Mac Macdonald - LEAN and the Toyota's 5S's

LEAN and the Toyota's 5S's - Learn About The Human Side of Both

What is LEAN and how does it apply itself to your business? If we are to avoid waste, where do we start? What are the areas we must address in order to 'Lean up', and who can help us? What is LEAN’s evolution and what does it have to do with the Toyota 5S’s? Lastly, what is the Human Side of LEAN, and where do we start practicing its concepts in order to prosper?

Let’s go on a journey into a land of LEAN and learn where it can be applied in many aspects of our lives – in our personal lives as well as the workplace.

In 1989 Canada Post recorded a $600 million deficit. In 1991 we recorded a $150 million profit. You helped us achieve our goal.

Points given to me by employees as a result of your trainings were: "We are more able to tolerate differences of opinion", "Mac smacked us out of some provincial thinking", "There is greater empathy and appreciation for the work of others", "We are more businesslike and professional between management and our various unions", "We are practicing our customer service preach".

Through the use of your follow-up seminars, training book, and video tapes, we expect to cement in this decade the next century's foundation"

Bob Johnson
General Manager
Canadian Postal Service
Toronto (York) Division

Sort

Seiri 整理

Remove unnecessary items and dispose of them properly.
Make work easier by eliminating obstacles.
Reduce chance of being disturbed with unnecessary items.
Prevent accumulation of unnecessary items.
Evaluate necessary items with regard to debt/cost/other factors.

Straighten

Seiton 整頓

Arrange all necessary items in order so they can be easily picked for use.
Prevent loss and waste of time.
Reduce chance of being disturbed with unnecessary items.
Make it easy to find and pick up necessary items.
Ensure first-come-first-serve basis: Make workflow smooth and easy

Shine

Seiso 清掃

Clean your workplace completely.
Use cleaning as inspection: Prevent machinery and equipment deterioration.
Keep workplace safe and easy to work.
Make it easy to find and pick up necessary items.
Ensure first-come-first-serve basis: Make workflow smooth and easy

Standardize

Seiketsu 清潔

Maintain high standards of housekeeping and workplace organization at all times.
Maintain cleanliness and orderliness: Maintain everything in order and according to its standard.

Sustain

Shitsuke 躾

To keep in working order – deploy with discipline (Also translates to "does without being told“).