Skills shortages and staff retention are currently top challenges for most UK businesses and especially for manufacturers. A 2024 MAKEUK paper quotes that there are currently 69,000 live vacancies in UK manufacturing. The after-effects of Brexit and the pandemic along with an ageing workforce has resulted in many critical vacant roles taking months to fill. At the same time Industry 4.0, AI and accelerating technology changes mean that a skilled, engaged, and happy workforce is more important than ever. High quality relevant training has a vital role to play.  

Why train with Catalyst? 

Over the years, Catalyst has developed a comprehensive suite of training programmes providing critical skills for industry. We have renewed our family of Quality Tools courses for 2024 and upgraded our Lean Competency System accredited Lean offerings. We have seen that there is constant demand for our British Quality Foundation and Chartered Quality Institute accredited Lean Six Sigma programmes. 

Our courses are designed to equip staff with the practical skills they need to support their personal development and improve their businesses. Our trainers are highly experienced experts in their fields and are also guided by a deep understanding of what is needed to grow a culture of excellence in a business no matter where you are starting from. We have an impressive client list from across the manufacturing sector with fantastic delegate feedback – our average NPS (Net Promoter Score) is over 9.1 on a scale of 10. 

We regularly receive positive feedback from attendees: 

“Kirsty was amazing! Great learning technique and I’m really thinking about continuing with tests and courses, thank you Kirsty” 

–  Simon, Acushnet, Green Belt Training 

“Enjoyed the course. Found it really useful learning new techniques and tools to find a robust solution to a problem” 

 –Janette, The Hut Group, Root Cause Analysis  

As a specialist Continuous Improvement consultancy, we know the additional factors required to make training successful – ensuring buy-in from leaders, and that opportunities to put the new skills into practice are identified and sponsored appropriately, plus providing coaching support to the delegates afterwards – these are just some of the essentials. If you need advice or support in this area, we can help you. 

Course Overviews and Benefits 

We have an extensive course list, suitable for large or medium organisations and SMEs. 

Lean Courses 

Lean Foundations, Lean Practitioner, Advanced Lean Practitioner, Lean Master, Value Stream Mapping 

Eliminate waste and create flow in your processes. These practical courses engage with people whatever their stage on the path towards a Lean culture building confidence, autonomy, pride in achievements and business success. 

Lean Six Sigma 

White, Yellow, Green, Black and Master Black Belts 

Lean Six Sigma is the established data-driven breakthrough problem solving approach. It empowers people at all levels to work together to make a difference, delivering process improvements which impact customer satisfaction and business results. Our training programmes are hands-on, leaving participants eager to get started delivering improvements and further their own development and career satisfaction. 

Quality Tools 

Alongside these core methodologies we identified the need for a new specialised range of courses aimed at promoting excellence within the manufacturing sector. These have been developed and refined and are now offered within our new 2024 ‘Quality Tools’ portfolio: 

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) & Production Part Approval Process (PPAP):

• Ensures the development and delivery of products that meet customer expectations. 

Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA):  

• Aids in identifying potential design failures to enhance product reliability. 

Process FMEA:  

• Focuses on analysing manufacturing processes to mitigate risks before they impact product quality. 

Measurement System Analysis (MSA):  

• Ensures the accuracy and reliability of data used in quality control processes. 

Statistical Process Control (SPC):  

• Employs statistical methods to monitor and control manufacturing processes. 

8 Disciplines (8D) Problem Solving:  

• Provides a structured approach to identify, correct, and eliminate recurring problems. 

Root Cause Analysis (RCA):  

• Equips participants with the skills to determine the root cause of defects and prevent future occurrences. 

The practical benefits of these courses are numerous, empowering participants with the skills to improve process efficiency and product quality while providing opportunities for personal achievement and growth. 

Measurable Benefits 

The landscape of UK manufacturing is evolving rapidly, and success in this demanding environment needs a proactive approach to learning and development. To achieve the twin pillars in our Manufacturing ‘Revival Engine’  (Skills and Retention) how do manufacturers select and deploy the skills most appropriate to achieve success?  

