Lean: A way to improve your operations – suitable for both service and manufacturing sectors.
The term 'Lean' is often linked to 'Lean Manufacturing' and is a simple way to straighten out processes. This helps organisations to create happier customers and generate higher profits by focussing on the way that the organisation supports its customers.
If your organisation is faced with long lead-times, confusing information flows and poor customer relationships then Lean can certainly help you. This is true whether you are in manufacturing or not. The tools and ideas are applicable to all types of businesses.
Applying Lean improvement tools within an organisation is a straightforward process and can be implemented in a variety of ways. As this is a people centred approach training is a great place to start – you can see this in our lean case studies. Starting in your own organisation is essential, but the benefits can be rolled out to your supply chain for further gains.
Once the Lean techniques have started to take hold you will be better equipped to respond to the changes in the market you serve. Whether the fluctuations are in demand or from your customers needs it will help you to cope better. The term 'agile lean' is often used to describe a company that can do just this, dance to the tune of the customer without putting undue stress onto the organisation.
