Lean Management
Lean Results
By Karl H.
Schultz
karlschult@aol.com
“What am I going
to get in return with all the training, time spent from the job, costs, etc.,
for starting a ‘lean’ initiative,” ask many executives. And it is a very
important question and not one that can be answered, “Trust me, we will get
results.”
So, how does one
understand what results might be achieved. Obviously trying to find
competitive information will be difficult and much of it will be hearsay.
Another method is to obtain general information. “Industry Week” magazine
does a Best Plant Survey of Winners every year. This is an indication of
how much the winners improved with “lean” implementation of the “tools”:
What type of
“tools” did these “Industry Week” Best Plant Winners employ?
Another interesting application of the “lean” tools applies to
the office. The following are some results of a top 5 Fortune company:
Financial Group
Personnel
Accounting
33%
Productivity $2M
(15%) Cost Reduction
process
mapping process mapping
work teams &
teams organized by customer vs. training
function
recognition & rewards
redefined
work - cross training
cycle time reduction
work teams & teamwork
relayed area into “cells
Corporate Tax
Material Control
Group
$490K
(18%) Cost Reduction
$280K
Cost Reduction
process
mapping process mapping
developed & displayed business
macro business measurements
measurements & displayed
work teams
redefined
work - cross training developed computer systems
relayed area into
“cells” cycle time reduction
Small
businesses can also achieve the results show above. The National Institute of
Standards and Technology (NIST) has programs (Manufacturing Enterprise Programs)
with many States to assist small manufacturers achieve “lean” results as shown:
Previous Articles:
Jobs: Where Are They Going?
Clean Up
This Place
Lean Management
Fundamentals
