The role of an Interim Manager for continuous improvement
Directly inspired by the principle of kaizen, a methodology widely used in Japanese companies, continuous improvement is a quality approach essentially based on the search for performance and the reduction of waste. An Interim Manager has its place in setting up a process of continuous improvement in the company.
What is the principle of continuous improvement?
The principle of continuous improvement is based on a three-step approach. Kaizen consists of following this logic: “every time we have the possibility of improving something, we do it”.
In practice, this means that everyone in the company can come up with ideas to improve an activity or a process. And that these suggestions are really taken into account and implemented.
Continuous improvement is a process to continually improve quality and reduce costs in the field of business. It can be used to improve the quality of products and services, but also to reduce costs in production, service and administrative activities, improve efficiency and profitability, increase customer satisfaction and product reliability and reduce the effects of competition.
Continuous improvement aims to achieve the best possible results by using resources in such a way that all elements of the organization are well coordinated and operate effectively and efficiently.
The goal of continuous improvement is often to accompany a change in the company. Historically, it was implemented by Toyota to improve the profitability of production sites.
The objective of kaizen is to improve performance using as few resources as possible, qualitatively and quantitatively. Kaizen improves the quality of products and services, and ultimately customer satisfaction.
The key to continuous improvement is to work as a team : everyone has sufficient capacity to improve their activity, regardless of their role and hierarchical level. For this, the team must be efficient and well structured.
The principle of continuous improvement follows three stages:
- Localization of malfunctions and problems in the company,
- Looking for solutions,
- Application of these solutions.
The principle of continuous improvement aims to increase the efficiency of companies by using the fewest possible resources and thus to increase their profitability.
Continuous improvement aims to ensure faster, more profitable and more efficient development.
What are the 4 stages of a continuous improvement project?
A continuous improvement project follows a rigorous and very structured process with a cyclical logic. It is broken down systematically by following these steps:
- Process analysis: analysis of causes and symptoms, definition of the change to be implemented (reorganization of a factory or warehouse, change of strategy, installation of new tools)
- Definition of improvement criteria: setting of achievable and measurable objectives. Implementation of improvement actions: definition of concrete actions to be implemented to carry out the project.
- Verification of the effectiveness of improvement actions: reminder of the objectives to be achieved, analysis using management tools.
- Review of improvement criteria and definition of new areas for improvement.
In this context, fluid and effective exchanges within a team are fundamental. The logic of mutual aid and communication is one of the bases of a project carried out in continuous improvement.
Should an Interim Manager be called upon to work in continuous improvement?
It is always wiser to call on an Interim Manager to work in continuous improvement when you want to achieve a rapid transformation.
The Interim Manager is indeed a professional who has solid experience in the field of management and who is recognized as an expert in his field. He can be engaged on short and precise missions to set up and carry out a strictly defined project.
Calling on an experienced interim management firm to delegate a manager who is very experienced in continuous improvement is therefore a winning strategy.
By delegating an expert who is quickly operational, aware of the issues and at ease in setting up the appropriate processes, an analysis makes a choice which most often proves to be profitable.
How to recruit an Interim Manager to work in continuous improvement?
To carry out a continuous improvement project , the Transition Manager must have the following skills:
- Proven technical knowledge, knowledge of business processes and analytical skills to quickly identify project issues.
- Perfect relational approach and sense of teamwork, to mobilize and motivate employees and manage the project in good conditions. As we have seen, teamwork and communication between employees are fundamental components of continuous improvement. It is therefore necessary for the Interim Manager to have communication skills and a real aptitude for team management.
- Ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously.
Reactive Executive offers experienced Interim Managers to carry out continuous improvement missions in the short or long term .
Before choosing an Interim Manager, we assess the skills of the continuous improvement consultant.
To delegate the Interim Manager adapted to the needs of the company, a specialized interim management firm uses its in-depth knowledge of the professions and the challenges of the sector.
He knows perfectly which profiles to favor for each need.
An operational transition management firm delegates effective transition managers, endowed with these capacities and fully operational within a very short time.
To best ensure optimal change management, transition management is perfectly appropriate . With Reactive Executive, call on transition managers who are experts in change management.
