing Efficiency with Kevin Keller
In this episode of Quality Time with MoreSteam, host Dan Swartwout strikes a chord with Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt Kevin Keller. It’s a dynamic deep dive into the world of process improvement! Kevin hits all the right notes as he shares insights from his corporate career and his encore as a consultant, teacher, and coach. As a frequent headliner at MoreSteam’s monthly webinars, Kevin covers topics that will have you humming along to the tune of operational excellence. Together, Kevin and Dan explore topics such as:
- Statistical Hypothesis Testing: Making data-driven decisions that hit all the right beats to improve processes.
- Control Charts: Keeping quality in harmony and reducing variability.
- Response Surface Methodology: Orchestrating product performance through systematic experimentation.
- Understanding Variability: Why hitting the right tempo in reducing variability is key to operational success.
With practical examples and real-world applications, this episode is music to the ears of anyone interested in process improvement, statistics, and Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Tune in for an engaging conversation that makes complex statistical concepts accessible and actionable. And don’t miss how Kevin’s hall-of-fame career in barbershop music has shaped his approach to teamwork and continuous improvement – because when it comes to process excellence, it’s all about finding the perfect harmony!
In this episode, you will hear about:
1:24 - Meet Kevin
2:26 - How Kevin got involved in Lean Six Sigma
3:58 - How Kevin got involved with MoreSteam
5:30 - Consulting work as a Master Black Belt
7:00 - How Kevin uses continuous improvement principles in his personal life
8:26 - The MoreSteam webinars hosted by Kevin
10:23 - Improving operations by understanding variability in manufacturing processes
15:10 - What is CPK
16:20 - Statistical hypothesis testing and its role in process improvement
17:54 - Simplifying statistical concepts to make statistical insights more impactful
21:44 - The importance of valid statistical inferences in business decision making
24:13 - The skill of communicating as a Master Black Belt
25:32 - How control charts assist in maintaining process quality
31:30 - Response surface methodology
34:41 - Kevin’s hall of fame career in Barbershop music
Additional Resources:
Kevin Keller's November 20, 2024 Webinar
Kevin Keller's December 18, 2024 Webinar
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Host • MoreSteam
Dan Swartwout is the host of Quality Time with MoreSteam. A lifelong Central Ohio resident, Dan is a double Buckeye. He earned both a BA and a law degree from The Ohio State University. Before joining MoreSteam, Dan had a long career as a host, comedian, and master of ceremonies. For 17 years, Dan was the studio audience host for the Ohio Lottery game show Cash Explosion. Dan was also the host of CBuzz, which was a collaboration between the Columbus Chamber of Commerce, WWCD 92.9, and the Columbus Dispatch. On CBuzz, Dan interviewed some of the most prominent entrepreneurs in Central Ohio. From 2002-2020, Dan toured the country as a standup comedian. Tracks from his comedy CD have been played over 5,000 times on Sirius/XM satellite radio. Now, Dan brings his experience and enthusiasm to Quality Time with MoreSteam -- it's business and fun, together.
Master Black Belt • MoreSteam Client Services
Kevin Keller is a professional statistician and quality professional with over 30 years of experience teaching, coaching, and leading Lean Six Sigma project teams from the shop floor to the enterprise levels. He began his career as a process engineer at Texas Instruments and then served in a Master Black Belt role at MEMC Electronic Materials for 15 years. Kevin advanced to manage quality systems for AB‐InBev and eventually accepted a Master Black Belt position for AB‐InBev's North American Zone. Kevin earned a BS in Chemical Engineering from Missouri University of Science and Technology and a Masters in Applied Statistics from The Ohio State University. He also is a certified Lean Six Sigma MBB.
