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5 Bullet Friday Lean Thinking Newsletter | 8th Sept 2023

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The Rugby World Cup kicks off this weekend, and we can't wait. If you are interested in Leadership, then we recommend your first stop this weekend is to get hold of a book called Legacy about the All Blacks Rugby Team (New Zealand) Legacy, written by James Kerr, is a compelling exploration of the All Blacks' unique team culture that has propelled them to extraordinary success on the rugby field. Kerr meticulously unravels the team's ethos, shedding light on the principles that underpin their high-performance mindset. The book delves into a rich tapestry of insights, from the importance of leaving the jersey in a better place to the power of personal responsibility, all presented through riveting anecdotes and player interviews. A must-read not just for rugby enthusiasts, but for anyone aspiring to instil a culture of excellence and teamwork. But back to the newsletter. Today, we want to share five key insights that will help you change how you think about change, data, driving performance and building your career.

1. Breaking Barriers and Fostering Collaboration:

 

In today’s hyper-competitive business landscape, silos are detrimental to success. They prevent the free flow of information, stifle innovation, and create unnecessary friction within teams. Break down these barriers by fostering a culture of open and transparent communication. Encourage interdisciplinary dialogues with cross-functional boundaries, allowing for diverse perspectives and ideas to surface. Collaborative platforms can also be leveraged to facilitate this exchange, making it easier for individuals across different time zones or office locations to connect and collaborate.

Remember, great ideas don’t always come from the boardroom. Sometimes, they’re sparked in the casual cross-pollination of thoughts in a lively brainstorming session or a water cooler conversation.

Uncommon commonalities are those shared traits or behaviours that aren’t immediately apparent but play a pivotal role in driving success. These can range from unconventional problem-solving approaches to unique leadership styles or shared rituals that boost team morale. Recognising and harnessing these uncommon commonalities can be a game-changer, fostering a sense of unity and mutual respect within the team.

For example, the All Blacks’ practice of ‘sweeping the sheds’—where everyone, regardless of their status in the team, takes turns cleaning their locker room—helps instil humility and teamwork. It’s these surprising commonalities that often hold the key to unlocking the full potential of a group. So, take the time to uncover these hidden gems within your organisation. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

Read more here

2: The Danger of Averages:

 

Defaulting to averages can be a dangerous practice.

While summing up data in a single figure might seem convenient, it often results in oversimplification, masking the nuances and details that truly matter. For instance, if you’re examining performance metrics within your team, merely looking at the average might overlook the stellar performance of specific individuals or the areas where others might need support.

Similarly, when assessing customer satisfaction, average scores might hide the dissatisfaction of a critical minority.

Hence, it’s essential to delve deeper, critically analyse data, and uncover the real story beneath the surface. Once you step away from the allure of averages, you open up a world of insights and opportunities for improvement.

Learn why it’s important to analyse data more critically.

Dangers of the Average

3: Hoshin Kanri Strategic Planning:

 

The year 2024 is just around the corner, and there’s no better time than now to start preparing. Hoshin Kanri, a strategic planning tool, can be your guide as you set your goals and map out your team’s strategy. This comprehensive approach ensures alignment between your organization’s strategic objectives and the work people do on a day-to-day basis. It helps to focus on the crucial few priorities that make the most impact, thereby preventing wastage of resources on non-value-adding activities.

Hoshin Kanri is an essential lean thinking tool for several reasons. It introduces a systematic approach to strategic planning, which allows for the clear translation of high-level goals into actionable tasks, ensuring that every member of the team understands their role in achieving these objectives. The concept of “catchball” promotes dialogue and collaboration, enforcing a two-way communication process that respects input from all levels of the organisation, thereby fostering a culture of collective ownership.

Hoshin Kanri also emphasises the importance of regular reviews and revisions, allowing for timely adjustments and continuous improvement, key aspects of lean thinking. By aligning everyone towards a unified vision and eliminating waste through focused efforts, Hoshin Kanri encapsulates the very essence of lean thinking.

So, how does it work? Find out how it works.

Corporate Training Programs

4: Why Training Alone Won’t Solve Your Problems:

 

Investing in training is important, but it is not a panacea to all organisational challenges. Many companies make the mistake of viewing training as a one-size-fits-all solution, overlooking that not all problems stem from a lack of knowledge or skills. Sometimes, the issue might be rooted in systemic flaws in the operational workflow, lack of motivation, or inadequate resources.

Moreover, traditional training methods often focus on theoretical knowledge, which might not translate directly into practical skills or improved performance at the workplace.

To maximise the effectiveness of your training programs, they should be tailored to address specific gaps and incorporate practical, hands-on experiences. This enhances the learner’s skills and gives them the confidence to apply the knowledge in the real world. Additionally, ongoing support post-training, in the form of coaching or mentoring, can help embed the learning.

Remember, a well-rounded approach that addresses the root causes of the issues, coupled with targeted, practical training, is the key to achieving sustainable improvements in performance.

Discover why training needs to focus more on practical learning here.

Online Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Course

5: Lean Six Sigma Training – Unlock Your Full Career Potential:

 

Leaping to complete a Lean Six Sigma training course can be the key to unlocking your full career potential. This globally recognised methodology emphasises a collaborative team effort to improve performance by systematically reducing waste and enhancing productivity.

Under this training, you develop a deep understanding of process improvement techniques, data analysis, and decision-making strategies. The skills you gain can be applied across various industries, from manufacturing to IT, healthcare, and more.

By implementing Lean Six Sigma principles, you can help your organisation streamline operations, improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately, boost profitability. Beyond the organisational benefits, Lean Six Sigma certification can also open up many career opportunities. It shows potential employers that you possess critical thinking and problem-solving skills, a keen eye for detail, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

So, whether you’re aiming for a promotion, looking to switch careers, or simply seeking to enhance your skill set, Lean Six Sigma training can be your stepping stone to success. Learn more about Lean Six Sigma training and how it can boost your career here.

Ready to make a change? Don’t hesitate to get in touch and discuss your requirements.

https://calendly.com/leanscapeio/course-advice

Ready to take the leap and level up your Lean skills? 🚀

– If you’re starting out in your career, enroll in our Online Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt Course

– For those looking to accelerate their career, try our Online Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Course

Go ahead, seize the opportunity, and become a Lean expert with us! 💪

Sincerely,
The Leanscape Team 🚀😊💪

The only way to make change happen is to take the next step. Transform your organisation into a competitive leader.

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