| Not all preliminary steps are counteractions. | | | | you'd open the box to find 400 pieces. Now, you might |
| Sometimes, a preliminary action is necessary to | | | | find six pieces that you snap together. The |
| improve efficiency and make things easier for the | | | | manufactures have simplified the process by doing |
| consumer or user. | | | | work ahead of time and assembling pieces to make |
| Preliminary Action is typically applied as follows: | | | | the customer's task easier. |
| 1. Perform, before it is needed, the required change of | | | | Anyone with a large set of tools in their garage can |
| an object (either fully or partially).a. i.e. Sterilizing surgical | | | | relate to the next example. Shadow boards are used |
| instruments on a sealed tray prior to the procedure | | | | to organize tools and keep order in the workspace. On |
| 2. Pre-arrange objects such that they can come into | | | | a shadow board, the outline of the tool is painted on |
| action from the most convenient place and without | | | | the board. When you finish working with the tool, all |
| losing time for their deliverya. i.e. A flexible | | | | you have to do is look for the shape on the board and |
| manufacturing cell | | | | you'll know exactly where the object belongs. |
| Simplify the Customer's Role | | | | Market research is another example of preliminary |
| Perforated stamps are a preliminary action. The | | | | action. Marketers do their homework and learn about |
| stamps must be separated before they can be used, | | | | their customer base before launching an expensive |
| and so the process is performed prior to purchase. | | | | marketing or advertising campaign. |
| Pre-paid return labels are another excellent example of | | | | Finally, a food preparation chain known in Utah as "My |
| preliminary action. The return rate for women's apparel | | | | Girlfriend's Kitchen," (the same business model goes by |
| purchased online is almost 30%. With those odds, | | | | different names in different states) has simplified meal |
| online clothing retailers know that the merchandise is | | | | preparation for busy families. When you visit the store, |
| quite likely to come back. Pre-paid return labels | | | | you select a number of recipes that you would like to |
| remove a necessary step from the return process | | | | prepare. All of the food is pre-chopped, laid out, and |
| before the action is even required. Companies that do | | | | ready to go. The customer simply selects their desired |
| not include pre-paid return labels with the clothes are | | | | meals, quickly assembles the ingredients, and takes the |
| likely to struggle because the return process is | | | | finished product home. The meals can then be frozen |
| intimidating and confusing to consumers. Pre-paid return | | | | until needed. This chain makes answering the question, |
| labels simplify the customer's job - and happy | | | | "What's for dinner?" a cinch. |
| customers are more likely to be repeat customers. | | | | What can you do to simplify your product or process |
| Another application of preliminary action is the | | | | for customers? Can you take preliminary action to |
| assembly of pieces by manufacturers. In the past, if | | | | improve efficiency? |
| you purchased a barbecue grill that required assembly, | | | | |