Lean structures – or the English term ‘Lean Management’ – is a corporate philosophy that has become indispensable in today’s business world. According to a model developed by the London School of Economics, the following methods in particular form the basis of its definition:
- Increasing efficiency by eliminating waste
- Process optimisation in line with customer requirements
- Reducing costs and lead times
- Establishing a culture of continuous improvement
- Improving the quality of services and products
- Harnessing staff potential through dialogue and the exchange of creative ideas
Business centres offer the ideal conditions for meeting these requirements. Dr André Helf, CEO of the Collection Group, is familiar with the research findings of renowned international elite universities and works tirelessly to optimise the Collection Group’s business centres to meet clients’ needs: “Our offerings are revolutionary compared to traditional office and conference venues. We provide our clients with exactly the space they need and can account for within their business plans’ budgets. There is no more efficient use of space or better way to avoid waste. Especially as the tenancy agreements do not include any unnecessary minimum tenancy periods – if customers do not use offices or meeting rooms, they do not have to pay for them. We do not have long-term tenancy agreements, which are a millstone around the neck of many companies.”
Dr Helf knows that process improvements also have a lot to do with raising staff awareness: “Communication lines are short in the business centre. Nothing is hidden away here; people talk to one another – the exchange of creative ideas is important and is strongly encouraged, not least through co-working elements such as shared spaces or meeting places. These include break rooms, lounges and coffee bars. And this results in a very modern approach to maintaining process quality. We’re seeing that today, almost every department within a company is involved in improving processes and cost efficiency – almost all staff share responsibility. Linked to this is the development of internal skills models – and with it a level of motivation that didn’t exist in the past.”
Business centres thus provide the ideal conditions for increasing value creation: higher productivity on the one hand, and enormous potential for cost savings on the other, coupled with sustainable human resources management. “Lean structures: this is a key to success in many companies,” says Dr Helf, “which is why it is, of course, a particular priority for us to create the best possible conditions for our clients to achieve this.”