Lean - What is it good for?
Well, this is a common question.
I was once challenged by a manager who asked: ‘I have a team of accountants, how can Lean help us?’
The answer is the same for accountants as it is for manufacturing: wherever we look, whether at home or in the workplace, everything we do is a ‘process’, therefore once we map our process, we can then analyse the steps and identify those that we do more than once (rework) or incur additional time (waste) – aiming to reduce or eliminate them.
How do we reduce waiting time in hospitals? How does Amazon deliver so quickly? How are restaurants so efficient? How do Formula 1 teams change their wheels/tyres so quickly?
Because they actively use ‘Lean’ tools.
The companies who supply us with our everyday items at home and at work all use Lean to a degree, some more than others.
Lean is not about staff reduction, its about working smarter, eliminating the things we should NOT be doing and identifying the things we should do through the eyes of the customer as well as the eyes of the business.
So, what are the benefits to my business?
- Customer satisfaction
- On time delivery
- Better quality
- Easier process operations
- Increased moral
- Staff retention
- Business longevity
Not to mention, staff development, ownership, and accountability as well as ‘helping the environment’
So, what is Lean good for?
To make our lives easier, much easier!
Find out more here or contact us.