Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean? Building the bridge from job satisfaction to corporate profit [Paperback]

Jeff Hajek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2009

Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean? Building the bridge from job satisfaction to corporate profit is a ground-breaking survival guide for employees and managers who work in fast-paced, demanding work environments. Companies face intense pressure, especially in a tough economy. As consumer spending declines, competition for every dollar becomes more aggressive. If businesses can't capture a bigger piece of the shrinking market, or if they are unable to reduce costs, they will fail-eliminating jobs and employees' financial security in the process. In an effort to fight this battle, many companies turn to Lean-a proven method for helping businesses "do more with less." Because it delivers such powerful results, Lean is the improvement method of choice in manufacturing, administrative areas, and health care to name a few. History has shown that Lean is clearly advantageous for companies. But, there is a problem with Lean that is rarely addressed-one that could make or break a business in an age of economic uncertainty. Frontline workers can pay a very high up front price for being Lean. As a result, Lean often causes job dissatisfaction in the workforce and creates significant conflict between managers and their teams. Research shows that it is more than just a morale issue. Dissatisfied employees can reduce quality, productivity, and ultimately take a toll on a company's profit. If employees could quickly and easily teach themselves how to improve their job satisfaction, it might mean the difference between survival and failure for a company in the increasingly competitive marketplace. 'Whaddaya Mean' is a powerful 'how to' guide that delivers over 100 practical, cost-effective solutions to common Lean problems that employees and managers face. Jeff Hajek, MBA, is a leading authority on managing change at the front line and is the founder of Velaction Continuous Improvement, LLC. He is also a graduate of the elite United States Military Academy (West Point). Jeff leverages his fifteen plus years of experience guiding teams through transformations to create win-win solutions for employees, managers and companies.

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Velaction Continuous Improvement (February 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1606280015
• ISBN-13: 978-1606280010
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,237 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Lean" with Empathy, May 7, 2009

By 

Kevin Bush "Teams & Leaders" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean? Building the bridge from job satisfaction to corporate profit (Paperback)

Finally---a book that looks at the Lean Process through the eyes of an organization's most critical resources---the human beings charged with implementing it.

As a coach and consultant for leadership and team development over the past 15 years, I have worked with numerous organizations attempting to implement and integrate lean principles into their daily processes.

Although research and experience has shown these principles to be organizationally sound and beneficial, it seems almost inevitable that employees will initially balk at the day-to-day behavioral changes that are necessary to make Lean work.

Gradually and almost inevitably, a gap begins to widen between those leading the charge for lean and those responsible for making the necessary changes. Lean advocates see the work force as resistant to change and stubborn while the work force sees those leading the charge as heartless and out of touch with the "real world". A vicious cycle of misunderstanding, mistrust, and polarization begins to build as each side digs in their heels.

The core issue then becomes one of engagement and buy-in. The best principles of change and improvement are of absolutely no use if those responsible for implementing them are not fully aligned and on board.

Unfortunately, it has been my experience that most organizations are not adequately prepared to deal with the natural human resistance associated with such wide spread organizational change. Tough questions, conflicts, and resentments are often dismissed, minimized or completely avoided. Inevitably, this proverbial "elephant in the living room", becomes large enough to virtually squash all well intentioned effort at necessary and beneficial change.

In his book, "Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean", I believe that Jeff Hajek takes a very logical and unapologetic stand for why lean is so necessary but at the same time holds a truly empathetic and supportive view toward those employees in the trenches that will be most impacted by the changes. Without genuine empathy for the needs and challenges faced by employees in this process, it's my belief that any true attempt at alignment or "closing of the gap" will ultimately be unobtainable.

"Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean" offers very practical answers to some of the most common, but often unasked or unaddressed questions associated with an organization's implementation of the lean process. I've often found that employees become hesitant to ask the most basic questions for fear of appearing slow or incompetent. As a result, many employees adopt a "nod along" strategy and never become fully bought into or engaged in the lean implantation process, simply because they don't understand or cannot "catch up".

This book provides a very effective and safe venue for employees to onboard at a pace that works for them. In effect, "Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean", becomes a critical, ongoing, user friendly companion for understanding the ins and outs of a very challenging and rewarding process.

"Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean" is a must read for anyone engaged in the lean implementation process.

Kevin Bush
Director / Principle
Teams & Leaders Inc.
Seattle, WA
[...]

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for everyone involved in Lean transformations, May 7, 2009

By 

Brian R. Buck "Lean Healthcare Consultant" (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean? Building the bridge from job satisfaction to corporate profit (Paperback)

Jeff Hajek's "Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean" is a must-read for front line workers in a organization that is going through a Lean transformation. It is a highly suggested book for managers, supervisors, and Human Resources in Lean enterprises. I also think the book has value for unsatisfied workers in any field.

The book has some great advice for helping people cope with Lean changes. It is laid out in a way that you don't have to read it cover-to-cover but can turn right to the section that you are currently struggling with. I think the description of how people think and then decide to take action is fundamental for people to grasp in any organization (Lean or not). Recognizing how your interpretations bring emotions which can fuel your decision to act is something I have had mentors teach me in the past but I have experienced many people who do not understand this or practice it. This part of the book will really help anybody looking for more job satisfaction.

The value for managers and supervisors is to really understand what your staff may be thinking. There are things in this book I never considered before that affects staff-satisfaction such as how it feels to people with seniority that end up on an even playing field as newcomers due to standard work. While the changes make sense, it can be difficult to consider all of the personal reactions for your staff. This book helps you reflect on what people are going through and more importantly provides advice that you can use while coaching.

Hajek's chapter on the basics of Lean is outstanding. The concepts are explained in a very relatable way such as a lemonade stand used to describe wastes or linking Lean tools to common things we use like Netflix as example of Kanban.

The "Hard Truths About Lean" chapter is a good "tough love" discussion. I am an overly positive person (the cup is half-full and I know where the pitcher is to refill it) so this chapter really helped me recognize the difficulties faced in Lean transformations. While I knew them already, this book served as a reminder of what it is like in the beginning. I may work with people farther down the path but Lean is still only in beginning stages some parts. This chapter is helpful when you work throughout your enterprise and people are at different stages.

I highly recommend this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars Just like people, companies do better without excess fat, July 7, 2009

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean? Building the bridge from job satisfaction to corporate profit (Paperback)

Just like people, companies do better without excess fat. "Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean? Building the Bridge from Job Satisfaction to Corporate Profit" is a guide to optimizing one's company to doing a lot more with less. "Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean" is not a manual of excuses for bosses to undertake mass firings, but rather an inspirational guide for employees to do more for their company. Touting one hundred lessons for both employer and employee, "Whaddaya Mean I Gotta Be Lean?" is an intriguing read for a unique approach to better business.