Kaizen - Japanese philosophy of seeking continuous improvement

[Daytodaze]

I'm not super competitive, and i'm not obsessed with perfection... but whenever I embrace a skill, I aim to improve it as much as possible.

One of my good friend's mother is very into Kung Fu and introduced me to the philosphy of Kaizen.

Kaizen (Kahy-zen)
noun1.a business philosophy or system that is based on making positive changes on a regular basis, as to improve
productivity.

2.an approach to one’s personal or social life that focuses on continuous improvement.



I embrace this philosophy for most of the things I feel passionate about. When I became interested in shooting, I made it a point to practice. When I became a cyclist, I embraced conditioning, technical riding, and bicycle mechanics. As a financial advisor, my research is never-ending, and I constantly try to think of new ways to help my clients and better ways to explain my process. When I have time, I use a chemex or a French press to brew my coffee. When I took an interest in cooking (this started in college...it's cheaper to wine and dine them if you're cooking), I tried to become an expert with my knives and with the process. Speaking of colege, I studied economics and mathematics, both of which required regular studying and practice to succeed. When I started playing guitar, I was never satisfied, and always looked to improve my playing -- this kind of made me a commodity on the local music scene. Finally, it seems like wet shaving is another hobby that is calling for some Kaizen.

This website makes me think most of the people here feel the same way as I do. We obsess over technique. We have dialed in a formal process. We constantly look for superior tools and materials to improve our process (think: AD). We consistently turn to each other for advice on improvement.

In a world that is very automated, it's so refreshing to embrace a process that is more enjoyable as you attain more skill through practice.

What do you guys think about wet shaving and the philosophy of Kaizen?

 

[WetWhiskers]

Preach It Brother!

Ww
MSIE From SJSU

 

[ArNav]

Amen.

 

[Black Adder]

Wet shaving? I'm all for it!

Kaizen? Not so much.

I understand your tie-in with wet shaving and continuous improvement through change, but my beef with kaizen springs from my experience with it in the workplace. Many companies are embracing this business philosophy as the ONLY way to improve and stay competitive in today's marketplace. This is okay, but the problem occurs during the interpretation of just what kaizen is and how a manager or business owner sees it. In short, I see the implementation of this philosophy at work resulting in everyone, not just me, doing twice the amount, or more, of work for the same pay. Improvement "ideas" and planning are encouraged, but the plans are always decided by committees, and we all know what problems can result here. Once decided upon, procedures become what is called standard work, an almost inflexible way or method of performing job tasks. In my experience, the whole thing, at least in the workplace, seems rather insect-like and inflexible, and creativity seems to get put on the back burner. I've seen far too many episodes where things "should be working" but they aren't, because in this system, everyone needs to be on the same kaizen bus, and they often are not. Businessmen in America have taken this system and twisted it into something I don't think it was intended to be.

I think I do take a zen-like approach to wet shaving, but kaizen, at least my experience with it, has no place over my bathroom sink.

Don

 

[Seraphim]

Wet shaving? I'm all for it!

Kaizen? Not so much.

I understand your tie-in with wet shaving and continuous improvement through change, but my beef with kaizen springs from my experience with it in the workplace. Many companies are embracing this business philosophy as the ONLY way to improve and stay competitive in today's marketplace. This is okay, but the problem occurs during the interpretation of just what kaizen is and how a manager or business owner sees it. In short, I see the implementation of this philosophy at work resulting in everyone, not just me, doing twice the amount, or more, of work for the same pay. Improvement "ideas" and planning are encouraged, but the plans are always decided by committees, and we all know what problems can result here. Once decided upon, procedures become what is called standard work, an almost inflexible way or method of performing job tasks. In my experience, the whole thing, at least in the workplace, seems rather insect-like and inflexible, and creativity seems to get put on the back burner. I've seen far too many episodes where things "should be working" but they aren't, because in this system, everyone needs to be on the same kaizen bus, and they often are not. Businessmen in America have taken this system and twisted it into something I don't think it was intended to be.

I think I do take a zen-like approach to wet shaving, but kaizen, at least my experience with it, has no place over my bathroom sink.

Don

Were these Japanese companies that you were working for?

The American version of this is basically "doing more with less", which turns out crappy usually.

The Japanese outlook is fundamentally different (I work for Panasonic), it's about making small incremental improvements as you go along, the sum total of which, if all employees do this, is an overall improvement in quality, performance, etc.

 

[Slash McCoy]

Kaizen lacks harmony with the universe and leads to an untranquil spirit that will have difficulty finding unity between soul and task. To set performance standards and then constantly raise them externalizes the focus and creates unsrttlement and inbalance. Serenity comes from acceptance and humility. Besides, my edges are already sharp enough to scare my whiskers right out of their follicles.

 

[ouch]

What do you guys think about wet shaving and the philosophy of Kaizen?

We've been practicing that here for over eight years.

 

[Seraphim]

The OP really needs to get into straight razors.

