The trip as a whole had exceeded my own expectations. We had the privilege of flying to the conference. What made it so special was that it was my very first time on an airplane. My other two colleagues also flew for the first time.

With the arrival at the conference, the ODI team went out of their way to make us feel welcome. For me, it was actually such a great privilege to have acted as an ambassador for GWK for the day.

The following drew my attention:

• Old ways don’t open new doors.
• Good managers make use of the 20 Keys system to improve their work.
• Do the right thing right the first time.

What make these statements so unique is that they “tick” all the boxes on which I base my values. Every day I strive to work harder and to improve, because, if there is something the 20 Keys system taught me, it is that one should never just settle to be satisfied with everything – each and every one of us can improve!

The best was left for last, when I received the award as one of ODI’s best achievers of the NQF 3 National Certificate in Management.

It was a proud moment to not only stand up to receive the award for myself, but also, on behalf of my entire team at Barkly West Products, and GWK as a whole. I have been taught that you are just as strong as the team that moves with you, and that recognition should not only go to me, but to us as a team at Barkly West Products. It opened my eyes again to what it means to receive acknowledgement as an employee. ODI taught me, ‘To share as a mentor and a leader – your knowledge, so that others can also be successful’.

At the moment I am busy with NQF 5 National Certificate in Generic Management. It is a good motivation for me to work hard as a GWK Ambassador, and to be able to receive the recognition for NQF 5 along with my team. With the return to my Depot, it was a privilege to share my experience with everyone – as if they were part of the conference. The two days away made me realise how strong our team has become since implementing some of the Keys successfully. Changes in morale, and improved communication through management are so important.

To have a look at the 2019 ODI Conference album where we celebrated 30 years of operational excellence, click here.

  

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ODI celebrated their 30th anniversary on 29 August 2019 during their annual conference at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg. Ten speakers, from various companies who have had success with the implementation of the 20 Keys programme, made presentations on their experiences and successes. It was the ideal opportunity to rub shoulders with people from various successful companies; sharing success stories, and even getting some tips. Speakers passionately portrayed their experiences and success stories. Forona Stephens (HR Business Partner: GWK Trading) impressed the conference attendees with her presentation, “Think Big, Start Small, Unlock Excellence.” She gave an overview of GWK’s infrastructure and the implementation of Keys 1, 2 and 3, as well as successes.

At Key 3, Forona presented a combination of slogans that practically depicted the principle of the 20 Keys programme.

Learners with exceptional achievements received recognition during the Conference. Abrie Nortje from Barkley-West silos received the best student award for his participation in the NQF 3 Learnership. He is currently busy with his NQF 5 Learnership, and is certainly a person to follow — Abrie does nothing without giving his all!

The message is clear: The 20 Keys system contributes to a company’s success.

To summarize the conference message in one sentence: “If you empower your people through the 20 Keys programme, it will lead to excellence”.

To read more about Forona Stephens writing about GWK Trading and the application of the 20 Keys system, click here.

ODI has primary accreditation with the Services Sector Education & Training Authority, (decision number 0228). ODI also has further programme approval to provide qualifications, learnerships and skills programmes through MERSETA and SABPP. To find out more, click here.

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In order to consistently supply customers with quality products on time, with the quantities they require, a smooth, fast production flow is required, where supply is synchronised with market demand. In the 20 Keys System for Operational Excellence a number of Keys focus on achieving such a production flow. One concept which power is often overlooked is that of creating “model stores”.

A store is any location where parts, consumables and materials (those things which are used in support of the production process) are stored. The function of stores is to help ensure a smooth flow, by buffering for variation in the production system, from the beginning of the process until the final product is delivered to customers.  On the one hand the system should not have too many stores (and stock in such stores), as it ties up working capital. On the other hand, the system should not have too few stores (and stock in such stores), as the production process might then be starved, especially when variation is introduced into the system. The latter will impact negatively on the ability to deliver required product quantities on time to customers.  The first step is therefore to draw up a coupling strategy (Key 8 – Coupled Production, focuses on this) where the different coupling points required will be specified. A store is one form of coupling point.

Basic requirements for a model store are:

• Key 1 (focusing on safe, clean and efficiently organised workplaces) needs to be at a certain level, as measured by the Key 1 check-sheet.
• The store must be indicated visually, with a responsible person allocated to it.
• There should be no unnecessary or defective items in the store.
• Items must be organised in a way that it is quickly and safely retrievable.
• Reorder levels to manage inventory levels should be clearly indicated.
• All items in the store should be controlled in terms of quantities, with regular stock-taking.

These requirements are audited and if all are fully in place, the store is certified as a “Model Store” and a certificate is awarded which can be displayed in the store.

A model store is not a place that just looks good, is clean and with labeling of items. The objectives are also about operational excellence:

• Supporting a smooth production flow
• Safe working
• Saving cost
• Efficient service by the store
• Financial control of assets.

Another important benefit is that the implementation of model stores energises the workplace, as once one model store status has been achieved, other teams responsible for other stores/coupling points will compete to achieve the same.

County Fair Farm Services have been implementing 20 Keys for a while and recently the Stores Team (in picture) took up the challenge to implement model store concepts in the store – supplying parts and consumables to farms.

To read more about ODI’s Operations Management and Improvement Coaching, click here.

Author: Johan Benadie Director at ODI

ODI provides holistic solutions that promote people development and operational excellence, through training, coaching and consulting, supported by a range of excellent products.

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