Variety Can Be Too Spicy
August 29, 2024
We’ve all heard the phrase: “Variety is the spice of life”. The origin of that quote is a matter of conjecture. While there are versions attributed to a dramatist in 1640 and another in 485 B.C., it is commonly assigned to English poet William Cowper.
One thing we can be quite sure of is none of these talented people were golfers or ran warehouse operations. The people who are occupied with golf or operation pursuits, don’t like variety. Instead, they favor predictability, sameness, and certainty.
Can you eliminate all variations? Not likely. However, you can develop discipline, establish routines, and standardize processes to manage the inevitable variety that might hinder your goals.
Consider golf – a game requiring consistent repetition and minimal variation. While a player may get a lucky bounce here and there, that cannot be counted on. Since it is played outside and played by humans, there will inevitably be variation. In a similar concept, just as golf demands precision despite natural variables, a warehouse leader faces the challenge of maintaining consistent processes despite inevitable human and environmental factors.
An area leader in a warehouse has a process that needs to be repeated for the team to be successful. His lucky bounce may be getting a favorable mix of work; but as with our golfer, you cannot count on luck. For that area leader, they have their variation to deal with from attendance, volume inconsistency, mechanical/systems issues, and more.
By implementing a structured, repeatable process, both golfer and warehouse leaders can achieve consistent success. Establishing routines ensures proper management of each step – fostering reliable outcomes.
Let us compare a pre-shot routine to leader standard work, and select the similarities.
| Process Step | Pre-Shot Routine | Leader Standard Work |
| Assess the situation | The golfer needs to analyze everything. From the pin location to the wind, nothing can be overlooked or left to chance. | The area manager reviews the situation they walk into; looking for any constraints like staffing or equipment issues and engaging the team in any customer issues that need to be addressed. |
| Pick a target | Where does this shot need to land to put the golfer in the best position for success? | Based on the assessment of the situation, set a goal for the day. What is the capacity today, based on conditions? That may fall short of the company goals, but you need to understand your reality. |
| Select a club | Visualize the shot. Pick a club that will land the ball where you envisioned. | Request support if needed to maximize out volume. Is there labor available in other departments to help, do you need to request overtime, do you need to swap out equipment to better fit your mix? |
| Rehearse your swing/ Step into the shot | All the prep work has been perfected. Time to practice what you envisioned and boost confidence for the actual shot. | You’ve made your plan for the day and any available support has been provided. You might need to set a new target. |
| Swing away | Upon preparation, you are now able to swing away with confidence. | Communicate your status to the team and leadership. Get your visuals updated with the plan for the day. Start the shift with no surprises. |
| Assess the results | You are not done. You are prepared but now things can change. The wind may shift. Noise in your backswing. Monitor progress and do not lose the day. | Walk the floor. Check in with the team and help them with any dilemmas. Test for process compliance. Look for any variation in your KPIs (key performance indicators). |
| Adjust if needed | If the round is not meeting expectations, adjust. Is the ball slicing or hooking? Are you not sinking the putt? Is your focus lacking? Make the corrections. | If you are missing your benchmarks during the day, do not wait to adjust. Proper corrective action applied in time can save the day. |
The parallel is clear. These steps will help you prepare for your day:
– Assess your situation, considering any variations.
– Set data-driven goals.
– Use appropriate tools.
– Understand environmental variations.
– Move forward confidently, prepared for success.
– Monitor and adapt to daily variations.
Will this preparation guarantee flawless rounds or seamless shipping days? No, but it sets the foundation for a strong start and enables quick adjustments when needed.
Managing the variation downward in your golf game or your warehouse processes will make sure the remaining variety is a little less spicy.
