Achieve Greater Success with 7 Kaizen Principles for Enhanced Efficiency

Struggling to muster the energy to tackle large tasks is a common challenge. The sheer volume of accumulated responsibilities can be daunting, leading to procrastination and a growing Everest of unresolved obligations.

Modern productivity enhancement methodologies offer various solutions to these challenges, some rooted in Asian philosophical traditions, assimilating the best trends. One such approach is the Japanese concept of Kaizen.

What does this methodology entail, and why is it applicable not only to work but also to personal life? Let's delve into it.

What is Kaizen?

Translated from Japanese, Kaizen means "change for the better." The concept revolves around continuously improving production processes, developing auxiliary business plans to reduce operation time.

Kaizen echoes the widely known theory of "small steps." It involves a continuous process of action without procrastination or excuses. Tasks are not accumulated but rather executed as opportunities arise, albeit not immediately or entirely, but with consistent periodicity.

Schematically, the concept resembles a paper-written plan. Each day, you execute tasks outlined within it. Over time, these operations become habitual and are performed almost automatically. Each new small step contributes to significant outcomes.

History of the Method

Kaizen was invented in post-World War II Japan as a method to increase employee productivity in companies facing economic crises. In 1949, Kaoru Ishikawa, a Japanese scientist and professor at the University of Tokyo, devised a quality management methodology that revolutionized global practices. Toyota was among the first to implement this methodology.

Ishikawa realized that enhancing product demand required optimizing its properties to make them more advantageous than competitors'. He developed a quality control system implemented across all production stages, involving every employee in the company's development process.

Key Principles of Kaizen

The philosophy that later formed the basis of Quality Control (QC) emphasizes lean production, focusing on eliminating processes that lead to losses. Kaizen emphasizes optimizing each employee's work and addressing consumer needs.

To achieve this, a unified and coordinated complex was created, preserving both employee motivation and customer satisfaction. These principles propelled the methodology to the forefront, making it one of the most sought-after.

Customer Focus: Every endeavor should commence with an analysis of customer needs.
Continuous Improvement: The methodology insists on never resting on achieved results.
Teamwork: All employees must work together towards a common goal and be involved in the process.
Supportive Relationships: Every employee is valued and respected within the collective. A friendly work environment ensures smooth organization and enhances productivity.
Personal Discipline and Self-Control: Crucial elements for success in any endeavor. According to the concept, discipline can be cultivated by everyone.
Brainstorming Groups: Enterprises organize groups comprising employees of various levels to exchange ideas and skills.
Delegation of Authority: Each employee improves within their area of expertise and has a designated scope of authority.
Drawbacks of the System

Kaizen, a philosophy of continuous improvement, encourages structured planning, starting new projects with small steps to avoid overload. Such an approach fosters gradual progress and reinforces new skills and work systems. However, for those preferring rapid and radical changes, this method may seem too slow and lacking in ambition.

Cons of Kaizen

Pace of Change: It takes time to see results. Kaizen can slow down the implementation of necessary changes if too much focus is placed on minor improvements.
Inapplicable to Rapidly Developing Economies: There's a risk that emphasis on gradual improvements might detract attention from radical innovations and major breakthroughs.
Human Factor: Negative aspects of employees such as laziness, lack of diligence, or greed often interfere with company processes.
Psychological Aspect of Kaizen

From a psychological standpoint, Kaizen supports the development of patience, discipline, and attention to detail. It teaches to value the process of achieving a goal, not just the goal itself, contributing to emotional well-being and stress reduction.

However, it's crucial not just to implement changes in small steps but also to carry out extensive preventive work with employee anxieties. Simply assigning tasks is insufficient; explanations about upcoming changes should be clear and accessible.

Another critical aspect highlighted in the Kaizen concept is employee motivation. According to the concept, each employee in the company knows precisely the volume of responsibilities assigned to them, the value of their work, and the consequences of non-compliance. Transparent organizational processes make employees more loyal.

Widespread in modern companies, the issue of not informing employees about production processes often arises. As a result, uninformed employees may make mistakes and fail to present themselves in the best light. Many leaders are genuinely intelligent and possess vast knowledge. However, they often fail to realize that information about a company beyond the processes they are responsible for may be uninteresting to ordinary employees.

For instance, a pharmacist may work for 20 years in a pharmacy and not worry about the fate of sales in gross revenue. For a leader, this is a daily report, and when a sales plan is presented, it is necessary to show why it is being done, how it will change the layout of the pharmacy, how the employee's bonus will change for organizing shelves, and so on.

Therefore, involving employees in company affairs at all levels is a significant step. It helps define the employee's role in this process, understand their values, and the company's values. Such a rational and environmentally friendly approach may seem protracted to many, but it yields high results.

Thus, Kaizen is a powerful tool for personal growth and business process improvement. It teaches us that even the smallest steps can lead to significant changes in life and work. This approach can be adapted to various fields of activity and personality types, making it a universal tool for achieving success.