10 key questions why lean

We’ve compiled 10 key questions on why you should introduce lean in your organisation.

1. What is lean counselling?

Lean consulting is a business strategy and methodology that focuses on improving the efficiency and quality of a company’s processes while reducing losses. The aim of lean consulting is to achieve an optimal balance between customer requirements, costs and the quality of the products or services offered by the company. It involves the use of various tools and methodologies such as Value Stream Mapping, 5S, Kanban and Kaizen to help identify and eliminate waste in production and business processes. Lean consulting can be beneficial for many types of companies, regardless of size and industry.

2. What are the benefits of lean consultancy for my business?

Lean consultancy can bring a number of benefits to your business, including: Improved efficiency:Lean methodologies and tools can be used to optimise your company’s processes, leading to improved efficiency and productivity and reduced waste. Improved product or service quality: Lean consultancy can help identify and eliminate defects in the production process, leading to improved product or service quality. Cost reduction: lean consulting can help identify and eliminate unnecessary costs and waste in business processes, leading to a reduction in operating costs. Increased flexibility: Lean consulting can help a company to become more flexible and responsive to changes in the market. Improved competitiveness: By improving efficiency, quality and reducing operating costs, a company can become more competitive in the market. Customer awareness: Lean consulting can help a company to identify what is really important to its customers and to offer them products and services that meet their needs. These benefits can help your business improve its operations, reduce costs and improve customer relations.

3. How can lean consultancy help my business become more efficient?

Lean consultancy can help your business become more efficient in several ways, including: Identifying and eliminating waste: lean consultancy can help identify processes that are creating waste, such as unnecessary inventory, waiting, over-carrying, etc. lean consultants can then help eliminate these losses, which will increase the efficiency of the processes. Production optimisation: lean consultancy can help optimise production by reducing the time between production steps, eliminating overruns, reducing inventory, improving product quality, etc. Introducing Kanban: lean consultancy can help introduce Kanban, which is a visual tool for production management. Kanban can help reduce inventory, improve processes and increase production efficiency. Employee training: lean consultancy can help educate employees on lean methodologies and tools which will lead to more efficient working, identifying the classic 8 wastes in the process. Improving value flow: lean consulting can help improve the value flow in the production process, which means that the product or service will move through the process faster, without unnecessary delays and waiting with reduced inventories. Kaizen implementation: lean consultancy can help with the implementation of Kaizen, which is a process of continuous improvement. A lean consultant can help to select projects that can be improved and to implement these improvements. All these approaches can help your business become more efficient, reduce costs and improve the quality of your products or services.

4. What are common methods and tools for lean counselling?

There are many methods and tools used in lean counselling. Some of the most common methods and tools include: Value Stream Mapping: this is a method used to map the entire flow of a product or service through a company. 5S: This is a method for organising the work environment that focuses on Sort, Systematize, Shine, Standardize and Self-discipline. Kanban: This is a visual production management tool used to manage workflows and improve the flow of value. Kaizen: This is a continuous improvement process that focuses on finding opportunities to improve processes, introduce new ideas and constantly change for the better. Just-In-Time (JIT): This is an approach to manufacturing that focuses on the timely delivery of components and materials needed to produce a product. The aim is to reduce costs by reducing inventory and delays. Poka-Yoke: These are simple mechanisms to prevent errors that may occur during the production process. Total Productive Maintenance (TPM): This is an approach to machine maintenance that focuses on preventing defects and improving machine efficiency. Quality Control: These are the methods and tools used to ensure high quality products or services. A lean consultant will select the right method or tool that is most suitable for your business and needs, as each tool can bring different benefits.

5. Which companies can benefit from lean consultancy?

Any company involved in manufacturing products or providing services can benefit from lean consultancy. This includes small, medium and large companies in a variety of industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, hospitality and other sectors. Lean consultancy can be used in all types of organisations, including manufacturing, service and non-profit organisations. The aim of lean consultancy is to reduce wasted time, materials and costs, and to improve efficiency, quality and customer satisfaction. So if your business wants to achieve these goals, lean consultancy can help you achieve them.

6. How long does lean counselling usually take?

The duration of a lean consultancy depends on the size and complexity of the company, the goals you want to achieve and the stage you are already at in the lean implementation process. Some companies can achieve the desired results in a few weeks, while for other companies it may take several months or even years. It is important to understand that lean consultancy is a process that takes time, effort and commitment, so immediate results should not be expected. To ensure that the consultancy is carried out effectively and that the desired objectives are achieved, it is important to follow the recommendations and guidance of the lean consultant and to actively engage in the process.

7. How much does lean counselling cost?

The cost of lean consultancy depends on various factors such as the size of the company, the type of service you want, the duration of the consultancy and the level of experience of the lean consultant. Prices can vary from consultant to consultant and from company to company. Some consultants may charge an hourly rate, while others may offer a fixed price for a specific project. To find out more about lean consultancy rates, speak to a consultant who can provide you with a quote based on your specific needs and requirements.

8. How can I measure the success of a lean counselling project?

Measuring the success of a lean consultancy project is important to assess whether the objectives have been achieved and whether the investment in consultancy has been worthwhile. Some possible methods to measure the success of a lean consultancy project are:

• Calculate the costs and savings: calculate how much you have saved through the lean approach and how much the consultancy service cost. This way you can assess whether the investment was worthwhile.
• Improving efficiency: measure the improvements in processes, quality and time resulting from the introduction of a lean approach.
• Cost reduction: if you have managed to reduce your operating costs with a lean approach, you can use this data to measure the success of your project.
• Customer satisfaction: if the lean approach has improved customer satisfaction, you can use this as a measure of success.

It is important that the objectives for measuring the success of a project are set before the project starts and that appropriate key performance indicators (KPIs) are used to enable the project’s success to be assessed.

There are a few signs that a company is ready for lean advice:

• You want to improve efficiency and productivity: if you want to increase the efficiency and productivity of your business, lean consultancy can be useful.
• You want to reduce costs: if you want to avoid unnecessary costs and reduce your business costs, lean consultancy can be an effective solution.
• You are aware that there are problems in your processes: if you have problems in your processes and want to improve the quality of your service, lean consultancy can help you identify the problems and suggest improvements.
• You have a team that is ready for change: if your team has an open mindset and is ready for change, it will be easier to embrace lean and implement the changes that lean consultancy brings.

If you notice these signs, your company may be ready for lean advice. However, it is advisable to consult an expert before starting a project who can help you assess whether lean consulting is suitable for your business.

A lean consultancy project can deliver a variety of benefits and results, depending on the specific needs of your business. Some possible outcomes include:

• Increased efficiency and productivity: lean consultancy can help identify and improve inefficient processes and procedures, which can increase productivity and reduce unnecessary costs.
• Reduced cycle times: Lean consultancy can help reduce cycle times, which means you can produce products or services faster and improve delivery times.
• Increased quality: lean consultancy can help improve product and service quality and reduce defects, which can improve customer satisfaction and increase customer loyalty.
• Stock reduction: lean consultancy can help you reduce your stock, which means you will have fewer unnecessary products or components in your warehouse.
• Increase employee engagement: lean consulting can help improve processes and reduce unnecessary burdens for employees, which can improve job satisfaction and increase engagement.

However, it is important to be aware that the results depend on your company and the specific lean consultancy projects you are implementing. The expected benefits and results may vary depending on the size of the company, the industry, the type of processes you want to improve and other factors.

An endless circle