The goal of perfection is a challenge. It is often viewed as an expensive process requiring large investments. Yet one company has realized a 53% reduction in orders that have to be set aside for additional Quality Control checks. How did they do it? They used communication techniques - not capital outlay!
The secret to there success revolved around team skills and communication. The company's Production Manager formed a focus group to discuss comprised of members from each department that was affected in some way by the rejects. Using a proven "problem identification" process, the production manager was able to facilitate a brain-storming session separating symptoms from root causes. The team was quickly able to identify the main reason for the rejections.
"Using this process lead us very quickly to a cause that we never would have even thought of otherwise," the Production Manager stated.
Parts were being rejected due to what Union members saw as an insignificant variation in the specifications. They did not understand managements was rejecting the part because of one or two degree differential in the temperature during one phase of production. Union members had grown to view the rejections as a management scheme to pick on shifts or individuals. Management knew the impact of the temperature on the finished product and the ultimate reliability of the part in the final product.
As the Quality Control Manager pointed out, "We had been working on what we thought the problem was for quite some time. We were addressing symptoms and never even got close to the root cause."
The success came after a Team Skills program was presented by Rochester Hills based Max Impact. During the program members of management learned through vivid examples and experiential learning how to use individual talents to generate synergy as a team." We learned how to work together in a way that will have long-term rewards," according to the company's President.
"Using the team problem solving model we learned in the Team Skills program, and the tools we received from the program, we saw the rejection issue in a different light," added the Production Manager said, "The problem has been haunting us a long time and was getting worse. With just three meetings we were able to reverse the trend dramatically."
Although pleased with this success, the company's President says, "it is exciting to know that we can use this same process to handle even more problems." He has his eyes on nearly a quarter million dollar savings he hopes to see within the next six months. "As good a success as it was, it is more rewarding to see that my manager now truly believe that things don't have to be the way they always have been. They know that even though we were good, we can do even better."
If you would like more information about the problem identification system used in this success, contact Max Impact at 248-802-6138 or via email: info@getmaximpact.com.
Rick Weaver is President of Max Impact, a national leadership and organization development company based in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Rick is an accomplished business executive with experience in retail, market analysis, supply chain and project management, team building, and process improvement. He has worked with hundreds of companies to improve sales, processes, and bottom-line results. MaxImpact offers leadership and organizational development services along with employee assessments and background checks. Contact Rick at 248-802-6138 or via email, rick@getmaximpact.com. MaxImpact is on the web at http://www.getmaximpact.com
STEPS TOWARDS A GOOD APPRAISAL INTERVIEW:Don't say: "You just don't... Read More
Innovation is different and distinct from creativity in that it... Read More
Resistance. It isn't something people cherish or enjoy encountering. We... Read More
In part one of this article I told you about... Read More
Effective project managers know how to get the job done,... Read More
Before you call your next meeting, the FIRST step is... Read More
Take the pain out of gain and decrease the upheaval... Read More
Lack of Operations Manuals stunting your growth?CONTENTS:1. Do you lack... Read More
Having an agenda template that works well for you, week... Read More
Does this sound familiar? You were hired for the new... Read More
To release creativity in employees, managers must get involved in... Read More
Integrity is very important to me, and I try hard... Read More
Do you have more projects than time? Help might be... Read More
Have you ever worked for someone who was such a... Read More
This article relates to the human resource functions competency, commonly... Read More
You can't build a reputation on what you are "going"... Read More
The other day someone asked me for one of my... Read More
Another IT White Elephant!It seems that almost every day we... Read More
You've all heard the old joke about a consultant being... Read More
I'm sure you've experienced those typical "headache" meetings! You know... Read More
Australians are loosing their laidback, carefree reputation, as we continue... Read More
More and more I hear and read about a looming... Read More
Time To Market (TTM) is a vital concept that every... Read More
Answer: Starting one.Most of us realize that there is probably... Read More
IntroductionThe role of the Human Resource Manager is evolving with... Read More
Every business is run by someone who took on a... Read More
The end of the television season in May included the... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Ever feel that all the lawyers in thh Country need... Read More
Supervisor-employee relations are a critical part of a work place... Read More
I'm always fascinated by the people who lift huge weights,... Read More
Become a better boss and reap the benefitsAnother interesting study... Read More
We have all attended meetings that were boring, mindless and... Read More
If you are an executive, you may sometimes feel like... Read More
A year or so ago, I met Allan Kempert. Allan... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Most firms have intelligent, capable, knowledgeable managers who are very... Read More
When asked his secret to success, the author Graham Green... Read More
Because of my work as a consultant, trainer and coach... Read More
Picture yourself standing on the bank of a river watching... Read More
This week I was asked to speak at an internal... Read More
Kicking Winning Business Goals The competition for business... Read More
As a recent employee to your job, you are becoming... Read More
Imagine the following scenario - you pay a visit to... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
In Stephen Covey's great book, "The Seven Habits of Highly... Read More
As the business world enters a period of hyper-competitiveness, every... Read More
As crazy as it seems, some people spend more time... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
In part one of this article I told you about... Read More
Suggested practice for HR personnelMuslims now form one of the... Read More
Performance Management is a process that both employer and employee... Read More
The time will come when you'll need to interview someone... Read More
"? [get] the right people on the bus, the right... Read More
Judgment is the process of forming an opinion of something... Read More
I'm always fascinated by the people who lift huge weights,... Read More
What IS assertive communication? Assertive communication is the... Read More
Firing, sacking, letting go or terminating people is unpleasant. There... Read More
During a recent seminar I gave located in the suburbs... Read More
Pinpoint your own blocks to assertiveness: fear of disapproval, need... Read More
When you're starting a business, you might wish for a... Read More
PERMISSION TO REPUBLISH: This article may be republished in newsletters... Read More
The Security Consultant's Perspective...Implementing Personnel Security Initiatives should be the... Read More
In fact, bringing your people - any of them -... Read More
Although there are real, external reasons for managerial difficulty ?... Read More
Everyone involved in running a business from the smallest start-up... Read More
Business Management |