KAIZEN! The KEY to personal and business mastery!
How to become a coach. With Coaching Mentoring Expert JJ Jalopy.
Konnichiwa!
How has your day been?
I’ve had a busy and productive day today.
So I’m treating myself to a glass or four of 2004 Domaine Bunan. French. Very nice. Help yourself.
If you pay attention you might notice its effect on my speech as we progress…
Wow… after writing yesterday about how to write an awesome blog post, I’m feeling the pressure to make this one good! Let’s see how it goes…
A couple of days ago I promised that we’d travel to Japan together to learn about a business development system that we can all use to improve our personal and business lives.
Excited?
You should be!
Now, I make no guarantees of the historical accuracy of what I am about to tell you. I hope you’ll agree that it’s the message and the concepts that are important, not the details. Please let me know if I tell any outrageous lies and I’ll do my best to correct them!
Allow me to take you back in time to Japan following the end of World War II.
It’s a bleak, war-torn country and the economic situation doesn’t look good.
Meet W. Edwards Deming.
He just loves those stats.
He looks quite serious doesn’t he?
That’s because he’s a statistician. You would look like that if you had his job.
Deming was primarily interested in quality control. The U.S. Government sent him over to Japan because they thought he was just the man to help them revive their economic base.
And by all accounts, he developed quite a reputation over there…
Japan’s business leaders and engineers loved him. He trained many of them in the statistical process control techniques that he enjoyed so much. He developed a quality control philosophy and fourteen key principles. He talked about quality a lot.
They loved it.
It was the right message at the right time. Many of the large manufacturers started applying his techniques and experienced massive leaps in efficiency, productivity and quality of output.
The prime minister of Japan, acting on behalf of the emperor, was so impressed that he awarded Deming a dragon! Or something.
NOTE: there may be factual inconsistencies in this tale.
Back in the U.S. in the 1980s, Deming would later be responsible for reviving the Ford Motor Company using the very same techniques.
That’s great, JJ. But was his philosophy? What were those techniques?
I’m glad you asked.
Deming summarized his philosophy as follows:
The key is to practice continual improvement and think of manufacturing as a system, not as bits and pieces.
The concept of constant, never-ending improvement is embodied in the Japanese word Kaizen. You’ll find this word in the obnoxious title of this post. It’s what we’re going to talk about today.
The Kaizen philosophy is all-pervasive. Deming was not simply concerned with the quality and efficiency of the end product. He was concerned with the quality of every single decision and every single process within the organization. And he wanted small improvements in every area every single day.
Nowadays his philosophy and techniques are employed by nearly every Japanese manufacturing firm, and many of the most successful businesses around the world.
I think of Kaizen as a commitment to constant and never-ending improvement in all areas of a business and life.
Kaizen Man!
In the weeks to come, we’re going to apply this concept to your business. I’m going to urge you to regularly review the processes in your business and make small, consistent improvements. We’ll also look at a thing called the Shewhart wheel, which is a great tool to apply to the processes in your small business.
But first, let’s see if we can apply this concept immediately to your life.
Now, using Kaizen in the context of personal development is not a new idea. Tony Robbins writes about it in his book Awaken the Giant Within, and Mark Joyner employs Kaizen as one of the key concepts in his excellent productivity system, Simpleology.
My contribution is that I explain it better! 
The first thing to realize is that massive, instantaneous change is possible. But, it’s also quite unlikely.
A better approach is to commit to making small, but continuous improvements in defined areas of your life every single day…
…and then back that up with regular, scheduled action.
Think about how you could apply this to:
- your relationships
- your health
- your finances
- your wealth.
Remember that Kaizen is a true commitment, not something you do when you feel like it. Be sure to schedule your actions to be sure to follow through.
And know that the goal of Kaizen is not perfection, but never-ending improvement.
Let me know how you get on!
Wow… this wine is really starting to go to my head! I think it’s time for a little nap.
I’ve had a great time talking to you today.
Drop by tomorrow. I’ve got a little treat for you!
JJ Jalopy.
Comment by Sonya Lenzo
15 April 2009
If you love wine, have you tried a Makula? One of my new favorites.
I’m not sure a picture of Demming is too motivating(smile), but I have read his work.I like the idea of trying to be a little better every day because it does not overwhelm.
SunnyMarie
http://www.sunnymarie.wordpress.com
Comment by Christian Haller
16 April 2009
I’ve seen the process of Kaizen in practice with my Japanese clients. It is a thing to behold and hard to explain in a few words. Must more philosophy than pure numbers/statistics but that is most people’s image of Deming.
Applied to our selfs, it can be a powerful tool – if we can identify the right metrics – and I’m sure JJ will help us with that.
Christian Haller
http://www.christianhalleronline.com
Comment by JC MACKENZIE
16 April 2009
Hey JJ,
Remember when they used to laugh at Japanese tourists making their cheap transistor radios and taking pictures of EVERYTHING on their visits to the USA?
Isn’t so funny now. And the guy responsible was Deming.
Great post as usual.
Thanks
JC JC
Comment by Pat Becker
16 April 2009
Great explanation of Kaizen. Rivals the one I had in B school – clarity and brevity, as well as a broad base of application.
