Kaizen is easier said than done

Lean Management

Munich (si) - kaizen, the production philosophy of the world's most successful car manufacturer Toyota, has more than 20 years, also known in Europe. But despite the great success of the Japanese pioneer, many companies do that are difficult to follow this example. This was demonstrated at the second Annual Meeting held in Munich, Kaizen, Kaizen Institute and the Management Circle.

"Kaizen is the challenge every day to improve something," said Masaaki Imai, Founder of the Kaizen Institute. Image: Itasse

"Meets the definition of kaizen continuous improvement as I do not anymore," said Masaaki Imai, Founder and Chairman of the Kaizen Institute, in his keynote address at the meeting. Time has shown that in his view, the view of kaizen as a daily improvement, improvement by anyone, anywhere, and the progress of small changes to dramatic changes throughout the company.

The starting point of all improvements through lean management is to view Imais 5S. The changes thus initiated, however, would be continued every day. "It is easy to talk about kaizen, but difficult to execute," continued Imai, "Kaizen is the challenge every day to improve something." Every employee must contribute, through to top management. This is the most important requirement: Kaizen to understand as a company-wide strategy by CEOs up to the part-time employees.