kaizen
Small steps forward
Kaizen is a Japanese business philosophy emphasizing continuous, incremental improvement.
Rather than dramatic overhauls, kaizen focuses on small daily refinements to processes, efficiency, and quality: The factory adopted kaizen principles to reduce waste.
The concept spread from Japanese manufacturing to become a buzzword in corporate culture and self-improvement contexts, where it often just means steady progress through modest steps.
Making more aerodynamic or efficient
- productivityOutput relative to input
- workflowSequential task progression
- processSteps toward a result
- throughputProcessing rate over time
bottleneck · systematization · standardization · metrics · performance · output · capacity · automation
Enhancement of condition
- enhancementIncrease in quality
- refinementElegance of manner
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- progressMovement toward improvement
optimization · upgrade · development · growth · evolution · maturation · transformation · reform
Without pause or gap
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- iterativeInvolving repeated cycles
- cumulativeIncreasing by successive additions
- steadyFixed, not fluctuating
progressive · sustained · ongoing · persistent · compounding · habit · routine · consistency
Japanese car company
Returned light or thought
- humilityFreedom from arrogance
- curiosityDesire to learn
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
- perseveranceSustained resolve despite obstacles
commitment · adaptability · openness · learning · problem-solving · root-cause · observation · awareness
Organized cooperative unit
- shopfloorIndustrial work area
- frontlineCombat's forward position
- workersPeople doing jobs
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
engagement · collaboration · cross-functional · training · coaching · sensei · mentorship · buy-in
streamlining
Making more aerodynamic or efficient
- productivityOutput relative to input
- workflowSequential task progression
- processSteps toward a result
throughput · bottleneck · systematization · standardization · metrics · performance · output · capacity · automation · time-saving
betterment
Enhancement of condition
- enhancementIncrease in quality
- refinementElegance of manner
- advancementForward movement or promotion
progress · optimization · upgrade · development · growth · evolution · maturation · transformation · reform · elevation
continuous
Without pause or gap
- gradualDeveloping slowly over time
- iterativeInvolving repeated cycles
- cumulativeIncreasing by successive additions
steady · progressive · sustained · ongoing · persistent · compounding · habit · routine · consistency · patience
Toyota
Japanese car company
reflection
Returned light or thought
- humilityFreedom from arrogance
- curiosityDesire to learn
- disciplineTrained self-control or specialty
perseverance · commitment · adaptability · openness · learning · problem-solving · root-cause · observation · awareness · intentionality
team
Organized cooperative unit
empowerment · engagement · collaboration · cross-functional · training · coaching · sensei · mentorship · buy-in · ownership
- Japanese culturesamurai, kabuki, sumo, origami, tea ceremony
- Japanese wordsanime, bento, bonsai, futon, geisha
- efficiencyoptimization, efficient, streamlining, effective, optimize
- improvement methodsgoal setting, time management, meditation, feedback loops, coaching
- Japanese CreationsWalkman, bullet train, Shinkansen, karaoke, instant ramen
- business philosophiescapitalism, free market, lean, agile, Six Sigma
kaizendecline
Decrease or refuse
deterioration · regression · degradation · decay · regress
kaizenradical transformation
Profound fundamental change
revolution · shock therapy · disruption · disruptive innovation · reengineering
kaizencomplacency
Uncritical satisfaction with oneself
stagnation · neglect · inertia · apathy · status quo