04/26/2011 by Paul Turcotte “ In essence change is good. Kaizen is a simple method of improvement and awareness. Kaizen evolved as a concept where companies such as Sony, Toyota and others made continuous improvement part of the companies DNA. Their success is legendary. Learn more about Kaizen Improve    with    Kaizen System , How   the   Japanese   “Kaizen”   Method   Can   Change   Your   Life . These same principles can be effectively used by individuals, teams and partnerships in building their real estate practice. The process is quite simple and only requires an understanding that the energy in all that you do is to be captured and improved upon instead of lost and dissipated. As the old Chinese proverb says, a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. In Kaizen it begins with the understanding that continuous improvement conserves energy and increases momentum.

Four step process:

Start: What is the most pressing problem I am having? Define problem area you wish to improve. Choose: What can I do differently to eliminate the problem or reduce its’ impact? Decide on specific changes to be made. Implement: How will I know it’s improved? Make sure you can measure results. Capture: What do I need to do to make this my new standard? Blend into or raise your standard of practice continuously. … Think of the process as a constant and continuous upward spiral. It never stops. The process is forgiving not demanding. You can come in and out of its focus as you wish. There is no consequence to returning to the process should you drift away, only a stronger understanding of the value in its simplicity. Kaizen can be practiced by anyone often in less than ten minutes. It can have a lasting and dramatic effect on how things get done. It centers on personal accountability and honesty. If in a team or partnership, add the expectation that everyone involved will take responsibility for their contributions to help define efficiency and effectiveness. It is awareness that all you do can and should be improved upon, ideally using energy that is already in motion. It is a process of compounding and increasing positive energy. Let kinetics work for you. See your practice as a series of strategies where you test and apply measurable tactics to move you ever faster forward toward your goals and dreams… “ The above is an excerpt of the article at: Improve   with   Kaizen   System , How   the   Japanese “Kaizen” Method Can Change Your Life.

The Japanese word Kaizen means “Continuous Improvement” Kai = Change Zen = Good