Business Dictionary defines operational excellence as:
“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.
Brendan Maguire – CCP Processor Johan du Plessis – Technical Services Lead Forona Stephens: Human Resources Business Partner at GWK Clinton Samson – Senior Production Controller Wade King – Senior Production Controller Chantelle Webb – Production Controller Petrus Asser – Production Advisor Leigh-Anne Toffar – Assistant Accountant Debra Barnes-Kock – Diamond Movement Coordinator Victor Joel – Senior Training Officer Milly Makhele – Senior Process Controller Lister Strauch – Diamond Valuator
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.