Finance Shared Services Center in Poland exports Lean expertise to China
Lean + Energy => a Lean system created & tested in EMEA Finance Share Services in Poland => now becomes a Global Standard for Financial Centers world-wide in Schneider Electric
Since 2010 Transactional Finance of Schneider Electric has been grouped in 5 Finance Shared Services centers (in Poland, India, China, The Philippines, Mexico&US). In 2014 FiSS in Poland created and tested its own Lean system for a service organization. It was based on Positive Productivity methodology from a consulting partner 4Results, some elements from Schneider Electric lean approach in production plants, internal experience of FiSS Poland around Continuous Improvement programs.
In Feb 2015 Teresa Rondomańska as a senior manager and former Polish FiSS Center’s Head was appointed to lead this global mission in world-wide FiSS Centers.
Now FiSS in Poland takes a lead in Lean implementation in Shared Services organization. The methodology tested in Poland becomes global and currently is being implemented in other parts of the world.
In March 2015 the Leanergy concept was introduced to Finance Shares Services in FiSS China. The kick off meeting gathered 40 persons from top management and AP operational teams in Beijing & Wuhan Centers. This one week workshop was led by Teresa Rondomańska & Marta Lipowska-Hamdy from Schneider Electric and Łukasz Bentkowski from 4Results.
FiSS China Management & Leanergy trainers from Poland
As a result, the methodology & its benefits were explained in a form of a Lean game. Program key players were identified and appointed. Future Lean Masters chosen. A detailed planning with Roles& Responsibilities was agreed. Program deliverables were aligned with strategic goals of FiSS China . Governance structure is already in place and working. FiSS China management highly appreciated those days dedicated to common work bringing added value to the business.
The concept of Positive Productivity is now present even in the Forbidden City.
In Forbidden City Beijing: Łukasz Bentkowski -managing Partner in 4Results & Teresa Rondomańska - Global Leanergy Director in Schneider Electric Finance Shared Services
In Forbidden City Beijing: Teresa Rondomańska - Global Leanergy Director in Schneider Electric Finance Shared Services & Łukasz Bentkowski -managing Partner in 4Results
What are main challenges of Lean in Services?
- Create openness for changes
- Bring productivity while keeping high employees engagement & Customer Satisfaction in every day work
- Repeat it every year in long term
What are key success factors in implementation of changes & Lean culture?
- Time & simplicity
- Transparency & understanding
- Customer perspective
- Role modeling
- Using people energy in the right places and in the right ways
- Transforming knowledge into habits
- Program structure embedded in the company life
Now we can share some observations based on our 1st experience in China. Key elements of Leanergy have to be kept the same for Europe and Asia. They are just universal. But cultural differences should be very much taken into consideration while preparing R&R and implementing detailed planning for each Center. The ways & level of support have to be adapted to the local situation. A big need to contribute to the team success & high reactivity must be properly translated into deliverables. And you’d better to speak Chinese :-)
What are the next steps in front of Leanergy team in Schneider Electric? We need to assure that results are delivered in FiSS China, introduce Schneider Leanergy System to FiSS the Philippines in May 2015. An in parallel create world-wide network & reinforce sustainability elements.
Learn more about Positive Productivity on the website: www.positiveproductivity.eu
Teresa Rondomańska (Schneider Electric) & Łukasz Bentkowski (4Results)
Beijing 2015, March
