Four Principles and IKEA Saudi Arabia have announced the launch of a new collaboration to enhance customer service delivery quality in IKEA stores across the country. The project focuses on enabling and empowering IKEA staff with the cohesive deployment of proven Lean Management principles and tools to better serve customer needs, shopping experience and improve business efficiency. This project includes instructing staff teams in how to self-improve processes further themselves in the true spirit of "Kaizen" (or continuous improvement). This initiative is part of IKEA Saudi Arabia's drive to both consolidate its leadership position regionally and also become a beacon for customer service improvement globally within the IKEA family. Using Lean Management implementation best practice, Four Principles will offer advisory, training and implementation services based on the Japanese ‘Kaizen' philosophy. This continuous improvement mindset approach was first pioneered by the global automotive manufacturer, Toyota Motor Corporation since becoming widely accepted as the global benchmark for operational efficiency. ‘Kaizen' has been adopted across many industries, boosting economic performance, eliminating waste and maximizing the efficient utilization of resources. CEO of IKEA Saudi Arabia, Saud Al Sulaiman said: "Our vision is to transform IKEA through empowerment of our staff teams. This is our continuous journey to both delight and win the heart of our customers by exceeding their expectations for what makes a pleasurable shopping experience." Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Four Principles, Seif Shieshakly, said: "We see IKEA Saudi Arabia as innovative leaders not only in retail but also in investing in their employees which is at the heart of ‘Lean'. We at Four Principles are proud to be supporting this investment in their employees that will reap rewards in their ability to serve customers better." IKEA is a leading global home furnishing retail company, established in 1943, in Älmhult, Sweden with a presence in more than 40 markets worldwide. It has been operating in Saudi Arabia since 1983, through a franchise agreement with Ghassan Al Sulaiman Furniture Trading Co. Ltd. IKEA Saudi Arabia currently operates stores in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and has a bold expansion plan to serve many more of the many people in the region through stores as well as digital channels. Aligned to Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 objective to boost efficiency in both the public and private sectors, Four Principles aims to support organizations across multiple industries through implementing continuous improvement projects that enhance overall performance, reduce waste, increase efficiency and drive sustainability. — SG
