Regulars / Continuous improvement | 21Why employees like leanAttracting great employees is all about culture, and using continuous improvement and lean tools demonstrate a commitment to people, and it pays of in the end, writes columnist Paul Braussne of the biggest obstacles to “The dialog about why lean is important must growth reported by converters and converter suppliers is fnding Omove from just being about an organization resources. Finding and retaining employees becoming more competitive to developing a has become more of a science since Covid, and building an attractive work work environment attractive to employees”environment has never been more critical. Coming from the operational side of the business, I often wonder why there is force leaders to make that commitment. become great. hesitancy in adopting lean manufacturing Signifcant alignment is identifed as part We’ve all heard that the best leaders and a continuous improvement approach to of a cultural awakening required to harness must be exceptional coaches. Executives running a business. the capabilities of the new generation and business owners are responsible for The work environment in companies workforce. teaching leaders these skills and paving without a lean and continuous The dialog about why lean is important the way to answer their needs. The next improvement focus tends to have more must move from just being about an generation of workers will demand this, or turnover. It is less competitive because the organization becoming more competitive to they will leave. In a recent survey, over 72 environment perpetuates a less committed developing a work environment attractive percent of employees say it is essential for mindset to doing things correctly. The to employees. them to feel part of a community at work. work environment at companies that have The answer to the workforce crisis can be started a lean initiative and then given up What employees want: found with a lean, continuous improvement also needs help. • Purpose fnding meaning focus for the employees and the leaders. I have interviewed operators • Community and connection Committing to lean involves the entire of companies that once had frm • Growth and long-term focus company. This management philosophy commitments to continuous improvement • Increased value and self-worth promotes the concept that everyone in but have yet to regain focus due to • Simplifcation and standardization the company is part of a team. Solving leadership changes, ownership changes • Specifc recognition problems and using kaizen projects to and the consolidation efforts impacting the advance a solution promotes involvement market today. The common thread is that What companies need: and eliminates costly silos of activity. the operators miss the cultural benefts • Collaboration involving everyone Kaizen teams are engaged, and the they felt in a lean organization because they • Silo elimination and process focus participants have a sense of fulfllment, believed their talents and contributions • Simplifcation and standard work all very important to the next generation provided a competitive advantage. • Employees for the long-term workforce. The company gains the They had a higher sense of worth to the • Innovative problem solvers elimination of problems by getting to organization. • Advancement of skilled work the root of the issue. The investigation and elimination steps ensure the correct New generation workforce Our next-generation workforce is telling attention and focus are achieved quickly. The tangible benefts of a lean organization us they strongly need more fulfllment become more evident as we explore the from their work environment and better The lean tools needs of the next generation of workers. work/life balance. Specifcally, leaders Lean is all about increasing an overall The stories and statistics from 10 to 15 in organizations are burning out quicker company’s effciency by providing a years ago are overwhelming about lean post-Covid because they have more general balance of the fow of work that provides implementation failure rates in companies. responsibilities. Like all employees, leaders an increased velocity of throughput. The reason for the low success factor points seek camaraderie as part of a winning Accomplish throughput advances are to a failure to understand the disciplines team that celebrates personal success and mapped with a focus on bedrock foundation and the commitment from leaders that provides nurturing. elements of lean: standard work, visual is required. What will help move a culture is a management, 5S, and waste identifcation. Today, however, the heightened pressure roadmap that amplifes how to build on the Standard work is a tool that provides identifed as the needs of employees and strengths of our employees, so they know continuity as well as a training reference the needs of the industry may fnally they have an opportunity to grow and for completing a task the best way every Oct - Dec 2023