ABSTRACT
Building on their success with shop floor teaming, HUI of Kiel, WI made the transition to office lean teamwork starting in 2002. Thanks to this approach — treating people as adults and providing them with the tools, freedom, and accountability to reach organizational goals — they’ve achieved increased throughput and other gains, as sales have continued to rise. Among their lessons learned: Commit to a long-term improvement process; leaders must change themselves so they don’t get in the way of progress; align organizational strategy, marketing, organizational structure, decision making, and metrics; and make it safe for others to learn and try.