The first step is to talk with Catalyst. 

We will guide leaders and managers to identify the problems and issues, select the most effective skills and the method of delivery to optimise the capability and motivation of your teams. Catalyst Consulting’s proven training courses are the foundations which will help you build this capability. 

By investing in these programs, companies can expect not only to navigate the complexities of today’s market but also to lay the foundation for tomorrow’s innovations through investing in their core asset – their people. 

To discover more please visit these links: 

• Lean more about our Lean training courses
• Read about our BQF certified Lean Six Sigma training
• New for 2024 our Quality Tools portfolio

The post Are Skills and Retention Manufacturing’s Revival Engine? appeared first on Catalyst Consulting.

 How can we encourage our people to take seriously the situations where mistakes have other consequences? Consequences associated with the other letters making up the SQCDP initialism? (Safety, Quality, Cost, Delivery, and People), (or QCDSM, or other variations!)  

 Life Saving Rules for Quality could be used to specify these. Why rules for quality? Why not rules for cost, or delivery for example? Because quality is the best way to reduce cost, improve delivery and satisfy customers.  

 The Life Saving Rules for Quality could include…    

• Understand and champion the interests of customers and stakeholders.     

• Apply the concept of prevention. It typically costs ten times more to correct a problem than prevent it, and one thousand more if the problem escapes to a customer. Use your risk radar – Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is arguably the most powerful tool in the quality toolkit. Proactively identifying and mitigating for risk at the outset of a product or process design is an effective way to achieve Zero Defects. 

• Work collaboratively to design quality into your products and services multifunctional team working is essential. Structured approaches to design such as Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) can be effective to facilitate this. 

• Be “radically transparent” – always share information about failures. FAIL = First Attempt In Learning. 

• Always define quality in measurable terms. If we accept the definition that quality is about meeting requirements, we need to understand exactly what the requirements are in order to establish how well they are being met. 

• Understand your context, but don’t be constrained by or satisfied with “how we’ve always done it.” 

• Define the “current best way” and have everyone follow it (until a better way emerges). Standardisation is one of the best ways to make sure operational processes are reliable and consistent.  

• Understand the relationship between quality costs and the bottom line. Studies have shown that the cost of non-quality is typically 5 – 30% of gross sales.

• Assume the best in people. 

• Make sure your processes are robust. 

• Seek to make advocates of all stakeholders – sell it well so people understand the benefits and their own WIIFM. (What’s In It For Me?) 

What would appear on your list? What’s standing in your way when it comes to realising these rules? Join the discussion!  

Want to learn more about some of the quality disciplines mentioned here? See  Catalyst’s new 2024 ‘Quality Tools’ Services and Training courses. 

You’ll find these and other related pages interesting: 

• Our Quality Tools training programmes
• New for 2024: Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) training course
• Design Failure Modes and Effects Analysis training
• Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis training

The post The Lifesaving Rules for Quality   appeared first on Catalyst Consulting.

Key Points at a Glance

• Growth in UK Manufacturing: Poised for a resurgence with technological and policy-driven advancements.
• Catalyst’s Role: Leveraging deep industry experience to drive innovation and operational excellence.
• 2024 Training Programs: Focused on practical applications for manufacturing sector challenges.
• Commitment to Improvement: Empowering change and continuous improvement in UK manufacturing.

Introduction

As we step into the first quarter of 2024, the landscape of UK manufacturing is witnessing a transformative shift. Recent reports, including a notable article from The Times, paint a picture of an industry on the cusp of resurgence. With manufacturing’s share in the national output poised for growth, there’s a palpable sense of optimism among industry leaders and stakeholders.

