Immenso Consult A/S supports the implementation of ”New distribution concept” in Post Danmark’s distribution
During the first six months of 2009, Immenso Consult has been part of a nationwide project for Post Danmark Distribution. The distribution department is responsible for Post Danmark’s “production” of letters and is in charge of the daily collection, sorting and distribution of letters both to private households and commercial customers throughout Denmark. In connection with the current financial crisis, Post Danmark has seen a reduction in the amount of letters, making it even more urgent to ensure the implementation of “New distribution concept” in order to adapt the distribution costs to the current volumes.
Immenso’s job has been to support the implementation of “New distribution concept” which was introduced in the end of 2008 at two of the largest post offices in Central Copenhagen. At both offices, the projects have run over a period of three months during which the local managements have in cooperation with Immenso and on the basis of “New distribution concept” defined which initiatives would be implemented and how. The tasks included:
• Management sparring and structuring of management tasks
• Target control in the management team
• Implementation of new planning process
• Optimisation of layout and production setup.
The local managements at the post offices have been in charge of the process of change with support from Immenso. It has been important for the success of the project that the management took ownership of the process. This has been possible through efficient management sparring and structuring of management tasks – and by creating agreement and cooperation regarding the challenges in the management team.
Part of the management task was to focus additional attention on waste such as guaranteed end time, overtime work and waste of time, together with productivity and quality. This process was based on the daily reports from Central Copenhagen regarding the above parameters – illustrated by graphs. The graphs became the central points in weekly management notice board meetings lasting for about 15 minutes, including dialogue and activities to improve productivity, quality and to reduce waste.
A major part of the project has been an optimisation of the planning process to adapt the capacity need to the available resources. The staff function for Central Copenhagen was involved in the work, and improvement potentials which could be implemented were soon identified. The improved planning process was so successful that the staff functions chose to implement it at the other post offices in Central Copenhagen.
At an early stage, the project started analysing work procedures and processes at the post offices by means of the “New distribution concept”. The analyses and improvement potentials were discussed at weekly status meetings. Several improvements were then implemented. New processes and tools were based on uncomplicated models which were intuitive, recognisable and easy to use in the day-to-day work of the employees.
The condition for solving the project was a close cooperation with the distribution’s own consultants. The result was that the change process and the implementations were carried out at a higher speed, and that they were in line with the company’s standards and values. The cooperation was a positive experience for both parties, bringing inspiration and learning to both Immenso and the in-house consultants.
The results of the project work were visible 1½ month into the project when budget and key figures were met.
The successful implementation of the project meant that Immenso continues to work on a similar project for the distribution.