Kaizen Forever: Teachings of Chihiro Nakao

Kaizen Forever is a wonderful book that starts to get you to ask the right questions. If you can unlock even a fraction of the wisdom in this book, then it is worth at least 1,000x the cost.Maybe this book won’t be good for a left hemisphere dominated westerner looking for a magic bullet that doesn’t exist. However, for those who will open their mind and take action, the value will be extensive.Others complain about the length and the lack of answers. Yet they miss the depth and the critical importance of asking good questions and thinking for yourself. Besides, remember how you felt the last time you read a book that was 400 pages when it should have been 180!

Having participated as a team member, led (been a team leader), and hosted (run 3 at once) Shingijutsu-Kaizen, I can say this book is true to their method. After reading the book twice, and taking copious notes (the equivalent of 4 A4-sized pages using 10-point font), I below highlight some potential pro and con of this particular text as I see it today. For your consideration:Pro:+ Use of the "No Good" concept for stimulating creativity/breaking paradigms is a best practice you should consider adopting+ Promotion of learn by doing also a personal favorite+ Some clever definitions via quote/phrase/simple observation - which I think many will find thought-provoking+ Emphasis on respect for people (several places) are very helpful for quoting/reference and I will use often+ Excellent summary for instructor-led kaizen process in Chapter 10. Short and to the point - enough to do it correctly+ Contains a simple beauty and power I cannot seem to describe. Post a reply if you can... I would like to hear your thoughts on this topic.Con:- Majority of this book contains listings of lesson topics to try, discuss, or reflect upon during kaizen, hansei, or kata. In some ways this is a pro, in some ways a con. However, after much thought, I list this as a con because given the vehicle delivery (text) it is unlikely the wisdom herein will be squeezed out wiithout some additional force (a casual reader will not have an adequate vehicle). I think a chapter on establishing/promotion of a regimen to stimulate digestion of this large "meal" into small "bites" would be very helpful.- There is a void on management engagement. I am unsure how to go about scolding my COO, VPs, or anyone else for that matter to create the dire circumstances that in turn force people to be more creative. I need help understanding how I can do this and remain employed, or at least not be hated and thus shunned.- I'd prefer a hard cover. I get this is a raft of sorts - good to get me so far, then I will outgrow it and leave it behind - but still, hardcover is more enduring.Neutral:> The author suggests we write in the book - take notes and reflect on what we learned. I just cannot bring myself to do this. However, I did take notes, lots of them, and then re-wrote them to help commit them to memory and challenge myself - did I really get the message?> Selfishly, this is short and I would enjoy more content. However, learning by doing is best so do not let this dissuade you from reading this book.Bottom line: This book is recommended. There is much goodness within it's pages and already have quoted the book several times. It is my hope you buy it and use it to help others. Disclaimer: I read many of Bob's posts and like them very much. These are also recommended.

Just finished reading (several times) the book and the first thing that stroke me is the incredible amount of wisdom concentrated in 98 pages…. The second thing was – although the subtitle is Kaizen for the next generation – even the older generations have a lot to learn from it. Just an example: when Nakao-san says “Master the basics” doesn't it trigger the automatic question: “What are the basics?” Now try to find that answer from the ocean of Lean literature out there. The pertinence of each of the phrases cited in this book is backed by the fact that it comes from the one that actively participated in one of the most successful Lean transformations to date.

I have had the privilege of working with Sensei Nakao for the better part of the last 16 years. Reading this book is like reviewing my own notes. It is Sensei in his truest form. I will read and reread this book many times.Thank you Sensei -

Awesome book. The teaching of Sensei Nakao is simple and applies to every aspect of the business. I worked with Toyota of today and He has in the past and the concept, principles and belief is still the same ....incredible...must read

This is an excellent book to learn about the philosophy behind kaizen, which unfortunately many lean practitioners do not understand. When you have participated in many kaizens and are ready to admit you don’t know what kaizen really is, it’s time to get this book for the first - of many - reads.And don’t plow through it to get to your next book. Read, stop, reflect, read more, stop, reflect, etc. Think about the quotes as you participate in kaizen activity.

Easy read and informative. Refer to it occasionally to remind myself of the basics that can easily be forgotten

Awesome insights from the best sensei alive today.

Gostei, um livro muito legal,

I worked with yashino and his teaching are same in this book

Anche se il libro è scritto in modo semplice, i termini e i concetti di base devono essere ragionati e compresi.

...sollte man umsetzen...

If you already know something of lean theory this little book of gems will act as a good catalyst for further thought. I would no t recommend it if you are just starting out as some concepts are not fully explained.