Lean Corporations: Simplify, Standardize, Automate

Lean Corporations: Simplify, Standardize, Automate 

The idea of “Lean Corporations” is far from being new. Every star-up, tech companies or industry giants know the value of a Lean training . It has been mostly referred to as the principles of effective manufacturing or automotive giant Toyota and throughout history, the teachings of this methodology enabled businesses to deliver cheaper products without compromising their quality.

Looking at existing examples, there have been quite a few companies that struggled to survive and managed to keep up with the rest not by laying off some of their staff but by improving efficiency. The Lean teachings were able to bring business closer to a more sustainable model that generates less and less waste and thus increases the profit margins. For many, investments made to train their staff pay off quickly. What seems as a great expense in the beginning actually brings more profits on a long term but not only the companies benefit from this scenario.

Looking at the issue from an employee’s perspective, obtaining a Lean certification that is paid by the organization is something that is worth mentioning on a C.V. In fact, many recruiting companies go an extra mile just to get their hands on a candidate that as such a certification. Obtaining it is a testimony itself that the individual was capable of implementing a project that reduced the costs in an organization. This is something that everyone is looking for and it can open the doors to better jobs and an ascending career.

In the end, the Lean system got the world to the point where it is today where abundance, affordability and high quality products dominate the markets. Not managing to comply to such demands from customers will lead to sale losses, liquidities frozen in assets and investments and even bankruptcy. It has come to a point in which Lean training is not optional, especially for the management teams.

How to make Gemba work in the best possible manner?

How to make Gemba work in the best possible manner?

Gemba can be described as one of the most popular terms in the lean community. The word Gemba stands for ‘real place’ and a comprehensive method of approach is absolutely essential to make it work in the best possible manner. First of all, a business leader or manager should have a deep curiosity to know what is actually happening and there is no place for any imagination or assumption as far as Gemba is concerned. The focus will always be on what is actually going on.

Secondly, this process demands direct observation skills to assess how the work is performed and clear cut understanding about the existing reality of a particular situation will help businesses take the right remedial steps to ensure optimal performance. Respect for workers can be described as the third aspect and the manager or supervisor goes to the floor where work is performed to engage people directly. It clearly demonstrates the theory of respect for workers.

In order to make Gemba work in the best manner, the purpose should be identified and it can be said without any doubt that getting started without a purpose will not bring the desired results. People should understand what Gemba is all about and the key is to find out the point of activity. Gemba can be applied wherever the activity is performed and this understanding will help people make it work effectively. Observation should be done with the help of a framework and such an approach will help business people digest, analyze and communicate what they observe.

Validating the conclusions is another important aspect to make Gemba highly successful and things that cannot be seen on the surface should be found out with objective observation and analysis. Such an approach will represent the reality at its best and as a resultant factor; Gemba will become highly effective and result oriented as well.