Another training event that supports the business planning cycle is business process mapping. Little is accomplished by selling more goods and services if your profits are draining out the bottom through organizational process inefficiencies—often called “heat loss.” This session is the greatest single education and skills session that you can do to improve your bottom line by eliminating these wasted efforts. Basically the one-time training can be replicated forever within your company.
For example, Mike Mulligan of EM Science, which is a part of EM Industries, uses business process mapping to identify improvements. He perfected the techniques as a result of this business planning model. Mike’s story is a good example to follow. He had his teams go through a brief training cycle to illustrate the power of looking at business processes. Jointly the teams compiled a list of what they thought needed reviewing. Management attention was given to five major processes. Each was assigned a functional champion who put together a working team, developed schedules for completing the project, and defined the expected deliverables.
Now, whenever a project is finished, Mike and his team select another process to be examined. The management thinking is to keep the list short but focused. Mike carries the process mapping one step further. He connects each critical process with managerial performance. Each process owner is responsible for delivering what he or she promises. This fits the requirement for accountability and makes his story congruent. Mike rightfully expects and requires accountability. A wallpaper manufacturing company discovered thousands of rollers used to print paper were not being recycled but instead were being stored in expensive warehouse space. At a chemical company the cost of returned chemicals was found to be staggering, so a plan was developed to reduce the returns.