M4E #6: What is Kaizen? A continuous improvement culture

Kaizen can be considered as a philosohpy or culture where continuous improvement achieved through baby steps is encouraged. In this video, Daniel Crawford from Lean Smarts makes us a really good introduction to this concept that can be applied not only in manufacturing but also in everyday life.

Time for Insights

• How would you apply Kaizen in your daily work? Do you think that you have the correct mindset for that at the moment? Remember always the motto “Everyone, every day, everywhere!“

• Don’t criticize other people’s work or complain that something doesn’t work. It’s better to always suggest improvements and provide solutions. This is one of many ways where Kaizen principles can be applied.

• “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.” Quote from Robert D. Maurer, an industrial physicist involved in the creation of optical fiber. What is your opinion? Take into account that both approaches don’t need to be exclusive.