THE EVENT
Day one is mostly spent in
the classroom learning the
techniques
that will be used. The
balance of day one is spent
in
observation of the process
as it currently operates.
Day two
is spent planning and
implementing changes to the
area-Day three is spent
implementing changes and
testing the
capabilities of the newly
modified system. A lot of
activity is also begun in
the area of management
presentation. This can be a
late night as changes may be
made after testing is
complete. Day four is spent
with final observations and
measurement of success in
the early morning. This is
followed
by finalization of the
presentation materials.
Day four comes to a climax
with an 11:00 a.m. management
presentation followed by
entertainment and
lunch. Each member is called
on one at a time by the
team leader. Each member
gives a portion of the management
presentation. Overheads are
used (examples will
be shown) that are
handwritten, on forms
provided. It
is not the intention of the
presentation to impress everyone
with computer graphics
skills. As a matter of fact,
no computer-generated
overheads are used. There is
no
time for that, nor is that
the objective of the event.
Improvement to the
process is the intent of the
event. The
presentation is concluded by
the team leader, who reviews
in summary the original
scope and objectives of the
event and the delivered
results. Any homework assignments
are also reviewed publicly
at this time.
After your first event,
subsequent celebrations will
begin with a review of the
last event's homework. This
will be given by the team
leader of that event. Once
the
presentation portion of the
program is concluded, each
member is called up by
management. Here they are
presented
with a kaizen shirt, a
certificate of
participation,
and a token gift. Typically
management members come
to the front of the room.
Each one hands out something
as they shake hands with
each member. Invite a good
audience for attendance at
the presentation. Include
sister
plants, suppliers,
customers, top management,
and associates and
supervisors from other
departments in
the plant.
Once the awards are given
out and words of praise
have been spoken by
management, the fun begins.
You
might provide live
entertainment (a band) to
perform
while a buffet lunch is
served. After lunch a
meeting is held with
management, the current team
leader, the facilitator,
and the manager of the next
scheduled event
location. You will want to
know what went well, and
what areas of the process
could be improved.
The kaizen team then heads
back to a central location
in the plant where the event
took place. All plant
associates come to hear the
30-minute presentation and
are given the opportunity to
tour the area where the
event took place. You might
try to coordinate this with
the afternoon break,
allowing you to serve ice
cream or
some refreshments, and not
just take break time away
from your associates. This
shows everyone how much we
honor positive change.