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The 5 Mistakes Most Businesses Make When Adopting A Continuous Improvement Program



The term continuous improvement can be extremely distant if not put in a particular setting. Clarified quickly, it is a ceaseless take a stab at flawlessness in all that a company does. In Lean administration, continuous improvement is otherwise called Kaizen.

Kaizen started in Japan not long after the finish of the Second World War. It acquired huge prominence in assembling and got one of the establishments of Toyota's ascent from a little carmaker to the biggest vehicle maker on earth.

With regards to the Lean procedure, continuous improvement looks to improve each cycle in your organization by zeroing in on upgrading the practices that create the most incentive for your client while eliminating however many waste practices as could reasonably be expected.


1- Not investing enough into it

One of the mistakes made by companies within the continuous improvement program is the subject of investment. If any change is to be made for the specified target, the necessary investment should be provided for this change. Otherwise, change is impossible. Don't just consider the investment financially. Commitments for improvement can also be considered as investment.


2- Trying to do too much

Companies that implement the continuous improvement program can observe effective results in a short time. These results excite them and give them the courage to undertake more. However, continuous improvement covers a process in any subject. The process should be evaluated and new improvement targets should be determined accordingly. Starting new improvement studies without adequate observation and detailed evaluation causes project intensity. Project density also causes you to deviate from the target and increase your risk of failure.


3- Not having a plan for maintaining the improvements

Continuous improvement should also ensure that the improved situation remains stable. If you have a plan for improvement, you should also have a plan to stay well. The correct management of the post-improvement process depends on determining the people who are responsible of processes and providing resources for this. Otherwise, the improvement you make will be temporary and will cause you financial losses. More importantly, you may waste your time.


4- Not communicating the need for change

In order to implement the continuous improvement program, it should be agreed that change is needed first. To understand if there is a need for change, what you will do is simple: communication. If there is a disconnection between the strategic and operational aspects of a company, the lack of communication can be mentioned here. An idea for improvement can be identified, but whether this idea is feasible should also be reviewed.


5- Waiting for magic

If you are doing some work to get better, you can expect to be better. But remember that: a single improvement will not make all well. Any improvement you make in the competitive environment is just one step for you. However, you need more than one step to get ahead of your competitors. Whenever you take enough steps to run, then you will do continuous improvement to excellence level.

You can implement the continuous improvement program through the right investment, planning, control, communication and appropriate approach. You should embrace continuous improvement in order not to deprive yourself or your company of improvement. "Why couldn't I think of this before?" don't be afraid to ask, because there is no excellence without questioning.

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