Companies across the globe list Continuous Improvement as one of their main core values. What exactly is it and what’s all the hype?
Continuous Improvement is a framework for business growth and improvement every day. It draws on principles and tools developed over the last century across many disciplines. Businesses using this methodology strive for a culture of teamwork, problem solving, and innovation to create greater value for customers. Methodologies like Lean, Six Sigma, and Operational Excellence are all part of the CI framework. Call it a mindset, a philosophy, or even a set of values, continuous improvement is the drive to get a little better every day. It’s the fire inside pushing you to be better in everything you do. A better person, a better employee, a better teammate, or a better member of your community.
How does Continuous Improvement lead to growth and innovation?
The goal of the CI framework is to make both small incremental improvements every day as well as breakthrough innovations that over time help you to achieve:
- The highest level of quality
- The fastest speed
- Lowest cost
Achieving this state and creating an improvement mindset culture is easier said than done, but luckily the CI framework has many strategies, principles, tools, and best practices to help you do it. In Japanese culture, the English term continuous improvement is associated with the Japanese word “Kaizen”. “Kai” is translated to change, while “Zen” means to make good or make better. You can think of continuous improvement as a means of changing something for good or changing to make it better.
One of the nice things about CI is that it is broadly applicable across many industries, product types, and service types. By placing an emphasis on creating the highest level of quality and value for customers, CI is a key strategy for many business wanting to gain an advantage over their competitors. For individuals well versed in CI principles it is a differentiator on a resume or when looking to advance to leadership. Either way, CI is excellent for both personal growth and business growth.
How do I learn more?
Interested in learning more about CI and process excellence? The Standard Continuous Improvement Certification available at www.ciutraining.com is an excellent place to start. In their courses you can learn the four fundamentals of continuous improvement and more. Click here to register now.