Empirical search for breakthroughs in processes

Breakthrough: This technical wholesaler supplies products for manual and industrial work in various industries. With an “outside-in” approach that prioritizes customer satisfaction, the internal organization is under strain. This applies to procurement, category management, and delivery. With increasingly squeezed margins, the organization needs to adjust without launching large-scale programs targeting the portfolio or customer segments. Such initiatives would distract from daily business operations. The guiding principle is to change together in the line, where the operational work environment also serves as a pilot environment.

Impact: Practical work methods on the shop floor improve returns. The existing work process is mapped and simulated on the shop floor, proving to be an excellent starting point. The prototype and accompanying work methods can then evolve through ongoing development, driven by feedback from the execution phase regarding what works and what doesn’t. Subsequently, ideas for improvement are generated that can be practically applied (within days). A positive outcome from the simulation leads to action at the account, assortment, or delivery level. Small adjustments form the backbone of the organization and can be effectively monitored for their practical impact (including by colleagues from other departments).