Steps, Fewer Steps
Don’t work harder, work simpler.
Walking a store yesterday with the manager we focused on steps. How many steps people took to do various parts of their job. My ongoing question is always “What’s the shortest, simplst path from the donation door to the cash register?”
3 things we noted:
The scrap metal and cardboard containers are too far away from production areas. Repositioning them will save hundreds of foot steps a day.
Types of merchandise waiting to be processed were mixed up. Similar goods were on opposite sides of the warehouse. This requires more steps for those working specific types of goods.
Processing areas were too small. In Habitat/Restore thrift, much of processing is assembling and repairing furniture. Processors find it easier to work in inventory storage areas so they had enough space. I could list a whole bunch of reasons that isn’t a best practice.
Improving each of these will let people get more done without working harder.
3 positives:
Goods go to the sales floor as soon as they are ready. The job is turning stuff into money, or in Habitat’s case, stuff into homes. Prompt processing to the sales floor is critical.
Corners are being cleaned out. This is an odd shaped store with little corners and nooks. There are easy spots for odds and ends to pile up. They are doing a great job turning found stuff into money.
Processing areas used to have a dozen of every tool that even might some day. Those are cleaned out, the excess is sold, turned into money.
So what’s the point?
This store has struggled lately even though they are generally well staffed. Everyone is working hard, but the reward in great sales isn’t fully showing up. Finding ways to save steps makes everyone’s job easier, work gets done faster.
Don’t work harder, work simpler.
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