The Resurgence of UK Manufacturing

The Times article sheds light on a significant trend: the manufacturing sector, which saw its contribution to the GDP dwindle from 25% in the 1970s to 9.4% last year, is now gearing up for a robust comeback. Industry body MakeUK forecasts a rise to 15% of Britain’s GDP, signalling a new era of growth and innovation. This resurgence is fuelled by a confluence of factors – from a supportive policy environment in Westminster to the burgeoning opportunities in green economy transitions and advancements in AI and machine learning.

Catalyst’s Perspective

At Catalyst Consulting, our team boasts extensive experience across key sectors of British Manufacturing, including Automotive, Aerospace, Pharmaceuticals, Food, and Medical Devices. We are well-versed in the challenges faced by British manufacturers, from navigating global competition from emerging economies with lower production costs, to addressing skilled worker shortages and navigating complex compliance and regulatory landscapes

We recognise that the route to manufacturing excellence lies in harnessing the forefront of innovation and technological advancement, along with the creativity and experience of our workforce to deliver the high quality, reliable products  that your customers demand.

British manufacturers are recognising the importance of harnessing the true power of multi-functional teams to review ways of working, radically shortening new product development lead times with the application of Agile methods. They are building quality into new products from the very beginning with APQP (advanced product quality planning) and the Zero Defects toolkit. They are empowering continuous improvement in shopfloor efficiency through the application of lean thinking which optimises flow and relentlessly eliminates non-value-add operational losses.

Our engagements with industry leaders like Ricoh Europe and CooperVision (winners of the 2023 BQF award for Continuous Improvement) have not only been about implementing Lean Six Sigma principles. They have emphasised the benefits of instilling a culture where change is managed proactively, and problems are seen as opportunities for innovation. Our mission is always to deliver tangible results – whether it is through operational efficiency, quality enhancement, or building a mindset of continuous improvement.

The Road Ahead

The future of UK manufacturing is marked by dynamic change and promising opportunities. Success in this evolving landscape requires more than traditional skills; it necessitates a guiding partner adept in navigating modern industry complexities. Our proficiency in change management and problem-solving, complemented by our results-driven training programs, positions manufacturers to not only adapt but also excel in these changing times.

We know that the true measure of training’s success is its impact on the ground.

In 2024, Catalyst Consulting is proud to unveil our latest suite of new and updated training programs, meticulously tailored for the manufacturing sector. Our offerings range from Lean Foundations and Lean Six Sigma Deployment to Process Excellence, Operational Loss, and Waste Analysis. A highlight is our new suite of Core Quality courses including 8D, Design and Process FMEA, APQP & PPAP, and Root Cause Analysis, designed to enhance building quality into products from the start and support the drive for zero defects.

What sets our training apart is its focus on real-world applications and tangible results. We go beyond theoretical knowledge, emphasizing the translation of learning into actionable outcomes that resonate on the factory floor or production lines, and in strategic decision-making. Our hands-on, engaging approach is crafted to deliver practical skills, directly contributing to measurable improvements and a robust return on investment. This alignment with the actual challenges and opportunities in manufacturing, ensures that our training is not just informative but transformative, equipping professionals to excel in an evolving industrial landscape.

Let’s Go Together

The road ahead for UK manufacturing is filled with potential. At Catalyst Consulting, we eagerly anticipate contributing to this journey, providing insights, training, and services tailored to the sector’s needs. Keep an eye on our upcoming posts for deeper dives into specific themes and success stories, illustrating our role in transforming manufacturing challenges into opportunities for growth and innovation.”

Please share your thoughts on this topic on our social media platforms featuring this post (LinkedIn, Facebook, ‘X’ (Twitter) we would like to hear from you.

If you want to learn more about our 2024 Manufacturing training and services, and how they can assist your business, please visit these links:

https://www.catalystconsulting.co.uk/services/excellence/lean-foundations/

https://www.catalystconsulting.co.uk/services/excellence/lean-six-sigma-deployment/

https://www.catalystconsulting.co.uk/services/excellence/process-excellence/

https://lean-six-sigma.training/core-quality-tools

The post 2024 – The Year We MAKE THINGS Better: A New Chapter in UK Manufacturing appeared first on Catalyst Consulting.

