Ever been in a doctors office and seen labels on every shelf, surface, drawer, and cupboard for precisely where to put each cotton swab, syringe, and wipe? If so, you are likely in one of the most efficient and effective health offices. Every time I see this prolific use of labeling I ask why it’s there and I get a similar answer every time: speeds up our work, avoids time wasting looking for items, and reduces errors. Having the same layout in every examination room prevents time wasted finding equipment, makes it easy to know when to replenish supplies, and speeds up taking care of patients.
Sound like something your company could benefit from?
Since moving house, I’ve spent the last 90 days with my whole wardrobe in cardboard boxes while waiting for our new wardrobes to arrive. So not knowing where to find my clothes was a huge frustration every morning! Never mind trying to organize laundry each week. I’d walk around in circles trying to find a particular outfit or decide where I could put something away. Finally this weekend with the closets finished I could unpack my clothes and everything now has it’s place! I put away laundry into record time this afternoon and it was a pure delight picking an outfit to wear out to dinner tonight!
Having a system for where to find things isn’t limited to doctors offices and wardrobes…the number one complaint I hear from new hires is “I can’t find anything quickly” Imagine if it was predictable where to find information and everything was labeled?
TeamsSlackZoomTextEmail blended communication doesn’t help either. Knowing where you received information is essential to then try it to retrieve it again at a later date. Your new hires and long serving employees alike need to know where to find the essential information and tools to do their job.
Any one want to borrow my label maker?
Cheers!
Dedicated to growing your business,
Val
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