Recent Go-see Meetings

Fonterra Learning Centre - Go-see Te Awamutu 3 June 2014

Ci forum members were treated to an insightful session led by the team at Fonterra during last week’s visit to the Te Awamutu Learning Centre.

Alan and Louise presented to members on ‘Lean management systems, how to build and sustain what you have built’. They started by breaking down the components of their 12 month PDCA. This enabled a broader discussion on their approach to problem solving and standardized work. They spoke of how initial attempts to promote standardized work had been improved with the introduction of job instructions. This approach puts greater emphasis on skill development in engaging and instructing someone to perform a job.

The second section of the workshop involved a group discussion on key challenges faced attending members. This was followed by lunch and networking.  A big thanks to Alan, Louise and Fonterra. Your contribution to the Ci forum is always valued and appreciated.
 

Gallagher Go-see 12 September 2013 - Hamilton

Last week a team of 30 Ciforum members went on a Go See to Gallagher in Hamilton. The Gallagher Way is a journey the team at Gallagher have been on for 4 years and it was clear to see the progress they had made. We started with a well organised tour of their operations focusing on the continuous improvement practices they had implemented and discussed the impact that this has had on their customers, staff and organisation.
	From the enthusiasm of the senior leadership to the orange branding of their operational boards, you can sense that The Gallagher Way has become how they operate rather than an add-on. They demonstrated the link between their strategy and how this translated into action and practices on the shop floor, tied together and monitored closing through their KPIs, maturity model and management system.
However, I think highlight for many was when four employees shared their projects and how they had taken some basic Ci training and made a difference – authentic, engaging, brilliant – thanks Gallagher.

 

NZ Sugar Go-see 16 May 2013 - Auckland

 

NZ Sugar
	NZ Sugar hosted a fantastic Go-see in May. Attendees from a good mix of organisations and industries learn't by seeing the culture-changing improvement programme in place at NZ Sugar. We were treated to a full tour of the Chelsea Refinery, but the real highlight was seeing how the entire team has focused on improvement activities. The team presentations at the end of the tour really demonstrated how everyone can become involved in continuous improvement - it's not just something to leave to a central team. A big thank you to NZ Sugar for being wonderful hosts

Tait Communications Go-see 21 March 2013 - Christchurch

Since introducing Lean to their organisation in 2006 Tait Communications has developed and refined their own approach to improvement, focusing on what works for them to get the best engagement and deliver results.  The members were given a tour through both manufacturing  and R&D sites.

The contrast demonstrated  how similar tools and techniques can be adapted to different environments within the same facility, proving yet again that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to improvement.  The morning concluded with a presentation by Lean Development Change Manager - John Whittaker on their continuous improvement journey followed by lunch and some valuable discussion from our members. Feedback from members on the day was extremely appreciative with the following key learning’s expressed by members:   Change to business practice needs to be pulled by the business rather and imposed on them Never stop looking for different ways of working – always challenge the way you work Create opportunities for staff to experience how change can benefit them Deeply understand your customer and their pain points – experience their environment     Thank you Tait Communications for hosting this successful Go-See. A special thanks to John Whittaker and Stefan Sohnchen.

 

Genesis Energy Go-see 14 June 2012 - Auckland

Te Awamutu 8 March 2012

 

Auckland 13 September 2011

IAG:  IAG - Project Success Story

With members joining us for the IAG Go-see hosted in Auckland.  It was clear there was keen interest in the activities of IAG Business Improvement team.

The team described how IAG has started their journey and learned how IAG and other organisations are measuring and transforming their culture. They shared several case studies, including:

• An IAG Project Success story.  View presentation
• Examples of some early wins.
• The Road ahead. View presentation
• Lean Six Sigma storybook - Risk Surveys. View presentation

"Good discussion about several topics - Richard & the team encouraged discussion throughout". - Bruce, George, GM Process & Service Improvement, healthAlliance.

We surveyed participants after the event - here's what they told us.

Wellington 8 June 2011

IRD:  Meeting Government & customer expectations for efficiency, cost savings and improved customer service
The Inland Revenue team gave us a great overview of their Lean Six Sigma Programme, including how they are building capability through their training programme and the benefits they have realised.  They also shared how they are working across Government and with other Agencies, in particular how they have shared training with Ministry of Social Development; run a joint project with NZ Post and Datam; and outsourced their LSS skills to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

A highlight of this Go-see was the interview with their Commissioner, Bob Russell, and Deputy Commissioner, Carolyn Tremain, who demonstrated the strength of support provided from the top.

We've had feedback from members that a challenge in Ci is sustaining the gains, so the team ran a brainstorm activity on how to do just that.  Here's the outcome!

"Great effort - it appears a lot of effort was made to make the event interesting, interactive and memorable. Definitely not a typical speaker-only presentation." - Ek Ngauv, Senior Business Analyst, Beca

Auckland 19 May 2011

Telecom:  RightFirstTime
With more than 50 members joining us for the Go-see hosted by Telecom, it was the largest we've held to date.  And the beautiful appointed (and huge) conference room in Telecom's new state-of-the-art building 'Telecom Place' was the perfect setting for this event.

The Telecom team shared the building blocks of their programme, including how they support the business' Ci activities with Delivery Coaches and provide just-in-time training for teams working on improvement projects.

The Delivery Coaches ran an activity on Lean Thinking, which saw participants working in teams to demonstrate the difference between conventional planning mental models and Lean mental models.  Some were brave enough to roleplay the differences - which went down a treat!

Wellington 2 December 2010

Kiwibank:  Kiwi Thinking - great ideas that just get brighter
With members joining us from Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch, it was clear there was keen interest in the activities of Kiwibank's Business Improvement team.

The team described how their team is structured and how it fits into the larger Business Transformation group.  They shared several case studies, including:

• A recent project where a Six Sigma Black Belt worked with HR to ensure performance objectives were aligned with bank strategy.
• The use of DFSS techniques to aid Marketing with the design of a new bank service.
• A co-ordinated programme of Green Belt-sized projects being led by a Black Belt to reduce Kiwibank's use of paper across the workplace.

To illustrate continuous improvement concepts - the importance of prototyping, and identifying and testing assumptions - the Kiwibank team ran The Marshmallow Challenge. 

This provided a perfect lesson in collaboration, innovation and creativity - and was a lot of fun!

“Very well designed and informative presentation. It ticked all my boxes and worth the trip down from Auckland to attend.” - Gary Morgan, Business Consultant, IAG NZ.

We surveyed participants after the event - here's what they told us.