Jopp Automotive is a Tier 1 automotive supplier with two locations in the Czech Republic and about 300 employees. Before they approached us, they had already implemented a process for the management employee improvement suggestions (with some degree of digitization).
However, the organization struggled with long lead times (from idea submission to implementation) and also wanted to make the sharing of suggestions easier and more user-friendly.
Objectives
The main goals were to simplify the submission process and to speed up the information flow across the locations and also within the group of responsible persons. The process included frequent travel between the locations (and the transfer of paper documentation), back-and-forth emailing and phone calls.
Solution
In collaboration with the CI coordinator, Mr. Petr Bojanovský, and also all team leaders, we set up the eKaizen platform to suit the needs of JOPP. A submission form was prepared with the branding of the organization (and allowing for submission from mobile phones). The company was already using posters with QR codes to encourage employees to share improvement suggestions – these were replaced with new ones, briefly explaining the process, emphasizing that all idea authors would get automatic updates about their submissions.
We paid a lot of attention to workflow definition and task management, as these had been challenging. A set of tasks was defined ensuring that the right people (in both locations) can be easily notified of new responsibilities, follow through with their tasks and communicate with their colleagues. The implementation process also included the set-up of employee rewards management.
Results
Faster information flow
By bringing the entire CI management under one roof, the information flow has sped up significantly. All stakeholders (especially team leaders and people involved in the implementation of improvements) have access to the same data, at any time. Collaboration across the two locations is much smoother and easier.
Record number of improvement ideas & higher savings
JOPP employees submitted a record number of improvement suggestions in the first year of using eKaizen. It follows that the higher number of submissions generated higher savings.
Transparency and ease-of-use for end idea authors
Employees who share improvement suggestions are now regularly informed about any updates, which increases the transparency of the process. The submission itself is quick and easy.
