Improving Productivity in the UK

Improving Productivity in the UK

Improving productivity in the UK

The UK has fallen behind many of its competitors but why?

Germany is 34.5% more productive than the UK, whilst the G7 average is 16% higher than the UK. This has slipped since 1995.

The UK has not adopted lean management techniques to the same extent as other industrialised Nations.

The words “six sigma”, “world class manufacturing”, “lean management systems”, are often banded around as the new buzz word and even to add a scientific approach to it. Whilst the statistical element of lean management is no doubt a powerful tool, it also makes it incredibly difficult for the average worker to understand, thereby creating a barrier to adoption. Lean seems to be exclusively seen as a manufacturing or engineering methodology, even the awarding bodies for qualifications are predominantly engineering based.

Real lean management is fundamentally common sense and is most effective by cultural implementation rather than sat behind a spreadsheet or a PC screen with statistical software installed, generating a mass of statistics, that the majority do not understand. 

The lean management thinking programme has been running in Scotland for the past 15 years with over 450 organisations taking part from a diverse range of industries including veterinary suppliers, events management companies, even the Scottish FA. They’re about as far removed from engineering or manufacturing as they can be, yet the results of the programme speak for themselves. Using ERDF funding the programme has consistently delivered a fully auditable trail of GVA (Gross Value Added) of around £100K per participating organisation on the first lean project. 

So why is this?

This programme is pragmatic and simplistic involving senior management as well as hourly paid staff. It uses simple techniques and delivers cultural change by engaging all in the process from start to finish ensuring all have a vested interest in the outcome, which is sustainable continual improvement. The programme arms all levels with simple, easy to use techniques that are embedded in the minds of those that take part, thereby becoming a way of life rather than the latest management buzz word.  

Are we missing a trick by trying to overcomplicate simplicity?

Interested in implementing a lean project within your organisation?

Our lean programme, which attracts 95% funding, has run for over 20 years throughout the UK being and has been applied to nearly every industry. To date the programme has identified in excess of £65m in benefits across 650+ companies.

Talk to us today to see how the programme can assist your business.

Share

Book a Free Consultation Consultation Consultation Consultation

Get free advice and guidance tailored to your business needs

Related Resources

Book a Free Consultation Consultation Consultation Consultation

Get free advice and guidance tailored to your business needs

10 Benefits of Lean Management

10 Benefits of Lean Management

ISO Certification for Tenders

You’ve probably heard of lean management. But are you aware of just how much implementing it can benefit your company? Perhaps not. But we’re about to change that.

Here’s why you should integrate lean management into your business.

The 10 Benefits of Lean Management

Table of Contents

Improved Quality Control

Quality control goes hand-in-hand with productivity. You can’t really change one without the other. Lean management systems help your organisation to realise that quality control should be one of your top priorities. Upon implementation, you will undoubtedly reach a stage where our second point (reduced waste) naturally happens.

Reduced Waste

Many businesses struggle with exorbitant waste. However, the more problematic companies don’t realise they have this issue. This mindset is harmful but with lean management, waste is considered by employees on every level. Your company will see waste reduction almost immediately.

Boost Team Morale

There’s no doubt about; businesses working under lean management have higher employee satisfaction rates. The reason for this is the improved trust and communication lines between management and staff that open under this system. Not only does better team morale benefit the individuals, but it’s also known to increase productivity across the board.

Enhanced Efficiency

Arguably, improved efficiency is one of the more noticeable effects of lean management. You’ll see this improvement in different ways depending on the method you use to measure progress and success.

Better Stakeholder Visibility

Stakeholders like to clearly see how a project is going, as well as any associated risks. With lean management, communication and reporting are improved, thus allowing stakeholders a better view of the project.

Predictable Customer Value

Lean management focuses on the customer’s opinion first and foremost. Over time, clients will come to know the high-quality outcomes they can expect when working with you. This is essential for ensuring consistent satisfaction and building a strong, positive reputation.

Decreased Costs

By cutting production throughput, decreasing inventories, and eliminating unnecessary waste, your organisation’s costs will drastically decrease. By how much? This system has been known to cut manufacturing costs by up to half.

Improved Priority Shift Management

Just like life, legislation and customer viewpoints change all the time. To keep up with this continuous adaptation, your business must shift its priorities. Otherwise, you’ll be working toward worn-out ideas that will not only decrease customer satisfaction but also increase your costs.

Increased Process Stability

Under lean management, your business can begin to focus more on deviation management and exploring solutions to remove them. When you first start working this way, it might feel counter-productive. However, it’s worth implementing a deviation management process in the first phase to use lean to its full advantage.

Adopt an Improvement Culture

Overall, lean management allows your company to focus on continuous improvement instead of maintenance. This new way of working means that your employees will always be looking for ways to better themselves for the team — yes, every day. You’ll see an overwhelming advancement in all aspects of your business over time.

Interested in implementing a lean project within your organisation?

Our lean programme, which attracts 95% funding, has run for over 20 years throughout the UK and has been applied to nearly every industry. To date the programme has identified in excess of £65m in benefits across 650+ companies.

Talk to us today to see how the programme can assist your business.

Share

Book a Free Consultation Consultation Consultation Consultation

Get free advice and guidance tailored to your business needs

Related Resources

Book a Free Consultation Consultation Consultation Consultation

Get free advice and guidance tailored to your business needs

Use Lean to Navigate a Post COVID World

Use Lean to Navigate a Post COVID World

A webinar whereby our in-house expert Brian Butler will introduce and explain the world of LEAN MANAGEMENT.

You may already be aware of ISO standards but curious to find out the immediate impact that LEAN can offer. The webinar is designed and built for you!

The webinar aims to identify any potential gaps in your current daily working routine and how to effectively amend processes into a more streamlined LEAN way of working.

Want to learn more?