Proper Lean Implementation Can Be Contagious!

How does lean manufacturing work and what are some of the ways in which you can implement it properly to see changes? Lean manufacturing is one of the programs that is used in manufacturing plants but it can be adjusted for any industry. The goal of lean is to provide you with greater production and efficiency while reducing errors. Most large companies have heard of lean and they have been able to see the pros and cons to lean. Establishing a strong lean foundation is the best thing that you can do in order to create a stronger company overall and to make sure the program will run successfully for many years.

Any time you deal with a complete change like the ones that lean will bring, you have to be patient. It can take a year or longer for you to see the results that you are hoping for. In some cases it may take even longer for the results to come in. You need to be able to really stick to the program and also to make sure that you are implementing it correctly in the first place for you to be able to see it become successful.

The good thing about lean is that it usually starts offering results to your company almost immediately. This is a great thing because it gives your staff motivation to stick to it. The bigger goals that you have set may take a longer time for the results to come in but that will be okay as the little victories that your staff members can see now may be enough to motivate them with lean. Keeping a positive attitude about the new program and the way in which it works is the best thing you can do to keep your employees on track with lean.

Having the right vision for lean is one of the best things that you can use as a manager when you implement lean. Top management is in charge of creating the goals and setting the vision for lean. Then your middle managers are in charge of maintaining lean as they are the ones that assist the employees on achieving their lean goals. Staying committed is one of the hardest things that your employees may struggle with so you have to focus on being strong with your commitment to lean so they can see that you do believe in the program.

Every business has different goals to deal with and different requirements that are placed on your organization. Due to this there is not a "one size fits all" method with lean. Some tools will work for the manufacturing industry where others will work better in a business setting. Try out several tools to see which ones you like and can give you results. Just be careful about trying too many lean tools at the same time as it can get confusing for your employees and it may end up causing more of a headache than anything else.

Lean manufacturing is s system that involves everyone. You all need to work together in order to rid the organization of wastes and also to focus on being able to create a complete mindset change. Before you implement lean, hold a large meeting to introduce it to the company. If everyone can see how the program works and what the expectations are, it may be much easier for them to understand lean and to find ways in which they will fit into the program. Having time to prepare for change can usually help a large majority of employees to accept change.