The collaboration between the Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) and Catalyst Consulting is a fine example of collaborative partnership. Our combined effort, the “One IWA Programme,” sought to address the intricate challenges faced by the IWA community, aiming to bring about tangible, lasting change. This initiative has earned a nomination for the Learning in Excellence Awards this September.

The Essence of the One IWA Programme:

The programme was a meticulous endeavour to understand and address the challenges and opportunities faced by the IWA community. Through a series of online workshops, facilitators and experts were united, driven by a shared commitment to bring about meaningful change.

Tangible Benefits:

• Empowerment: Directly uplifting service users through enhanced processes.
• Efficiency: Streamlined operations, allowing the IWA team to focus on what truly matters.
• Collaboration: A team of facilitators emerged, each contributing their unique expertise and passion to the project.

Jo Dowdall’s Perspective:

For Catalyst Consultant Jo, this was an invigorating project. “Every process we refined, every efficiency we introduced, was a step towards a brighter future for the IWA community. Their dedication was a constant source of motivation.”

The IWA Narrative: Beyond the Surface

About IWA:

The Irish Wheelchair Association is more than an organisation; it is a community. Founded on the belief that everyone should be able to live a life of choice and equality, IWA supports over 20,000 members across Ireland. With 2,500 dedicated employees, 57 local community centres, and the backing of 2,000 volunteers, they provide services that empower people with physical disabilities to live independently, while also campaigning for equal rights and opportunities.

Catalyst’s Contribution:

Catalyst Consulting, respected for our expertise in strategic, operational, and assessment consultancy, brought a fresh perspective to the table. Our focus on business transformation, lean thinking, and process management was instrumental in helping IWA reshape its operational landscape. Together, we embarked on a journey to refine processes, foster collaboration, and pave the way for a technologically advanced future.

The Human Element:

Behind the numbers and processes were the stories of individuals. Jo shared the view “It’s a huge privilege to be working with an organisation so dedicated to its purpose. Each minute saved from a process, and each challenge removed from a team member will be turned it into magic”.

The Award Nomination: Insights and Outcomes

The Challenge:

IWA aimed to elevate their community’s experience. They faced fragmented information systems, intricate processes, and the challenge of standardising services across diverse regions.

The Solution:

The One IWA Programme was a transformative journey. It harmonised processes, introduced efficiencies, and ensured alignment with the community’s needs. The programme utilised continuous improvement tools and techniques, including process mapping and process challenge, raising awareness of the need for change within the organisation.

Measurable Outcomes:

• 10 facilitators trained.
• 37 workshops conducted.
• 39 processes meticulously reviewed and documented.
• 298 actionable improvements identified.
• Tangible time savings, bolstered efficiency, and enhanced service quality.

Conclusion:

The One IWA Programme is a testament to the benefits of genuine collaboration. By understanding challenges and opportunities at a grassroots level, fostering open communication, and focusing on tangible outcomes, the partnership between IWA and Catalyst Consulting has brought about real, lasting impact. The lessons learned from this partnership are clear: a deep understanding of challenges, combined with innovative solutions, leads to transformative results. As we anticipate the Learning in Excellence Awards, the programme stands as an example of how dedication and innovation can bring about positive change.

To discover more about the great work of Irish Wheelchair Association please go here:

https://www.iwa.ie/

We are proud to have partnered with IWA on this journey. If you have enjoyed reading this, and would like to learn more about working with us, please contact our CEO James Dwan jmd@catalystconsulting.co.uk for an initial conversation.

To grow yours and/or your organisation’s knowledge in this area, please find info on our Continuous Improvement training courses here https://lean-six-sigma.training/.

The post One IWA Programme: Collaboration, Change, and Real Impact appeared first on Catalyst Consulting.

Jan Otterbach | Vice President | Elavon

We started our journey to improving our ways of working and executing on our strategy better through greater Business Agility 18 months ago. Catalyst have been there for us all the way. It started with laying strong foundations for our launch with just the right coaching and training.

