Have you become operational pros? Do you know how to observe your employees, to understand and improve processes? Saviez-vous que vous pouvez également faire du Gemba client ? If you want to understand how your customers use the product or service you offer, this is the best way to proceed.…
We all work for our customers. In some cases, we are in direct contact with them. For the majority of us, the customer is quite far in the value chain, and we don’t have direct access to him. So we imagine what he wants, what’s important to him, how he’s…
Le Gemba est clé. Pour comprendre les opérations, ou la façon dont le client utilise le produit. Mais comment faire un Gemba dans les opérations ? De la théorie à la pratique, je vous donne deux exemples, dans une usine puis un bureau. J’explique dans un autre article le Gemba…
The organization’s support functions must also optimize the way they do things. Like operations, they need to question themselves about the value they bring to the organization, and how they can improve. Automation is one of the solutions to improve administrative processes. As in the industrial revolution, when machines replaced…
Airport security has increased in recent years. The equipment and staff increase the cost of the passage of each traveller. Cost that airlines obviously pass on to their customers. They grumble about rising prices, so airports need to cut costs while maintaining or enhancing security. Automation of some tasks can…
In this article I will explain how to define a value proposition, then how to use a design thinking tool to make sure you meet the needs of your customers. We will always find a problem to fit with the solution What is the value proposition? The value proposition is…
Today, I will illustrate several concepts of operational excellence, as can be seen in application in a fast-food restaurant: Mad Radish. I visited the downtown Ottawa branch. This is a nice example of well used tools. Mad Radish offers a healthy fast food service: salads meals. Standardization and simplification The…
It’s trendy: to survey your customers. I do not know about you, but as far as I’m concerned, there is not a week going on without being asked my opinion. Whether it’s a link on grocery or hardware store receipt, an email from a car rental company, a hotel, my…
The principle of operational excellence is to be good the first time. However, in some situations, it does not work. Processes and tools are never more perfect than the humans who design them. So, how do your customers judge you? Beyond quality, it’s the way you handle their problem that…
Operational excellence is based on several key concepts, which are available in all sectors. In this article, I’m going to explain how Costco Wholesale, the world’s second-largest retailer, is at a peak thanks to operational excellence.
