Great article Dominic!

Using the Kaizen process is one of the most powerful things that a business can do to eliminate waste and improve processes.  The key is to make sure that all employees understand how the Kaizen process works and to make sure that they (the employess) understand that it is not about people losing their jobs.

I saw this process used a few years ago in a large International packaged goods company and it was amazing to see all the great ideas that were implemented.  Once example was the company was spending tens of thousands of dollars on Point of Sale material for their field sales representatives and through the Kaizen process one of the reps brought up, during a brainstorming session, that as much as 50% of the materials were never getting used and therefore getting thrown out.  As a result, the company put some new forecasting procedures in place and saved literally thousands of dollars.

Oliver Baezner, Certified Business Coach with FocalPoint Coaching Canada

Okotoks, Calgary, Alberta

OliverBaezner.com

Here in the Hub of Universe (Boson, MA for you New Yorkers),  I really think getting the employees  buy-in and then getting them really involved is the key above all else.   Truly involved.    The process will fail if you are only paying lip-service to their ideas.

The best results I've had in the past was when we involved the the entry level positions; payroll processors, accounts payable accountants, and entry level analysts.   You will be amazed at the incredible ideas you can get.

If you're are looking for a fresh perspective on your sales process,  ask your accountant or human resource analyst for ideas.  They look at the process differently than a sales person.  Want to improve your billing process,  ask you sales people and project managers.   They will have more of a the customer's perspective.

This process works.  It's worked for me in the furniture, office supplies, software and educational service industries (to name just a few).  The solutions were different.  The process was different,  but the result were the same.   More revenue, less cost, and more profits and cash flow.

Greg DeSimone

Mansfield, MA

www.gregdesimone.com

Well done Dom!

I come from an automotive background so am quite familliar with the concepts implmentation of Kaizan.  In the early days, it was treated as a cost savings "technique" - which it was - and the results achieved were significant.  The real benefit and beauty of Kaizan comes into being when it becomes a philosophy and a way of business life.  It can change the attitude of employees and have a very positive impact on employees job satisfaction and their impression of the company and management.

My experience has been that when you celebrate peoples contributions to continuous improvement in a public way, they really get excited and it becomes contageous.  Others get turned on to the process of contributing to the "greater good".  It's important that the focus isn't just on purely financial benefits as well - improvements in health and safety, job satisfaction, environmental impacts and general morale boosters like suggestions for social events go a long way as well. 

Employees want to feel appreciated and want to have a positive impact on their other family (the one at work!).  When senior managers make the effort to thank people for their contributions and suggestions - even if they can't be implemented - the positive impact on overall performance and employee satisfaction is huge.

Bill Banner

Hamilton, Ontario

http://billbanner.focalpointcoaching.com