Why Lean is good for brands even though it’s hard

If you work for a big brand, lean principles can be a bit scary. The definitions for product development are fluid from the beginning, meaning you can’t really “sign off” on a detailed spec. Specs and deliverable sign offs are your friends in big co. It’s safe and easy. You list what you need, get sign off from the boss and then build it. It’s the tried and true Waterfall model. The priority, often, is lower risk and job security for you.

But big brands should adopt lean principles and, if you work for a big brand, you should be a lean champion. Here’s why:

• Lean is about building better products for people. You want better products because it makes your job more secure.
• Lean is about minimizing waste and maximizing results from the work you DO. You want that because that’s how you increase job security for yourself. Be productive. Get results. You win. Your company wins.
• Lean is about figuring out, in the most cost effective way possible, how to beat your competitors. That’s what your company wants, right? It’s all just education.

I get it thought. The spec and feature lists may be safer in the short-term. You will probably keep your job. At least as long as you are protected by big co. And big co manages to stay in business. But for you, for the long-term, Lean is your friend.