In an ever-changing world, the quest for operational efficiency is more important than ever. Companies are constantly seeking to make their processes more efficient, by reducing waste and improving quality levels, while at the same time meeting growing customer expectations.
To overcome this variability and optimize processes, Lean training courses, with their different levels (White, Yellow, Green and Black Belt), are proving to be essential concepts & tools to be implemented within organizations: industry and services, for all sectors of activity, and for all professions.
Read on to find out more!
What is culture Lean ?
The Lean culture, initially developed by Toyota in the 60s and its Toyota Production System (TPS), has evolved to become an essential concept in all areas of activity. Lean aims to maximize customer value while minimizing waste, time and money. Developing a Lean culture is not limited to the implementation of specific tools and methodologies, but encompasses a global transformation of people and organizations. In short, it means developing a collective culture of continuous improvement.
What are the benefits of implementing a Lean culture within my organization?
>> Process approach:Lean applies toan entire process (source, input elements, activities, output elements, recipients) and to the relationships between processes (customer/supplier approach).
>> Customer orientation: The tools of Lean will enable us to constantly adapt to the voice of the customer, and to be more agile in the face of variations in that same voice. By understanding customer expectations and eliminating anything that doesn't add value, companies can better respond to market needs. This translates into better quality products and services, delivered faster and at lower cost.
>> Reducing waste: One of the main benefits of Lean is the significant reduction in activities that slow down the process: waste. Whether in terms of time, material resources or human effort, Lean identifies and deals with non-value-added activities. By acting on waste, the process is accelerated and made more fluid, while improving the efficiency of resources (human, material, financial).
>> Continuous improvement: Lean encouragescontinuous improvement at all levels of the organization, from the operational to management. Employees are encouraged to identify areas for improvement, experiment with new ideas and learn from their mistakes. This approach fosters a culture of constant innovation, enabling the company to remain agile and competitive in the marketplace.
>> Employee development: Developing a culture Lean necessarily involves employees at all levels. The various levels of belts enable employees toacquire new knowledge and develop their skills. Teams are encouraged to contribute actively to optimizing processes and solving problems. This involvement strengthens the sense of belonging, stimulates motivation and fosters a collaborative working environment.
>> Agile response to customer needs: Lean focuses on creating value for the customer. By understanding customer expectations and eliminating anything that doesn't add value for them, companies can better respond to market needs. This translates into better quality products and services, delivered faster and at lower cost.
>> Adapting to market changes: Implementing a Lean culture promotes flexibility and responsiveness to market changes. By minimizing cumbersome processes and hierarchical structures, companies can make decisions more quickly and adapt to market changes more effectively. The company becomes a learning organization.
How can I learn to grow Lean ?
A Lean culture applies to all levels of an organization, so it's essential that all employees speak the same language. There are different levels of training to support learners from the basics to advanced expertise.
White Belt: The fundamentals of Lean
White Belt is the ideal starting point for anyone seeking to understand the basics of Lean culture. This initial training course provides a comprehensive overview of Lean, from its origins to its applications:
- Understanding fundamental concepts: Learn the basic principles of Lean, such as process approachelimination of waste, continuous improvement and employee involvement
- Process optimization awareness: recognizing optimization opportunities in their own work processes
- Introduction to the Lean language: Acquire a set of terms and concepts specific to Lean, facilitating communication within the organization.
Yellow Belt: Practical application in the field
Yellow Belts go beyond the basics to focus on putting into practice on the scope of its activities :
- Process analysis: Analyze processes by identifying inefficiencies and implementing simple solutions to resolve them.
- Active participation in continuous improvement: Supporting change within their team or department
- Enhanced collaboration: Encourage collaboration between team members, fostering an environment conducive to innovation and improvement.
Green Belt: Mastery of concepts and tools
The Green Belt will master the Lean approach and all associated tools, and apply them on a day-to-day basis in his/her field of activity.
- Mastery of tools and techniques Lean : Daily use of tools such as process mapping, management and other methodologies Lean
- Managing simple improvement projects, guaranteeing results
- Actor for change: Mobilizes and encourages colleagues to adopt a lean spirit on a daily basis to achieve continuous improvement.
Black Belt: In-depth expertise and leadership
The Black Belt will supervise simple and complex improvement projects, and ensure that the concepts and tools Lean are applied on a daily basis to all company processes.
- Mastery of tools and techniques Lean: Use and deploy advanced Lean tools throughout the company.
- Leadership in continuous improvement: Coach Green Belts and help them carry out improvement projects, guiding teams towards maximum operational efficiency.
- Direct impact on profitability: Apply advanced Lean methodologies, to contribute directly to increasing the company's profitability.
Whatever the level, Lean training offers tangible benefits for individuals and organizations. By investing in these training programs, professionals acquire the skills they need to lead their companies towards operational excellence.
Lean accessible via Axsens bte and 7shapes
Axsens bte has set up a 100% digital training program to make these Lean courses accessible to all, with complete autonomy.
Thanks to the innovative, fun modules developed by 7shapes, learners can now enjoy an immersive, interactive learning experience directly on our training platform.
This e-Learning approach allows each learner to follow the modules at their own pace, wherever they are in the world, using an innovative teaching method:
>> Micro-Learning: short modules from 2 to 15 min.
>> Interactive simulation: practice and immerse yourself
>> Memorize by error: try, fail, try again and succeed
>> Progression curve: adapted to each learner
>> Sustainable training: cut down on travel
>> Flexibility: where you want, when you want
By 2023, more than 11,000 people had been trained using the modules developed by 7shapes, with an average satisfaction rating of 4.8/5 since 2020.
The Lean culture offers significant benefits for companies seeking to improve efficiency. Whether you're a novice or an experienced professional, adopting this approach can transform your organization, reduce waste and improve quality, while remaining agile in the face of market changes.
Axsens bte and 7shapes have made this transition accessible to all, with 100% e-learning White Belt, Yellow Belt and Green Belt training courses, available in different languages to make learning easier for everyone.
Discover our training courses Lean and start your transformation towards operational excellence!
To find out more :
What about Lean ?
Since the word Lean first appeared in the 90s, it has been more or less overused... We keep adding a specialty to the word Lean (manufacturing, office, IT, supply chain, pharma, management, etc...)What's the point? if not to make it confusing and complicated...
Is it still necessary to plan for the medium/long term when working at Lean ?
Lean enables companies to increase the responsiveness and flexibility of their processes, and significantly reduce lead times and inventories. What's more, Lean is "on the ground", moving away from computers to make flows visible,...
My pizzaiolo is Lean, and fortunately!
You've probably heard of this company near you that delivers to its customers in under 30 minutes. We'll see below that it's very Lean ! But before you read on, just imagine for a moment that the pizzaiolo does production management like this...
