New Book Shows How Human Resource Departments can Lead Continuous Improvement Efforts

Sept. 14, 2010 - PRLog -- Encouraging a long overdue shift in thinking, this book gives managers and executives the means to maximize employee potential by first showing them how to increase the improvement power of their HR departments. Cheryl M. Jekiel, who has been implementing Lean initiatives out of HR offices for 20 years, defines the people-related approaches and practices needed to alter any cultural dynamic that keeps employees from leveraging their peak abilities. She looks at why so many companies allow this sort of waste to exist, how traditional HR departments have not been especially effective in combating waste, and why today’s HR department should be seen differently, as a partner delivering exceptional customer service to employees.

Ultimately, lasting change requires evolution in an organizational cultural and to achieve such change requires definitive changes in behavior. To ensure that changes are properly paced and effectively put into operation, the book puts forth a proven five-year plan that includes the building of improvement-linked competencies into each job.

A final section is designed especially for CEOs who must address their own views of HR before addressing improvement. They must recognize that Lean HR strategies and methods can be used to create a highly motivating place to work, and that anything less would be a waste of talent. To begin, an organization must realize the value of its HR staff and put it to use implementing improvement that is organic, fundamental, and self perpetuating.

Endorsements

“Jekiel makes a strong case for the greater part of waste coming from poor or nonexistent HR systems; she breaks down that complex subject into root causes, commentary, and then solutions. Her systematic mapping of the path to get out of the cave and into the light of day gives the reader hope that transformation of the culture is possible.”
— Sherrie Ford, Chairman of the Board and Executive Vice-President, Culture Power Partners, Inc.

“This message is long overdue -- how HR can drive cultural change and powerful results -- by a truly Lean HR executive who has been there and done it.”
— William J. Kennedy, CEO, The Sequoyah Group, Inc.

About the Authors

Cheryl M. Jekiel is Vice President of Human Resources for the Flying Food Group. Jekiel leads the Human Resources Department including all corporate benefits, compensation and policy issues, while providing direction and leadership to human resources function in 16 unionized non-unionized domestic units.

Ms. Jekiel brings a tremendous passion for continuous improvement in her commitment to building Lean HR as a recognized field of work. She has over 20 years of manufacturing experience. Previously, Ms. Jekiel worked for a Chicago food manufacturer as the director of Human Resources and completed her employment by serving for five years as the Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Jekiel has developed an expertise in Lean manufacturing with a particular focus on Lean cultures. Ms. Jekiel has made countless significant improvements in reducing operating costs and leveraging a Lean culture to obtain new business. Her Lean experience has been greatly enhanced with her active involvement with the Association of Manufacturing Excellence (AME), which has included board roles for the National board as well as a Regional Midwest Board.

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