Is your business going to waste?
In our last article, we talked about how important it is to take advantage of “space” in your business. Often that space whether physical or temporal is largely invisible and needs a focussed project to detail, quantify and streamline those hidden gaps. In the same way, business waste is an outcome of production which if not dealt with efficiently can lead to higher outgoings, reduced profits and processes which present a smaller overall margin than is in fact present.
Waste often gets short shrift. It isn’t the most topical of subjects if you are intent on increasing profits in the future. Because of that, processes which are put in place are often sloppy and ill-thought out. For many it just needs to be dealt with, so no research is facilitated into enhancing systems. For instance, a skip can be very expensive when rented just for one day. Is management aware of how it is being used? Is it being rented for too long? Are cheaper companies available? Who is policing what is considered waste?
That last point is highly important – especially in these days of sustainability and recycling. But this is not just about joining the green brigade. Clearly, by monitoring the commodities a business is putting to waste, it can save by recycling as well as helping the environment.
Create a waste champion
The first stage for change is to create an on-going audit focussed on waste across your whole company. Create a role for an individual or group who will work to take the project further. Identify and quantify waste – how does it arise – how is it categorised and what are the costs involved in moving it on. Does management have green systems in place? What legalities do you have to keep to?
Use the waste hierarchy to streamline your approach:
Eliminate: Avoid producing waste in the first place.
Reduce: Minimise the amount of waste you do produce.
Re-use: Use items as many times as possible.
Recycle: Recycle what you can only after you have re-used it.
Dispose: Dispose of what’s left in your bin.
After data is in and systems have been analysed, consider an action plan for making changes. Ensure senior management is involved and is committed to proposed actions. After making changes monitor how new systems are affecting processes, costs and profits so this can be fed back to management.
Above all there needs to be continuous improvement so there should be constant monitoring and review. For this purpose, employees need to be made aware of any changes in systems and brought on board and management needs to see successful outcomes.
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