22 | Regulars / Continuous improvementThe Impact of lost focus by Freddie and Michael Balle or “Lean Thinking” by Womack and Jones. Commitment PhaseReal-world examplesUnique and superior cultureSome forward-thinking companies have designed and implemented continuous Loss of CI commitment CommittedCommitmentimprovement certifcation plans for their Thresholdemployees to foster engagement. One such Abandon CI /Costs increaseEmbracing Acceptance Phaseprogram is called the Bronze Certifcation Loss of customer intimacyPlan, which includes a list of books required Learning of Changeto be read, complete with a simple write-up DispositionThresholdindicating the best takeaways from the Introductionreading. The certifcation process consists Cultural BenefitPreparation Phaseof a list of four to six more tasks plus Productivity Improvementparticipation in at least two kaizen events followed by actually leading an event. The Unawareness Forming Norming PerformingWavering Regressingcertifcation is awarded when the criteria are verifed. Additionally, the employee Time participates in a leadership communication Productivity and customer intimacy are lost when continuous improvement is abandonedand planning session for their career in the focus. The lack of experience managing an foster productivity improvement, cultural future. In this example, employees who entire business cycle of highs and lows has involvement and accountability to fourish completed certifcation become advocates challenged their ability to maintain cultural robustly in the market segment. Strategic rewarded with a slight pay bump as continuity, and they must now begin anew. plans placed on hold would be set in recognition of their commitment. Larger Experienced leaders, seeing the gaps in motion for rapid execution so that the organizations have formed Lean Promotion execution, realize their succession planning employees could quickly see some beneft Offces, where they set aside offce space must become more robust for the health from their involvement. Two years ago, we for a library dedicated to education about of their company and their employees. talked about pay being the most signifcant lean manufacturing. They equip the library Fortunately, the continuous demand for obstacle to employee retention, and the with several books that the employee products provides the opportunity to set in business owners in the industry responded. can check out. In addition, they have motion actions that can regain momentum Today a company’s leadership is tested created company stores with promotional in company cultures stagnated by the again for their fortitude in sustaining a items promoting the production system events of the past few years. cultural environment that demonstrates commitment and have assigned an As I work with the converters on attractiveness for the next generation executive leader to organize kaizen teams renewing their commitment to continuous workforce. What employees are asking based on feedback from the metrics and improvement, I reminded them that while now is: ‘are the next generation leaders organizational leaders.the pandemic caused signifcant obstacles, committed to a culture of improvement, The most important takeaway I the market segment remained robust. and do they have the stamina to stay emphasize is that outside forces will Equipment providers and consumable the course?’ constantly challenge an organization. suppliers in the market fought their battles Several leaders have asked me to The most successful organizations with supply chain issues. Many of them communicate a path forward that will continuously learn to shift with the market gave up on the continuous improvement ignite change. Subject matter experts changes. No one can predict all of the focus, trying to survive the component who were my mentors always emphasized hurdles a company will face, but the best shortages that plagued productivity. that a company must renew its leaders act on securing the best assets Some companies built inventories only commitment to improvement every for the company in people. Leaders that to be stagnated by the missing fnal three years and fnd the catalyst that will wavered on process disciplines thinking component that prevented shipment. force the issue. The best foot forward is process shortcuts could help weather This problem plagued just about every ensuring the executive team is the catalyst. the trying times are now seeing that had capital equipment industry. But the actions Holistically they have to embrace their they held on to their convictions, their of prebuilding inevitably added costs commitment and rally together as an employment culture would be much and drained cash fows. The company’s unwavering force, often revisiting actions healthier now. These leaders will become reaction to the supply chain issues allowed they already know but have lacked the invaluable to the company if it truly is a process shortcuts and un-quality back into discipline to sustain. The group needs to lesson learned. If nothing was learned, their operating systems. start again learning the behaviors they they will repeat the mistake and create a must outwardly demonstrate each day. As less-than-desirable workplace. Find those A new normal a team, they should begin reading material companies, and you will fnd employees We are all dusting ourselves off from the pertinent to the focus. They should select looking for a better workplace. calamity of the uncontrollable economic the reading material and discuss their and pandemic events and fnd that we are readings as a group. Paul Brauss, former CEO now entering an economic cycle that will Next, I recommend they dissect metrics of Mark Andy and a no longer accept price increases. Companies that highlight fundamental process past board member of have to focus on cost containment. What problems, discuss what needs to change, TLMI, is a consultant if the thought process included the actions and then identify and commit to aggressive, and executive coach. See required to retain and attract employees? quick-hit actions that beneft quickly. I Braussconsulting.com, Leaders would have to determine the provide a reading list of critical materials, and buy his book at steps to restore commitments that including books like “The Gold Mine” amzn.to/2NFzXkBlabelsandlabeling.com