Kaizen Kreativity: Practical Excellence in the Everyday

Kaizen Kreativity: Practical Excellence in the Everyday

Written by  Strategy Magazine

Kaizen. It’s what the Japanese use to define "improvement" or a "change for the best.” In business, it’s a system of continuous improvement in any number of areas, to include technology, productivity, culture, and the like. Tom DePaoli, Management Program Director at Marian University in Fond du Lac Wisconsin, and CEO of Apollo Solutions, knows a thing or two about kaizen and its best practices. He found a way to share it in his newly released book, Kaizen Kreativity (Oops!):Don't Be Afraid of Looking Stupid. I'm an Expert at It.

STRATEGY: Tell us in your own words about kaizen.

DEPAOLI: The kaizen concept was originally created as part of the Toyota Production System and it’s still one of the most widely-used programs in the manufacturing industry. However, it works equally well in service industries. Toyota originally created it to reduce waste and production errors. The kaizen concept has now evolved into a continuous improvement tool that looks at all aspects of a work process.

STRATEGY: What motivated you to write the book?

DEPAOLI:I wanted to share my personal experiences with the kaizen technique and my success stories. I wanted to give the readers a clear understanding of what works and what doesn’t work. The kaizen can be a fun and creative way to make progress and I wanted the reader to make it enjoyable for everyone.

STRATEGY: And, who will find the most benefit from reading it?

DEPAOLI: The book is written for anyone interested in process improvement or the kaizen concept. Chapter Two, “How to Read This Book,” guides both the experienced kaizen practitioner and new practitioner in a recommended approach to reading the book and using the kaizen method.

STRATEGY: What exactly happens when a kaizen event occurs?

DEPAOLI: There are over forty actual stories in the book that show which kaizen tool was used and how the tool was successful. A kaizen event requires superb organization and a dedicated team willing to change for the better. Above all, an enthusiastic sponsor is critical for success. Readers learn much more from storytelling.

STRATEGY: What about the name? What made you choose this one in particular?

DEPAOLI: I wanted people to feel comfortable in making mistakes and not to have a fear of looking stupid. We learn the most from our mistakes. I certainly have.

DePaoli explains that readers can expect to learn how to avoid the same mistakes he has made, while increasing the probability of success. “Organization of a kaizen event is critical,” he says. “I hope the book gives readers a structure and the tools for a kaizen event.” You can take the first step toward creating your own with the purchase of DePaoli’s book. To visit his site, where you can learn more and purchase Kaizen Kreativity (Oops!): Don't Be Afraid of Looking Stupid. I'm an Expert at It, click here.

Tom DePaoli

Dr. Tom DePaoli is the Management Program Director at Marian University in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, and the Principal (CEO) of Apollo Solutions (www.apollosolutions.us) which does general business consulting in the supply chain, Lean Six Sigma and human resources areas. Recently he retired from the Navy Reserve after over 30 years of service. In other civilian careers, he was a supply chain and human resources executive with corporate purchasing turnaround experience and Lean Six Sigma deployments. He is the author of: Kaizen Kreativity (Oops!), Common Sense Purchasing,  Common Sense Supply Management and Growing up Italian in the 50s.  His Amazon author’s page is   https://www.amazon.com/author/tomdepaoli