5S: Go Team!

Pierre Dolet, our esrtwhile correspondent from a company going "5S," writes again...

So I walk in to work and suddenly the Company has what looks like a softball team walking around the halls and factory floor -

Everybody in the core group that has been studying/ implementing the 5S program - "The 5S Team" - is wearing matching polo shirts and baseball caps. In baby blue.

And they have a cheerleader.

A real, honest-to-goodness cheerleader - roaring with every "success" they have (they haven't told us what they're supposed to be doing, so I can only guess it's a success). They stand in a big room together and chant & clap the 5Ss in unison: "Sort - CLAP! - Set - CLAP! - Shine - CLAP! - YEAH!!!

(I know, only three Ss. I guess that's how far along they've gotten to date.)

The Cube responds...

It's sort of cute, isn't it?, watching them all dress up like Little Leaguers - because, let's be honest, not everyone should be wearing a cap. Ever. The Look of Authority loses some of its power to Impress when the Accounting Manager's ears are sticking out in that dorky kid fashion some people outgrew - and some didn't. Look for the Fashionable Woman Exec in her high heeled pumps, biz dress and 5S Team uniform: that will be one outfielder unhappy with her position.

But, y'know Pierre Dolet, in 5S it's important for everybody to "buy in." And what better way to prove your purchase than to wear the receipt?