Boosting Business Basics: A Small Business Guide to all things Lean and OpEx
This blog series explores key concepts in Operational Excellence (OpEx), Lean methodology, and Continuous Improvement (CI) for small businesses. It covers topics such as Value Stream Mapping, the 5S methodology, the PDCA cycle, Kaizen, and Standard Work, providing practical insights to help small businesses enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and deliver high-quality products or services.
Blog 3: The Power of Continuous
Improvement (CI)
Continuous Improvement (CI) is a mindset and strategy focused on constantly evaluating and enhancing business processes. Unlike one-time changes, CI is about making small, incremental adjustments that collectively lead to significant improvements over time.
- Kaizen
A Japanese term meaning "change for better," Kaizen
encourages all employees to look for small ways to improve their work processes every day. For example, a local bookstore could encourage staff to rearrange the layout periodically based on customer browsing habits, improving the customer experience and increasing sales. - PDCA Cycle (Plan-DoCheck-Act)
A simple framework for testing changes on a small scale before implementing them widely. A small café might use the PDCA cycle to
test new menu items, starting with a small batch, gathering customer feedback, and then deciding whether to make the item a permanent offering. - Feedback Loops
Regularly seeking input from customers and employees to identify areas for improvement. For instance, a small IT firm could implement a regular survey system to gather feedback on service satisfaction and identify areas needing enhancement
For small businesses, CI can lead to enhanced efficiency, lower costs, and greater employee engagement by fostering a culture that values growth and innovation. A local gym, for example, could continuously improve its class schedules based on member feedback to maximise attendance and satisfaction.
