Published on September 13, 2024
Tata Business Excellence Group’s (TBExG’s) Champion Programmes help leaders and managers understand the Tata Business Excellence Model (TBEM) framework within their company's specific context. These programmes aim to achieve business excellence (BE) by enhancing knowledge of BE fundamentals, promoting process-centricity, and developing practical skills related to TBEM.
TBExG recently introduced the enhanced learning agenda for the Business Excellence Champions Programme (BECP) to enable participants to lead meaningful changes using BE and continuous improvement tools. The new learning pedagogy aims to drive operational excellence and foster a culture of continuous improvement within group companies. The learning pedagogy builds on the success and learnings from the past 100+ programmes facilitated since 2017, incorporating a deeper understanding of continuous improvement tools.
A few group companies recently leveraged the Champions programme to accelerate their BE journey over the last few months. A few narratives from these programmes are mentioned below:
The BECP programme in Bigbasket was facilitated on May 15-17, 2024. The purpose of the programme set by the BigBasket leadership team was to develop internal capability and nurture a culture of excellence. A first set of 30 Champions identified across the functions attended the three-day programme. Along with TBEM fundamentals, the facilitator, Dr. Shreyas Srivatsan, Deputy General Manager, TBExG, deliberated on the concepts of process centricity, process variation and fundamentals of change management leveraging HBR case studies. The programmes concluded with participants presenting the identified projects to senior leadership. The projects focused on enhancing customer experience, capacity and operational effectiveness.
We at BigBasket embarked on our Business Excellence journey earlier this year. To this end, we handpicked a core group of 30 members to spearhead our efforts. They underwent the Business Excellence Champions Programme (BECP). We chose five key projects, and the participants were asked to apply the learning from the BECP session. We are reviewing the progress of these projects periodically to raise the bar of our performance standards.
— TK Balakumar, COO - BigBasket
I feel well equipped to apply the principles of SIPOC, ADLI, LeTCI, and the Three Box Strategy at work. While practical experience is still required, I am confident I will learn more as I apply these concepts.
— Participant in BigBasket Programme
On July 17-19, 2024, Tata Teleservices hosted a Business Excellence Champions Programme (BECP) attended by 24 colleagues from functions like Human Resources, Channel Management, Marketing & Sales, Delivery and Operations. Sayantan Roy, General Manager, TBExG, facilitated the Champions programme at Tata Teleservices, which featured an understanding of quality principles and various LEAN improvement tools. Participants identified eight key projects in line with the Tata Teleservices strategy for 2x growth in the Fixed Line business and 10x growth in the Cloud business. They presented project charters, which was reviewed by the leadership team. The session concluded with Vishal Rally, Head - Product Commercial and Marketing, Tata Teleservices, addressing the participants and encouraging them on the journey ahead.
The session was very informative and useful. I would surely like to use it in my operations.
— Participant in Tata Teleservices Programme
In September, the Tata Power Distribution business initiated the Business Excellence journey for the four Tata Power Odisha DISCOMs. TBExG has planned for a BECP programme for each of the DISCOMs, of which two have been facilitated in September, and the remaining will be facilitated in November. These programmes are structured to align with the Total Quality Management journey initiated by the DISCOMs a few months back. The focus areas identified for these programmes include enhancing reliability of power supply, billing efficiency, digital payment and employee engagement, among others.
Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution (TPCODL) hosted the first programme, which was attended by 30 participants and facilitated by Loveleen Mishra, Senior Manager, TBExG and Sayantan. The programme focused on identifying areas for improvement that enable the key strategic initiatives planned until 2027. Apart from TBEM 2.0 principles, the participants went through various management and improvement concepts, various kinds of Wates, 5S, FMEA, RCA, 7 QC tools, Just in Time, Kanban, and Poka-yoke. The programme was addressed by Ajit Maleyvar, BE Head, Tata Power and Bharat Kumar Bhadawat, Chief - Regulatory & Government Affairs from TPCODL.
I appreciate how facilitators tailored the training to our team's specific needs.
— Participant in TPCODL Programme
The programme started off with Praveen Kumar Verma, CEO of Tata Power Western Odisha Distribution (TPWODL), welcoming and addressing the participants. Loveleen and Devraj Chattaraj, General Manager, TBExG, facilitated the next Champions programme for TPWODL in Sambalpur. The team went through process improvements and lean principles and identified projects aligned with the TQM projects already undertaken.
Overall, the TPCODL and TPWODL teams have identified 12 projects that focus on enhancing digital payment, improving the reliability of power supply, improving billing efficiency, improving people engagement, making operations safe and enabling scrap management.
Insightful teaching and innovative ideas have been instrumental in my learning journey.
— Participant in TPWODL Programme
A customised BECP programme designed along with TBExG for Odisha DISCOMs gives exposure to all different sets of employees, blending an understanding of the TBEM model with problem-solving tools for identification of key strategic projects addressing business challenges and aspirations in line with Odisha DISCOMs' mid-term plan detailed out in LAKSHYA-FY27.
— Ajit Maleyvar, Head - Business Excellence, Tata Power
The enhanced BECP learning pedagogy has enabled a significant step forward in the business excellence journey of the group companies. With a focus on identifying and completing projects in these programmes, companies can now include a larger section of the employees to lead and contribute to key improvement projects. The employees have first-hand experience of the problems, challenges, and opportunities for improvement and by involving them, the team can tap into their knowledge, skills, and creativity. The programmes also enhance the participant's ownership, commitment, and solutions skills as they implement the changes and sustain the improvement results.
For more information on the Business Excellence Champions programme, please write to Madhu Chaithanya (mchaithanya@tata.com)