22 | Regulars / Continuous improvement“People want to know the company will invest in them, help them learn their job, and also help them learn about the industry they work in”time. Employees are engaged to write the best standard work, and barriers in the process and stimulates collaborative discussions leaders use the input to solve areas that struggle with the process, to fx any issues and speed up the process steps. The process thus increasing productivity. approach, usually measured by time and value-added content, Managing the improvement activity requires community eliminates silo thinking that stifes an organization. involvement in kaizen events focused on advancing the best process Measuring process cycle time and process quality eliminates methods. Sustaining the standard work involves communication inconsistencies in management and actions by the workforce at all and feedback as part of the daily management approach. Shift levels. Problems rise to the top visually, and leaders can help defne start-up meetings and frequent follow-ups at the machine level fll corrective action by including the process responsible person. the need for communication. These quick communication huddles Kaizen projects provide the tools to solve process issues and build are perfect for employees to come together for a common purpose, standard work. solving problems and highlighting achievement. People: One of the most substantial teachings of lean Trying to explain all the tools of lean and all the fundamental manufacturing is the reliance on people as the most versatile asset approaches to implementing lean in your company cannot be a company can help fourish. Coming out of the Covid isolation, achieved in a brief article. A simplifed overview is a communication we learned the workplace can rebrand itself as a central hub of about the ‘Four P’s of Lean,’ and I can show you how they resonate a community of people pulling together to add value for the with our new workforce and with a cultural alignment. customers being served. Community and linkage to others are Purpose: High on the list of desired traits in a company for essential in the new work life. new employees is identifying a purpose that provides meaning. There is a disconnect in many organizations, assuming their Employees want to understand that the company has a long-term workers, who complain about the amount of work, are looking vision with a commitment to that vision that includes a fulflling for less when looking for more versatility and support to advance work environment. It is essential to see and hear current employees improvement. When we pull together a kaizen event, we typically cycle time and process quality eliminates inconsistencies in management and actions by the workforce talking about the positive atmosphere and to see leaders fnd that the workforce is excited about the inclusion to improve at all levels. Problems rise to the top visually, and leaders can help define corrective action by including demonstrating values being communicated. They want leaders things and is bold in doing the work required to advance an the process responsible person. Kaizen projects provide the tools to solve process issues and build willing to share detailed information about strategy, goals and how improvement idea. The kaizen participants use task diversity to standard work. people will be held accountable. help pull them from the mundane to a level of fulfllment for their The foundational toolset of the House of Lean provides a involvement. People want to know the company will invest in One of the most substantial teachings of Lean manufacturing is the reliance on people as the People: toolset of standard work, 5S, visual factory, and a focus on waste them, help them learn their job, and also help them learn about the most versatile asset a company can help flourish. Coming out of the COVID isolation, we learned the identifcation that communicates the commitment to vision industry they work in. workplace can rebrand itself as a central hub of a community of people pulling together to add value for daily. During the lean implementation phase, the training ensures Communication is essential, and positive specifc recognition the customers being served. Community and linkage to others are essential in the new work life. There the employees and the leadership teams understand how these is a crucial element of this communication. Visual management is a disconnect in many organizations, assuming their workers, who complain about the amount of work, fundamental stones are placed. The information is repetitively practices help provide a consistent method to communicate each are looking for less when looking for more versatility and support to advance improvement. When we pull together a kaizen event, we typically find that the workforce is excited about the inclusion to presented, including at the onset of each kaizen event. engaged worker’s appreciation and value. improve things and is bold in doing the work required to advance an improvement idea. The kaizen The commitment to kaizen is part of a long-term vision and Performance: Every work team in a lean environment is participants use task diversity to help pull them from the mundane to a level of fulfillment for their commitment focused on continual improvement. The kaizen comfortable with the idea that performance is a critical element involvement. People want to know the company will invest in them, help them learn their job, and also philosophy assumes that our way of life – be it our work, social, of organizational success. The workforce is anxious to know their help them learn about the industry they work in. Communication is essential, and positive specific or home – deserves to be constantly improved. process task is impacting results. As a result, a company needs to recognition is a crucial element of this communication. Visual management practices help provide a Process: Workers at every level of an organization want to see understand specifc driving metrics that an operator can relate to consistent method to communicate each engaged worker's appreciation and value. consistency and standard work. Having one way of performing a from their vantage point. Leaders often talk about profts or gross task helps individuals identify with the expectations of the job, margins, and an operator running a press fnds it complex to draw Every work team in a lean environment is comfortable with the idea that performance is Performance:and having one way defned and supported with documentation the connection from their tasks. a critical element of organizational success. The workforce is anxious to know their process task is and visual aids can be easily shared from shift to shift in a Lean puts attention to metrics on time, quality and productivity. having an impact on results. As a result, a company needs to understand specific driving metrics that an visual company. Using the visual factory tools with simple metrics displayed and operator can relate to from their vantage point. Leaders often talk about profits or gross margins, and Using a standard approach to process problem-solving helps with maintained by employees drives a focus on performance if they are an operator running a press finds it complex to draw the connection from their tasks. Lean puts consistent communication, breaking down silos of activity. The linked to the efforts and displayed at the machines. attention to metrics on time, quality, and productivity. Using the visual factory tools with simple metrics process map is often the starting point for evaluating a company Sustaining a competitive advantage requires an organization displayed and maintained by employees drives a focus on performance as long as they are linked to the efforts and displayed at the machines. simply. Having fresh eyes from multiple areas of a company and that can pull together company assets in a cohesive approach understanding the process fow is helpful in the identifcation of to generating value for the customers they serve. The roadmap to achieving the cohesive movement is chartered with lean manufacturing. Attracting great employees is all about culture, and using continuous improvement commitment with lean tools demonstrates a commitment to people. The reduced turnover rates reported by lean-focused organizations highlight the benefts compared to non-lean-focused organizations. Is there any wonder why?Paul Brauss, former CEO of Mark Andy and a past board member of TLMI, is a consultant and executive coach. See Braussconsulting.com, and buy his book at amzn.to/2NFzXkBThe 4Ps of lean Sustaining a competitive advantage requires an organization that can pull together company assets in a labelsandlabeling.comcohesive approach to generating value for the customers they serve. The roadmap to achieving the cohesive movement is chartered with Lean Manufacturing. Attracting great employees is all about