Even more appreciated, however, is the on-going support with coaching that we always get value and practical impulses from – even if it is just a short engagement around a specific topic. You truly embrace that there is no playbook or one right answer. You listen and provide practical pointers and tools that fit the context of our challenges and corporate culture.

James, Tamsin (and rest of the Catalyst team), we would not be where we are without you! Thank you for your support.

The post Elavon Europe Wins Top Award for Business Agility appeared first on Catalyst Consulting.

In Full: In a recent presentation, Matt shared insights into his journey, from working as a postman in the Royal Mail to becoming a distribution manager and now a successful Lean Master. He emphasised the importance of continuous improvement, adaptability, resilience, and inspiring others to embrace this approach to success in any field. Matt’s experiences have taught him that being a leader and earning people’s trust is more important than being a senior-level employee.

One of the key takeaways from Matt’s presentation was the need to tailor continuous improvement to different cultures and generations. It cannot be a “one size fits all” approach and requires a culture that is self-sustaining. Matt’s special tips include inspiring people by loving what you do, making continuous improvement a part of daily work, and creating advocates for continuous improvement. He believes in creating different and exciting learning programs to engage people, exploring unexplored areas and taking risks, and creating a safe space for people to fail and learn from their mistakes.

Matt emphasised the importance of continuous improvement and how it can be applied to any field to achieve success. His experiences have taught him the importance of adaptability, resilience, and creating a culture of self-sustaining continuous improvement. He believes that good management skills are essential to the success of any organization, and that trust is earned and not given.

As a charismatic Lean Master Matt has a track record of success in inspiring, leading, coaching, executing, developing, and sustaining continuous improvement cultures that deliver significant benefits in safety, quality, and cost.  Matt’s passion for continuous improvement is evident in his podcast, “The Ever-So-Lean Podcast” which serves as an ultimate guide to creating a culture of Lean Excellence. Matt shares his expertise and interviews inspiring guests who have embarked on their own development journeys; it is a must-listen for anyone interested in learning about Lean methodology and creating a culture of self-sustaining continuous improvement.

Matt Sims is a content creator and Lean Master with over 15 years of experience in Continuous Improvement. He hosts a podcast called “The Ever-So-Lean Podcast” that aims to inspire business owners and program managers to embrace Continuous Improvement. The Ever So Lean Podcast is Sponsored by Catalyst Consulting.

Discover more from Matt: https://ever-so-lean.podbean.com/

Start your team on their journey to continuous improvement with our LCS accredited Lean training programmes:

https://lean-six-sigma.training/lean-training

https://lean-six-sigma.training/lean-awareness

https://lean-six-sigma.training/lean-practitioner.

The post From Postman to Podcast Master: How Matt Sims Inspires a Culture of Lean Excellence appeared first on Catalyst Consulting.

If you want similar insights, join our LinkedIn group:    https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12784667/

Solving Business Problems with ChatGPT

The full version: [Guess who helped us write this article? – answer at the end^*]

Are you looking for a new tool to help with problem-solving in your business? Look no further than ChatGPT! The Catalyst team recently had the opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of Open AI’s technology for process improvement, at one of our client networking events, and let me tell you, it was a blast!

First off, let me say that this technology is bleeding edge and still being explored by us. We’re always excited to learn more about what it can do, and we’re constantly discovering new applications. That’s why we wanted to do a demo of the technology for you!

In this video presentation, you’ll see first-hand how ChatGPT can be used as a team member to help with process improvement in a fun and interactive way. The presenters will walk you through a pizza simulation case study, demonstrating how ChatGPT can be leveraged to identify and solve complex problems, generate insights, and enhance customer satisfaction. Whether you’re a business professional, a process improvement enthusiast, or just curious about the latest AI technology, this video is sure to provide you with valuable insights and inspiration. So, grab a slice of pizza and join us on this exciting journey of discovery and innovation!

