CPI isn’t just a bag of tools (“sprinkle a little Lean on it, add a dash of Six Sigma…”). An organization can’t just hire a consultant to “do Lean” to some departments and expect any meaningful change to take hold. Getting meaningful results requires a much more “big picture” mindset, with real commitment from senior leadership and a focus on the long run and a willingness to change course when necessary without ever losing sight on the end goal of creating a Sustainable Culture of Improvement.
Creating a Culture of Improvement takes a lot of work. This blog post won’t fill in all the blanks, but here are a few pieces that can help you get started:
- Make it formal
Announce the Improvement Program in a big way. Don’t just have a supervisor hang up a sign in the breakroom; an initiative this important requires a special event. Get a heavy-hitter in your organization to be the program’s sponsor and ensure regular follow-up events.
- Provide recognition
Address the “WIIFM” (“What’s in It for Me?”). This doesn’t have to be expensive; most people are more motivated by public recognition than by other means.
- Get feedback
Survey your people to track the integration of Process Improvement into the company’s Culture. Keep in mind that you are essentially selling the program to the team; this makes them a customer. Obtaining Voice of the Customer is essential to understanding your own process and ensuring that you are meeting Customer needs.
- Share lessons learned
We are all in this together, so let’s use teamwork to maximize our collective benefit! What helps one department/plant/region can be helpful to another. Teach your teams to work together and share knowledge in order to become more successful as a whole. And don’t forget that there are plenty of other industries out there who’d love to share success stories (as long as you don’t give away the secret recipe).
- Create a tribe
Your teams can share knowledge (and spread the CPI Culture) more effectively if they belong to one another. However, you choose to do it (an online Project Management Software system, a recurring meeting, an online Social Network, or any other means that works for your teams), providing your teams a special way to connect provides them with an identity that fits the culture you are working to create.
Creating a culture is easy. Creating the culture you want, however, isn’t. It requires thoughtful planning, hard work, and consistency in order to make it work. Don’t leave it to chance. Strategize, organize, and involve the right people to ensure you create the culture that values, creates, and expands Improvement in the way you do business.
What are some ways you’ve worked to create the right culture in your organization?