A lean training course will focus on obtaining results and providing a process that will achieve the desired outcomes. Businesses across Queensland, including in and around Brisbane, are looking for effective ways to remain competitive. Many companies are feeling the pressure to deliver value to customers at affordable prices. Think Perform offers Lean training in Brisbane that can help in achieving this goal.

Upon course completion organisations will grow to understand how to increase customer value with minimal waste. To do so, there is a shift from optimising individual assets, technologies, and departments to using a process that optimises all simultaneously.

Lean Training In Brisbane

A lean training course for Brisbane and Queensland based organisations can vary to the rest of Australia based on geographic location and the environment in which the business operated. It is important, however, to focus on continuous improvement utilising a program that can be practically applied in your workplace.

To give you an overview of how a training course might look in your Queensland based organisation, we would first determine what exactly your organisation would like to achieve. In the initial stages, the training focuses on engaging with the leadership and culture of an organisation while allowing solutions to be created to achieve your unique desired outcomes. In fact, many companies choose to undergo the training and create their own title for the unique program they roll out across their organisation. What would yours say? Queensland Manufacturing Excellence?

What is Lean Training about?

Lean training involves the complete transformation of the way a business thinks and how the company is run. First and foremost, your organisation needs to determine how their customers define value. Only when this has been done can we determine which activities must be completed to deliver this value.

Three fundamental principles guide the lean process. First and foremost, customer problems must be identified and solved to allow the company to prosper. Each major value stream is then assessed to ensure it is capable, valuable, flexible, and adequate.

The flow of this process must be both efficient and productive to provide the desired results and a system must be established in order to meet the orders and needs of the client. Finally, this process must become an integral part of the workplace to ensure continuous improvement.

Finally, people within the organisation must be involved, with certain parties identified to handle the process and ensure it is ongoing. If even one principle is overlooked, the organisation won’t get the most from the process.

Why choose Think Perform?

We are specialists in tailoring on site training specific to your businesses’ needs, regardless of geographic location. Whether you’re in Brisbane, Cairns or anywhere in Queensland or Australasia, we can help your business achieve better results.

Our approach has been tried and tested over the years. This approach focuses on helping businesses overcome any obstacles they are facing, making use of the strengths of the business together with the passion of the employees to produce the desired results.

By building on these two areas, businesses find they are able to make continuous improvements in the business, doing so by focusing on small changes that won’t detrimentally impact the practices and values of the company.

The approach used by Think Perform takes every employee in the organisation into consideration, as doing so allows value to be added at each level to ensure the long-term stability of changes.

Here at Think Perform we are known for producing exceptional results by placing personal development, individuals, and continuous improvement of the business at the core of the process, and our organisation brings more than 40 years of experience to each interaction.

Available Opportunities

The programs offered through the company are available nationally, and the team spends time in each client’s workplace, allowing employees to provide their input into the process.

This strong partnership and the customised change framework created for each client ensures a business can make use of the system for years to come.

Australia’s leading Lean trainers, Think Perform are currently offering Lean training in Brisbane. Contact us today and boost employee productivity and profitability sustainably.

How to properly define Continuous Improvement and its application in the workplace

In today’s economic climate, many successful organisations are engaged in what is known as a Continuous Improvement process. This process is a philosophy which aims to improve an organisation’s productivity, profitability, competitiveness and sustainability by using a proven approach known as the Plan, Do, Check & Act (PDCA) cycle.

Consider a production process where every week there was a small but helpful change implemented to the procedure. For example, a new and improved tool might be introduced one week, a new part which replaces two parts the next week, a new layout with easier to reach tools the next – and so on. Each of these changes are small, but these small incremental changes over time would greatly enhance the production process.

What is a Continuous Improvement Cycle?

A continuous improvement cycle provides a foundation for the implementation of a number of Lean tools which aim to improve organisational processes, services and products. Put simply, a continuous improvement cycle is one of the most successful means by which an organisation can achieve its long-term goals through design, strategy and application.

What is a Continuous Improvement Plan?

Generally, a Continuous Improvement plan it follows the PDCA cycle. The cycle begins with a strategy or plan, which is then implemented. When a predetermined amount of time has passed, the process is reviewed and evaluated. Depending upon the outcome, the plan is tweaked and the PDCA cycle begins again.

