see in the before picture. He didn’t
appreciate just how unorganized and unproductive he was until he saw my office
and realized that he didn’t have to remain
stuck in that unproductive rut. After all,
he was responsible for the real estate
he occupied so there was no reason he
shouldn’t feel authorized to change it.
Setting an example
We spent some time talking about
Lean, especially the benefits of workplace
organization, and how he should be taking
the lead and setting the example. Immediately after leaving my office he started
Sorting all of his stuff, Setting it in Order,
Shining his workspace, Standardizing how
his work processes should be performed to
maximize his time, and setting goals and objectives for himself to Sustain the process.
The results are shown in the after
pictures. Note the inventory list on the
overhead cabinets that clearly identify the
contents behind the solid doors. Anyone
looking for resource material simply checks
the list rather than rummage through a
bunch of books. All of the books were ar-
ranged in the same order as on the lists.
Putting it to the test
The new organization was tested
when I had to meet with him in his office
to obtain some material for a presentation. When I arrived, I discovered he had
been called away and wouldn’t return
before the meeting. I called him on his
cell and he told me where to find the
file. I opened that drawer of alphabetized files and immediately located it. Had
his office still been in the state of the
before picture, I probably would have left
frustrated and empty-handed.
If you are serious about making positive change in your organization, take
the lead and have lean begin with you.
Remember, as a manager you establish
the culture of your organization whether
you realize it or not. ❮
After organization, labels identify the
correct locations of everything in the
office.
Jim Lewis has worked in the furniture
industry for more than 30 years with
a special emphasis on facilitating the
transformation to the Lean Business
Philosophy. He is an independent
lean business consultant, author, and
writer. Jim’s most recent book, “Story
of a Lean Journey,” chronicles the
journey of one company through the
lean transformation process. The
book is available through the Society
of Manufacturing Engineers (SME.
org), and amazon.com
