Approach

 Although there are many fundamental aspects to good practice that hold good in all countries, all industries, all companies - we recognise that clients have 'their own way of doing things', their own corporate culture, to contend with. We have to respect this in order to build on what has been achieved, to carry this forward and ensure clients 'make it their own'. 

There are some who are eager for change, and just want to get on with the practical stuff. Others are wary: 'We've been doing things this way for a long while and have survived - why interfere?' may be the reaction. So we have to explain why, to engage hearts and minds, and to reassure those who may feel threatened. Have them appraise their workplace and working practices against world-class standards, and realise for themselves what opportunities they have.

When initial events have demonstrated the effectiveness of the approach, it is essential to install the mechanisms and systems to not only sustain, but to continue improvement. It is our experience that many companies want to go for quick results - and there are many ways of doing this - but after the spotlight has moved away, things revert to what they were. We ensure that performance expectations (in the form of targets) are made clear, and that performance is monitored.
In order to build on achievements, when the will has been generated, the 'PDCA Board' is an extremely useful mechanism for 'keeping the ball rolling'. Ideas, problems, opportunities are made public, and progressed autonomously using the tools and techniques introduced during Workshop activity.

Meanwhile, we can help the areas that support the main value-adding stream through improving the clients systems and future strategies.

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