After 10 years of Apollo, Viaposte refreshes its operational excellence programme
Since 2015, the application of good practices across all of our logistics sites is much more than just a resolution! Through our Apollo programme, we make good on all our commitments for operational excellence !
In addition to classic certifications, such as Black and Green Belts, we have developed our own training modules: Executive Blue Belts (EBBs). This internal belt system aims to provide a common foundation for all managers and to create a dynamic of continuous improvement involving every hierarchical level, from operations managers through to business and team managers.
To celebrates 10 years of Apollo, we have refreshed our EBB modules to give them a well-deserved lick of paint!
Let’s hear the testimony of Thierry Duchêne, Operational Excellence Manager, and reflect on the genesis of the Apollo programme and it current developments.
Apollo’s strength: a shared managerial culture
Operational excellence is supported by a structured and structuring dynamic. It targets continuous performance improvements, cost reductions and the service quality due to each customer, while guaranteeing the well-being of employees at the same time.
The stakes are high: Bringing together managers from the four corners of the country around a culture of efficient operational excellence adapted to Viaposte’s activities.
At the origin of the creation of the Apollo programme was Viaposte’s desire for its managers to become drivers of operational change. Today, Apollo goes beyond these expectations, and provides an effective tool for recognizing and making use of value in internal careers.
Operational excellence: the cultural transmission at the heart of the approach
The Apollo programme is based on Lean Management tools and a production management methodology that focuses on the elimination of waste and any tasks with no added value for the customer. This work organization also advocates the highlighting of actions in the field with the main actors: our managers and their teams.
“Our first big victory is the transmission of this culture from our managers to the other members of our teams. When the latter gain skills and responsibilities, they are already aware and familiar with our good practices,” points out Thierry Duchêne.
Therefore, good managerial practices and the culture of progress are today, more than ever, in the DNA of Viaposte’s managers. And this can be seen all the more in the youngest of these managers, and in the creation of a stimulating and formative working environment.
EBB challenges in 2025: more of the same again !
Initially split up into 4 distinct modules, EBB 1, EBB 2, EBB 3 and EBB 4, in order to better target manager training, the certification now brings together levels 1, 2 and 4 and their sub-modules into one module: EBB Basics.
EBB Basic revolves around 4 main components:
- The square zone, and team problem-solving
- Team briefings, to improve the exchange between the manager and his/her teams
- The field tour, to identify potential risks and discuss opportunities for improvement
- Standardization and learning, to put in place standardized and proven teaching methods
In addition, the certification, previously in a single session, has evolved and been replaced by an annual continuous evaluation, for each manager trained. Then, it will just be a matter of making regular assessments of the mastery of key points of managerial dynamics (i.e. the basics), of recognizing strengths, and of making suggestions for improvements.
Altogether, it’s a more flexible approach, better adapted to the daily reality of managers.
And where does 2026 come into all of this ?
Apollo will continue its transformation, carried forward by educational and digital innovation.
With the online launch of Vialearning, our internal digital training offer, we see a great opportunity for strengthening the continuous transmission of our culture of operational excellence. In particular, the e-learning platform will engage managers with the following two goals:
- To regularly review good managerial practices
- To propose additional subjects never before touched upon in EBB training
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