For example, imagine a car parts company that is frequently ending up with a lot of waste. During the plan phase, the employees could use lean tools like the 5 Whys or a Fishbone diagram to determine why this is happening. From here, they can develop a plan to reduce waste.

In the do stage, the employees implement the plan, which may involve a 5S blitz [link to 5s infographic] on their work area to improve efficiency and reduce waste. After a pre-defined period of time they would review and evaluate the effectiveness of their actions.

During the check phase they can measure whether their changes are reducing waste across the pre-defined areas marked for improvement e.g. reduction of defects, excessive production or waiting.

The act phase encourages employees to take action and implement any learnings in other areas of the workplace and continue to identify areas for improvement.

How does the PDCA cycle influence long term results?

Using the PDCA cycle is like a type of perpetual loop. It moves from planning, to implementation, to evaluation, to revision, and then back to planning and on again. It is precise and methodical. One of its key benefits is that it does not allow for organisational stagnation. Factors such as perceived vulnerabilities, areas for improvement, employee participation, and client satisfaction are monitored, measured, and manipulated to facilitate improvement. Many organisations have noted greater levels of improvement when employees who will be impacted by the changes under consideration are included in the planning and evaluation stages of the process.

How is a Successful Continuous Improvement Implementation Assessed?

The success of many business initiatives are frequently determined by profits. They can also be measured by factors such as increased competitiveness, sustainability, quality, safety, production and retention. Factors like loss reduction, client satisfaction and identification of waste are analysed when determining goals for organisational change. By comparing these statistics to baseline measurements, an organisation’s improvements are able to be statistically measured.

It is clear from looking at the history of successful companies that long term approaches, such as continuous improvement, cannot be abandoned if future growth is the objective. Click here to download a handy Plan, Do, Check, Act printable poster. Print it out and place it where your employees can read, review and memorise the cycle.

If your organisation is looking to improve profitability, competitiveness and sustainability, spend 3-5 minutes taking the Workplace Waste Analysis and you will be provided with a customised report to help identify and reduce waste in your workplace. Click here to take the analysis.

Workplace efficiency is an essential part of productivity. In order to be efficient, all employees must be able to work in an organised environment with tools and equipment at point of use. Whether it is an office environment or a warehouse, the workspace must be organised. Some workplaces need help achieving the level of organisation and efficiency necessary for ultimate productivity. This is where a 5S training course can be useful.

What is 5s?

5S consists of the following five steps and all are equally important.

• Sort
• Set in order
• Shine
• Standardise
• Sustain

The 5S process kicks off with a blitz, this involves implementation of the first 3 S’s. During this stage you will sort and remove unnecessary items, find a place for everything, clean to inspect and remove or repair damaged parts.

Performing the first three steps of the process will establish the new improved standard for the area.  Both employees and leaders and managers are involved and the immediate result is improved morale due to a more organised workspace that can be showcased. To maintain these new standards a systematic approach will be implemented using visual standards and regular audits to make the changes stick. Most companies don’t have a problem getting everyone to work together to get the office or warehouse organised, keeping it that way, though, takes discipline and commitment from the management team and employees. The Think Perform program including training all levels of the business to ensure they learn everything they need to know in order to make the changes necessary to sustain the organised, efficient and productive environment.

How 5s Can Help

5S is a continuous process and not a single event. It involves an investment in time and effort from everyone in the organisation. Companies that successfully implement the 5S process with Think Perform increase their productivity as well as employee engagement, resulting in measurable Return On Investment. When employees’ ideas are implemented and key people are involved in 5S, fully engaged in the process, they own it and embrace the changes. From here, the role of a supervisor changes, they provide support and track and communicate the improved results and provide feedback positive and constructive.

Operators otherwise disengaged find purpose in the workplace and we have observed improved morale in the Warehousing and Manufacturing environment. It is important the Leaders and Managers of the business are involved in the 5S process, this shows commitment and support.

Why Your Company Needs 5s

A structured and systematic approach to running a business helps achieve, efficiency and productivity. When employees are involved in creating a more efficient workspace and how doing this can benefit the organisation, they are more likely to take on the duties willingly. With 5S in place, business owners and managers can spend more time on improving the business systems and processes and devising ways to make the company more profitable. Employees who work in an organised space experience improved morale as they are able to find the tools and resources they need to get their job done, this minimises frustration and time wasted walking around looking for things.

