Kaizen 101 for Small Business Owners
If your business cannot keep up with change, maybe it’s high time to set your eyes East and take wisdom from the Japanese way of life called: KAIZEN. Back in the 80s, many companies from the West are intrigued at how Japanese businesses operate like well-oiled rigs. They soon discover that the driving force behind this success is a practical philosophy that many of us forget.
Kaizen: The Word of Change
Also defined as ‘continuous improvement,’ Kaizen relies on scientific methods that have been used in business, management, manufacturing, and engineering. It is a continuous improvement of standard process and using time efficiently that made workers more productive. How do you apply the same concept to your business?
Learning the Kaizen Ways
Whether you want small tasks achieved on time or maintain a routine, you can achieve success through these 5S:
1. SEIRI – De-clutter
If your work place looks better than a Picasso painting come to life, you need to sort and clear things out. By clearing out the clutter, you lessen the time looking for things you need at work. Whether you run an office at home or not, your work space must be an ideal place that will inspire your mind in growing your business. Make sure your workers share the same values and work on things that you really need.
2. SEITON – Organize
What use is a clutter-free space when you don’t have your priorities set? Get your files organized and allocate a free time converting paper data into digital files. You may also try cloud computing services for backup. Keep in mind that for every goal you want achieved, there is a purpose. How will you achieve your plans? Answer this before assigning your workers a new task.
3. SEISO – Cleanup and Prioritize
Now that you have cleared your thoughts and got a plan in action, you need to polish the steps it will take for you to achieve your goals. This is where you will define your brand values and your business strategies. You will have to define your objectives and make sure that counter measures are in place, if things fail. Awareness is the key here. Communicate your plans well to your workers.
4. SEIKETSU – Standardize
In any endeavor, it is important to set your expectations high. Help your workers become more productive by assigning tasks suitable to their skills and help them improve their work through training. There is no magic formula to success. Thomas Edison encountered a thousand failures before he finally made the light bulb work. Does your plan work? Make changes based on the results you get.
5. SHITSUKE – Discipline
Many business owners make the mistake of passing on the problem. You need to take responsibility and check if metrics are met. A good leader values self discipline above all in the quest for that seamless solution that gave birth to many multi-million dollar industries today. Be a good role model to your workers.
In real life, everything is not picture-perfect. When you conquered a hill, you can take the next step in conquering a mountain. These 5S will help you build a system that will improve performance and productivity among your team of experts. Keep in mind that each step, no matter how small, when done confidently and carefully, will help you move closer to your goals.
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