We guide organisations on the road to excellence. We work directly with our clients to create processes that highlight problems while simultaneously training and empowering their teams to solve them. We empower all types of organisations to implement sustainable improvements through our consulting and training, guiding our clients on their KAIZEN™ journey.
Kaizen Institute was founded by the legendary Masaaki Imai in 1985, introducing the KAIZEN™ approach – as practised by Toyota Motor Corporation and numerous Japanese companies – to the wider world. The New Zealand business unit was registered in 1988 when Masaaki Imai and Taiichi Ohno (the mastermind behind the Toyota Production System) visited Fisher & Paykel. During June 2021 Masaaki Imai published his third book on KAIZEN™ at the age of 90! Sensei Imai peacefully passed away during June 2023 at the age of 92, leaving a profound legacy for our consultants and clients in more than 60 countries.
Kaizen Institute New Zealand collaborates globally with more than 500 KAIZEN™ consultants, continuously improving our own products, processes, people, and purpose to benefit our clients. Our team is involved in developing and reviewing the global KAIZEN™ methodology, which we implement in your workplace based on your unique requirements. We don’t ‘copy and paste’ Lean tools; we offer comprehensive consulting and coaching to support you to transform yourself to achieve a true and lasting KAIZEN™ culture where work becomes easier for everyone, everywhere, every day (in Mr Imai’s words).
We regard respect for people as a critical foundation for business excellence and practise it ourselves when working with you.
Our team has decades of experience in applying KAIZEN™ and through owning our own businesses.
Lean Service Delivery Methodologies
We first determine your business’ needs with owners, senior leaders, and/or key influencers in your team using the proven KAIZEN™ methods and tools. A system to manage the programme and the deliverables is set up with your senior leadership team.
Training and coaching of KAIZEN™ leaders at all levels enables the culture of excellence that will sustain your ongoing improvements. Frontline staff are engaged in the application of the relevant KAIZEN™ tools to ensure new, improved behaviours are embedded at all levels.
Value Stream Analysis is done during planning workshops, leading to strategy improvements through prioritised breakthrough projects (also in job-shops), targeting improvements in people (motivation),and processes (quality, lead times, and cost). Waste in the business is identified and systematically reduced through the application of KAIZEN™ methods, tools, and techniques.
Data-driven decision-making (quantitative) is incorporated in the KAIZEN™ methodology. It is also a qualitative approach (focusing on analysing and establishing behaviours, attitudes, and mindsets).
