c. Performance Improvement
We make use of “Kaizen” and other continuous
improvement processes. Our Accelerating Organizational
Performance (AOP) teams take a multi-year, strategic
focus, while our Workout Sessions are focused on nearerterm
needs. Furthermore, depending on the problem
or opportunity, we have other methods for developing
strategies for improvement. A product issue or an
opportunity to create a new product that fills a void in
our product portfolio is addressed by our Innovation/
Renovation processes. The responsibility for developing
new products, processes, or other innovations is shared
among Brand Marketing and the Innovation/Renovation
organization that works with other groups in NPPC and
Nestlé. These organizations evaluate and test ideas and
new products/processes. The R&D Network also has its
own goals, Blueprint, metrics and strategies for keeping
the company at the forefront of pet care innovation.
In some cases, the action needed to solve a problem is to
change people or processes. Process changes and
improvements are typically evaluated first by a team
dedicated to this analysis, and then pilot tested to see if
the changes produce positive results. Process changes or
improvements are graded in a three-level system: