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What
is LEAN?
LEAN simply stated is doing thing in the "LEAST WASTE WAY."
LEAN in any organization gets better over time and is commonly
described as a journey. As the people develop and the culture
is created where people feel comfortable with change, then more
improvements will take place. LEAN is as much an attitude of the
company as it is a way of doing things. LEAN IS NOT cutting back,
reducing work force, cutting corners . . . It is about increasing
our capacity to serve and produce efficiently.
What is the WORKING SMARTER TRAINING CHALLENGE?
The WSTC takes the effective tools of LEAN and blends them with
innovative training and employee development methods in order
to provide a cost-effective tool that will help any company consistently
improve its processes.
How many companies are participating in the
program?
At the present time there are over 200 companies that are at various
stages of the program. 80% of the companies that begin the program
successfully complete all of the sessions and 100% of those companies
continue with further training after the 52 weeks. Every company
that has completed the program has improved communication, productivity,
and the bottom line.
Is it expensive?
That is an amazing part of the process. We have found a way to WORK SMARTER in delivering the program allowing it to cost a fraction of what a LEAN CONSULTANT or outside training might cost. We have simply driven out the waste and added value to the client through the process of the program.
What comes with program to support the client?
o The weekly training session that is downloaded in a PDF format
with a unique style that enables anyone to train and engage the
participants.
o Every training session has an 8 to 10 minute audio coaching
session that the trainer can listen to in order to prepare and
become inspired to teach the session.
o Every Monday participating companies receive the "BETTER
PRACTICE" newsletter that shares insights from companies
all around North America on training tips and process improvement
ideas they have shared from their Working Smarter sessions.
o There is a scorekeeping mechanism that incorporates positive
peer pressure to keep the company desiring to train all 52 weeks
as well as continuing year after year.
o An online "COACH'S BULLETIN BOARD and IDEA BANK are always
available with new and fresh ideas from companies participating
in the program
o Monthly teleconferences bring LEAN experts from ARIENS and other
companies together with participants to talk on specific concepts
and tools that will help enhance your company's learning experience.
All of these sessions are recorded and available online following
the call.
o Every participant in the program to date has been amazed at
how quickly
the team at JP HORIZONS responds to a specific question about
the program. We are all an e-mail away.
When does the training take place?
Every individual company decides when they want to do the weekly
training session. The key is to hold this training on the same
day and time each week. There will be weeks when the training
has to be rescheduled for another time, but this usually does
not happen once the program becomes a "habit." The important
thing is that consistent training that takes place showing employees
that the company is committed.
What preparation is needed for the meeting?
Most companies have said the trainer spends about an hour outside
of working time reading through the outline and listening to the
AUDIO COACHING sessions. As the program progresses there is a
commitment by everyone to continue to make the sessions more fun
and interactive as well as educational. The weekly training session
takes about 45 minutes to an hour each week.
How about the Non-English speaking employee?
One of the greatest mistakes made by contractors that fail to
grow the non-English speaking employees' contribution is to believe
they are not interested in improving. It has been our findings
that this employee is just as engaged in the program as any other
employee. The challenge is to be patient long enough for them
to become comfortable with the training and trust that it will
help them and the company. If translation is needed, we have found
it is best to have someone in the company do it. This helps provide
another opportunity for growth.
How does the program work with the emerging
company of less than 10 employees?
The greatest benefit is that it gives them a training program.
Usually for the owner or leaders in this size company, there is
no time to create or design an effective program. The Working
Smarter Training Challenge gives the company a focused program
that will not only improve their processes but grow their people
as well.
Is there a guarantee?
There are not many training programs that can offer a guarantee
because the success depends on the commitment of the company.
At JP HORIZONS we will offer a guarantee to any company that does
the following . . .
o Train for 52 consecutive weeks using the program curriculum
as it is designed.
o Report your lessons learned each week back through the website.
o Read the weekly Better Practice newsletter.
o Attend the monthly teleconferences as a team.
o Do a KAIZEN event in week 50.
If a company does all of this and is not a much better company
because of it . . . we will give the program fee back.
"It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us."
- Nelson Mandela
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