Defining the Problem

The first step in process improvement is to define the problem, and we’ve got plenty of those! We gathered Post-it notes from a training session where we brainstormed issues related to the pizza simulation. We’re treating ChatGPT like a team member because that’s what it is – a language model capable of summarising text and refining its summaries based on feedback. ChatGPT can help speed up the process of analysing data, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do.

We asked ChatGPT to provide an elevator pitch for the project, and it did not disappoint. But of course, we asked it to make the pitch even more exciting, because why settle for anything less? It’s important to note that ChatGPT can make mistakes, and that’s okay. We treat it as a fallible member of the team, just like we would with any other team member. We even compared ChatGPT to a mathematician and a calculator – it’s a powerful tool that can augment human capabilities.

Problem Solving From Data

Our demo then moves on to a bigger part of the problem; we want ChatGPT to analyse the data it has heard so far. As ChatGPT started to analyse the data, it quickly identified the root cause of the problem: issues with sequencing and cooking that led to delayed and unfulfilled orders. Our team was amazed at how quickly ChatGPT was able to identify the issue, but we knew that we needed to validate the results before moving forward. We talked about the importance of testing solutions before implementing them, and how ChatGPT could help in this process.

One of the most exciting aspects of ChatGPT is its ability to analyse feedback and identify areas for continuous improvement. Our team discussed how we could use ChatGPT to monitor progress, identify trends and patterns, and even forecast future problems. We also demonstrated how ChatGPT can be used to help businesses identify potential risks and opportunities in their business models and provide advice on how to address them. ChatGPT can even generate hypotheses and suggest experiments to test them, helping businesses identify potential revenue streams and cost structures.

Problem Solved!

Overall, the team was impressed by the capabilities of ChatGPT and its potential to revolutionise the way we approach problem solving and process improvement. We talked about how ChatGPT can help define a problem, suggest data to collect, analyse data and provide observations and deductions, identify the dominant root cause of a problem, provide advice on implementing changes, and even be used for cutting-edge business experiments. If you are a Lean Six Sigma practitioner you will really appreciate this kind of approach.

In conclusion, ChatGPT is a powerful tool that has the potential to augment human capabilities in a variety of ways. In Catalyst we are continuing to explore its potential and discovering new ways to use it to improve processes and solve problems. We encourage all professionals and those interested in agile, lean six sigma, and business process improvement to watch our presentation video and join us in this exciting journey. We feel it is so important that we are already upgrading our training courses to build the application of AI into our programmes.

Learn More about Business Problem Solving with ChatGPT

If you enjoyed this video and want to learn more about how ChatGPT can help you with problem-solving and process improvement, then join our LinkedIn group. We regularly post updates, case studies, and discussions related to agile, business process improvement, lean six sigma, kaizen, and more. Click the link below to join:

https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12784667/

We also are planning to run a series of one day courses on how technology can enable  process improvement – please email us if you would like more details. info@catalystconsulting.co.uk

Thank you for watching, and we look forward to connecting with you on LinkedIn.

If you are interesting in learning more about any of the topics discussed here then please contact us at www.catalystconsulting.co.uk  or email us on info@catalystconsulting.co.uk .

^*This article was written by Martin Brenig-Jones with a lot of help from ChatGPT. Actually it would be more accurate to say this article was written by ChatGPT and then edited by Martin!

The post Revolutionising Business Process Improvement: Using ChatGPT as Your Secret Weapon appeared first on Catalyst Consulting.

It’s over! In this week’s finale we saw Harpreet get hired as Lord Sugar’s business partner, after a head-to-head between her dessert business ‘Oh So Yum’ and Kathryn’s online pyjama shop ‘Pyjamily’. The two finalists were tasked with developing a brand and ‘hero product’ for their businesses, along with a digital billboard and a TV advert, all with the help of some candidates who’d been fired earlier in the process.

