How popular is Kaizen in Japan?
If you take a look at the hierarchy triangle of most Japanese companies, you will notice that gemba is placed at the top-most level, followed by the middle level managers and then there is the CEO of the company. The best example I can state is that of Toyota. Today, when the automotive industry is not doing so well, Toyota is the only company to actually make profits. And I can tell you that Kaizen has played a major hand in its progress. Mr Ohno of Toyota is such a strong believer in Kaizen that people call him Mr Oh No! (laughs). What is the first step that one has to take towards Kaizen? I think Kaizen should be in your thought, word and deed. What needs to be understood is that Kaizen cannot be practised at the manager’s desk. The first step that one has to take is to go and get things done. Managers can begin with starting to clean their own equipment. You cannot know anything unless you get involved in the actual work at the lowest level. You would be amazed by the number of dis
