"PBMR needs an empowered workforce that prioritises safety, teamwork, respect, pride in performance, problem solving, continuous improvement and standardization-this will make us a world class organisation", explains Thabang Makubire, General Manager of the division known as PBMR Way.
What is PBMR Way?
While the name of the division can sound confusing at first because it is so different to conventional division names like 'finance' and "Communications", Makubire and his team have simple and achievable objectives. PBMR Way as a division aims to transform PBMR into a world-class organisation. The division aims to empower and engage the hearts and minds of every staff member to produce a workforce that gives PBMR the competitive edge in everything that we do.
"Simply put, PBMR Way is based on best practises world wide. It assists in the creation of a world-class organisation, motivated by our company mission and vision." explains Tando Qcqe, Senior Business Improvement Consultant, PBMR Way.
Consultant, PBMR Way. ''If you walk into a church, you immediately start acting and behaving in a certain manner. The same applies to PBMIR". This means that when employees and guests visit the company, they should experience the PMBR Way immediately. It should characterise everything about the organisation.
The need to formalise PBMR Way as a division arose because management realise that all competitive companies achieve world class status because of their quality, how they operate and how well they work as a team. "PBMR employs the best talent in South Africa — now we are going to work like a world class company, and act like world class employees:' says Thabang. Every employee in this company should understand that PBMR Way needs to become as natural to them as breathing.
Work Place Excellence
PBMR Way also formalises the way work is organised. The first step is to implement Mission Directed Work Teams (MDWT) to drive this process. ''At present, the way we act and the way we are motivated is supported and influenced by the way we organise work," explains Wya."That is why we are starting by changing the way we work."
MDWT's are a management tool that consists of 10 modules which cover aspects such as goal alignment, 55 workplace organisation, problem solving, coaching for performance, lean workflow. eliminating waste and process improvement, leadership engagement, value driven service, quality assurance and self development. These tools, which you will hear more about in the months to come, assist in making work easier, and improving the efficiency of the workplace.
PBMR Way will start implementing Goal Alignment. 5S Workplace Organisation, Problem Solving, Eliminating Waste and Process Improvement to get the ball rolling.
Understanding Mission directed Work Teams
MDWT's consist of inter-departmental mini businesses. These mini businesses are formed out of natural work teams of employees who share the responsibility for achieving certain tasks. or providing a service. They are called mini businesses because the work teams are responsible for customers and suppliers, budget issues etc. This means that they function like a business, but fall under the larger umbrella business of PBMR, making them "mini" businesses.
The first module that PBMR Way will introduce, is goal alignment, which creates a mini business focus in each department by cascading goals from the Executive Committee down to the mini business levels. This means that each mini business will know exactly what is expected in order to assist PBMR to reach its goals.
Everyone knows that in order to reach goals, targets must be set. The goal alignment module enables the MDWT to establish clear targets for quality, speed, cost, safety, risk and people performance (QSCSRP), and visually manage QSCSRP performance. Visual management assists in the measuring and improving of goal attainment. There is also an aspect of improving performance, and establishing internal customer and supplier relationships, and keeping these up. "We also aim to encourage and lead innovation on a mini business level,' adds Wya.
How will the implementation of MD take place?
In the months and years to come, each department and division in PBMR will be introduced to all 10 modules of MDWT. There will be a service level agreement between PBMR Way and the different General Managers and line managers prior to the roll out of MDWT and visual management.
The implementation process consists of a training session in a specific module with each department in each division. Then the module will be implemented internally. As an example, a department will have a goal alignment workshop, and then they will be expected to go back, discuss their goals as teams, and align these goals to the strategic objectives of the company Thereafter PBMR Way facilitators will coach and streamline their work. The team can then start tracking its performance on a daily basis.
How long before PBMR Way gets results?
With IT& I well on track to operating according to the Pebble Bed Way, Human Resources and Finance are the next divisions that will benefit from the programme. The results can be seen from the start.
While it will take time for PBMR Way to become part of the everyday functioning of the employees, each step in formalising the way we organise work, act and are influenced, has an immediate effect on employees. "And after all, it really is the people that will give PBMR the competitive edge and make PBMR into a world class organisation, so you could say that PBMR Way is about developing people before products," Tando concludes.
Does it work?
All world class companies have implemented some kind of management philosophy. The Toyota Way has been called system designed to provide the tools for people to continually improve their work." Toyota is one of the world leaders in the industry, and they make use of the Toyota Way.
PBMR has decided to use MDWT, an internationally tested approach, with Volkswagen SA being one of its major success stories.
