Benefits Of Lean Training

Lean training methodologies use data, measurements and statistics to identify process inefficiencies and then applies strategic tools to eliminate defects by decreasing process variation.
Organisations that effectively apply a Lean methodology will reduce waste, increase profit and enhance shareholder value.

For example, General Electric used Lean techniques to increase profits by $2 billion in a one year period.

Investing in Lean training for employees at all levels within a company can be a catalyst to increasing productivity and profitability. The foundation of a successful Lean training programme is a thoroughly trained base of empowered employees. Once the number of employees with Lean training reaches a critical mass in the company, productivity can begin to improve without increasing capital costs.

A company benefits from Lean training the most when a significant number of its employees are trained in the methodology. When employees have adequate Lean training they become much better problem solvers and can continue to increase the company’s productivity for the remainder of their careers. As more employees are trained in the Lean process, the company gains more professionals to help alleviate issues, more minds to solve problems and more hands to help execute the solution

Will Lean Training Work for Your Business?

Lean has been used successfully not only in the manufacturing sector but also in a variety of other industries including banking, healthcare, the military, fast food chains, airlines, hotels and retail stores. Lean Six Sigma techniques can be used to improve any repetitive process whether the process belongs to a large or small organisation.

Acclino’s Online Lean Training Solution

Online Lean training can offer a higher degree of convenience and flexibility. Quality online courses, such as the courses offered by Acclino, have interactive dashboards where students learn the course material, take tests and monitor their progress. Acclino’s online courses include videos, lectures and real life case studies to enhance learning, allowing students to do their training at their convenience and at their own pace. For more information on Acclino’s Lean Training services, please get in touch via the website

The Acclino framework will work on any process in any organisation. It is simple to understand and apply. It will fully engage your people, deliver outstanding results and guarantees no jargon, no pain and no excuses!

Lean In A Transactional World

Defects in Transactional Processes

Transactions are an integral part of a business. Some transactions are simple, however most are complex and grow over time into unwieldy processes that are no longer competitive and drain resources. Insurance and banking transactions, for example, can take days or weeks to complete, resulting in customer dissatisfaction and extra costs.

Defects in transactional processes are difficult to identify and can impact subsequent steps in the process. In addition, details are concealed on computers and desks throughout an organisation.

Surprisingly, some of the biggest opportunities and most powerful results in a Lean flow implementation come from service or transactional processes, even in a manufacturing company! Typically at least 70% of the cost of a business is outside of the manufacturing floor, yet these processes are often ignored in process improvement efforts.

Whether you need Lean manufacturing, Lean service, or some of both, the Lean flow system provides a comprehensive solution. Although Lean Six Sigma has its’ roots in traditional manufacturing, it also helps to improve back office operations in those same organisations. The Lean methodology is spilling over into services such as finance, public administration, transportation, customer service, insurance and I.T.

All Work Can Be Analysed as a Process

A process is defined as a set of activities linked together with some type of dependencies ending with an output (deliverables). Multiple inputs can enter the process at different points (activities or operations). So it does not matter if the output is a manufactured product or a completed transaction such as a “One Number Forecast” or “Financial Plan” or “Operational Plan”.

The primary difference between manufacturing and non-manufacturing processes is the “Flow Unit” – this is the base unit that flows through the value stream as the value is being added to it. In manufacturing, the flow unit is inventory. In transactional process it may be a document, report (paper or virtual) etc. In some service businesses, the flow unit is the Customer.

The key in Value Stream Mapping (VSM) is understanding what the ultimate customer values. The tools you use to map a process are just that – tools!. The primary goal of VSM is to visually represent the various activities and their linkages to each other. The team members (process owners) will then identify what is value-add and what is non-value-add.

The most basic concept in Lean and Flow process improvement is that all work can be understood and analysed as a process or series of processes. In non-manufacturing environments, we will focus on the “transaction” or customer deliverable to understand process capability and optimisation.

Optimising the Flow of Your Transaction Processes

Data is gathered to describe the process, so it can be re-engineered to eliminate wasteful activity and focus on delivering the desired results in the most efficient manner. This is as true of a service or administrative process as it is of a manufacturing operation.

Lean can help to optimise all service delivery processes by targeting wasteful processes and either removing them completely or move to a more effective state as part of a journey of continuous improvement. Companies in the service sector are constantly under pressure to deliver excellent customer service, faster response times and valuable support for their customers. A service company is very different from a manufacturing company, however it still has many wasteful processes that could be removed or reduced.

The key to maximum productivity is a well-designed process run by trained and flexible employees who can follow simple signals that tell them where their skills are most needed at any given time.