-Pat
Business Owners Fast Track to Internet Profits
Comment by Yann Vernier - ProfitsTactics.com
16 April 2009
Dammit, I’m so late there’s no wine left. Is that a bottle of Champagne I see over there?
I think your emphasis on *commitment* is critical. Most people “get” Kaizen – it’s putting it into practice *consitently* they struggle with.
I look forward to reading your next installments on the topic. It’s a key to creating productive habits and achieve business success and a fulfilling life.
All the best,
Yann
Comment by April Braswell
16 April 2009
I LOVE the principle of KAIZEN and Deming’s work. Superb reference choice indeed!
commitment is essential. the consistently, well, the thing is, to keep at it, to right one’s course even after stumbling with inconsistency IS Kaizen commitment. THAT IS part of CONTINUE until FINISH.
All the best,
April Braswell
Online Dating Sites Review, Internet Dating Sites Guide
Comment by mark mallen
16 April 2009
JJ, Thanks for easily explaining Kaizen. I had heard of it but never knew what it was. it is a great philosophy. Mark
Marketingscoops
GlacierIceCream
Comment by Mesha Casper
16 April 2009
You are one of the most entertaining bloggers I really will ever see. Kaizen I will try to use that in my life. You actually make me chuckle like I would when I see a great piece of art. thank you for teaching me in such a fun way.
Reading your blog every evening really makes my night so much better.
genuine thanks,
Mesha
Comment by Darryl Pace
16 April 2009
JJ,
Another jewel of a post. Kaizen is something all interested in excellence should employ. I look forward to tomorrow’s post.
Health, Fitness — Darryl Pace
Comment by Steve Chambers
16 April 2009
I am a huge fan of Deming and use his principles in my daily business life and times. Another great post…you are the Master.
Steve
Comment by Duane Cunningham
16 April 2009
Hey Thw wizard of words
I think I was 18 when I got introduced to Kaizen through the work of the author you mentioned in your post Tony Robbins and it makes enormous sense when you think about it and apply it
Coach John Wooden of NCAA fame as the winningest coach in history used to apply this strategy with all his players as the gradual improvement in each players game made a significant improvement in the teams performance overall!
Great stuff again!
Duane
Learn Winning Persuasion
Techniques that Work Like Magic by Tapping Into the Psychology of
the Mind with Persuasion Expert Duane Cunningham!
Comment by Bob Kaufer
16 April 2009
Having a system and a plan is key to success. Thanks for sharing this information with us all.
Bob Kaufer
Z Health For Life
Comment by John Ho
16 April 2009
JJ,
Another good one from you!
> My contribution is that I explain it better!
Wow, a hard one to beat Mark Joyner as he’s able to express complicated & complex ideas in few words.
You’re doing well, mate!
John Ho
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (WordPress)
Numerology Expert Helps Understanding Personalities for Better Influence & Persuasion (Vox Blog)
Comment by Rob Northrup
16 April 2009
Statistical Quality Control is an area that I have worked in for over twenty years and Deming is one of the great minds of the 20th Century. What he did for the Japanese manufacturing is simply amazing.
Seize the Day,
Rob
Sales Eagles Soar Above the Competition!
Personal Asset Protection For Small Business Owners
Comment by Philip Graves
16 April 2009
Small steps are definitely the way forward – they seem manageable and, if you do them often enough, become a habit.
Tip top advice, as ever!
Philip
Consumer Behaviour Expert
[The Consumer Behaviour Research Resource]
Comment by Pam Schulz
16 April 2009
W. Edwards Deming is my husband, Rod’s, HERO!!! He will LOVE this post!!!
Continuous improvement is the key to it all whether in business or life in general.
Great post!
Pam
Great Minds, Great Wealth: How to Raise your Return, Reduce your Risk, Cut your Cost
Comment by Lisa McLellan
16 April 2009
I had never heard of Kaizen. Thank you for the introduction. There is always something to be learned here at Jalopy Central!
Lisa McLellan, Child Care Expert – Babysitters, Nannies, and Au-pairs
Comment by Don Shepherd
16 April 2009
I have heard of Kaizen, and have read some of Deming.
what i really want to know is where to get…2004 Domaine Bunan. since i got here late it’s all gone.
Don Shepherd
Central Oregon Expert…Oregon or Bust
Comment by Jennifer Battaglino
16 April 2009
Yann said it when he agreed that commitment is crucial for any change to happen.
Why do people come to see me? They want change gosh darnit all! The problem is that wishful thinking and hoping doesn’t get the job done. If it took a while to get here, it’s gonna take a while to get you out…
Jen B
The Harwood Center – Tinnitus, Chronic Illness, Fers, Phobias, and Anxiety
Comment by Lynn Lane
16 April 2009
JJ,
You explain it so well.
Easy at it, 1% per day will move you far in 30, 60, 90 days.
Lynn Lane
http://www.Warriorofsuccess.com
Comment by David Power
20 April 2009
Samll and steady steps are the key!!!
Expert in Medical Hypnosis, Success Thinking and Practical Parenting
David Power’s Hour