Experts in process improvement

To improve a company is to change it. Doing what you’ve always done means you’ll always get the same result. With British markets currently in such an uncertain state, the most successful companies are ones that can handle, respond to, and deal with change. Unless these changes are managed well, a business will not be able to successfully create a workplace culture that embraces change. What is Change Management? At its most fundamental definition, change management is simply

Change is key to improving a business. At Fluere, we believe all types of change can be broken down into two main types, either: step change or increment change. Understanding the fundamental differences between the two, the advantages and disadvantages of both and how to drive each type of change will help to determine which, or what combination, is more suited to help improve your business. Step Change Effective step changes can be considered large initiatives, carefully ma

The Productivity Puzzle Since the 2008 financial crisis, UK productivity has virtually flatlined with worker productivity falling to its lowest in two years. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the UK’s productivity growth is still below the pre-crisis rate of 2%, which suggests our ‘Productivity Puzzle’ is far from solved. Productivity is a measure of the products and services the UK produces, compared to the resources used to produce them. Productivity has

When discussing the topic of business improvement, terms like ‘productivity’ and ‘efficiency’ are often used interchangeably, however there is a significant difference between the two. Understanding both terms is key to achieving significant business growth, whether it is through focusing on efficiency or productivity improvements. Productivity A common definition of productivity is: ‘the ratio of the output of products and services to the labour hours devoted to the producti

Are you fully aware of everything that goes on inside your company and the effect it may have on your business overall? Do any of your customers or staff understand what it means to have a “Hidden Factory” and its impact on the products and services they provide? Most business owners will have some awareness of tangible waste items such as excessive stock, defective products, and office over-processing. But the hidden waste within your business may not be as tangible or easil

The application of Lean and Six Sigma methodology can provide significant improvements within businesses when applied independently. Combining both methodologies provides a wider and broader 'toolbox' which can create even greater improvement opportunities. In previous blogs, The Key Principles of Lean and The Key Principles of Six Sigma, the fundamental principles of each methodology are explained. In this article, the Fluere team explains: How Six Sigma and Lean combine tog

Six Sigma is a complex topic which covers the whole process of eliminating defects from a process while simultaneously understanding and responding to the needs of the customers. Six Sigma is a systematic approach used to improve products and processes through the reduction of variability. By relying on data, statistical analysis and proven process improvement techniques, Six Sigma provides a framework for companies to achieve a goal of as close to zero defects as possible. I

Lean is one of the most common and effective process improvement methodologies in use by businesses today. The core fundamentals of Lean focus on reducing the amount of waste that your company produces and adding value to the customer. This kind of thinking has been responsible for the continuous improvement of countless manufacturing companies across the years. So what is it and can it help your business? In this article, the Fluere team explain: What Lean is, What Lean’s co

Has Brexit increased your manufacturing costs? If you import materials for production, then the answer is probably yes! UK manufacturers typically rely on imported materials and components. Despite the boost that sterling depreciation can have on exports, many of our customers are feeling a more significant pinch from the rising cost of imported materials. Price pressures are rising and we’re all feeling the impact. As a result we are frequently asked the question: "wh