Lean has made inroads in the Services industry but has considerably more opportunity for implementation. Most of the delay stems from the belief that Lean does not apply to service functions. Although it may seem surprising at first applying the traditional Lean approach works very well in a service industry. Establishing a culture of Lean is the same as for any other industry.

Using Lean in transactional environments calls for a slightly different mindset. Clearly identifying the potential areas for improvement is challenging because almost all of the transformations are done electronically and therefore are privy to only a few people at any one time. Sometimes knowledge of the process may be limited to the step that the person performs and perhaps the previous or next step. No one owns the process and even determining who could potentially own the process is problematic since a wide variety of people have portions of the process under their area of authority.

Added to all of these difficulties is the organic nature of the process itself. When organisational changes occur, tasks are transferred to different departments or individuals and some of the knowledge of that transactional process may be lost or distorted. It’s like the electronic version of telephone, where the message is corrupted as it moves from person to person. Since no one person sees the entire process no one recognises the wastes.

It is imperative that those working in transactional environments learn to view their tasks as part of an entire process, be able to identify the process and find a way to determine process owners. Obviously this requires collaboration within and across departments as well as the desire and ability to claim responsibility for a process.

Another major objection to Lean is that Services are considered a creative, flexible process that cannot be standardised. While there is a kernel of truth to this objection much of the waste in a process stems from the belief that each customer request could or should be handled individually to best meet any possible customer need. In fact, the customer benefits from standardisation in the process because standardisation ensures quality and speed of service. Creativity is needed to design flexible points into a standardised process.

The best way to find this combination of standardisation and flexibility is to complete a VSM for the entire process (customer request to customer delivery). This method differs only slightly from a traditional manufacturing Value Stream Map. Many people across several departments may be needed to complete one VSM. It is important to include everyone not only to stay true to the Lean principle of going to those who do the work but also to identify risks, redundancies, opportunities for flexibility and to begin collaborating which will also be needed for the kaizen activities.
Lean is an obvious choice for those wishing to be more competitive and improve efficiency in the Service industry.

Acclino Solutions for Transaction Services

Acclino’s Lean Tools   and techniques can improve the customer experience by reducing unnecessary activities and unnecessary IT processes, whilst also providing solutions to cut down on errors, maximise employee empowerment and become more cost-effective.

Service companies have so many different processes to their business, that without effective coordination in place, mistakes can easily occur. Every task needs to include a thorough process of planning, writing, designing and proofing to generate a high enough standard of quality for their clients. These ongoing processes are not only extremely time-consuming, but with different tasks being assigned to different departments, project efficiency could also be compromised.

Lean implementation can help service companies to streamline their processes by removing tasks that are unnecessary and implementing a much more efficient approach. In doing so, Lean also provides a direct improvement on work quality and therefore provides added value for the customer.

Let us help you get started on your Lean journey in your service and transactional processes. Acclino’s innovative training tools can help you and your teams find better solutions for your transactional services. Get in touch with us here https://www.acclino.com/contact-acclino.com

Lean Management And Healthcare

Lean thinking is not typically associated with healthcare, where waste of time, money, supplies, and goodwill is a common problem. But the principles of Lean management can, in fact, work in healthcare in much the same way they do in other industries using Lean thinking to streamline processes, reduce cost, and improve quality and timely delivery of products and services.

Lean thinking is not a manufacturing tactic or a cost-reduction program, but a management strategy that is applicable to all organisations because it has to do with improving processes. All organisations including healthcare organisations are composed of a series of processes, or sets of actions intended to create value for those who use or depend on them i.e. their customers….. the patients. The core idea of Lean involves determining the value of any given process by distinguishing value added steps from non value added steps, and eliminating waste so that ultimately every step adds value to the process.

To maximise value and eliminate waste, leaders in healthcare, as in other organizations, must evaluate processes by accurately specifying the value desired by the user, identifying every step in the process and eliminating non value added steps and making value flow from beginning to end based on the pull of the customer/patient. When applied rigorously and throughout an entire organisation, Leanprinciples can have a dramatic effect on productivity, cost, and quality.

An organisation’s culture is the set of values and beliefs that cause people to behave in certain ways. When they behave that way and get the results they expect, it reinforces those values and beliefs. This self-reinforcing cycle creates a culture.

Help Staff Embrace the Promise of Lean

Leaders who wish to change their organisational culture cannot do so by edict. They must intervene and require people to behave differently, allowing them to experience a better set of results. As this process is repeated, a different set of values and beliefs in a new culture will evolve. One of the challenges of implementing Lean in healthcare is that it requires people to identify waste in the work in which they are so invested. All workers want to feel their work is valuable, perhaps most especially healthcare workers. Recognising that much about their daily tasks is wasteful and does not add value can be difficult for healthcare professionals.

