Adapting to change is a necessity for most organisations if they want to prosper. To ignore the problems and opportunities caused by issues such as new technology or new regulation would leave the organisation significantly disadvantaged when compared with their competitors. The issue for most is not whether to change, but how to change.

The continuous improvement principle, which was developed in manufacturing organisations in the mid twentieth century, is now being applied in a wide variety of organisations as a systematic way to introduce and test improvements to work processes. In this article we explore an interesting side effect. A consequence of engaging employees effectively in this task of business improvement is that they become more motivated. With increased employee motivation who knows what might be achieved?

Explaining the Principle

The continuous improvement Cialis Jelly principle can be implemented with a simple four stage model (Plan, Do, Check, Act). At the “plan” stage, the task is to seek out the best opportunities for improvement and to propose solutions. In the “do” stage, the selected solution is implemented on a small scale. In o ther words,

the solution is tested before the organisation commits to implementing it across the board. The “check” stage involves measurement to show that the desired outcome is being achieved. The final step “act” results in a full scale implementation if there are positive indications from the previous stage. Following implementation of one improvement, then of course the whole process can begin again focussed on a new opportunity. So we have continuous improvement.

The basic continuous improvement model can be adapted to suit individual circumstances. An (Assess, Plan, Do, Review) model has been used in some circumstances. Other writers have suggested more complex seven or eight stage models. It is up to you to build on the basic continuous improvement cycle, and to develop a process which will work for your organisation.

Focusing on the Customer

In an ideal world the continuous improvement process should be focussed on the customers of your organisation’s products or services. By getting the customer in focus, and listening to their feedback, there is a much greater chance that the quality of the service will improve. You should, in addition, reduce the cost of delivering the service. Only by listening to the customer can you focus on the right problems. Working hard to achieve effective delivery of something that the customer doesn’t want, doesn’t add value to either organisation!

The continuous improvement principle can work well for you in dealing with existing problems. A customer complaint or perhaps a cluster of them may signify a problem that needs to be addressed. However, the process works equally well to deal with improvements that stem from the external environment. Benchmarking, for example, may show that another organisation, similar to your own, may be able to achieve a superior performance. The problem in this case is that someone else is doing it better. Your team need to address how they can adapt your systems so that you can at least equal or perhaps outperform those other organisations. You don’t just need to sit and wait for things to go wrong before you set about business improvement.

Empowering Employees

Applying the continuous improvement principle should produce a better quality service which keeps your customers happy, and makes your bosses happy as well by reducing the delivery cost. There is however one other important benefit which is perhaps less expected. The continuous improvement principle requires the active engagement of teams of your employees in the task of improving the way that the organisation works. It is they that have the detailed knowledge that is required to improve the way that the service is delivered to its customers. Involving them in the selection of the problems that are to be addressed, and in the teams that seek better solutions, gives them increased influence on the performance of their own organisation.

The continuous improvement principle lends itself to greater employee involvement, and leads to them making a greater contribution and having greater ownership of the outcomes. A well managed continuous improvement process leads to greater empowerment of your employees. The resulting increase in employee motivation may result in even more effective working than you had envisaged!

Author Bio: Eric Thompson has spent over 20 years helping others to make their organisation effective. Find out more about using the continuous daily Kamagra jelly cialis dose improvement principle. For more articles and enquiries visit JEST Management Services Improving Performance

Category: Business/Management/Organizational
Keywords: continuous improvement principle