Lowe's Life Cycle Process
My new service involves several processes ranging from the delivery system, installation department and installers, and product availability. Overall the goal is to increase the net sales of the installation process due to the untapped potential of this area of service. Lowe’s must stand out from the competitors if they wish to take more of this business. Getting the sale on more installations means more sales in product too. For stores that area already established this process will take some times as opposed to a brand-new store opening. The new stores will walk into this process while current ones will be trying to retrain and recreate from an already established process. The life cycle could take up to 2 full months for the full transition to be in place and running smoothly. The first step in the life cycle process would be determining what all of the current struggles are with the installation process. This could
…show more content…
range from minor issues to major issues involving the struggles between the installation department and the installers themselves.
This could involve lack of communication, improper techniques, and overall customer service
inconsistencies. Each store will vary on how much time they may need in this area but it will Involve a sit down with the Market Installation Manager, General Contractors, and each stores Department Manager of Install. Next they will need to determine the current struggles with the delivery system and determine if the particular stores in a certain market will benefit from a store team or hiring an external company for centralized delivery. This will be based of delivery volume and the availability of hiring drivers. Finally, we will access product needs. Each store will have specific needs in installation. Some will be heavy in flooring and specific types of flooring while others will be big on cabinetry or fashion plumbing with specific products for each area. After determining the needs of each store and market Distribution Centers could be created to hold those specific products in bulk to make the availability process much quicker. Since Lowe’s has the DC capability already they will not need to worry about building facilities so the time line will focus on getting the product into the Distribution Centers. The biggest potential bottle the stores may face is the Department Manager of Install and the General Contractors. Many people get set in their ways and being able to sway them into the big change could proof to be the biggest struggle of the process. One step that could help this is putting the ball in their court, which is implying that we get them to own the process as if it’s their own idea. Also, ensuring that we have a plan in place to strategically address and prep them (Hedges 2015). One way to also encourage this is to focus on Lean Management Processes. Lean Management is the concept of running an organization with the open-minded way of thinking that encourages nonstop improvement through small changes to accomplish an overall goal. The first approach this process that could be used is specifying the value desired by the customers. Making sure that both parties understand that this is what the customer wants and we only exist for our customers. What do our customers want from us? Having them answer this question would be a great way to kick it off. Another important step will be ensuring that they know we don’t expect the start of the program to be perfect. Explaining that issues will happen which will help create opportunities to build off will be beneficial. The last thing we need is for them to dwell on the negative side of the process (Rudy 2014). Utilizing this approach could help speed up the process with the Install Department Manager and General Contractor. Ensuring that they understand the importance of this process will help many of them see that this is the way the company is going and if they don’t agree then it may be time to leave. As for the labor and product process, we would have to have a plan in place to get centralized Distribution Plan-O-Grams prepared to meet the needs of the stores in the area to guarantee quick access to product to ensure a quick installation process. Ultimately, we need to ensure our distributors can meet the demands we will see since we already have the product within our company. This entire process will involve reworking the way in which we store product and where we keep most of it flowing for each Market. If we determine which areas need which product in bulk then we will be able to relocate the product accordingly. As for the delivery process, we will need to access which one needs centralized delivery from an outside company and those who can maintain an internal team. If it stays internal we will have that process evaluated to determine the best operational process to ensure quality progress.
range from minor issues to major issues involving the struggles between the installation department and the installers themselves.
This could involve lack of communication, improper techniques, and overall customer service
inconsistencies. Each store will vary on how much time they may need in this area but it will Involve a sit down with the Market Installation Manager, General Contractors, and each stores Department Manager of Install. Next they will need to determine the current struggles with the delivery system and determine if the particular stores in a certain market will benefit from a store team or hiring an external company for centralized delivery. This will be based of delivery volume and the availability of hiring drivers. Finally, we will access product needs. Each store will have specific needs in installation. Some will be heavy in flooring and specific types of flooring while others will be big on cabinetry or fashion plumbing with specific products for each area. After determining the needs of each store and market Distribution Centers could be created to hold those specific products in bulk to make the availability process much quicker. Since Lowe’s has the DC capability already they will not need to worry about building facilities so the time line will focus on getting the product into the Distribution Centers. The biggest potential bottle the stores may face is the Department Manager of Install and the General Contractors. Many people get set in their ways and being able to sway them into the big change could proof to be the biggest struggle of the process. One step that could help this is putting the ball in their court, which is implying that we get them to own the process as if it’s their own idea. Also, ensuring that we have a plan in place to strategically address and prep them (Hedges 2015). One way to also encourage this is to focus on Lean Management Processes. Lean Management is the concept of running an organization with the open-minded way of thinking that encourages nonstop improvement through small changes to accomplish an overall goal. The first approach this process that could be used is specifying the value desired by the customers. Making sure that both parties understand that this is what the customer wants and we only exist for our customers. What do our customers want from us? Having them answer this question would be a great way to kick it off. Another important step will be ensuring that they know we don’t expect the start of the program to be perfect. Explaining that issues will happen which will help create opportunities to build off will be beneficial. The last thing we need is for them to dwell on the negative side of the process (Rudy 2014). Utilizing this approach could help speed up the process with the Install Department Manager and General Contractor. Ensuring that they understand the importance of this process will help many of them see that this is the way the company is going and if they don’t agree then it may be time to leave. As for the labor and product process, we would have to have a plan in place to get centralized Distribution Plan-O-Grams prepared to meet the needs of the stores in the area to guarantee quick access to product to ensure a quick installation process. Ultimately, we need to ensure our distributors can meet the demands we will see since we already have the product within our company. This entire process will involve reworking the way in which we store product and where we keep most of it flowing for each Market. If we determine which areas need which product in bulk then we will be able to relocate the product accordingly. As for the delivery process, we will need to access which one needs centralized delivery from an outside company and those who can maintain an internal team. If it stays internal we will have that process evaluated to determine the best operational process to ensure quality progress.