Marketing specialist Lesley Holdsworth explains how to streamline your business...

A new year brings with it new resolutions or considerations on how one should do things better and we are all looking for ways to become more efficient in the current climate. I think most companies in our industry have become leaner over the past few years, but have we all reviewed the whole business or just cut the obvious costs?  

Having worked for many manufacturing companies in our industry over the years - Magnet, Crosby, Spring Ram Kitchens, Jacuzzi - I have been involved in a range of efficiency initiatives. It's only since leaving manufacturing and working with a variety of companies in different markets that I've appreciated how 'lean' systems can work in all environments.

One of my clients today promotes 'lean' principles with some outstanding results, both within the NHS and private healthcare, and they are using the same 5S principles that are embedded in many manufacturing businesses throughout the world. Why not begin the New Year by committing to make your business more efficient by reviewing lean principles.

5S is a workplace methodology that uses a series of five Japanese words all starting with an S, subsequently translated into English, which help you to streamline your business processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness thus reducing cost and increasing your profitability. Here are the principles in order:

Sort - Sort out your workplace, whether it's an office, a trade counter or a warehouse. Get rid of unused items, archive old files, rotate your stock. Basically have a clear out.

Set in Order / Simplify - There should be a place for everything and everything should be in its place. The place for each item should be clearly labelled and the item should be put in a place that promotes an efficient work flow, so if it's used regularly ensure it's to hand.

Shine - Clean the area and make sure it stays clean. Cleanliness should be part of a daily routine, not something one does when the area gets messy.
Standardise - Working practices should be consistent and standardised. Anyone working in that area should understand the procedures, expectations and their responsibilities for maintaining the first 3 S's.

Sustain - Once the first 4 S's have been implemented in all areas, your business has created a new way of working which needs to be constantly maintained and reviewed. The process so far has ensured you have reviewed your operation and taken out waste. Sustaining 5S results in a continual improvement of your business with employees suggesting ways of streamlining processes.

Some companies add Safety, Security and Satisfaction to the initial 5S process, the latter of which demonstrates how satisfying employees find working in a leaner environment.  

Trying to cover this in a column is adventurous to say the least, but it's a start and gives one thought to consider a different approach to making your business more efficient for 2012. Happy New Year!

Lesley Holdsworth has worked in marketing for KBB companies for over 20 years. She now has her own consultancy specialising in PR and Marketing.  www.javaproductions.co.uk