Today in business we hear a lot about “Leaning” out our processes. Ever wonder if this thinking could help you to enhance your business performance? The answer is yes!!
Lean is about identifying and eliminating waste in your business processes. Every process contains some amount of waste. How so?
Lean is focused on adding value in the eyes of the customer. In order to be value added, each process step must meet three criteria:
1. Must be perceived as adding value by the customer.
2. Must physically change the product or service offered.
3. Must be done right the first time.
So, if you are entering the same data into multiple databases or reviewing and reworking documents before sending to a customer, this is non value added as it doesn’t physically change anything. Or, if you are filing documents, tracking invoices, calling clients to get them to pay invoices, these items are all considered waste.
How could you benefit from applying “Lean” thinking to your processes? What experiences have you had (or are you having) that have been “lean” or that you would like to be more “lean?”
We can’t wait to hear your thoughts on this most important topic.
Sandra Kinion,
Kinion Consulting, LLC, an
HPI Alliance Partner |
