Contents
- What is gemba management?
- Who is gemba management for?
- Why is gemba management necessary?
- How to prepare and conduct a day at gemba?
What is gemba management?
Gemba management is an approach to management where leaders immerse themselves directly in the day-to-day tasks of frontline employees. This may mean that top managers temporarily act as salespeople in a store or workers on a production line. Such an approach allows for the identification of systemic problems that may go unnoticed when managers are in the office.
The term "gemba" has Japanese origins and translates to "workplace," but in the context of management, it encompasses a broader range of factors that influence employee performance. The main goal of gemba management is to optimize the workspace and processes that occur in the daily activities of the company.
Who is gemba management for?
This method is most effectively applied in areas where employees interact with customers, such as:
- Banks
- Stores
- Beauty salons
- Restaurants and food service points
These organizations often have multiple branches where employees perform standard tasks and interact with customers. Gemba management helps create more functional work areas and instructions for employees. For example, at "Sber," leaders applied gemba management to establish five key rules for optimizing the workplace:
- Elimination of unnecessary paperwork.
- Rational placement of items.
- Maintaining cleanliness and order.
- Standardization of the organization of items.
- Improving the workplace to enhance productivity.
Why is gemba management necessary?
Gemba management allows managers to see the real problems employees face in their work processes. By putting themselves in the employees' shoes, leaders can notice redundant actions, ineffective processes, or inconveniences that hinder the normal completion of tasks. For example, a manicure master may find themselves constantly getting up for tools, which increases client service time.
Additionally, gemba management promotes the optimization of work processes. Once a problem is identified, management can propose systematic solutions: implement new standards, create reminders, and checklists for employees. This approach allows not just to point out shortcomings but also to offer constructive solutions that significantly simplify work.
Furthermore, gemba management makes workplaces more comfortable, which in turn increases the company's attractiveness to potential employees. Workers who see care from management are more likely to share positive feedback about the company and recommend it to their acquaintances.
How to prepare and conduct a day at gemba?
For the successful application of gemba management, it is important to prepare properly for observing employees' work. Here are some steps that will help you organize this process:
- Define goals and tasks: Discuss with leaders what problems you plan to solve and what you want to pay special attention to.
- Observe employees: Watch how they perform their tasks, noting any possible difficulties.
- Visit the company as a customer: Go through the customer's experience to understand their perspective on the services provided.
- Become an employee: Try performing routine tasks to personally experience potential inconveniences.
- Record all problems: Discuss your observations with the employees and clarify whether they agree with your conclusions.
- Resolve the problem on the spot: If you notice a common difficulty, propose a temporary solution to improve working conditions.
- Develop a permanent solution: Discuss the identified problems with management and propose ways to resolve them.
- Track results: Establish criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of implemented solutions and maintain employee interest in identifying new problems.
The application of gemba management not only helps identify shortcomings but also develops employees, supports their motivation, and creates comfortable working conditions, ultimately leading to increased overall business efficiency.