Continuous Improvement

Continuous Improvement (CI)

"To succeed as a team is to hold all of the members accountable for their expertise" (Mitchell Caplan)

Continuous Improvement is predominantly about people and culture. The Toyota Production System (TPS) is probably the most famous and successful example of a CI culture and was developed from the belief of founder Kiichiro Toyoda that "Each person fulfilling his or her duties to the utmost can generate great power when gathered together, and a chain of such power can generate a ring of power". This belief is illustrated in the Toyota 4P Model which clearly defines the importance of visionary leadership, empowered people, efficient processes and effective tools and techniques.

Many companies embarking on CI start by concentrating on eliminating waste from the production processes but fail to expand and embrace the whole CI culture. By focussing on the `Process` level of the model without adopting the other 3 Ps will make any improvements isolated and unsustainable.

John Nichols founder of Clyde House Business Development (CHBD) comments that by applying CI in the correct way unleashes a torrent of previously untapped talent and ideas. Visionary leaders tend to provide a structure capable of supporting and nuturing the resultant enthusiastic and motivated workforce which in turn provides significant organic growth.

CHBD has in depth knowledge and experience of the strategic, cultural and practical aspects of CI and have the ability to help companies both large and small to make the transition to a CI culture. We will be happy to help you with a specific CI project or in facilitating the whole transition process.

Please contact us direct for more information about how we may be able to help.