Lean: The methodology of creating more value for customers by maximizing resources and eliminating waste (continuously improving) is something you’ve undoubtedly heard about before—and with good reason! What strengthens Lean’s position as a company best practice is that its benefits remain undeniable even if its “trendy” appeal fades. It continues to be one of the most effective methods for continuous improvement. Lean is a valuable long-term investment in your company’s future systems and philosophy.
Lean has worked for our business and many others, so we’re passionate about it—to say the least. But don’t let our enthusiasm overshadow the tangible benefits of Lean that you may want to consider implementing in your own company.
Lean focuses on eliminating non-value-added activities or “waste,” wastes that can be incredibly costly to your business. Do you have hundreds of millions of dollars in inventory sitting unused, tying up your cash flow? Do you search for items, tools, or files, wasting valuable work time? Can you imagine the improvements that could be made to your bottom line if your entire company’s focus continuously improved even these smallest inefficiencies in their area? Sure, you might think it only wastes “a minute.” But one minute 5 days per week is 260 minutes per year (multiplied by the number of employees experiencing the same inefficiency). Those little numbers build up fast.
Employee Satisfaction
Want a top rating on Glassdoor? Now more than ever, employees seek workplaces that value their input, listen to their ideas, and empower them to make decisions. A Lean culture does two key things to improve employee satisfaction:
- Involves Employees in Decision-Making – Employees have a voice in improving their own work areas. This sense of ownership makes them feel engaged, valued and heard. Lean encourages those closest to the work to find better ways to do it.
- Respects People by Fixing Processes, Not Blaming Individuals – A Lean culture assumes that issues stem from broken processes, not people. This fosters a secure environment where employees feel safe speaking up, sharing ideas, and driving positive change—without fear of judgment or blame.
By promoting mutual respect and engagement, Lean helps create happier employees and, in turn, a stronger company.
Taking Customer Service to the Next Level
As your Lean culture takes hold, you’ll quickly discover small improvements that yield significant benefits. Some of these “small” improvements save time, eliminate bottlenecks, and prevent the daily “emergencies” that take focus away from serving customers.
When your processes become more efficient, you spend less time putting out fires and more time building relationships with customers. Imagine how much more you could accomplish if your company’s operations ran smoothly, freeing you to focus on delivering exceptional service.
Return on Investment (ROI)
The ROI of Lean is typically very high, especially for companies that prioritize process improvements over capital expenditures. Research suggests that organizations adopting Lean can expect a 300% return on investment over time. While results vary by company, we can speak from experience.
Bassett Mechanical started our Lean journey in 2006. A year later, the recession hit, and companies everywhere were downsizing—or shutting their doors entirely. We remained competitive during a challenging time by staying focused on eliminating non-value-added tasks. The result? We weathered the recession without layoffs or downsizing—and grew in employees, revenue, and profits.
Many people asked us, “How did you do it?” The answer wasn’t a secret. The only thing that had changed was our commitment to Lean.
Is There an Easy Button?
Not quite. Change doesn’t happen overnight. Success with Lean requires an internal culture that supports engagement and continuous improvement. Every company has its culture, and Lean must be tailored to fit it.
That said, the effort is worth it. As your company matures in its Lean journey, your improvements will become more strategic—aligned with corporate goals and initiatives. And that’s a beautiful thing: when every single employee—from the CEO to field technicians—understands their role in achieving the company’s broader objectives.
Why Lean?
The benefits of Lean and Continuous Improvement go beyond cost savings. They help create a workplace where employees are engaged, empowered, and working with you—not just for you. And that kind of culture? It’s tough to put a price tag on.
