Center for Lean Excellence

Here’s why Lean is all about lifting people up; 1. Waste Reduction: Lean aims to eliminate waste, not workforce. By focusing on waste, Lean ensures resources are used effectively without affecting job security. 2. Employee Empowerment: Lean puts employees at the heart of improvement, valuing their insights and encouraging their involvement in problem-solving. 3. Skill Development: Lean supports cross-training, enhancing workforce versatility and preparing team members for varied roles. 4. Improvement Culture: Continuous improvement is key. Lean relies on every team member’s contribution, creating a culture where each voice matters. 5. Workplace Revitalization: Lean reinvests the gains back into the workforce, fostering a dynamic and engaging environment. Join us in making workplaces more efficient, engaging, and people-centric. Lean isn’t about doing more with less; it’s about doing better with everyone’s strengths.

We are thrilled to announce that Center for Lean Excellence has successfully completed the Lean Practitioner Green Belt Program for Lion Brewery (Ceylon) PLC! It’s an honor to be recognized by Lion Brewery for our commitment to delivering impactful results. This program has driven substantial operational improvements, empowering the management team at Lion Brewery with advanced lean methodologies and equipping them to become effective leaders with strong problem-solving skills. A huge congratulations to all the participants for their dedication and achievements! We look forward to supporting more teams on their continuous improvement journeys.

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When we think of standardization in Lean, creativity might not be the first thing that comes to mind. However, a structured approach can actually open doors to innovation. Here are five ways Lean harnesses creativity through standard processes: 1. Reduces Mental Load – By simplifying tasks, employees can focus on creative and value-added work. 2. Creates a Baseline – Consistent processes help identify where innovative improvements are needed. 3. Encourages Safe Experimentation – A stable environment allows new ideas to be tested without disrupting core functions. 4. Promotes Team Collaboration – Involving employees in setting standards fosters teamwork and problem-solving. 5. Facilitates Knowledge Sharing – Successful innovations become new standards, spreading creative solutions quickly. Lean isn’t just about efficiency – it’s about empowering teams to innovate and continuously improve. Follow the Center for Lean Excellence for more insights into Lean practices!

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Our Profit & Capacity Unlock Program (PCUP) is a structured, five-phase initiative designed to unlock latent capacity and enhance profitability within organizations. Here’s how it works: 1. Installation – Setting up the foundational elements and infrastructure to support the program, ensuring all tools and processes are in place. 2. Diagnosis – Conducting a thorough analysis to identify capacity gaps, inefficiencies, and areas for improvement. 3. Planning – Developing a clear, actionable roadmap that includes: • A3 Projects: Structured problem-solving initiatives that address key areas of improvement. • Bankable Plan: A financially sound plan outlining steps that contribute directly to profitability. • Dollar Steps: Specific, incremental actions measured by their financial impact. • Management Obeya: A dedicated space where leadership reviews progress, aligns on goals, and makes data-driven decisions. 4. Execution – Implementing targeted improvements to achieve the projected outcomes. At RFPL, we are currently in this phase, actively working towards our goals. 5. Return Validation – Measuring and validating the return on investment to ensure that improvements yield lasting benefits in capacity and profitability. Each week, our team reviews these phases during PCUP Weekly Reviews, assessing progress and making necessary adjustments to keep the program on track.

In Lean thinking, the concept of a True North Vision serves as a guiding star that keeps the organization focused on its core purpose and long-term goals. Here are 5 key points that highlight its importance in Lean companies: 1. Clarity of Purpose: A True North vision provides a clear and concise purpose for the entire organization. It defines what the company values most—whether it’s customer satisfaction, operational excellence, or employee engagement—and ensures that all efforts are aligned toward these priorities. 2. Guiding Decision-Making: True North acts as a framework for decision-making. Every strategic and operational choice, from the factory floor to the boardroom, is evaluated against this vision, ensuring that actions support long-term goals rather than short-term gains. 3. Continuous Improvement Focus: Lean organizations use True North to foster a culture of continuous improvement (Kaizen). It encourages everyone, from leadership to shop floor workers, to actively seek ways to eliminate waste and improve processes in pursuit of the company’s ideal state. 4. Alignment Across Teams: With a shared True North, all departments and teams are aligned toward common objectives. This unified direction ensures that cross-functional collaboration is smooth, breaking down silos and fostering a culture of mutual accountability. 5. Long-term Sustainability: A well-defined True North helps organizations stay resilient and adaptable in the face of challenges. It emphasizes long-term sustainability over short-term profits, ensuring the business thrives while staying true to its core values. True North is the compass that keeps Lean companies focused on delivering value, fostering innovation, and creating a positive impact on both people and processes.

We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the second batch of our Lean Yellow Belt Program in Botswana. Participants from NutriFeed, Swana Pride, Ross Breeders, Dekoko, Clover Chemicals, and BNPC took part in this transformative journey, focusing on waste elimination, process improvement, and enhancing operational efficiency. This program was made possible through our ongoing collaboration with Synergy Corporate Training. Together, we are empowering industries in Botswana to embrace continuous improvement and achieve sustainable growth. Congratulations to all the participants for their dedication and achievements! Lapitha Gunasinghe Supun Kariyawasam

We extend our sincere appreciation to Colmans leadership for inviting our Director, Asanka Henegedara, to present the Best Kaizen Award. It was an honor to be part of such a meaningful recognition of continuous improvement efforts. At Center for Lean Excellence (CLE), we are proud to conduct the Profit and Capacity Unlock Program (PCUP) at Colmans, where Kaizen plays a vital role in our bottom-up approach. This program empowers employees to drive improvements, unlocking both profit potential and operational capacity through grassroots initiatives.

We recently conducted an impactful Change Management Session for managers from GEAR 2.0 companies, a key initiative led by Better Work Sri Lanka, the International Labour Organization (ILO), IFC - International Finance Corporation. As the project execution partner, Center for Lean Excellence is proud to support these leaders in driving organizational change and fostering continuous improvement across their companies. We sincerely appreciate the participation of managers from Brandix, Hirdaramani Group and GP Garments, especially given the challenging conditions. Your commitment to continuous improvement and leadership development is truly commendable. Through interactive activities, collaborative discussions, and expert insights, participants were equipped with the tools to manage change effectively and inspire their teams. Kesava Murali Kanapathy Eranthi Premaratne