Author name: 111180pwpadmin

By Theodore Harris | Clear Route Consulting Ever looked around your workplace and thought, “There’s got to be a better way to do this”? You’re probably right—and chances are, you just spotted operational waste. Let me give you a quick real-world example from a project I worked on. The 300-Foot Label Run At a retail distribution center I consulted with, I noticed one of the packers walking about 300 feet—every single time they needed to grab a shipping label. They did this all day, every day. That one small inefficiency was costing hours of labor each week. The fix? We moved the printer closer. Just like that, the employee saved time and energy, and the process became more efficient. That’s operational waste. It’s usually not flashy, but it adds up—and fast. What Is Operational Waste, Really? Operational waste is anything that eats up time, energy, or resources without adding value to the customer. In Lean Six Sigma, we break this down using TIMWOODS: How to Spot Waste in Your Operation Today You don’t need a fancy title to start identifying waste. Here’s how you can start right now: Don’t Just Find the Waste—Fix It At Clear Route Consulting, I help teams uncover hidden waste and implement simple, practical fixes that actually stick. From 5S walk-throughs to full Operational Waste Assessments, I’ve got toolkits and hands-on sessions that get results. If you’re in Ohio, I even offer on-site walkthroughs to help your team take the first step toward a smoother, more efficient operation. Let’s Make Your Operation Work Better Waste doesn’t fix itself. The longer you wait, the more money, time, and energy you lose. I’ve seen firsthand how a few small changes can completely shift how a team performs. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels, let’s connect. 👉 Shoot me a message or check out the Operational Waste Toolkit to get started.

Introduction: If you think Lean and Six Sigma are only for factories or Fortune 500 companies, thinkagain. Whether you’re a nonprofit stretched thin on staff or a small business trying to domore with less, the principles of Lean thinking can help you cut waste, boost efficiency, andserve your customers or community better. What Is Lean Thinking (In Simple Terms)? Lean is about one thing: getting more value with less waste. It’s a mindset and a set of toolsthat help you find inefficiencies, streamline your processes, and improve what reallymatters. When paired with Six Sigma—a method for reducing errors and variation—you geta powerful combo for consistent, high-quality results. 5 Places Small Teams Waste Time Without Realizing It: 1. Redundant Meetings – Too many check-ins and unclear agendas slow down momentum.2. Manual Processes – Spreadsheets and paper forms that could be automated.3. Misaligned Roles – When responsibilities aren’t clear, tasks fall through the cracks.4. Lack of SOPs – Without standard operating procedures, every task feels like reinventingthe wheel.5. The “We’ve Always Done It This Way Trap – Tradition isn’t always efficient. Real-World Example: At Clear Route Consulting, we worked with a community nonprofit that was struggling withdonor acknowledgment delays. By mapping the process, we found three unnecessaryhandoffs and reduced their response time by 60%. They didn’t need more staff—theyneeded smarter systems. Why Lean Works for Community-Driven Organizations Too: – It improves communication and accountability– It frees up resources for mission-critical work– It helps secure funding by showing impact and efficiency– It boosts morale because teams finally feel in control Ready to Get Started? You don’t need to be a Six Sigma Black Belt to apply Lean thinking. Start with a smallprocess that frustrates your team, map it out, and look for waste. Or better yet, let us guideyou. Download our free Hoshin Planning Template or schedule a consultation with Clear RouteConsulting. Let’s make operational excellence your new normal. Introduction: If you think Lean and Six Sigma are only for factories or Fortune 500 companies, thinkagain. Whether you’re a nonprofit stretched thin on staff or a small business trying to domore with less, the principles of Lean thinking can help you cut waste, boost efficiency, andserve your customers or community better. What Is Lean Thinking (In Simple Terms)? Lean is about one thing: getting more value with less waste. It’s a mindset and a set of toolsthat help you find inefficiencies, streamline your processes, and improve what reallymatters. When paired with Six Sigma—a method for reducing errors and variation—you geta powerful combo for consistent, high-quality results. 5 Places Small Teams Waste Time Without Realizing It: 1. Redundant Meetings – Too many check-ins and unclear agendas slow down momentum.2. Manual Processes – Spreadsheets and paper forms that could be automated.3. Misaligned Roles – When responsibilities aren’t clear, tasks fall through the cracks.4. Lack of SOPs – Without standard operating procedures, every task feels like reinventingthe wheel.5. The “We’ve Always Done It This Way Trap – Tradition isn’t always efficient. Real-World Example: At Clear Route Consulting, we worked with a community nonprofit that was struggling withdonor acknowledgment delays. By mapping the process, we found three unnecessaryhandoffs and reduced their response time by 60%. They didn’t need more staff—theyneeded smarter systems. Why Lean Works for Community-Driven Organizations Too: – It improves communication and accountability– It frees up resources for mission-critical work– It helps secure funding by showing impact and efficiency– It boosts morale because teams finally feel in control Ready to Get Started? You don’t need to be a Six Sigma Black Belt to apply Lean thinking. Start with a smallprocess that frustrates your team, map it out, and look for waste. Or better yet, let us guideyou. Download our free Hoshin Planning Template or schedule a consultation with Clear RouteConsulting. Let’s make operational excellence your new normal.