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Lean warehouse teams are focused on continuous improvement and exceptional efficiencies. Many Lean warehouse teams start out with great intentions, implementing changes that improve processes and increase efficiency. But then, slowly over time, the newness wanes and they lose momentum. While this is not uncommon, it's extremely important that managers take notice and take action. But how can leaders pump life back into a team that is losing momentum? How can a team leader provide positive reinforcement in order to revive the team?
To begin, there are some basic rules for successfully managing a team meeting that must be followed in a Lean warehouse for continuous improvement, sense of stability, and growth.
1. Be totally honest. Team members should be encouraged to say what they think. A team member should not have to hold back or be concerned with "political" fallout from voicing an opinion.
2. Offer total amnesty. There should be no repercussions brought upon the individual for statements or ideas brought forth in team meetings, so long as they're presented in a respectful manner. The minutes of the meeting should not quote individuals, but rather, state ideas as team ideas.
3. Listen to others. Team members should be encouraged to actively listen in order to remember new facts and pick up on feelings as well.
4. Stay focused. Team members must stay focused during meetings and not stray from the agenda. Meetings sometimes uncover valuable information and ideas that do not relate to the current agenda; these ideas should be logged and saved for future opportunities.
5. Manage time strategically. Team meetings should be limited to the allotted time, which should be not much longer than an hour. This will help the team stay focused and will contribute to a more organized meeting.
6. Assign specific deadlines. Assignments should be made at...