Watching the finalists pick their team members from a very motley crew was excruciating. “Save the best ‘til last” said Harry, who was picked last. Watching Amy and Akeem pretending to be a couple in the Pyjamily advert was even more painful. Unlucky Akeem could not muster enthusiasm for this aspect of the task, despite being urged to “have chemistry” by Harry. Even the couple’s matching pyjamas were no help, and “nothing says loooove like matching pyjamas”.

Let’s look at what we learned from the final episode.

Lessons learned

• Get behind your Project Manager (It’s not always about you)

It was gobsmacking to see team members doing down the efforts of their Project Manager at this stage in the process. Horrible Harry (who we now know got picked last for a reason) likened Kathryn’s logo to the Exorcist. Awful Amy concurred. Even worse, Amy expressed her criticism to Kathryn, which must have affected Kathryn’s confidence in the brand and in the team she’d trusted to help her develop it. “At the end of the day this is Kathryn’s vision, it’s not about us”, said Stephanie, “so I think it’s really important for all of us to just get on board with that”. Well said.

• Establish clear roles and responsibilities

When creating the digital billboard for ‘Oh So Yum’, Navid’s efforts to look longingly at desserts were snubbed and greedy guts Nick stepped in to take the role. “Nick’s going to have to come in and save the day”, said Nick, clearly greedy for limelight as well as dessert. Navid, being a gentle soul, let this go. But there was no such grace on the ‘Pyjamily’ team. Harry and Amy wrestled for control over the production of their pyjama advert, trampling on each other’s’ toes and hindering progress considerably. Establishing and agreeing roles and responsibilities in a project team is essential. Without this, it is really difficult to get anything done – people may not take responsibility for doing what needs to be done at all, or, as we saw in this task, too many people might try to take charge. Successful teams have clearly defined roles and responsibilities.

• Dreams do come true, if you work hard and believe in yourself

“I have dreamed of this moment, and it just completely proves that if you work hard and believe in yourself, dreams do come true” said Harpreet, on being hired by Lord Sugar. She has certainly demonstrated self-belief and hard work.

Management Speak of the Week

“Good luck, and on your way” – Lord Sugar

Thank you The Apprentice for the lessons learned this series, and also for the laughs, the cringes, and some much-needed escapism.

Need some business advice? Contact us to see how we can help

The post Thoughts on The Apprentice 2022, Episode 12: The Final appeared first on Catalyst Consulting.

Claude Littner was back, and in blistering form. His highlights included referring to Kathryn’s business plan as “the rantings of a lunatic”, responding to Stephanie’s plaintive request, “Would I be able to respond to that?” with a cutting “Not necessarily” and terminating Brittany’s interview early because she hadn’t included manufacturing costs in her plan. Each candidate had skeletons in the closet and these were exposed decisively by the interviewers. This was one of the most cringe-worthy episodes yet.

Let’s look at what we learned.

Lessons learned

• Create a compelling USP (and make sure it’s truthful)

A Unique Selling Point (alternatively known as a Unique Selling Proposition) informs potential customers about what makes your product, service or business idea stand out from the crowd. Kathryn’s USP for her pyjama business, “the pyjama’s will be designed solely by myself using my expertise”, was quickly debunked when it was revealed she doesn’t design them. When pushed on the USP for her protein enriched vodka drink Brittany managed, “I do not think it tastes bad enough for not to purchase it” and Harpreet stated her USP is herself (despite it being revealed that she runs her business in partnership with her sister). A good USP should be defensible and demonstrable. It’s a basic.

• Be authentic

Two of the candidates shed a tear during the interview process. In fact, “Bring tissues” almost made it onto this week’s list of lessons learned. It was during a tearful moment that we saw “the real Stephanie” as she talked with Claudine Collins about what her dad’s mentorship and support means to her. Authenticity builds trust and strengthens personal connections. By allowing herself to be vulnerable, for what seemed like the first time in this process, Stephanie demonstrated her loyalty and how much she values mentorship, the traits of a great business partner. It’s a shame that for her, the process has come to an end.

