Improving how a business operates is seen to many as a difficult, long winded and tiresome task. Others see it as a chance to stop, stand back and make some changes to their process in a very practical and immediate way; many business process improvements are simple, low cost and don't need to be intertwined with an overall 'lean manufacturing' programme. There is a continuum of improvements, and if we fantasise enough we can concoct ideas that will help our business to spend a large amount of money for not necessarily greater returns with respect to performance improvement. This article will focus on the opportunity before you to implement low cost / no cost simple ideas by simply taking a 'time out' from your day-to-day busyness.
However you choose to take a time out it is essential that you are open to ideas. Some will be great, some will be poor and some will be so far off the mark you will wonder if you and the person suggesting them are having the same conversation! That said, the ability to be flexible, get involved and enjoy the conversations around improvement can lead you off on all sorts of tangents that can eventually bring you full circle to a brilliant idea. The main point is that you need to be willing to take the time out to have this conversation and not feel under pressure to generate the next big idea.
Taking a time out is also a great way to get things off your chest with how a business process is operating. When we get upset with how a process is operating (and how others are operating their part of the process) and we declare this in the office then we are perceived as merely ranting. When we take a time out, in an official way, and others are party to this break to review what is going on, then getting things off your chest is productive. Of course the way that you offload your issues is critical to the success of the issues being discussed and worked, but I am sure that you get the point.
Having a clear focus when you take a time out is essential. An unclear period of time to discuss getting better can work but, in my experience, having a sense of clarity about why you are having a time out can make your time far more effective and productive. If you aren't sure of what you need to discuss then create a rota of topics and use that as a stimulation tool to create a focus that will serve your discussions. Many people who participate in continuous improvement conversations are unsure of why they are there and don't engage fully. Having a focus is one way around this and obviously can improve the results you can generate.
So if you are looking to improve a process in your business, be it a production or a service process, then consider scheduling some time outs to have the conversations. If you introduce certain tools such as mapping, nominal group technique and brainstorming you can make the sessions even better, but the key is to make the time in the first place. Find some people who have different perspectives and share your ideas. If you are looking for a rule of thumb to decide if your time outs are working then use this; the benefits you actually realise in your business need to outweigh the cost of running the meetings. In most businesses this is very easy to achieve, so why don't you plan your first 'time out' today?