Upcoming Kaizen Tour Dates
- Jan 15-21, 2012: Kyushu in southern Japan
- Feb 5-11, 2012: Hokkaido in northern Japan (with ski and Snow Festival options) - (filled)
- Apr 15-21, 2012: Tokyo area
LEAN BENCHMARKING TOURS - Experience Best Practice Live !
KAIZEN Kaikaku Tours are an integral part of the services offered by the KAIZEN Institute worldwide. Join participants from around the world on a remarkable tour and experience several world class local based companies. Our KAIZEN Kaikaku Tour partners are successful companies, often honored with awards in their respective sectors. This tour affords a "behind the scenes" view into the production and service segments of our Tour partner's facilities, providing a look at current KAIZEN trends in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere.
The latest developments of the KAIZEN Management System model will be shared and participants will learn Flow Management, Total Productive Maintenance, Quality Control, Service Management, Change Management, KAIZEN Foundation Philosophy and various tools for improvements in your organization.
Our Tour Partners are throughout Japan in Various Sectors
All of our Tour Partners have chosen to implement a KAIZEN Strategy. The site visits and discussions will allow participants to experience KAIZEN improvements and results achieved in the GEMBA, where the real value is added.
After a short introduction from the host site, experience the practical side of KAIZEN – live and in person! Enjoy the chance to network with fellow tour participants, share experiences, and visit with KAIZEN experts during the ride in the tour bus and at the joint dinners. The program is designed to open your eyes, broaden your minds, and deepen perspectives about lean practices.
Supported by our team of consultants and tour coordinators located in Tokyo, our KAIZEN Kaikaku Tours are professional, profound and cost effective.
**Customized Tours available - we will customize and create a tour to meet any sector and operational needs.
Contact for more information:
Tel.: +41 41 725 42 80
Fax: +41 41 725 42 89
Tour Story from a LEAN Expert - Reflections on Japanese Productivity and Efficiency...
Masaaki Imai’s KAIZEN Lean journey started in 1950 at age 26, taking Japanese managers on tours of American plants looking for the secrets of high productivity and efficiency. In 1961, he returned to Japan and became the first corporate headhunter and consultant to major corporations striving for a competitive advantage. Twenty years later, the situation was reversed, with Mr. Imai receiving visitors from all over the world intent on seeking out the secrets of their Japanese trading partners- via KAIZEN Lean Study Tours.
This October I was fortunate enough to attend my second Japanese Study Tour, travelling with a small NZ contingent, to see more of how Japanese companies apply themselves to maximising productivity and efficiency in everything they do.
My overall impression is that the Japanese culture is one with a focus on delivering high quality products and services. I believe that this doctrine probably dates back to ancient times and has been translated into the modern age by companies such as Toyota, Lexus Sony and Panasonic to name but a few.
