5 Elements of KAIZEN
Successfully practicing Kaizen comes down to cultivating a strong, supportive culture with the following five core elements:
1. Teamwork: Employees work together to achieve the common goal of improved performances and processes. Teamwork is developed within departments, through quality circles, and between levels.
2. Personal Discipline: Self-discipline when it comes to quality and time management is key to the success of Kaizen.
3. Improved Morale: When people are empowered to improve their tasks or job, people are more satisfied with their job and the whole manufacturing process benefits.
4. Quality Circles: Made up of approximately five to seven employees, quality circles allow teams to meet regularly to discuss issues arising in their work processes.
5. Suggestions for Improvement: From human resources and accounting, to manufacturing operations and the shipping department, every employee should be trained to identify wastes or improvements. All suggestions should be considered, and employees should feel comfortable either sharing them or implementing themselves.