What it mean's to be a Continuous Improvement Organization?
It has been generally accepted that, an organization's culture can impede the focus on Continuous Improvement
. As such, leaders and managers need to have a deep understanding of organizational culture in order to push for a change program.
For continuous improvement to be sustained in an organization, it has to have the following traits weaved in the organization's fabric,
1.A Leadership Focused on Continuous Improvement
An important factor in the Continuous Improvement Journey. Jim Collins in his Good to Great book, term this leaders as Level 5 Executives.Leaders who channel their ego away from themselves and into the larger goal of building a great company. This leaders are focused on building a sustainable organization which will deliver results year on year. The leader uses CI as strategic weapon. CI Focused leader will ensure to install a system that tracks the progress of CI and will be the main spokesperson on the values of CI. A committed leader will ake sure he visits and observe the production floor on a regular basis.
2. Do Away With Program of The Month Mentality
CI should be seen in the context of program mentality.CI should be formed as a way of doing business for the company.The focus should not be on programs that deliver short term financial results but no sustainability achieved. CI should be weaved into the fabric of the organization.
3. Customer Satisfaction as a Core Value
Delivering value and satisfaction to customers shall be a core belief of the organization. The organization should be mobilized to ensure high customer satisfaction is achieved in order to sustain the future organization. CI should be used to ensure the achievement of customer value and satisfaction. Establishing a core value founded on the improvement of customer satisfaction will lead to the alignment of the organization to one common goal.
4. Continuous Improvement of Systems and Processes
Systems and Processes must be continuously improved to ensure high customer satisfaction. Again the organization is mobilized to improve systems and processes to improve the core values and belief of the organization.
5. Become Learning Organizations
Errors and mistakes should be seen as opportunity for learning. Learning organizations do not apportion blame on anyone, rather learns from mistake and ensure it is communicated throughout the organization as part of learning.The seniors need to consistently be engaged in training and coaching the subordinates.Teams will share success stories across the organization.
What it mean's to be a Continuous Improvement Organization?