In any environment, those on the front lines see ways to complete a task easier, faster, cheaper, better, simply because they are doing it all the time, it is just that we usually do not listen enough when the front line employees they try to tell us, and once bitten twice shy.
Labor costs are typically seen as an expense, something to be trimmed and managed, rather than as an investment that can be optimised and leveraged.
All the fancy computer programs, training, and supervision in the world will not even begin to replace the value of an engaged employee who has some control over his environment, and recognition for making it more effective.
What is it like in your factory?
