Mac-OU INC launched their new Startup Lean program in September as part of the OU Lean Diversification Program.
Startup
Lean is designed to help startups get off on the right foot by learning
how to use valuable Lean principles to be as efficient, creative and
successful as possible from day one to full business maturity.
Participants learned about Lean principles, how they can help startups,
how to increase value-added time, to shorten product development and
supply chain processes, to measure actual progress and to ask customers
what they really value.
Instructors Debra Setman, co-founder and
lead adviser of Arbed Solutions and co-founder of the Michigan Lean
Consortium, and Leon Liu, founder of y0, worked many hands-on
activities into the curriculum. This included business process mapping and "Leaning the Tower"
measurement tool meant to teach the importance of efficiency.
The
Startup Lean process included a pre-survey, to show what startups in
the area really are in need of in terms of Lean. Results are as follows:
Participants in the survey included 54 individuals, 52 percent of which have had small businesses for over two years.
These
individuals come from various industries, the largest being
manufacturing at 33 percent, then 25 percent consulting, 14 percent
energy and various others.
More than 50 percent of these
companies are located in Macomb County, with the majority of the others
in Oakland and Wayne Counties.
When asked if they found it easy
to get established in the state and respective county, 65 percent said
they found it very easy to do both.
When asked what the two
biggest issues are in running a business over which there is control,
participants responded with marketing and accountability/organization
structure.
When asked what the two biggest issues are in running
a business over which there is little control, participants responded
with financing, taxes and federal regulations.
Items that are most critical to business' success include marketing and financial assistance.
Trainings
that are most beneficial to the participants run across a wide range,
anywhere from marketing and social media to accounting and HR to grants
and government contracts.
Interestingly enough, Tuesday mornings are the best time for individuals to attend trainings and seminars.
Mac-OU INC launched their new Startup Lean program in September as part of the OU Lean Diversification Program.
Startup
Lean is designed to help startups get off on the right foot by learning
how to use valuable Lean principles to be as efficient, creative and
successful as possible from day one to full business maturity.
Participants learned about Lean principles, how they can help startups,
how to increase value-added time, to shorten product development and
supply chain processes, to measure actual progress and to ask customers
what they really value.
Instructors Debra Setman, co-founder and
lead adviser of Arbed Solutions and co-founder of the Michigan Lean
Consortium, and Leon Liu, founder of y0, worked many hands-on
activities into the curriculum. This included business process mapping and "Leaning the Tower"
measurement tool meant to teach the importance of efficiency.
Created by Joan Carleton (jfcarlet@oakland.edu) on Wednesday, September 26, 2012 Modified by Joan Carleton (jfcarlet@oakland.edu) on Thursday, September 27, 2012 Article Start Date: Wednesday, September 26, 2012
