To save money, retailers like Aldi use coin-activated shopping carts. If you asked an average person, they would probably say this is lean. After all, it saves labor! But this explanation leaves out so much! Like the Butterfly Effect, the “Lean Effect” is far-reaching. On top of labor costs, some additional savings include:
• Freed-Up Parking Space – Customers returning carts to a store entrance reduces the need for staging areas in the parking lot.
• Fewer Carts Needed – Fewer carts stranded in the parking lot mean more carts are available at the entrance. In turn, this reduces the necessary quantity of carts.
• Reduced Collateral Damage – Fewer carts stranded in the parking lot reduces the risk of cars being damaged.
• Decreased Theft – Limited access to carts limits opportunities for theft.
• Safety – Employees don’t need to retrieve accumulated carts, which can be heavy and strain the operator.
• Equipment Cost – Many stores provide motorized tugs to help employees move accumulations of carts. By eliminating these buildups, this associated investment is unnecessary.
There’s always more, but you get the drift! When even continuous improvement (CI) practitioners can sell lean short, it’s always a good idea to peel away a few layers every now and then. It helps renew an appreciation for what’s possible!
What unexpected benefits have you run across in your lean exploits? Share in the comments!
For an angle that peels away all the layers that lean offers: https://amzn.to/2IIbmc6 and https://bit.ly/3RykWxn
Quantum Lean 