A nurse who is hunting for supplies is doing it to serve the needs of patients. Nurses may not see this as wasted time, and may not stop to wonder why those supplies aren’t where they should be when they need them. But if the supplies were always readily available, the time nurses spend hunting for them would instead be devoted to something more appropriate to their skills and expertise. To help staff see and embrace the promise of lean, leaders must create a clear vision statement that guides people to make the right choices. They must evaluate the organisational structure and work to flatten it, eliminating hierarchical layers and organising staff into operational teams based on products or services.

Implementing Lean in Healthcare

The patient pathway is at the heart of every healthcare organisation. The quality of the patient experience will be negatively impacted if the organisations core processes are not meeting expectations. Many Hospitals, Trusts and Day Care Centers are seeking to streamline their processes through the application of Lean. Those who do so successfully will substantially reduce their service lead times, drive down costs and create additional patient capacity.

All too often however, organisations that embrace Lean, try to run before they can walk. They wind up making the simplification process complex.
At Acclino we know that transforming a process is both a science and an art. Our Lean Training programmes will walk you through the science, step by step, in a highly interactive, learning-by-doing environment. We will also teach you the art of process transformation and how to fully engage people using real life case studies.https://www.acclino.com/lean-training/healthcare-masterclass/

Some of Acclino’s Outstanding Achievements in Healthcare

  • Vacancy fill rates for Nursing Recruitment in an NHS Hospital increased by 87%.
  • Recruitment lead times for Nursing & non-medical staff reduced by 55%.
  • Laboratories completely transformed with test backlogs reduced by 90%.
    Whether you are the sponsor, the owner, the facilitator or a key team member this training course will work for you and your organisation. Join us on our next training programme and start your process transformation.
    Here at Acclino, we have distilled the essence of Lean, Six Sigma and Project Management into one framework and a handful of simple to use tools. The Acclino framework will work on any process in any organisation.
  • It is simple to understand and apply.
  • It will fully engage your people.
  • Delivers outstanding results.
  • No Jargon, no exams, no pain, no excuses.
  • Acclino make it simple and keep it simple
    https://www.acclino.com/contact-acclino/

Lean Training For Financial Services

How Effective is Lean Training for the Financial Sector?

Lean training can provide businesses such as banks, insurance and investment companies with more productive and cost-effective solutions, therefore reducing risk during an economic dip. Lean training will also help to improve employee satisfaction, increase customer value and ensure the supporting activities are focused on delivering value.
Financial firms are a prime example of a service sector that cannot afford to be wasteful, due to strong competition, the impact of the recent financial crisis and vulnerability to economic downturns. Yet, it is claimed that at least 40% of costs in the financial sector are spent on wasteful activities that have no added value to the customer. Although they cannot control the fluctuating economy, financial companies can however invest in refining and redefining their own operations to ensure more effective and customer focused operations.

Financial Sector Explores the Benefits of Lean Training

The financial services sector is highly regulated with little or no room for error. Today the cost of quality and data accuracy is high on the radar for those organisations who want to remain competitive and build market share. Many banks, finance houses and data processing organisations have started to explore the benefits of Lean Training. There are numerous opportunities to transform and simplify processes across every financial organisation. Those who do so successfully will substantially reduce their service lead times, drive down costs and create additional business capacity.
All too often however, organisations that embrace Lean, try to run before they can walk. They wind up making the simplification process complex.

Acclino Lean Training Tools and Techniques

Here at Acclino, we have distilled the essence of Lean, Six Sigma and Project Management into one framework and a handful of simple to use tools. The Acclino framework will work on any process in any organisation.

  • It is simple to understand and apply.
  • It will fully engage your people.
  • Delivers outstanding results.
  • No Jargon, no exams, no pain, no excuses.
  • Acclino make it simple and keep it simple.

So How Will Acclino’s Lean Training Model Work for the Financial Services Sector?

At Acclino we know that transforming a process is both a science and an art. We will walk you through the science, step by step, in a highly interactive, learning-by-doing workshop. We will also teach you the art of process transformation and how to fully engage people using real life case studies.

Take a Look at Some of Acclino’s Outstanding Achievements in the Financial Sector:

  • Financial processes transformed with 60% of unnecessary steps eliminated while at the same time making those process more robust and safe.
  • Documentation right-first-time rates increased to 99%.

https://www.acclino.com/lean-training/financial-services-masterclass/

For more information on Acclino’s Lean Training services, please get in touch via the website https://www.acclino.com/contact-acclino.com
Whether you are the sponsor, the owner, the facilitator or a key team member this training course will work for you and your organisation. Join us on our next Lean training programme and start your process transformation.

State Street Bank
Aer Lingus
Kingston Hospital NHS
ASC Global Recruitment
International Financial Data Services