The Kaizen Revolution

The warehouse industry like many can benefit from the Kaizen revolution that has spread worldwide. It makes sense for managers to find methods to increase efficiency, productivity, and work environment as well as decrease inconsistencies and inefficiencies. The Kaizen method is the process of continuous improvement, which involves every level of worker in your company. Who better to assist with process improvement at the line level then an employee that works in the trenches? Ultimately, the goal is to gather groups of individuals within the organization to study a particular work process or task and determine how to eliminate waste and improve workflow.

Each research group can be of any size and will concentrate on one process at a time. Once the group has come to an agreement as to how to improve the process and standardization of the work process, write the process down, and train employees to follow these same procedures consistently. Begin with employee suggestions to repair anomalies, but do not stop at once or twice. Continue the process of group review, suggestions, and standardization. Eventually, this continuous process will become part of your company culture.

This process can be used for any industry at any time within any part of the organization. Start with one department at a time and learn from each exercise. Track the process and find ways to improve the review process each time.