“A philosophy of the workplace where problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership results in the ongoing improvement in an organisation. The process involves focusing on the customers’ needs, keeping the employees positive and empowered, and continually improving the current activities in the workplace.”

Operational excellence involves setting the organisation up for growth, which means understanding what the market wants and creating an uninterrupted value stream that always feeds the need, even if it changes.

Operational excellence is not confined to the executive suite or the factory floor. It involves every person at every level of the organisation, because every role contributes towards adding value to the customer and is, therefore, on the critical path to success.

As part of their operational excellence drive, DBSSSA and GWK enrolled a group of learners to complete their NQF Level 5 certificate in Productivity, as a blended e-Learning option. (Full Accreditation SSETA No. 0228, Learning Programme Approval SABPP)

After a year-long journey, the DBSSSA and GWK group of learners finished their final presentations today.

To view the albums of the learners, preparing to complete this qualification, facilitated by Huibie Jones,  click here and with Ilse Doyer, click here.

The effectiveness of the Operational Excellence Management System, was evident. Every learner had to present on three productivity improvements made, as well as many other aspects of operational excellence.

ODI is very proud of the exceptional efforts made by all the learners.

DBSSSA and GWK management attended the presentations and supported the learners throughout.

Some feedback included:

Simangele Soni – Senior Operations Manager

“The skills learnt through this learnership will take us into the future.”

Coral Wheelock – HR Manager

“It was especially wonderful to hear everyone speak the same Continuous Improvement language today. The value of what was learnt was very evident.”

Jason Peters – Production Standards Manager 

“The attitudes and energy displayed by learners today is exactly what is needed on a Continuous Improvement journey.”

Brendan Maguire – CCP Processor

“The combination of physical classes and the online interface is brilliant. Great overall experience.”

Johan du Plessis – Technical Services Lead

“The theoretical information followed by practical application contributes well towards embedding the real skill to implement Operational Excellence management principles. The evaluation checksheets are the real winners/tools to utilize.”

Forona Stephens: Human Resources Business Partner at GWK

“I really enjoyed the NQF 5 productivity course. The facilitators are competent and always available.”

Clinton Samson – Senior Production Controller

“The blended approach to this learnership, is a good concept. Without the contact sessions it would be very difficult to grasp the course content and complete the assessments. The online tutorials were also of great assistance. The facilitators were very knowledgeable on course content and were very helpful and accommodating.”

Wade King – Senior Production Controller

“Very informative course. All modules are relevant and need to be run continuously at work. The tools that we learned about are extremely useful and made problem-solving easier.”

Chantelle Webb – Production Controller

“The course was informative and changed my approach on how I conduct my tasks at work. Thank you for the journey.”

Petrus Asser – Production Advisor

“The course brought much needed insight and it came at just the right time for the journey we’re embarking on. Huibie was born to transfer knowledge and I enjoyed the manner in which she taught. Ilse presented technical subjects and I really enjoyed it as well. Thank you.”

Leigh-Anne Toffar – Assistant Accountant

“I have definitely grown and developed through this learnership. The learnership has equipped us to embark on this operational excellence journey. Thank you to the excellent facilitators for the knowledge and skills transfer as well as for the continued support over the past year.”

Debra Barnes-Kock – Diamond Movement Coordinator

“I truly found much value in this learnership and will definitely be taking what I’ve learned into the workplace. I intend involving my entire team in this process and would like to express my gratitude towards Huibie and Ilse for an excellent experience during this learnership.”

Victor Joel – Senior Training Officer

“This course gave me many tools that can be used at work. We have seen good results from the implementation of these modules. We thank Huibie and Ilse for their hard work and patience.”

Milly Makhele – Senior Process Controller

“Good content to be applied anywhere in the business. Buy-in and commitment are very important to get through the course.”

Lister Strauch – Diamond Valuator

“I enjoyed the course very much. The implementation part of the course makes the learning practical and very worthwhile because, as you gain knowledge, you learn how to actually implement what you’ve learned.”

