Lean not just for the kitchen - it can save your business and increase profits

    "Lean can be healthy for you and your business"

    TORONTO, April 15 /CNW/ - Lean Manufacturing has been applied to
corporations for more than 60 years. It powered Toyota's rise in the
automotive industry. As turbulent times loom for Canadian business, it's time
to look at how elements of this company-strengthening process can be applied
to all sectors.
    That's according to Norm Nopper, Director, Varanor International, a
Training and Management Consulting firm. Mr. Nopper is a self-described SME
'Lifeguard' and he believes adding elements of Lean Manufacturing to your
processes can save your company in tough times while optimizing profits.
    Lean Manufacturing is based on the principles of Continuous Improvements
and Respect for People. Its beginnings are credited to Taiicho Ohno of Toyota
who originated the Toyota Production System in 1945. It is considered an
optimal way of producing goods through removing waste and implementing a
smooth flow from customer order to intake of cash.
    Here, Mr. Nopper, who has a 25-year track record in implementing business
improvement strategy, provides top Lean Enterprise tips companies should
incorporate right away:1.  Re-think everything you do to investigate where you can be more
        efficient. (i.e. can you eliminate order errors so your customer
        service people aren't spending time correcting mistakes?)
    2.  Understand what the customer wants and deliver it. Otherwise, we end
        up making two types of mistakes: A) Providing features that customers
        do not value and will not pay for but add cost. Or, B) Not delivering
        the service or product features that are important to customers.
    3.  Recruit your front-line staff as part of your market research team.
        They make the product or deal directly with the customer and have a
        first-hand understanding of what's happening in your business. Have
        staff look closely at customer reactions as they interact with your
        brand. Are they smiling? Are they frowning? This is key information
        you need to capture. You'd better know why they're doing either as it
        tells you when and why you're winning or losing the battle.
    4.  Be an advisor to your customer. Take the relationship from informal
        provider to personal advisor and you'll be head and shoulders above
        your competition.By adding these elements, "you've now got your finger on the pulse,"
explained Mr. Nopper. Executives can track trends as they're happening and
will have up-to-the-minute data on customers and not "an obituary" of old
facts and statistics.

    Mr. Nopper has, in previous projects, helped save jobs at Honeywell
Canada and contributed to keeping Magna factories globally competitive.
    He understands the day-to-day concerns of SMEs, having grown up in a
family business environment. He describes himself as a 'Business Lifeguard'
who helps companies move from "barely surviving to thriving."
    Visit www.normnopper.com

For further information: To interview Norm Nopper, or for information,
contact: Teresa Donia, iAMBIC Communications, [phone],
[e-mail]