Thanks to the wonders of LinkedIn we have reconnected with a former colleague who runs a business transformation consultancy. It's been real fun catching up and learning how well what we offer for leader and team development (the soft skills) fits in with what they are doing with their clients across the globe.
In the process of alignment I had to do a quick catch up on what we mean by Lean, bearing in mind it was Total Quality Management (TQM) that got me into training in the first place. Well what I found out was that TQM is a cousin of lean, and Lean incorporates TQM principles and practices. TQM tended to be a broad culture-oriented initiative but delivered variable results due to lack of focused implementation methodology and direct measurable results.
So what does Lean mean?
If this interests you, we would love to help you, and although we are not Lean consultants, we sure do know a man (and his organisation) who can!
Lean + Release the Magic = Amazing Results
In the process of alignment I had to do a quick catch up on what we mean by Lean, bearing in mind it was Total Quality Management (TQM) that got me into training in the first place. Well what I found out was that TQM is a cousin of lean, and Lean incorporates TQM principles and practices. TQM tended to be a broad culture-oriented initiative but delivered variable results due to lack of focused implementation methodology and direct measurable results.
So what does Lean mean?
- It's all about the customer - they are your reason for being, and they define what they value and what they don't.
- Eliminate waste in everything you do and do it in a permanent way.
- Respect for people, effectively a learning organisation where people are supported through safe working environments, effective communication, extensive training. Employees are expected to use their brains for the betterment of customers.
- Make it visual - transparency eliminates waste. 'Go and see' what is going wrong!
- Long-term journey - although there are instant results, it is not a fad diet for your business, but it is a lifestyle change.
- Simple is better - the KISS principle - how to bring simplicity into the complex world of today!
- Keep it moving - build in smooth, continuous flow of products through to the customer.
- Quality at source - create a quality product at each step of the value stream.
If this interests you, we would love to help you, and although we are not Lean consultants, we sure do know a man (and his organisation) who can!
Lean + Release the Magic = Amazing Results
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