Getting Started

Companies often consider a new approach to their organisational methods as a reaction to an incident or accident. The work that is done contains the problem from further impacting production, but rarely addresses the root cause of the issue. The Think Perform program, however, through implementation of 5S, introduces the foundations and structure required, it enables workplace organisation and efficiency and systems to identify corrective actions and make permanent changes to prevent recurrence of issues. Once 5S is fully embedded and the changes have been standardised and sustained, organisations are better able to quickly and easily identify other types of waste that are causing lost time, incurring costs and defects and fix these issues. The implementation of 5S is the very first step towards improving workplace productivity and ultimately results in reduced costs and improved morale.

The 5s component of a course will teach the managers as well as the staff members how to maintain an organised workspace. It starts with input from the employees and support from the management team. Both groups must work together in order to be successful. Research has shown that companies that attempt to discipline employees into compliance with housekeeping policies aren’t effective. Leaving this process up to staff won’t work either. Hiring a company like Think Perform to create a process that involves a team effort can help a company reach its goals most effectively.

Organisational change tends to be something every business must deal with at one time or another. Any company failing to do so may find they lag behind competitors and lose clients. As a result, companies are now choosing to take part in a 5s training course, one that shows them how to provide a workplace that is more organised, cleaner, and more efficient.

Learning the 5s system and then implementing it will allow for a workspace that is visually managed, and this leads to improve performance from staff. In addition, all employees feel a sense of achievement. The system can be used in any workplace, and it changes the culture of the organisation, leading to additional improvements being encouraged.

The 5S System

A course which includes 5s training outlines the different steps used in this process. The first step involves identifying any items that aren’t needed in the workplace and removing them. Once unnecessary clutter has been eliminated, remaining items need to be stored efficiently and effectively, and a system must be developed to outline any cleaning requirements.

At this stage of the process, the system needs to identify issues so a solution may be developed before the problem gets out of control. The process then needs to be standardised so it can be used throughout the organisation, and employees must be educated on the most efficient methods to use for optimal results.

Finally, a plan needs to be put into place to ensure the progress made is sustained. At this time, the business also needs to find a way to implement routine activities that further this goal.

The 5S system provides a way for every business to see where problems have arisen. For example, with the use of this system, businesses can easily detect inefficiencies related to their equipment. They also find it is easier to see where time is being wasted and how this problem can be eliminated. Other areas where the 5s system may be of help include inventory control and work processes.

The method outlined in quality courses which include 5s addresses all of these areas, using one common procedure that can be incorporated into every aspect of a business.

With the help of this system, every employee learns how to uncover opportunities for improvement in the workplace. The process becomes embedded in every section of the workplace, and the entire facility is designed around these principles. Bad habits are prevented through the use of these techniques, and employees and employers alike find the workplace becomes more pleasant in every respect.

People discover they enjoy coming to work once again, as their input is valued and they feel as if they are making a difference with the work they do.

Think Perform for 5S Training

Think Perform understands the importance of establishing sustainable practices that drive continuous performance improvements in the workplace. We run our courses to empower employees at every level of an organisation to achieve results by enabling a cultural transformation.

The transformation takes place at every level, and this leads to a workforce that is better engaged as behavioural changes at the floor level are being reinforced by those in leadership positions. What makes this system so effective is its two way approach which encourages collaboration at all levels. As a result, businesses obtain deeper insights which lead to results that are more actionable.

With the use of the 5s system, companies find employees learn new skills and transfer this knowledge to others in the organisation. Efficiency increases and waste is reduced as the process is implemented with the goal being to eliminate waste completely. Profitability and productivity both witness increases as a result of the implementation of this process, and this benefits organisations in every industry.

Companies that look into 5s training courses find their business benefits in numerous areas, often in ways they never anticipated. The time has come to move forward with a system that actually works in the long run, and the 5s system is the answer for many. It’s likely your industry is constantly changing, and businesses must keep up. This system is designed to help every organisation do so in a way that is logical, methodical, and effective.