Author: Huibie Jones – MD at ODI

Over the period of its existence ODI has successfully implemented continuous business improvement principles in a wide variety of industries.  We have developed a systematic improvement framework for a number of clients, to guide their improvement drive globally, using examples relevant to their industry and company.

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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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Goal alignment focuses on having an effective organisation structure, with goal alignment at all levels. Within the structure, the various work groups are organised as “mini-businesses”, or MBs. Each MB is guided by

• Quality
• Cost
• Delivery
• Safety and
• Morale performance indicators (QCDSM measures)

Recently ODI’s Maryke Viviers-Bergh facilitated a group of GWK learners completing a Skills Programme at their offices.

To read more about ODI’s Focused Improvement Projects, click here.

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For GWK, the most important element on their journey of Continuous Improvement has been to involve people in the process. Click here to read more about Forona Stephens’ (Human Resources Business Partner at GWK) topic of discussion at our recent ODI conference – “Think Big, Start Small, Unlock Excellence.”

GWK works daily to move the boundaries of agriculture, to help people discover new and better ways. GWK – Innovate agriculture.

ODI’s National Valery Hansen facilitated a group of GWK learners completing their NQF 5 National Certificate in General Management.

To read more about ODI’s Continuous Operations Improvement System, click here.

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Starting the day, Len Hansen – Consultant at Astral Operations, presented: “My Journey with Organisational Development International (ODI) since 1991.” Click here to read more.

Esbe du Toit: Organisational Improvement Manager at Wispeco Aluminium, presented: “Celebrating Innovation … A snapshot of our journey towards world-class.” Click here to read more.

Theo van Strijp: Managing Director at GFC, presented: “Grain Field Chickens: Road to Excellence Award.” Click here to read more.

Our 4th speaker for the day was Forona Stephens: Human Resources Business Partner at GWK and her topic of discussion was: “Think Big, Start Small, Unlock Excellence.”

Forona started her presentation with a most interesting video, showing the role that GWK plays in feeding South Africans.

For GWK, the most important element on their journey of Continuous Improvement has been to involve people in the process. Forona mentioned that research indicates that two out of three people are usually not engaged in the workplace. These statistics present a wonderful opportunity for improvement.

GWK also has very strong management support in their Continuous Improvement journey, which makes such a difference.

Seeing as everyone spends so much time at work, why not look for ways in which to make work easier all the time. This is one of the messages of Key 1. An interesting statistic is that 23% of adults pay their bills late, just because they cannot find them. Productive people do things differently.  First of all, they start each morning eating the frog first; meaning, they first do the dreaded stuff. They then get onto more satisfying work.

Forona reminded us all that old ways do not open new doors. As the world is changing, so should leaders. A good leader understands the power of empowerment.

Author: Huibie Jones: MD at ODI

To view the full album of the recent 2019 ODI Conference: Celebrating 30 years of operations excellence, click here.

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Feeding the people who feed the people. GWK works daily to move the boundaries of agriculture, to help people discover new and better ways. People who work in hectares, not hours. The modern entrepreneurs of our time. The people who accomplish the impossible and who share their passion for nature. People who bring the natural goodness of the farm to the consumer. These are their people, and they are feeding the world. GWK. Innovate agriculture.

Comprising of 6 modules, this qualification – NQF4 National Certificate in General Management, lays the foundation for further management development. To read more about this qualification, click here.

ODI’s Valery Hansen facilitated this group of learners from GWK.

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GWK is a pioneer in the agri and food value chain, committed to shaping a sustainable business, driving growth and providing a better future for all stakeholders.

Their actions are guided by:

*teamwork
*integrity
*human dignity
*commitment
*accountability
*innovation

ODI’s Valery Hansen recently facilitated a new group of GWK learners, completing their NQF3 National Certificate in Management. To read more about this qualification, click here.

To read more about obtaining a national qualification with ODI, click here.

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