The goal of the programme is to help small and medium sized business owners and managers – particularly in the food and food processing, construction and property management, tourism, and financial services sectors of Cyprus – be able to quickly and continuously identify the hidden wastes in their operating processes and practices, and understand the practical steps they can take to start eliminating that waste, thus improving productivity while at the same time improving quality and speed.
Throughout the programme, participants will also learn to define and manage key performance indicators (KPIs) that are linked to their overall strategic objectives – and related operational risks. These KPIs will help them in empowering their employees towards taking the appropriate actions themselves to achieve strategic goals, specifically by cutting out wasteful activities and eliminating rework, and simplifying business processes to improve productivity.
Through a sequence of interactive exercises, the participants will also learn a vernacular with which to change the mindsets, attitudes, and eventually the behaviours in their organisations, a change that is essential to achieving operational excellence.
This program thus addresses the following HRDA priority themes:
- A1: Strategies for improving productivity
- B2: Support Core Manufacturing Sector -Practical ways to reduce operating costs and increase the efficiency of processing units
- B5: Development of Tourism Industry Sector – Practical ways to reduce operating costs and increase the efficiency of hotel and general tourism businesses
- C2: Development of the Small Business Division – Innovative approaches to reducing operating costs and increasing performance of small businesses.
Throughout the workshop the consultant will share the unique lessons learned from both successes and failures in introducing Lean Management and Balanced Scorecards (as a tool to measure and manage performance) in a range of European companies, as well as how the introduction of commitment to operational excellence can make happen a shift in mindset.
The in-company visit will start with a short audit of operations, which will form the basis for discussion with the participating manager(s) and their staff on how to continue identifying waste in their processes, and what can/will be done to minimise or eliminate that waste.
The in-company visit may also include (upon request) a coaching session of the participating manager, on how to promote the right mindsets and attitudes among staff.