Recently, speaking at a Lean Management conference, experts from that conference proclaimed the failure rate was around 90% and higher. I must say, I was shocked hearing those numbers!
However, I understand, it takes years for some to implement a Lean culture, and without the right training and tools, systems FAIL. For this reason, our business shares with business owners from all over, how to sustain Lean, and how to install lean controls in a matter of months. Not Years!
When we started systemizing our business in 1994, Lean’s 5s, the system for business housekeeping designed to keep a business clutter free, was not yet popular. However, it was introduced to the world at large in the 1970’s.
The 100% System of Cleanliness = 5-S Lean Management
Our company had successfully implemented and sustained our Quality Control System for years. However, we needed a system for housekeeping, as we struggled to keep our print facility clean and clutter-free. In fact, at times, it looked as if a bomb had gone off in the production area! A system to keep a dirty print shop clean would be a challenge.
Therefore, I set out to design a system called, The 100% System of Cleanliness, chronicled in my book, System Busters: How to Stop Them in Your Business. We developed written step-by-step processes for how to implement this new cleaning system, more importantly, how to SUSTAIN it!
The Bright Side of How to Sustain Lean
We had learned earlier through failure, without a system for follow-up you can’t insure correct performance of ANY process, or system. Furthermore, without a system of follow-up, ALL systems will collapse and things will go back to business as usual.
The reason I can say there’s a bright side of Lean is, we proved it works by measuring. As a result, we sustained LEAN, day after day, month after month, for over fifteen years, until selling the business.
The good news is, we also made a video of how Lean Management looks when implemented the right way. We uploaded a YouTube video for the world to see. We wanted to show how sustaining business systems worked by having well designed systems. In addition, the video showed our follow-up systems in place, ensuring the maintaining and sustaining of ALL systems.
Take our Lean Tour to the bright side of Lean.
Did I mention? Great systems work!
