What is Lean?
Lean - or Business Performance Improvement - could be stated quite simply as 'more with less'. It is the application of proven techniques that examine a process, highlight the non-value added activity, and then apply mechanisms that eliminate or reduce these activities. Lean began at Toyota, the renowned leaders of the transformation of quality in the automotive industry. It has transformed the automotive industry worldwide and its principles and practices are being adopted in any situation where people and processes come together. The Lean Office is just one example of this metamorphosis.
Why embark on a Lean journey?
To remain or become competitive, commercial organisations look to cut costs in order to maintain their margins. A Lean approach does more than just attack the cost base - it provides a framework for sustained continuous improvement and a fully involved 'can-do' culture.
What's in it for me?
Whether you are a senior executive, manager, supervisor, office clerk or operator, there's something in it for you. A Lean programme provides everyone in the organisation with a chance to make a positive and measurable difference.
Typical Areas of Improvement:
Corporate culture
Business KPI performance
Employee empowerment and involvement with ownership and responsibility able to be passed down
Team based results
Skill flexibility and alignment with corporate objectives
Improved capacity
Reduced waste, defined as non-added value activity
Housekeeping and safety
Improved communication and recognition.
Whatever your business, Lean is the way to rapidly improve performance
Terminology
A lot of Lean vocabulary is derived from the Japanese language. You don't need to use these words to adopt Lean methods but knowing them can be helpful when working with consultants and partners. more
5s Workplace Organisation
The basic ideas are simplicity itself: keeping things scrupulously clean and orderly will increase both efficiency and employee morale. more
Kaizen
Kaizen is a Japanese word usually associated with Continuous Improvement. An approximate translation would be:
"Kai" - transformation
"zen" - worth or value
What is Kaizen? more
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