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KAIZEN = Change for the Better through Continuous Improvement

KAIZEN

For over 14 years, I had the opportunity to lead a program in Japan where I visited many companies across the country and learned first-hand the Kaizen methodology’s benefits. You may be familiar with how Kaizen was popularized, so bear with me while I briefly explain.

Kaizen is a term in Japan that simply means ‘continuous improvement’ or ‘change for the better’ and is a business philosophy around gradual and methodical product and service improvement that increases quality and productivity levels. Through Kaizen, Toyota revolutionized its car manufacturing production facility. Continually evaluating, fine-tuning, and implementing better and more efficient changes to improve the production line.

I use the Kaizen principles when evaluating my business consulting, leadership training, and executive coaching practice quarterly. I review processes (think process mapping each of your business activities) and also strategies being used in goal attainment and analyze where an issue has been identified that would warrant improvement.

I encourage you to think about how you could do the same in your business no matter your industry sector.

 

Seriously… why continue to do the same thing in the same way if you continually get the same results?

 

Kaizen - Plan, Do, Review

 

Focus on making processes better and more efficient to improve your productivity and increase your client service levels.

KAIZEN | PLAN

Quarterly, after I have conducted a thorough review of goal progress or OKR’s (objectives and key result) attainment and analysis of strategies and processes used in the quarter, I then determine if an action taken could have been done in a more efficient or client-focused manner. Areas identified for improvement are prioritized based on the greatest return on efficiency, and actions that will increase client satisfaction levels.

KAIZEN | DO

The next step is to identify an action plan of improvement for each process chosen. The action plan should map out the current process from beginning to end and from data analysis or feedback given, compare potential solutions, and select and detail the best implementation option. Time should be scheduled in advance in your schedule to work on and implement the desired changes.

KAIZEN | REVIEW

Test the new process to determine if any other tweaks can be made for improvement and measure that the planning phase’s improvements are accurate.

TEAM

The Kaizen model of continuous improvement includes the involvement of employees who are a part of the process that has been chosen for improvement. Involving the individuals affected by the process improvement is common sense and improves teamwork, discussion on quality improvements, and between levels in your organization.

In larger groups of employees, I have seen this process work very effectively. It has improved individuals’ discipline in performing activities, increased morale by empowering staff to improve how they do their job, increased engagement and employee satisfaction levels. In larger teams, quality circles have been implemented of five to seven employees who meet regularly to discuss any issues from work processes and then determine, assess and choose solutions that will address the problems and result in improvement.

Questions to help your Q1 review:

 

KAIZEN | PLAN

  • What were your Q1 (January – March 2021) goals and objectives?
  • What were the projects and key results for each goal?

KAIZEN | DO

  • Were there any unexpected factors that arose (e.g. COVID restrictions)?
  • Was there project scope creep? If so, what?

KAIZEN | REVIEW

  • Did you achieve your planned results?
  • What worked? What didn’t? Why?
  • What lessons will you take forward from this?

 

If you are interested in learning about how professional development or executive coaching can help support your leadership or your leadership team, please reach out to askme@jennyreilly.com to schedule a convenient time for a complimentary strategy session.

Get your leadership strategies and tactics in my monthly newsletter, sign up here to subscribe.

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Quarter Two | Understanding Your Numbers

As we commence Q2 this week, an item to prioritize in your schedule is your Q1 budget review. As an entrepreneur, business owner, or leader, you need to have a good handle on your business and financials, both critical for success. Understanding your numbers will help you make better business decisions and enable you to have a greater understanding of your revenue, expenses, and profitability margins.

We often become absorbed in our business’s day-to-day operations and allocating time in our schedule to ensure sound financial management is a challenge. Even if you have an accountant and bookkeeper, you still need to understand your financial management practices and controls to scale and grow your business.

own your numbers

 

What is Your Quarterly Scheduled Financial Management Process?

Cash flow issues can be a challenge. Understanding your cash conversion cycle will help you improve your cash flow and ensure you have sufficient resources to pay your employees and suppliers.

Questions to consider during your quarterly review:

  • What financial Key Performance Indicators are you using?
  • How long are clients taking to pay their bills?
  • How is this affecting your cash flow cycle?
  • How can you reduce payment times?
  • Are there any overhead costs that can be trimmed?
  • Are there any unproductive activities that you are spending money on but not seeing a true return on investment that can be eliminated?

Your Quarterly Financial Review will:

  • Promote forward-thinking
  • Identify short term problems
  • Motivate managers to better business performance, and
  • Provide a financial control process

 

Quarter Financial Review - 4 Steps for Success

Quarter Financial Review – 4 Steps for Success

 

If you need help with your finances, we are ready for you! Let’s get you the financial results you deserve. Learning about how professional development or executive coaching can help support your leadership or your leadership team, please reach out to askme@jennyreilly.com to schedule a convenient time for a complimentary strategy session.

