Inside of a morning workshop at a Bosch Rexroth hydraulic plant in Charlotte, N.C., leaders prepare their pitch to senior plant leaders and the local Lean project coordinator. In an effort to foster collaboration, the engineering firm takes a Shark Tank approach, where panelists ask questions and consider their options before deliberating and choosing what they’ll go forward with and which ones are “out.” Like an entrepreneur pitching to an investor, unit managers must allocate resources correctly by proving the worth of the endeavor. They’re already seeing a big improvement, as they have been able to reach the customer demand of shipping in a one-day turnaround period. As processes refine, engagement rises and Bosch builds on it’s journey for continuous improvement.
