Lean
Tip #1321 – Kaizen Needs a Long Term Commitment
The
overriding principles of kaizen is that it is daily, continuous, steady, and it
takes the long-term view. Kaizen also requires a commitment and a strong willingness
to change. The interesting thing about kaizen is that big, sudden improvements
are not necessary. Instead, what is important is that you’re always looking for
ideas — including even the smallest of things — that you can build on. Tiny
improvements are OK; over the long-term these add up to great improvements.
Each journey begins with a single step — this too is a precept inherent in
Kaizen. Keep moving forward.
Lean
Tip #1322- There is No End to Improvement
There
is an old saying that goes “Once you think you have arrived, you have already
started your descent.” One must never think they "have arrived." In
the US we say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But the spirit of
kaizen suggests that there is always something to learn and ways to improve,
and that it is also better to prevent problems than to fix them. So, no matter
how good things may seem now, there is always room for improvement, and looking
to improve every day is what the spirit of kaizen is all about. It’s not about
how far you have come or how far you have yet to go, it is only about this
moment and being open to seeing the lessons around you, and possessing the
capacity and willingness to learn and improve. There are many small things you
can do to increase your design mindfulness and skills over time.
Lean
Tip #1323 – Always Involve People in the Area in Kaizen
Involve
operators and people in the area by notifying them that there will be an event
in their designated area. The most basic communication can help prevent
confusion. Also, post a flip chart in the area for employees to post ideas
before an event takes place. Keep employees informed during events and follow
up with operators for evaluation.
Lean
Tip #1324 - Facts and Data Will Substantially Improve Your Kaizen Process
Make
sure you have solid information before making changes. Facts and data will
substantially improve your kaizen process, not only now but in the future. In
new Lean implementations, or ones with considerable resistance, every mistake
acts as an indictment of Lean. Minimize the ammunition for the naysayers.
Lean
Tip #1325 - Think Small and Frequent
Many
companies today are only looking for the, “BIG WINS” when it comes to
improvements. While big wins are always nice, they really aren’t going to be
able to happen very often. A company that identifies small areas of improvement
and implements them frequently is going to make much more progress over time
than one that ignores the small things and only focuses on bigger issues.
Lean
Tip #1326 - Engage the Full Team to Find Improvement Opportunities
Continuous
improvement in a facility is almost never going to be made by a single person.
This is why you need to have the entire team involved. This starts with the CEO
and leadership team and goes all the way to the front line employees. By
creating a teamwork environment where everyone is working together to ensure
ongoing improvement you will be much more successful in the long run.
Even
when employees propose an unrealistic idea it should still be seen as a positive
step. Taking all ideas seriously and trying to find ways to implement them if
practical can allow employees to have the confidence in the management team
that they need to want to bring new ideas up to the team.
Lean
Tip #1327 – Lead a Kaizen By Being a Real Team Player
From
setting the goals to solving problems and achieving improvements, you and your
team members should be equally involved. You should be acting like a teacher
for generating ideas from your team members. You will be really blessed if you
have a team willed with bright, motivated, and talented people. Otherwise, your
success as a Kaizen leader will depend totally upon how well you are able to
increase the knowledge, skills, and participation of your team members.
Lean
Tip #1328 - Set the Tone and Your Employees Will Follow It.
Leaders
need to show, not just tell. If you want your employees to be punctual, make
sure you’re there on time -- or even early. If professionalism is a priority,
make sure you’re dressed for success, and treat everyone you interact with
(both in-person and online) with courtesy. Set the tone and your employees will
follow it.
Lean
Tip #1329 - A Little Humility Goes a Long Way.
There’s
a difference between a leader and a boss. While both are in charge, a leader shares
the spotlight and is comfortable crediting others. While it might seem
counterintuitive, being humble takes more confidence than basking in glory.
Your employees will appreciate it, and your clients will, too.
Lean
Tip #1330 - Never Stop Improving.
Great
leaders -- indeed, great people -- are constantly learning and always trying to
improve themselves. There’s always something that you can work on or a new
skill to master. Be sure to keep your mind open to new ideas and possibilities.
Lean
Tip #1331 - Make Sure Everyone Understands the Big Picture
If
your team isn’t already familiar with the organization’s main goals, then lay
them out in plain language.
Show
them where they fit within the organizational structure, and why their work
moves everyone toward those goals. Make them feel valued, so they’ll have
reason to engage with and “own” their jobs.
Lean
tip #1332 - Give Employees What They Need
If
team members lack the right tools or training, they may not feel capable of or
confident about doing the tasks you’ve assigned them. Whether they need
training, a new computer, a smartphone, or a better printer, make it happen, so
they can move forward with confidence.
If
they express a need for something to help them be more productive, and you fail
to provide or approve it, they soon will stop coming to you with improvement
ideas.
Lean
Tip #1333 – Plan Carefully and Get Everyone Involved
Because
long-term strategies rarely survive their first brushes with reality, you’ll
need to collaborate with your team on how to best achieve them, because they
probably know best. Review the plans and get everyone involved in how to
proceed.
Give
them active, important roles in building those plans, as well as controlling
deadlines, scheduling, project management, and scope creep.
Lean
Tip #1334 - Be There For Your Team
Lead
from the front, ready to smooth the path and provide anything they need to in
order to execute. During a crunch time or crisis, roll up your sleeves, and
work side-by-side with them until everything’s back to normal.
Lean
Tip #1335 - Encourage Creative Thinking.
There
are always problems to be solved and better ways to do things, so why not
challenge your employees to come up with creative ways to deal with common
business issues. Supervising doesn't mean controlling each and every step. It
means making sure that all the organizational activities are being implemented
at the highest level. Give people the freedom to find their own unique ways of
solving issues. Challenge them to think out of the box.
