Creating basic stability in core processes is one of four basic value-creating tasks of management, yet it is "almost completely ignored," observed Jim Womack, LEI founder.
"When you go in and spend a day with managers and observe what they are doing - even up close to the top - they are busy talking to the customer about things gone wrong, they are busy talking to the supplier about things gone wrong, they are busy talking to operations or design about things gone wrong. Complete instability."
As a result, the main work of many managers at many levels in companies using "modern management" systems is constant firefighting. How to move from modern management to lean management is the subject of the new DVD "Womack on Lean Management."
Here is Jim's list of the four activities of managers that create value for their organizations:
- Gain agreement on what is important
- Create brilliant lean processes to achieve what's important
- Create stability and then continuously improve every process
- Mentor subordinates as lean managers
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