Companies often look to their systems and practices when they find improvements need to be made in the organisation. If the company is at a loss as to how to make changes in these areas, they may choose to make use of a continuous improvement training course. Courses of this type cover a range of topics, with some opting to take a course to become certified managers and others certified quality improvement associates.

Upon completion of the continuous process improvement training courses, individuals find they are better able to create, maintain, and improve a workplace that is both orderly and clean. At the same time, the company finds they expose areas of waste and error to be rectified.

Continuous Improvement

Often referred to as lean training, lean manufacturing, or lean production, this system provides an individual with knowledge and skills designed to allow them to improve their workplace as an ongoing process. Many companies make changes in the workplace once and believe the job is done.

As industries are continuously changing, this method does not work, and a business may quickly find they are lagging behind their competitors as a result. Continuous improvement training ensures this is not the case, as it shows people how to transform their workplace into an environment that allows for both instantaneous and ongoing improvements.

Individuals find they learn how to identify areas of waste and reduce them, bring costs down, and boost employee morale. Efficiency and productivity improve when these methods are put into place, and customers are better served in a variety of ways. This is accomplished through the development of practical solutions which can be implemented, with the priority being placed on those areas employers and employees are most concerned about. When projects are aligned with the organisation’s objectives, employees are more willing to engage in the process and provide feedback and suggestions on various procedures and systems.

This is seen in their workplace planning and in team collaboration, and improvements are witnessed in other areas as well.

Why Choose Think Perform?

Continuous improvement training courses offered through Think Perform allow customisation of the program to meet the needs of the organisation. The program offers hands-on opportunities, allowing participants to see the outcome of the efforts before they ever leave the program. This provides the motivation they need to share their knowledge within the organisation.

Facilitators work with students on a personal level, and this interaction enhances the program in a variety of ways. One benefit of choosing Think Perform for these courses is all work is completed during class time. There is no homework to be completed, thus employees are more willing to participate in the program as it doesn’t interfere with their personal time.

Think Perform focuses on specific goals when developing their continuous improvement courses. Participants leave the program prepared to improve the profitability and productivity of their companies through the implementation of the skills they have learned and the tools they have acquired.

Students feel empowered to achieve results, and workforce engagement increases. In addition, they understand how to reduce waste while increasing efficiency thanks to the skills they have developed and the knowledge they have acquired.

A unique perspective

Many continuous improvement programs don’t take into account the unique needs of an organisation. When Think Perform is chosen to provide this training, a facilitator visits the workplace to observe where changes may need to be made and helps to develop solutions that address all challenges of the business, both of the short and long-term variety.

Employees and managers alike are asked to provide input into the process, as they understand how the business works better than anyone else. This approach ensures no level of the organisation is overlooked, which helps to capitalise on any opportunities related to productivity and performance.

Continuous improvement course offerings benefit organisations of every size and type. Any business that feels they are struggling to remain competitive may wish to take part in a class of this type. Doing so leads to improvements at every level of the organisation, and employees feel as if they are accomplishing more. This leads to additional benefits for the business, as happy employees tend to be more productive ones.

Look into a continuous improvement training course today. Once one employee takes part in a program of this type and shares his or her knowledge with others in the organisation, results will quickly be seen. This is one task no organisation should ever put off.

To remain competitive across Australia, even in very competitive areas like Perth and Melbourne, companies must deliver value to customers at affordable prices. In order to achieve this goal, a company needs to increase efficiency while reducing waste. Lean training can be of help in achieving this goal. For this reason, a lean training course focuses on obtaining results and providing a process that will achieve the desired outcomes.

Upon completion of a course involving Lean training, a company understands how to continuously increase customer value with absolutely no waste. To do so, the company shifts from optimising individual assets, technologies, and departments to using a process that optimises all simultaneously.

Lean Training

Lean six sigma training focuses on providing a company with a methodology that can be practically applied in the workplace. Although many associate this type of training with manufacturing companies, look over a Lean training course outline, as this will quickly reveal how the training benefits organisations of any type.

The training focuses on changing the leadership and culture of an organisation while allowing the organisation to create a solution that achieves their unique desired outcomes. In fact, many companies undergo the training and then create their own title for the unique system they use.

