Back to work from the holidays, I found myself in a time warp-like dream where our corporate leaders were attempting to direct their employee’s towards a new business model, a model that they assured us will make our business lives easier.
Sounded like the promise made about technology, that ever-present personal and business tool that was supposed to make our lives easier too. Instead, technology has taken over many of our neighbors’ lives in some fashion, but not made them simpler or better.
We were told the business, and all of us as appendages of that business was going lean. What does that mean?
Going Lean in the business world: Creating greater value for the customer while using fewer resources. Attempting to eliminate waste and increased operational procedures. There is an excessive reliance upon continuous improvement in all things related to the business. Most lean business models use data and analytics to drive their decision-making. Technology to the rescue right?
Well depending on the type of firm you work for, this learning process can become very difficult indeed. People will often fall into three camps:
1. Excited for a new challenge and willing to learn.
2. Not sure about this process, so lay back and see how it goes.
3. Totally against it, digging in their heels and openly telling their fellow employees they are against it.
The first two groups can be worked with. The third creates consternation within the organization. Good employees may leave the organization, but people are truly needed. How can the organization deal with people who will push back?
A clear explanation of what learning in an organization truly means needs to be communicated fully. It seems to be all in the employee’s translation of the process. Employees need to understand that learning an organization will not make more work for them but incorporate itself into their daily endeavors. Many employees may fear change, putting them outside of the usual routine by injecting something new into their business lives. Fear of change is a big stepping stone toward business evolution.
Managers need to dispel fears in one well-thought-out explanation. Leaning an organization is continuous improvement through the elimination of waste whether that be the product, time, or effort. The easiest way to eliminate waste is to make a job easier. If someone will approach their job each day regardless, the learning of anything is not extra in any way, does not change their approach to work.
Every person on the planet is programmed with a lean mindset, to improve their lot in life. So in a business environment, where nothing is outside the realm of common sense. The fear of many people can be dealt with through education, examples shown of past business successes using this model, and introducing learning business models as a solution and not a problem to be solved.
Examples of learning about a business or society, in general, are easily found. Henry Ford drove his first vehicle around the town he lived in. His neighbors complained about the noise, exhaust, and threatening character of his invention, scaring horses everywhere. If he had listened to these people we may not have a car to drive. Getting people to embrace change is the hardest job of leadership and a stumbling block to many historic innovations.
Today’s business model has evolved to accept fewer people doing more in less time than previously done. Less staff in restaurants, manufacturing facilities, or office environments doing more jobs than previously. An improved environment? Better customer service provided? Whatever the situation, whether in a pandemic, or post-pandemic world, learning a business, family or organization will continue to hopefully improve all our lots in life.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
[email protected]
