STAX launches Lean implementation and operational transformation services

STAX Inc., Sri Lanka’s premier management consulting firm, introduces Lean implementation and operational transformation services to its regional clientele. 

Through the STAX IDEA framework, regional corporates can work with Stax to lower costs, increase revenue, optimise available resources and assets, and improve their overall corporate image. This is especially useful for firms looking to increase value across all critical stakeholders, and companies looking to steal a glance from global investors.

The STAX IDEA Framework

• Initiate—provide a detailed audit on processes and functions as the first step towards identifying and helping clients hone in on areas that require immediate attention.
• Diagnose—in-depth analysis of baseline data by STAX lean experts to identify root causes of identified problems.
• Establish—providing recommendations to bolster our clients’ strategic journey forward.
• Act—guiding the firm through the implementation phase using world class project management tools and techniques through the STAX Lean Implementation Management Office. STAX ensures all key aspects of project governance is taken care of on behalf of their clients as they start to reap the benefits of this service.

As an additional benefit, STAX is capable and willing to conduct customised Lean Coaching programs to support their clients build a lean culture within their organisation. This is the icing on the cake in the Lean solution portfolio developed by STAX’s in-house Lean experts.

Commenting on why STAX decided to introduce these solutions, STAX Implementation Lead Sayuri Daluwatte had this to say: “Organisations are struggling to run and re-invent in the face of rising operational costs. Many organisations turn to tech solutions to replace inefficiencies which end up failing at large since legacy processes carry so much waste which is not reviewed and streamlined. The result is unhappy customers and unhappy employees.”

“Statistics point at a 70–90% failure rate for lean implementations. Most of them result from tech investments made in the name of lean thinking, where no groundwork has been done. This is an area where STAX hopes to make a difference. Lean solutions have the customer at heart,” said STAX Consultant Shiyamina Chandrakanthan. 

What types of firms really stand to gain from lean practices? STAX Consultant and third member of their Lean practice Kishani Fernando commented: “Lean started in the manufacturing sector and that success spread into the service sector. Now, with the evolution of lean thinking and supporting technological infrastructure, any company from any industry can benefit from adopting lean practices into their organisation.”

The STAX Lean Team

Sayuri Daluwatte: Sayuri leads the Lean Transformation practice at STAX and brings 14+ years of experience in delivering operational excellence and process improvements through the integration of Lean principles in the Banking and Financial Services sector. Sayuri started her career at HSBC, where she rose in the ranks to become a Senior Re-engineering and Production Management Consultant. Her last stint before joining STAX was at the Nations Trust Bank (NTB), where she held the position of Senior Manager—Lean Transformation. Sayuri holds an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University and a Green and Yellow Belt Six Sigma Certification.

Shiyamina Chandrakanthan: Shiyamina is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt Consultant and has over 15 years of experience in process excellence, transformation and client servicing for global clients across the UK, North America and Asia. Prior to joining STAX, Shiyamina was a Deputy Manager at WNS Global Services Ltd. where she led the process excellence and transformation team. She has led Lean Transformation projects for a top 10 Life Insurance firm in the US and is known for leading Lean Six Sigma engagements for the 5th largest UK based insurance company in the world. In Sri Lanka, Shiyamina assisted with the implementation of the first ever Robotics Process Automation (RPA) bot. She holds an MBA from the Australia Institute of Business and completed the Black Belt Certification at Six Sigma Management Institute USA.

Kishani Fernando: Kishani brings 10+ years of experience to Stax working in multinational donor organisations in Sri Lanka and in the Oil and Gas and Aviation industries in the United Arab Emirates. Prior to joining Stax, she worked at Etihad Airways where she was a key member of the IT contracts management team. Here, she worked towards optimising key supply chain functions through careful management and improvement of existing processes. During her tenure at Etihad, she was a key member of the Project Management Office which handled two large IT transformation projects; one known as the “Big Switch” was the most expensive IT transformation project in the history of Aviation at the time. Kishani holds a Bachelor’s in Law with Management from the University of London.