Lean Persuasion

Aug. 8, 2008
Some tips on ways companies can win employees' acceptance of lean.

Employees are naturally resistant to change. Unless a company is announcing pay increases for all, or more vacation time, no news is usually good news for most workers. That's why when companies first introduce lean into their operations, it's often necessary to gain buy-in from the staff to facilitate real change. Drives and controls manufacturer Bosch Rexroth Corp. along with lean manufacturing expert Jamie Flinchbaugh have developed tips on ways companies can win employees' acceptance of lean. They suggest that employers involved in lean implementations:

  • Plan a common 90-second to three-minute standard communication message that will leave a lasting impression with workers. This can help answer questions employees have about the implementation. It also can be presented in an informal setting such as the cafeteria.
  • Use the informal time to explain what will change and why it's necessary rather than as a teaching session.
  • Make these messages consistent to build understanding and support from employees.
  • Ensure the staff understands that lean is being implemented because the process is flawed; not the employees doing the work.

Flinchbaugh and Bosch Rexroth offer more suggestions at www.boschrexroth-us.com/leanpodcast.

See Also

Popular Sponsored Recommendations

Four Common OT Cybersecurity Pitfalls for Manufacturers

April 4, 2023
For the last six years, Dragos has leveraged their Professional Services team to develop an on-the-ground understanding of the realities facing the industrial community and to...

Empowering the Modern Workforce: The Power of Connected Worker Technologies

March 1, 2024
Explore real-world strategies to boost worker safety, collaboration, training, and productivity in manufacturing. Emphasizing Industry 4.0, we'll discuss digitalization and automation...

How Manufacturers Can Optimize Operations with Weather Intelligence

Nov. 2, 2023
The bad news? Severe weather has emerged as one of the biggest threats to continuity and safety in manufacturing. The good news? The intelligence solutions that build weather ...

Transformative Capabilities for XaaS Models in Manufacturing

Feb. 14, 2024
The manufacturing sector is undergoing a pivotal shift toward "servitization," or enhancing product offerings with services and embracing a subscription model. This transition...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!