Kaizen (Continuous Improvement): Secret behind Japanese Productivity.

This is a great video to watch how Kaizen (continuous improvement) is used to increase productivity. Is this a video that can help you? I think the following quote says it all: “Everything can be improved.” ~Clarence W. Barron. If you want one place to go for lots of continuous improvement information then start here: Need Continuous Improvement Training? Try these resources.

Kaizen is a Japanese term that means “improvement” or “change for the better.” In the business context, it refers to a continuous improvement approach that involves making small, incremental changes to processes and systems in order to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and increase productivity.

The concept of kaizen was first developed in Japan after World War II, and it has since become a key aspect of Japanese business culture. It is based on the idea that small, continuous improvements can lead to significant long-term results, and it emphasizes the importance of involving all employees in the improvement process.

One of the key principles of kaizen is that improvement is an ongoing process, rather than a one-time event. This means that organizations that adopt a kaizen approach are constantly looking for ways to improve and optimize their processes and systems.

Kaizen can be applied to a wide range of business processes and systems, including manufacturing, logistics, and customer service. It is often used in conjunction with other continuous improvement approaches, such as Lean and Six Sigma.

Overall, the concept of kaizen and continuous improvement is a key factor behind the high productivity and efficiency of Japanese businesses. By constantly seeking ways to improve and optimize their processes and systems, these businesses are able to achieve superior performance and achieve a competitive advantage in the market.

Kaizen and Continuous Improvement Quotes

“The most dangerous kind of waste is the waste we do not recognize.” ~Shigeo Shingo
“Practice the philosophy of continuous improvement. Get a little bit better every single day.” ~Brian Tracy
“Kaizen and innovation are the two major strategies people use to create change. Where innovation demands shocking and radical reform, all kaizen asks is that you take small, comfortable steps toward improvement.” ~Robert D. Maurer
“Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.” ~George Bernard Shaw
“…a person and an organization must have goals, take actions to achieve those goals, gather evidence of achievement, study and reflect on the data and from that take actions again. Thus, they are in a continuous feedback spiral toward continuous improvement. This is what ‘Kaizan’ means.” ~W. Edwards Deming
“There are no big problems – there are just a lot of little problems.” ~Henry Ford
“The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.” ~Helmut Schmidt
“Strive for continuous improvement, instead of perfection.” ~Kim Collins
“Make everything as simple as possible, but not simpler.” ~Albert Einstein
“The Kaizen Philosophy assumes that our way of life – be it our working life, our social life, or our home life – deserves to be constantly improved.” ~Masaaki Imai
“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and starting on the first one.” ~Mark Twain