This essay was written to participate
in an essay competition organised by my company.
It got published in the company's
newsletter(2nd Edition of Year 2000) and won me the first prize
of some cash and a sport watch.
HOW TO MAKE XXX A BETTER COMPANY
Written on : 3 May 2000
Here is a recipe that I would like to share with everyone on how to make our company a better company.
Ingredients:
3 cups - - Production Control
(Chef's choice : the Japanese brand "5 Ss")
1 packet - - PDCA Cycle
1 cup - - Attitude (careful
to pick only the good one)
3 cups - - Teamwork
2 cup - - Commitment
Spices:
1 small pinch of Consideration
1 table spoon - - Confidence
3 pints of pure extract of
Positive thinking
2 cups - - Initiative
3 lbs - - Motivation
Methods:
Apply "5 Ss" in the kitchen
ooph… I mean production floor.
5 Ss stands for "5 steps for
Kaizen(or Improvement) with five Japanese words with initial S : Seiri,
Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu and Shitsuke. Seiri means remove or put away unwanted
items. Seiton means arranging exactly what we need in order. Seiso means
keep workplace clean and tidy. Seiketsu means standardization and Shitsuke
means self-discipline.
5 Ss will produce a clean
and pleasant working environment in which unnecessary articles do not build
up hence reduce cost. Individual outputs will increase, as time no longer
wasted looking for things. Machines will breakdown less often. Staff and
workers do their work in a very disciplined manner, which will result in
productivity increases, as well as higher quality and better products.
Repeating stir PDCA. PDCA(Plan-Do-Check-Act) Cycle is an improvement cycle with four phases. During PLAN(planning) phase, we define a goal, a method and key indicators that will help us to evaluate performance and measure our improvements. During DO(execution) phase, we communicate, delegate and train workers who will be responsible for all activities, and assign resources. During CHECK(evaluation) phase, data are collected for comparing actual performance with the plan. Finally, ACT(adjustment) phase will take steps towards eliminating the causes of negative effects and standardizing what generates positive effects, closing the cycle and start a new one.
Add Attitude, Teamwork and Commitment into PDCA and stir them well. The essence of Teamwork is to serve, allowing creative participation and a pleasant work environment.
Flavour the mixture with Consideration and Confidence. Add Positive thinking and stir well. Remove any negative thinking emerge during stirring. Watch out for any specks of criticism. Sweeten well with a generous portion of Initiative. Keep warm with steady flame of Motivation.
Serve it in short, medium or long term.
Total words : 393