The North East Lean Network is a voluntary committee of business leaders, consultants and state agencies across Louth, Meath, Cavan and Monaghan and they have an ambitious plan for the year ahead. 

Lean is a business process that helps business to be more effective and efficient. The process helps business to do things quicker, better and cheaper. It aims to stamp out waste and drive continuous improvement. 

Local businesses report savings of €25,000 upwards on company projects by using the Lean process in their operations. It is suitable for all types of businesses and all the Local Enterprise Offices have a Lean programme that businesses can access. 

Last year the Network conducted an extensive survey of companies in the North East. The findings of the study were presented at the most recent Committee meeting and outlined ways that employees of local companies wanted to learn about Lean and to network and learn from each other. 

As a result, the Committee have announced a Lean Six Sigma NFQ Level 7 starting in DkIT as well as Monaghan and Cavan. The next course will start this month and applications are now opening. The course will run for 12 weeks, one evening a week. It is really interactive and practical with active learning, group activities and discussions. 

For more details and to register, visit www.dkit.ie and search “Lean Six Sigma”.  

The North East Lean Network are planning a selection of courses and events throughout the year. These include online webinars in January and February, a conference in March as part of Local Enterprise Week and site visits throughout the year where companies invite network members to visit and learn from them. 

The first webinar takes place on Thursday, 27^th January from 2.00-3.00pm. Attendance is free but pre-registration is essential. To find out more, search for and join the North East Lean Network on LinkedIn.

This is a great opportunity to learn more about Lean and to learn about improving productivity and efficiency from other companies. Find North East Lean Network on LinkedIn to get involved.