Kaizen – Learn about the method and how to apply it

Have you ever had difficulties reaching your goals? Do you know how the Japanese manage it? Have you heard of the Kaizen method? In this article, we will talk a lot about this method and how you can apply it.

Kaizen [改善] is a Japanese philosophy and practice that promises to continuously improve your projects, businesses, and even your health. A method that can be applied in any area of your life or work.

With the kaizen method, you can increase your productivity and reduce the costs of your projects or companies. The word literally means to change for the better or improvement.

How did the kaizen method originate?

It all started during World War II, when Japan was facing various economic problems. With the need to renew the industry, companies began to improve together, thus creating kaizen, which is not just a method but a way of life, philosophy, and culture. One of the key figures was Professor Masaaki Imai.

Kaizen involves exactly all employees of the company, where everything is thought out to improve productivity. Kaizen works broadly to recognize and eliminate any existing waste in the company, prioritizing time as the greatest advantage against competition.

The results of this method are quite visible, as the Japanese went from zero to the third-largest economy in the world. When it comes to organization, productivity, work environment, dedication, and practices, no one surpasses the Japanese.

What is the purpose of Kaizen?

The concept and its origin are quite industrial, but basically, the goal of kaizen is to reduce costs and increase productivity.

This method can also help improve quality, increase customer satisfaction, generate more safety, and reduce waste. Masaaki Imai states that collective work should prevail over individual work, one of the great keys to kaizen.

This method can also help improve quality, increase customer satisfaction, generate more safety, and reduce waste. Masaaki Imai states that collective work should prevail over individual work, one of the great keys to kaizen.

Other benefits include good relationships among employees, better communication, and morale among everyone involved, from clients to employees. The application of the kaizen method can be used not only in companies but in all areas of life. We can see Japan’s progress thanks to the culture of kaizen.

Perhaps if all Brazilians followed the culture of kaizen, the country could be much more advanced in economy, health, safety, education, and morale. This method involves unity and also prioritizing people over oneself. Something that is quite widespread in Japanese culture. Kaizen will improve your life, whether personal, family, social, or work-related.

Principles and concepts of Kaizen

In kaizen, it is always possible to do better. There will always be ways to improve the company or individual. The phrases below represent some thoughts of this philosophy:

• Today better than yesterday, tomorrow better than today!
• Improving doesn’t cost much;
• Changes happen anywhere;
• Be transparent in what you do;
• Pay attention to where things really happen;
• Build quality into the product first;
• Don’t get stuck in the past;
• Don’t be negative;
• Don’t pursue perfection;
• Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today;

These phrases are basic principles that a person should keep in mind when applying kaizen. Various Japanese proverbs and sayings also reflect this culture. Of course, kaizen goes far beyond all this, to the point that there are huge books and complete courses that teach the method. Still, there are many things to discuss, such as the 5s’s.

We also recommend reading:

• How to better manage your time and produce more?
• Japan and the Asian Tigers
• Work in Japanese – Understand the differences and meanings

The 5s’s are concepts that serve as the foundation:

• Seiton: sense of organization of the necessary material for the production of something;
• Shitsuke: refers to discipline, determination, honor, and integrity of character;
• Seiri: concept that implies the distinction between necessary and unnecessary things;
• Seiso: is related to cleanliness;
• Seiketsu: concept related to hygiene;

This subject is so complex and simple at the same time that I don’t even know what to write about. You need to research thoroughly how to apply the method in your life. In summary, the improvement process can work as follows:

1. Identify the opportunity;
2. Analyze the process;
3. Develop an ideal solution;
4. Implement the solution;
5. Study the results;
6. Standardize the solution;