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those other factors in place, you’re pretty much going to fail at some point in time, it’s going to probably fail, and that’s one thing we want to avoid,” cautioned Passwater. There are eight key elements to implementing lean successfully, but if you fail to execute these elements properly in one or more areas, you will have limited to no success. The very first commitment that will define your success or failure is taking a major leap of faith. According to Passwater, “If you’re not willing to make that leap of faith, don’t even try.” Eliminating waste will be the second obstacle you face, primarily because one of the greatest obstacles managers face is in understanding the difference between eliminating and only minimizing. Passwater spoke about our great quest for the magic button, that a new tool will make all of our problems disappear, and our misconception that lean is going to be like
that magic button. Passwater assured us that, that are involved in your staff and your or“Yes, Kaizen/lean has lots of tools, they have ganization in regards to it.” many options to be used, but kaizen and lean Over and over again, people fall back into is much more than that. There are no magic old habits shortly after they implement a few buttons, and if you continually go to look for quick improvements. Passwater explained that those magic buttons you are going to be very success is often missed due to poor timing. inefficient and disappointed. You’re going to “You will make the most progress simply try one thing, and then you’re going to try by starting with small steps and by continuing another, and then another without actually to build on them. It’s also important to keep successfully implementing the process.” track of your progress Leadership, commitment, under- b ecaus e “without standing, timing, preparation, strategy, measurement evmeasurement and communication with erything’s debatable. the combination of teamwork are the eight You need the data,” key factors to achieving success in lean. As said Passwater. a leader you have to support the changes The last topics 100 percent. If you have any doubt in the to b e touche d process with regard to your commitment, on we re c om Tony Passwater is the you have a very slim chance of success and munication and President of AEII, and improvement. More importantly, it is your teamwork. Both works with shops around the world to improve their responsibility to lead the change and in- elements are vital businesses, including clude your employees in the entire process. to maintaining a lean implementation. The biggest untapped resources you have well oiled mafor improvement are your employees. chine. Passwater “Some of the best ideas come from the said that communication is “… very often people that are doing the work. They are one way, very often a situation in which the ones that do it everyday, and they are we think we are communicating well, we the ones that are going to provide you with think we are getting that information out, your best suggestions,” said Passwater. but there is no communication unless both “You can know a lot about something but parties understand it.” not really understand it,” said Passwater. “One Many things can go wrong in this step of the biggest mistakes about trying to im- so it is important to communicate often, prove quality is trying to improve quality in and communicate effectively. Ask questions, the product itself. That’s the wrong approach. make sure everyone is on the same page You don’t ever try to fix quality by analyzing and working together as a team. Passwater the product only. You have to go and fix the stressed that, “… the approach of teamwork process you use to make the product or com- is the key difference between failure and sucplete the service, and as you improve that cess. Without teamwork, you will fail at lean. process your quality improves.” Teamwork allows you to achieve results you Passwater explained that “Without proper would never be able to achieve individually.” preparation it leads to failure, without If you are able to recognize and avoid commitment it leads to failure, without these common mistakes Passwater touched an understanding of what it’s supposed to on when implementing lean in your shop, accomplish it leads to failure, and without you will find more success in eliminating the leadership it’s going to lead to failure.” waste and improving your productivity. CRM Not allowing a suitable amount of time for preparation is a common mistake. “If you rush into 5S, you’re just doing a spring cleaning,” warned Passwater. “You have to not only For Spraybake OEM parts learn as the leader, service and technical support, but you’re going Call 1-866-325-2886 to have to learn to teach the people march 2012 collision Repair 39