• “A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle”

It was disheartening to see Lord Sugar attempt to pitch the candidates against each other in the final boardroom scene, asking, “Why do you think your business is better than theirs?” and “Do you think you’re a better proposition than these other two?”. Props to Harpreet who complimented Kathryn and Stephanie when answering this (unprofessional) question. A candle doesn’t burn any dimmer because it lights another. The right candidate with a decent business plan doesn’t need to do down the others in order to shine. And the right interviewer wouldn’t force them to do so.

Management Speak of the Week

“I’m not scared of anybody” – Harpreet

Ones to Watch?

Both Kathryn and Harpreet’s business plans were flawed. Lord Sugar has found himself to be stuck between a rock and a hard place, with only one task left to decide the winner.

Next week in the final we’ll see whose business ambitions are on the rocks, and who will emerge boulder.

Need some business advice? Contact us to see how we can help

The post Thoughts on The Apprentice 2022, Episode 11: Interviews appeared first on Catalyst Consulting.

Harpreet reprieved her Gordon Ramsay role by knocking up a tasty salmon and spinach curry. Aaron, who landed the role of PM because he has children (aged 11 and 15) created a Moroccan Medley. Poor Aaron, he might have mushed up a sweet potato or two back in 2011 but he was in no way equipped to create a new dish. On the positive side, at least we now know what beige tastes like – it takes like rice, couscous, lentils, sweet potatoes and butternut squash. We saw plenty of Aaron’s worried face, the toughest client yet (Ocado took no prisoners!) and the shock result of no winner. Neither team secured an order for their baby food.

Let’s look at what we learned.

Lessons learned

• Manage your time

Kathryn and Brittany spent so long creating a frying pan that was also a magnifying glass with a globe in it for their Little Taste Explorers brand that they only had 5 minutes left to design the packaging. “Brittany kept going over the font and I was trying to say let’s move on, but she wanted to get it perfect”, said Kathryn. The font in question? 90s favourite, Comic Sans. Packaging is a huge factor that motivates consumers’ buying choices and creativity can’t be rushed. Kathryn as sub team leader took responsibility for this, as well she should – timing is an essential element of project management.

• Own your mistakes

Described as “the elephant in the room”, the First Time Foodies logo developed by Team Infinity was their undoing. “Your logo reads FIRST TIME DIES”, said the lady from Ocado, “I think you should try to explain to us how you didn’t pick that up”. Burn! “It’s fun and endearing”, said Akeem. “It looks like we want to kill children”, said Harpreet. Having been stung, the team debated whether to raise their error at the next pitch. They decided not to, and in fact Stephanie doubled down in the pitch to Iceland stating how passionate the team were about the brand name and how it “encapsulates the vision that we are trying to create.” Admitting your mistakes shows that you’re aware of them. Ignoring them, when they’re as blatant as this, reduces confidence. There was no coming back from this one for Harpreet and team.

• Know who you’re pitching to

“Michael, Richard, Sanj, good evening”, said Brittany, confidently opening her team’s pitch to the Iceland team. Using the clients’ names – nice touch! “Who’s Michael?” asked Michael, who’s name, as it turned out, is not in fact Michael. “Oh Michael, apologies”, said Brittany. From this bad start, things only got worse when the man who is not Michael had to taste the Moroccan Medley. Both blunders left a bad taste in his mouth. And as dejected team Diverse exited the pitch they accidentally knocked over the easel displaying the poster for their brand. No one picked it up.

Management Speak of the Week

“There are going to be four people in what used to be the Famous Final Five…that’s what you’ve done to me” – Lord Sugar, to the candidates who this week performed so badly, they broke the format of the show.

Ones to Watch?

More a case of who messed up least. Harpreet’s curry was the biggest success this week, but does this make her good business partner for Lord Sugar? Personally I think I’d only be able to work with her in small doses.

It will be an all-female final and we are getting closer to finding our queen. Next week is the big one – Interview week! Can’t wait to find out who will perform under pressure, and see another one bite the dust.

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