 

[August West]

Kaizen lacks harmony with the universe and leads to an untranquil spirit that will have difficulty finding unity between soul and task. To set performance standards and then constantly raise them externalizes the focus and creates unsrttlement and inbalance. Serenity comes from acceptance and humility. Besides, my edges are already sharp enough to scare my whiskers right out of their follicles.

+1. Well said. I have heard the Japanese suffer from anxiety related stomach ailments disproportionate to other developed countries. When it comes to wet shaving I am more of a Buddhist Whisker Wacker.

 

[Seraphim]

+1. Well said. I have heard the Japanese suffer from anxiety related stomach ailments disproportionate to other developed countries. When it comes to wet shaving I am more of a Buddhist Whisker Wacker.

Let us then not forget the Japanese idea of Wabi Sabi.





Here is Slash in full Wabi Sabi trance, not letting kaizen get a foothold in his ultra tranquil spirit.

Notice the serenity, the lack of striving for higher standards that can be so troublesome.


And humility? You betcha. Look at that gut. Letting it out for all to see, no false modesty, just 100% pure humility, baby.

 

[August West]

Let us then not forget the Japanese idea of Wabi Sabi.







Here is Slash in full Wabi Sabi trance, not letting kaizen get a foothold in his ultra tranquil spirit.

Notice the serenity, the lack of striving for higher standards that can be so troublesome.


And humility? You betcha. Look at that gut. Letting it out for all to see, no false modesty, just 100% pure humility, baby.

Hilarious retort!

 

[Daytodaze]

Regardless of whether or not Kaizen has a place in the workplace -- and I think we all have experience with well-intentioned management creating big messes -- I like it for my skills and hobbies.

I would also argue that trying to continuously improve a skill can be mentally healthy. I was listening to a Brian Tracey lecture and he made an interesting point that the reason many people feel depressed is because they aren't good at anything. Looking back, many of my peers who seemed dissatisfied overall were letting themselves (body and mind) waste away. In my own life, the times I've felt the worst were times when I was not doing anything meaningful with my time and letting my skills deteriorate.

While I don't think becoming a better shaver is going to cure depression, I think mastering whatever crafts you choose can actually be pretty refreshing.

 

[Daytodaze]

Interesting that you bring up wabi-sabi on this thread, though! Haha

 

[Slash McCoy]

I accept you in peaceful tolerance and understanding. However, my Chi hates you very much.

Let us then not forget the Japanese idea of Wabi

Here is Slash in full Wabi Sabi trance, not letting kaizen get a foothold in his ultra tranquil spirit.

Notice the serenity, the lack of striving for higher standards that can be so troublesome.


And humility? You betcha. Look at that gut. Letting it out for all to see, no false modesty, just 100% pure humility, baby.

 

[August West]

Regardless of whether or not Kaizen has a place in the workplace -- and I think we all have experience with well-intentioned management creating big messes -- I like it for my skills and hobbies.

I would also argue that trying to continuously improve a skill can be mentally healthy. I was listening to a Brian Tracey lecture and he made an interesting point that the reason many people feel depressed is because they aren't good at anything. Looking back, many of my peers who seemed dissatisfied overall were letting themselves (body and mind) waste away. In my own life, the times I've felt the worst were times when I was not doing anything meaningful with my time and letting my skills deteriorate.

While I don't think becoming a better shaver is going to cure depression, I think mastering whatever crafts you choose can actually be pretty refreshing.

There is always a place for the pursuit of excellence in my life.

 

[professorchaos]

There is always a place for the pursuit of excellence in my life.

+1. You either pursue excellence or you stagnate and molder.

 

[Seraphim]

I'm going for the Gold. My pursuit of excelence shall be put off no longer.

My training begins tonight!

 

[Doc4]

They say a shark must keep moving forward, or it dies.

Now, I'm no shark-ologist to say if this is correct, but it's a nice image. Constantly pushing forward, to learn something new, to improve existing knowledge, to wake up every day and wonder "how can I improve today?"

The OP really needs to get into straight razors.

He needs to get into honing. Oil up them coticules and have at 'er!

Let us then not forget the Japanese idea of Wabi Sabi.

Mmm ... I put that on my sushi all the time.

 

[Hunter]

Pushing to improve yourself is a noble goal, but knowing what needs improvement and how to improve is the big thing. I try not to take on anything that would fill my give an *** cup, I keep it empty for a reason.

 

[Black Adder]

Were these Japanese companies that you were working for?

The American version of this is basically "doing more with less", which turns out crappy usually.

The Japanese outlook is fundamentally different (I work for Panasonic), it's about making small incremental improvements as you go along, the sum total of which, if all employees do this, is an overall improvement in quality, performance, etc.

No, they are not.

And I was speaking, specifically, about the American version. To me it's almost like a monster. I've never heard of kaizen unless it's being referenced in the workplace, so it's my only reference point.

The Japanese do things differently. I can't see anyone at our plant willingly doing morning exercises with the shift leader presiding. They seem to me more group oriented, and I sometimes admire that. Some American businesses and businessmen have taken, what can be seen initially as an innovative business plan, and turned it into a sinister and powerful tool to get what they want... enormous profits with no initial investment to get there, especially in regards to the people.

Don