Get your leadership strategies and tactics in my monthly newsletter, sign up here to subscribe.

 

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Leadership and Coaching | Focus on Getting the Right Things Done

How do I focus on getting the right things done?

Do any of these statements sound familiar to you?

  • Everyone else’s needs hijack my time
  • I am so busy but feel like I am not getting anything important done
  • I am finding myself stretched thin and the only way to get ahead is to spend more hours working daily

I am all about incorporating time management and productivity techniques into your schedule. The first step is to determine what is essential to focus your time on, and the second to eliminate all else to maximise the bottom-line results. 

I have a sticky on my computer to continually remind me of ‘what is the most important thing I need to work on next .’ This helps me commit to working on what is essential in my business, focusing on work quality, not quantity.

What will mean more to you at the end of the day, getting more done or getting the right things done?

I work with busy professionals who often are working at maximum capacity and being pulled in one hundred different directions. Initially, we focus on analyzing what is being worked on and determine the most important things to prioritize for the most significant results. When you are feeling overwhelmed, have too much on your plate, and are struggling with meeting priorities, try these three steps:

  • Determine if what you are working on is the most essential task to make the most significant contribution towards your goal. You do have a choice in how you spend your time and energy, so take control of your schedule.
  • Eliminate activities that are ‘time sucks’ or not essential. I refer to the minutia that individuals spend a lot of time on as ‘noise’ in our schedules. Free up your schedule, cut out what is unnecessary, work on essential things, and be diligent about doing so daily.
  • Focus on execution and implement systems to help you focus daily on executing the required actions to move your goal forward.

WORDS OF WISDOM

I am very fortunate to have the opportunity to connect with brilliant leaders across industries and sectors. This month I asked Yin Lau to share one tip on how she manages multiple projects and remains organized.

Yin Lau - Yin Executive Services - YES

 

‘Make a to do list and prioritize! You are only human and there is only so much time in the day. Be kind to yourself and believe that anything worth completing will happen at exactly the time it was meant to.’

~ Yin Lau ~

YES – Virtual Executive Assistance

 

 

 

 

We are ready for you! Let’s get you the results you deserve. Learning about how professional development or executive coaching can help support your leadership or your leadership team, please reach out to askme@jennyreilly.com to schedule a convenient time for a complimentary strategy session.

Get your leadership strategies and tactics in my monthly newsletter, sign up here to subscribe.

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Positive Intelligence | Are you Achieving Your Full Potential?

The term Positive Intelligence or PQ refers to one’s ability to conquer mental saboteurs.

Saboteurs are mind patterns that we tend to have habitually. When reading the definitions below, take note of those that particularly resonate with you.

Judge – you find fault always with yourself, others, and the situations you find yourself in

Avoider – you focus on the positive and avoid difficult situations or conflict at all costs

Controller – you need to take charge and control of all situations

Hyper-Achiever – you are a consistent and constant high performer

Hyper-Rational – you focus on rationalizing everything

Hyper Vigilant – you are anxious about surrounding dangers and the potential of what could go wrong

Pleaser – you try to gain acceptance by pleasing, helping, and flattering others

Restless – you are in constant search of greater excitement or need to be always busy

Stickler – you need perfection, order, and organization

Victim – you focus on negative feelings and painful situations

Saboteur Solutions

Our saboteurs are exhausting; however, the good news is that you can train yourself to pick up on them as they are occurring. To look at situations differently and with more positivity, to diminish your saboteurs, try:

  • Having an open mind and explore a situation with curiosity
  • Empathizing and focus on bringing compassion and understanding to any situation
  • Being innovative, bring new perspectives and out-of-the-box solutions to solve a problem
  • Choosing a path that is aligned with your values and personal mission
  • Take decisive action without getting caught up in your saboteurs’ idiosyncrasies

When you recognize that your saboteurs are in play, to make the shift, you can simply try one of the three methods below for 10 seconds to help you regain focus:

  • Take three focused breathes, a little more deeply than the other
  • Listen to the sounds around you and focus on the noise that is the furthest away, and then that of which is the closest to you
  • Feel each of your fingertips by rubbing them against one another

Challenge 1

I encourage you to monitor your thoughts for three hours and categorize them into how they make you feel, whether it be neutral, useful, or negative. When you can identify your thoughts and their impact on your performance, you can then implement specific strategies to shift your behaviour.

Challenge 2

Step 1. Think of one recent or current business challenge that is causing you distress.

Step 2. Come up with three scenarios as to how you could turn this situation into a ‘gift’ or opportunity for the company.

*If you are stuck with this challenge and can’t manage to see the situation as a gift, focus on letting it go and putting it behind you.

 

If you are interested in learning about how professional development or executive coaching can help support your leadership or your leadership team, please reach out to askme@jennyreilly.com to schedule a convenient time for a complimentary strategy session.

Get your leadership strategies and tactics in my monthly newsletter, sign up here to subscribe.

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