The concept of KAIZEN®* is based on ideas developed by Japanese industries, which date back to the 1950s. This system for optimizing production melds together ideas from both Eastern and Western cultures, and embraces the philosophy of implementing common sense, low-cost forms of improvement. It takes into consideration all members and facets of a company, and how each plays its part in reaching Total Quality Control.
While breakthrough ideas are based on rapid change and the development of new systems, KAIZEN principles are geared toward recognizing what resources you have at hand, and making better use of them. The KAIZEN process is soft and gradual, and a team or support group evaluates each level of change step-by-step.
According to Masaaki Imai, Founder and Chairman of KAIZEN® Institute, you should regard how you currently do your job as the worst way to do it, and seek to make gradual and consistent improvement. "In order to improve you must first perceive the need for change, and then recognize the problems and work to solve them," Imai states.
Rate your current activities on a scale of one to ten (ten being best), and determine what goals you should set to improve your current system. Circle the number that best applies for each category listed below.
Setting Priorities
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Being Organized
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Ability to Focus
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Commitment to Goals
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Follow up on Prospects
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Follow up on Clients
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Asking for Referrals
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Developing Referral Partners
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
WOWing Clients
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Review your notes, and decide which areas could use the most improvement. How does this affect your company's production overall?
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