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| IndustryWeek's Continuous Improvement
March 20, 2012 |
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When I teach engagement to a new management team, I teach that engagement has five measureable behavioral traits. An engaged worker, floor worker or manager alike:
1. Knows what to do to accomplish the task at hand. That is, they understand and can execute the major steps to their job.
2. Knows how to do the job. That is, they have the skills, techniques and talent to produce a quality product safely and efficiently.
3. Has the resources to do the job. They have not just the physical tools but the training, support and leadership as well.
Click here to continue.
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Embrace these tools for successful and sustained improvements.
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Long thought to be the province of the plant floor, lean and Six Sigma have moved to the executive suite.
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Plant leaders came up with an interview process designed to find workers who are safety-oriented, computer-savvy, mechanically inclined and at least high-school-educated.
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Chemical firm reorganizes and revitalizes its energy management program to pursue challenging efficiency goals.
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Pay systems exert very powerful effects that either reinforce or undermine lean practices.
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Employees who thrive have 16% better overall job performance and 125% less burnout than their peers.
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Is your facility an example of operational excellence? Do your manufacturing practices drive stellar performances? If yes, then enter your plant in IndustryWeek's 2012 Best Plants competition. Applications are now available for this annual salute to outstanding manufacturing facilities in North America. The IW Best Plants program recognizes manufacturing facilities that are on the leading edge of efforts to increase competitiveness, enhance customer satisfaction, and create stimulating and rewarding work environments. Don't delay. Download an application today! The deadline to return completed applications is May 10.
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Monetary incentives are a sometimes controversial topic when it comes to their impact on continuous improvement. On one hand are critics who proclaim monetary awards promote short-term gains rather than a sustainable culture change. On the other hand are fans of incentives, who claim precisely the opposite. The moderate view is that it all depends on the types and construction of the incentives. As the accompanying table indicates, about 75% of all IndustryWeek's Best Plants winners and finalists offer monetary awards for team or individual performance.
| What monetary awards does plant offer to production employees? (% of plants): |
| Year |
Rewards for individual performance |
Rewards for team performance |
| 2007 |
81 |
81 |
| 2008 |
65 |
60 |
| 2009 |
85 |
75 |
| 2010 |
85 |
75 |
| 2011 |
63 |
69 |
| 2007-2011 |
76 |
73 |
Source: 2011 IW Best Plants Statistical Profile
Editor's Note: Are you interested in finding our more about past IndustryWeek Best Plants winners? Click here to view a complete list of winners dating to the competition's inception in 1990. Click on the individual manufacturing plant's names for additional information. EDITOR'S NOTE: 2012 IW Best Plants application now available! May 10 is the deadline to return completed applications.
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Employee engagement with clients fosters a sense of worker pride and ownership.
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IndustryWeek Best Plants Conference
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Lean and Six Sigma deployment can get you started on your continuous improvement journey, but culture change is paramount to sustain momentum and achieve longevity. How do you achieve this culture change? It starts from the top -- setting expectations, participating from day one, promoting and recognition. Executives can lead change with support, commitment and engagement from the boardroom to the shop floor. CEO of General Cable, Greg Kenny, will share his practical experience and pragmatic approaches to leading change at the IW Best Plants Conference, April 23-25 in Indianapolis. Visit www.iwbestplants.com for all the details.
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Your organization needs alignment, accountability, and sustainability to succeed -- and as a leader, it is your job to provide them. Each session in this three-part series will strengthen your leadership capabilities -- choose the session that focuses on the skills you want to improve, or attend all three to transform your company and your career. Led by certified Lean leadership master Wes Waldo, this training is the best investment you'll make in yourself and your team this year. Earn CEU credits too. Learn more now!
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