If a lean-manufacturing method isn’t working for your organization, the reason might not have occurred to you.
Many businesses love cutting waste and costs for profits by using lean manufacturing principles, but many global manufacturers have failed.
The companies used the popular Six Sigma, Kaizen and Value Stream Mapping. All of this was reported in a 2011 study by the consulting firm, AlixPartners (www.alixpartners.com) in New York.
The industries were principally aerospace, automotive, consumer products, chemicals, electronics and industrial.
Most companies made $500 million or more in revenue. About 66 percent are in the U.S.
Here are the surprising results:
— The majority of respondents reported cutting 1 to 4 percent in costs, which is generally believed substandard.
— Thirty percent of respondents realized 5 percent or more in savings.
— About 14 percent didn’t know how much they saved.
— About 60 percent aren’t optimistic – they forecast their failure to continue to achieve at least 50 percent of their attained savings.
Lean programs have been widely used for the past five decades, as a catalyst for cost-cutting and continuous improvement. Original adopters included General Electric, Motorola and Toyota.
So what’s the problem?
Apparently, the answer is rudimentary. The companies weren’t fully applying the principles to achieve a strong return, according to AlixPartners Managing Director Steve Maurer.
In essence, he suggested: Businesses need to establish vigorous goals.
They should apply the lean principles culturally company-wide, not just as a narrow list of tactics in a limited fashion.
My sense is that he’s right.
Don’t be dissuaded by the results of the study. In a 24/7 global economy, lean methods are needed more than ever. They do work if fully implemented.
When properly implemented, historically, lean programs have led to increased profitability and market share.
But a company’s entire culture must be changed for a customer-based focus. And that takes a strong administrator with an outside participant to coordinate and implement the cultural makeover.
From the Coach’s Corner, you might wish to consider these links:
Why Kaizen Philosophy Works in Lean Principles for Business and Public Sector — Lean thinking has become imperative for business and government. Budgets are strained, but pressure continues to mount for better customer service. The bottom-line: Both the private and public sectors need to save time and money while providing exemplary service – with existing resources.
18 Leadership Strategies to Earn Employee Respect — Even though Wall Street gets ecstatic over productivity growth, merely slashing costs and jobs to create profit is not sustainable for profits. Workers have been realizing they’re not sharing in the wealth.
20 Tell-Tale Signs – You’re Under-Performing as a Manager — Managers can often struggle whether they’re new or experienced. Poor management, of course, leads to poor performance. As red flags, underperforming managers share one of two common traits with ineffective employees. Such managers aren’t fully aware of their shortcomings. Even if they are aware of deficiencies, they’re afraid to admit it.
If Mergers & Acquisitions Tempt You, Consult HR Pros First — If you’re contemplating a merger, be very careful about your human capital – whether you’re in government, a small business or a global company. Senior finance executives need to listen to human resources experts to insure success.
“There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.”
-Peter F. Drucker
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