Too many companies are still doing LEAN instead of being LEAN
Business topic
When Toyota developed LEAN in the 1950’s it delivered phenomenal results on the shop floor by reducing waste, increasing flow and developing a culture of Continuous Improvement. Over the years the tools have evolved and the principles have been applied in most major industries, but in a survey of 2,800 CEOs & Business Unit Managers from USA Today Business, only 19% were satisfied that their LEAN programmes had delivered what was intended.
So is the concept of LEAN running out of steam?
Celerant’s answer
Celerant Consulting believe the opposite is true. LEAN is entering a new era. An era brought about by changes in the operating model from local to global, mid size to multinational. It’s a new world now, globalised, complex and instant and companies need to develop a LEAN model that fits with that. Focusing on the shop floor is no longer enough. Being LEAN in the 21st Century means expanding programmes horizontally and vertically to mobilise everyone – and leadership has a key role in making this happen.
The global programmes we design do much more than reduce costs, they create sustainable value.