Kaizen And How To Apply The Kaizen Philosophy In The Workplace

What is Kaizen?
 
Kaizen is the philosophy of continuous improvement. Translated from Japanese, the word “Kaizen” translates to “changing something for the better.” With Kaizen, organizations continuously improve standardized processes, equipment, and other daily production procedures by eliminating waste.
 
Successful Kaizen efforts can result in benefits such as increased productivity, improved quality, better safety, lower costs, and improved customer satisfaction. Kaizen can also lead to benefits in a company’s culture, including improved communication among employees, improved morale and employee satisfaction, and an increased sense of ownership in the company among employees.


 
You can practise Kaizen philosophy right in the workplace to eliminate redundant operations, confusing work processes that waste time and reduce work productivity.
 
Small improvements, optimizing efficiency
Kaizen focuses on small improvements, very specific and detailed in people, machines, materials, working methods, etc., which are made continually with the participation of everyone in the company, from management level to employees. All activities in the workplace, when put under the Kaizen perspective, will be incomplete, not absolutely superior and always in need of improvement.
 
In companies that adopt the Kaizen philosophy, employees are encouraged to come up with new ideas on a monthly or weekly basis. Those are not great contributions but small ideas to optimize and streamline daily work; Gathering useful contributions of individuals will create positive changes in business. Kaizen helps you practise the spirit of curiosity and teamwork. At the same time, improving on small things everyday will help us form the "always have a better way" reflex in our thinking.
 
Implementing Kaizen is not difficult
 
Kaizen is a very practical, simple and easy action. But when applying Kaizen in the workplace, some difficulties arise from the thoughts of each person. You will successfully apply 50% of the Kaizen philosophy when you are determined to remove the following mental barriers:
- You are afraid that your ideas are small and insignificant, so you do not dare to propose. Let‘s think that Kaizen originates from small things, every contribution will still be recognized by your line managers
- You think "Kaizen is a factory job". But in fact, wherever there is an activity, it needs  to be improved and optimized to achieve the best results, whether it is a factory, office or in your home
 
Each comment is accepted as a Kaizen idea so that the human relationship in the company becomes more friendly, building a progressive, creative and agreeable team.
 
How to apply Kaizen in  the workplace
 
Before applying Kaizen in the workplace, you need to identify the inconveniences in your own workflow and that of the whole department. To name the problems that hinder work, use the very strict but extremely effective 3M method of the Japanese:

      •   Muri: Realize irrationality, irregularity

After identifying 3M, you can apply the following 4 Kaizen principles to optimize your workflow:

Kaizen is a good opportunity for us to enhance innovation, proactively do the work in our own way, thereby increasing our love for what we are doing. Companies always encourage Kaizen employees as the way to develop their professions and develop themselves. From appreciating individuals’ contributions in a team, it will contribute to building the love and attachment of each employee to the company.

*Source: tulip.co/kilala.vn