It may be referred to as a production system or a business system, yet all make use of the same principles. They have simply been customised to meet the organisation’s specific needs.

What is Lean Training about?

Lean training involves the complete transformation of the way a business thinks and how the company is run. First and foremost, the organisation needs to determine how their customers define value. Only when this has been done can the company determine which activities must be completed to deliver this value.

The flow of this process must be both efficient and productive to provide the desired results and a pull system must be established in order to meet the orders and needs of the client. Finally, this process must become an integral part of the workplace to ensure for continuous improvement.

Three fundamental principles guide the lean process. First and foremost, customer problems must be identified and solved to allow the company to prosper. Each major value stream is then assessed to ensure it is capable, valuable, flexible, and adequate.

Each step must be linked by the flow, the pull, and the leveling to remain in the process. Finally, people within the organisation must be involved, with certain parties identified to handle the process and ensure it is ongoing. If even one principle is overlooked, the organisation won’t get the most from the process.

Why Think Perform?

Think Perform has developed an approach that has been tried and tested over the years. This approach focuses on helping businesses overcome any obstacles they are facing, making use of the strengths of the business together with the passion of the employees to produce the desired results.

By building on these two areas, businesses find they are able to make continuous improvements in the business, doing so by focusing on small changes that won’t impact the practices and values of the company.

The approach used by Think Perform takes every employee in the organisation into consideration, as doing so allows value to be added at each level to ensure the long-term stability of changes.

To ensure everyone remains on the same page, it is recommended that businesses offer a visual guide to the process because doing so helps to ensure source clarification and critical areas of success.The visual reminders may also be used to define processes and initiatives to ensure the process remains ongoing.

Think Perform is known for producing exceptional results by placing personal development, individuals, and continuous improvement of the business at the core of the process, and the organisation brings more than 40 years of experience to each interaction.

Available Opportunities

The programs offered through the company are available nationally, and the team spends time in each client’s workplace, allowing employees to provide their input into the process.

This strong partnership and the customised change framework created for each client ensures a business can make use of the system for years to come.

Consider participating in a Lean manufacturing course today. Once one area of a company begins making use of Lean principles, it generates interest in other areas and eventually spreads throughout the organisation. Eliminating waste while creating customer value benefits all, thus a team dedicated to this pursuit needs to be created immediately.

Think Perform can be of assistance in getting this team set up and Lean principles established in a business. Contact them today to learn more about how they can be of help to your organisation in moving forward and remaining competitive in today’s world with the help of Lean training.

Every company experiences some type of waste. Some can be direct, like when employees spend company time and resources managing their personal business. Other types are harder to identify and, possibly, harder to correct. This is the type of waste that arises from people that are not taught the most cost-effective processes when unnecessary repetition happens or product quality is insufficient. To reach the highest level of success, every company must identify and address these problems in their own workplace.

Why Lean Training? Let’s Discuss The Cost of Waste

Waste is hard to put an exact price on because it is so easy to hide. Extra raw materials and utilities can be calculated, but wasted time is more difficult to identify. Time spent filing identical documents or procedures forcing clients to wait for responses that should have been instant are just general and minor examples of the ways waste occurs. All of these instances can reduce the amount of product made or reduce how many clients can be seen in a day.

In many businesses, it prevents the company from paying its employees more or stops them from expanding. In extreme cases, it can bankrupt companies because they may be unable to compete with others who operate in a more streamlined manner.

Training That Helps

Lean training enables businesses to learn time-saving methods that are specific to their industry. By learning these methods, they can provide better service to their clients and keep costs low. Reduced costs mean more profits, but it can also mean having more flexibility in how services or products are priced. This increases the ability of the company to be more competitive, afford more advertising, and devote additional funds to marketing and product research, putting them in a position to advance further in the future.

Custom Designed Solutions

A Lean training course is not a class that is the same for each company or industry. Every course is adjusted to meet the specific needs of the individual organization. The tips and education provided are tailored to who is taking the course. Members of management and business owners are able to look for ways to improve how their time is spent as well as how they can be more effective at reducing waste throughout the company. They leave the course able to review how work is handled on a day-to-day basis and create solutions for problem areas.

Problem-solving skills are taught so every student learns how to adapt what they have learned to individual circumstances throughout their career.

