305: Winning At Continuous Improvement

In the fast-paced world of retail, staying ahead requires more than just reacting to changes; it demands a commitment to continuous improvement. In this episode of the Retail Transformation Show, Oliver Banks dives into the principles and practices that can help retailers thrive by fostering a culture of ongoing enhancement. From the roots of Lean Six Sigma to practical insights from companies pioneering with continuous improvement, this episode explores the strategic, operational, and cultural challenges that can make or break your continuous improvement initiatives. Tune in to discover how you can create a more efficient, effective, and responsive organisation that consistently meets customer needs.

Listen to this podcast episode to hear:

• Discover the importance of cross-functional collaboration and breaking down operational silos.
• Understand why continuous improvement is more than just a cost-saving exercise.
• Gain insights into creating a culture that embraces change and values regular feedback.

 

Reviewing the 10 Challenges to Continuous Improvement

Continuous improvement faces a number of distinct challenges on top of the regular challenges facing change and transformation initiatives. The 10 challenges covered in this episode are:

1. Short term focus in retail means long term gains can feel less interesting
2. Incremental transformations may not be the appropriate type of transformation.
3. Diminishing returns as the programme progresses.
4. Significant levels of variability in retail settings.
5. Lack of understanding about “continuous improvement”
6. Thinking of this as a cost saving exercise.
7. Having an inability to make decisions, finish work or stick to the course.
8. Ignoring feedback from the customer of the change.
9. Operational silos preventing collaboration and generally grinding progress to a halt.
10. Organisational unwillingness to change.

Get in touch with Oliver to kick start your continuous improvement journey today

Connect with Oliver to dive into conversations about your specific challenges and opportunities.

📆 Book a meeting and engage in conversation

📧 Email on oliver.banks@obandco.uk

🔗 Connect with Oliver Banks on LinkedIn and send a message.

Additional episodes to listen to next

Learn more about Oliver’s book, Driving Retail Transformation: How to Navigate Disruption and Change by heading over to drivingretailtransformation.com. You might also enjoy listening to episode 301: Looking Inside ‘Driving Retail Transformation’.

Continuous improvement is closely linked to Lean Six Sigma. Listen to episode 242: Reinvigorating Lean Six Sigma In Retail to learn more about why we should kick start this approach to change.

Also, be sure to check out episode 276: The Small Steps To Continuous Improvement to learn how to start taking the small steps to drive incremental changes.