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KAIZEN
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KAIZEN is a Japanese word meaning gradual and orderly,
continuous improvement. The KAIZEN business strategy
involves everyone in an organization working together to
make improvements 'without large capital investments'. |
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KAIZEN is a culture of sustained continuous improvement
focusing on eliminating waste in all systems and processes
of an organization. The KAIZEN strategy begins and ends with
people. With KAIZEN, an involved leadership guides people to
continuously improve their ability to meet expectations of
high quality, low cost, and on-time delivery. KAIZEN
transforms companies into 'Superior Global Competitors'. |
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Two Elements of KAIZEN
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There are two elements that construct KAIZEN, improvement /
change for the better and ongoing / continuity. Lacking one
of those elements would not be considered KAIZEN. For
instance, the expression of "business as usual" contains the
element of continuity without improvement. On the other
hand, the expression of "breakthrough" contains the element
of change or improvement without continuity. KAIZEN should
contain both elements. |
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BASIC TIPS FOR KAIZEN ACTIVITIES
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a) Discard conventional fixed ideas. |
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b) Think of how to do it, not why it cannot be done. |
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c) Do not make excuses. Start by questioning current
practices. |
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d) Do not seek perfection. Do it right away even if for only
50% of target. |
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e) Correct it right away, if you make mistake. |
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f) Do not spend money for KAIZEN, use your wisdom. |
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g) Wisdom is brought out when faced with hardship. |
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h) Ask 'WHY?" five times and seek root causes. |
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i) Seek the wisdom of ten people rather than the knowledge
of one. |
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KAIZEN ideas are infinite.
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