Controlling Company-Wide Waste

Waste is not just an administrative issue. It is a problem in every part of some companies, and manufacturing is a key area where there is often excessive loss due to controllable waste. Lean manufacturing course lessons teach participants to identify where waste is occurring and methods for addressing it. In addition, it also teaches people how to avoid wasting time on matters that do not offer adequate rewards for the effort.

These classes break down the true cost of waste in this environment and how the waste affects everything from operating costs to the value of the final product.

Example of Course Outlines

A Lean training course outline often varies according to the needs of the business, but will typically include some key features. It begins with an explanation of lean practices, explaining why they are important and how it can be determined if a business could benefit from them. Information about common types of waste in specific industries is explained, with solutions for how these problems can be managed provided. The course will teach how to create and then implement a plan as well as how to gauge its success once it is in place.

Lean six sigma is a beneficial and proven program of Lean training that offers basic, intermediary and executive level techniques that allow companies to fine-tune their procedures and skills. Think Perform uses these methods to involve every employee in the lean process. Their approach is not limited to just the leaders of an organization but realizes that everyone plays a role and must be fully educated about how important their part is to the company as a whole.

By encouraging collaboration between all levels, companies become more focused and organized units, capable of working together to discover even more solutions.

Building a lean corporation takes teamwork, effort, and dedication. When it is successful, the company will be able to achieve goals and reach profit margins they may have never thought possible. Clients are treated with more respect and provided better, more efficient service.

Once the waste has been addressed, employees often discover their work is less stressful and demanding because they are no longer repeating tasks or performing “busy work” that has no real purpose.

Organisations frequently search for new ways to improve their practices and systems, and the Competitive Systems & Practices cert 3 (MSS30312) is an excellent way to do so. With the help of this training, companies find they are better able to develop teams while simultaneously optimising business outcomes at every level. The course demonstrates principles and practices that have been implemented over the past eight decades in the manufacturing industry.

SEE ALSO: Step Ahead with Certificate IV Competitive Systems and Practices

Qualifications

Frequently referred to as Lean, Lean production, or Lean manufacturing, the program supplies a variety of skills, tools and knowledge, and is designed to integrate work practices and systems capable of supporting both instantaneous and ongoing improvements to the business. The goal of the program is to help businesses improve in the areas of waste reduction, employee morale, cost reduction, efficiency and customer service. When an individual makes use of the program they find it to be theoretical and practical in regards to its delivery.

Benefits of the Program

Employees taking part in the Certificate III Competitive Systems and Practices training learn to identify areas of waste within their workplace. Once identified, practical solutions are developed to reduce this waste, with priorities being placed on those items of most concern to employees and employers. Participants create projects that are aligned with the objectives of the organisation and employees find they are more willing to take the initiative and offer feedback on systems and procedures. They become more adept at planning their own workspace and tasks and can do so as part of a team also. These are only a few of the numerous benefits associated with training of this type.

SEE ALSO: What is 5s and Why Do Companies Need It?

Selecting a Program

When choosing a Certificate III Competitive Systems & Practices program, individuals need to look for one that will provide the training their company needs. For this reason, Think Perform offers a customisable program outline. The program needs to consist of hands-on training, with facilitators working together with the students on a personal and practical level. The workshops need to be interactive, and they need to be offered at a location that employees are comfortable with. The program shouldn’t require homework be completed, as the training needs to take place during class time for the optimal learning experience. In addition, when all training takes place during work hours, employees tend to be more cooperative and willing to take part.

Industries Benefits from the Training

Most individuals associate this training with manufacturing industries, yet it benefits those in other sectors too. Office environments find the implementation of these practices improves overall productivity and efficiency, and the same is true of suppliers and distributors. Mining and service organisations learn a great deal when they take part in the training program, as do professional service suppliers and health care providers. Any business finds they benefit from this training.

Once the Certificate III Competitive Systems & Practices course is complete, the individual may wish to proceed to the certificate iv in competitive systems and practices. With each diploma of competitive systems and practices obtained, individuals find their job opportunities expand and their pay often goes up accordingly. With each course completed an individual’s communication skills increase, their problem solving improves, their ability to work in a team is enhanced, and more. This is one training program every employee and business owner should look into today for great end results.