Running a business is a lot like maintaining a machine – optimal conditions have to exist in order to run smoothly and efficiently. Whereas a machine requires well-maintained moving parts lubricated with oil in order to function smoothly, businesses need a cost-effective workflow supported by vigilant time management in order to maximize productivity. Without these things, both will eventually sputter and grind to a halt. So – how does one go from office hell to lean, mean business machine?
Legendary businessman Taiichi Ohno pioneered the philosophy of “Lean Management”, an organization style that focuses on eliminating all aspects of waste from a work environment. His methods are a proven success, as it was his production system that netted success for car manufacturer Toyota back in post World War 2 Japan. Ohno listed ten core precepts that are still useful today, despite three generations having passed since he developed this strategy.
The main goal of “Ohno’s Precepts” were to enforce positivity by instilling a “can do” attitude in the workforce, reducing unnecessary actions and costs, and encouraging workers to focus on one task until completion. George Trachilis, on his LinkedIn article, wrote, “Imagine everyone in your organization saying, ‘I can do it’ and ‘I won’t give up until it’s complete’. These two precepts alone make this a powerful vision for all Lean leaders to follow, teach, and move their teams towards Lean goals that seem to be elusive to all but Toyota.”
John Rampton, in a feature for Entrepreneur, brought up the Lean Enterprise Institute’s summarization of Lean Management into five core principles: value, value stream, flow, pull, and perfection. This also concentrated on removing waste from work procedures and suggested that companies never stop striving for perfection, as one may continue uncovering useless activities or that can be omitted while maintaining similar, or even better, results.
Notice how most of these solutions cite “waste” removal from a process? Certain jobs must be accomplished by a business on its own – but other tasks may clutter up the workflow, keeping an office and workforce off-balance. The good thing is, it has never been easier to turn an office-jalopy into an optimal business machine. These days, strategic partnerships exist to take annoying tasks off of client shoulders, freeing up time and energy that can be focused on the most important aspects of business.
Delegating work is proven to maximize efficiency, improve time management, and boost productivity. Need a helping hand? Tukko Labs is dedicated to providing the partnership that will make all the difference.
RESOURCES
(John Rampton)
(Dedianto Turnip)
(George Trachilis)