Creating the team
Getting others involved in the waste minimisation project encourages a wider sense of ownership and will increase the chances of success.
Consider setting up a team to co-ordinate action. The team can plan, discuss and carry out initiatives and their involvement should help gain support from other staff. A team can also add valuable momentum to the process, share the workload, and contribute ideas and perspectives that one individual alone just wont have.
Think about a cross-functional team. This may involve people from accounts, purchasing, production, maintenance and marketing functions. The project team should ideally be representative of staff from all levels in the company.
It is often worth nominating a ‘champion’ to co-ordinate the project, disseminate information and feed back progress and suggestions to management. Make sure that you appoint someone who is not only enthusiastic and has the ability to motivate staff, but also has the support of senior management.
The role of the project champion can include:
- publicising the project within the company
- developing action points
- identifying potential team members
- discussing resources and timescales with senior management.
- Remember — champions do not have to do everything single-handed. They should be able to involve others from across the company to make things happen.
Next - The site audit
