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Interview with Masaaki Imai

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What’s in this Course

5 Video Modules

In this series of videos, Ron Pereira sits down for more than 40 minutes and talks with Mr. Masaaki Imai who is known the world over as the original “Lean Guru” and the father of Continuous Improvement. Mr. Imai has been a pioneer and leader in spreading the KAIZEN philosophy all over the world.

Mr. Imai’s ground breaking book, “Kaizen: The Key to Japan’s Competitive Success” was an instant global best seller, firmly embedding the word Kaizen in the corporate lexicon. It was the first book (1986) to introduce the ‘LEAN’ philosophy to the world, four years before the book “The Machine That Changed The World: The Story of Lean Production”.

His firsthand account is based on his close associations and travels with such legendary giants as Shoichiro Toyoda and Taichi Ohno and reveals the secrets behind the success of such Japanese companies.

Mr. Imai’s sequel book on this subject “Gemba KAIZEN: A Commonsense, Low-cost Approach to Management” was published in 1997. This book uses relevant case studies to detail 21 practical KAIZEN management practices, including methodologies and tools to be applied where the real action takes place. The result: greater productivity, quality and profits achieved with minimal cost and time.

Videos Included in this Course

Part 1

Mr. Imai explains what he and Toyota founder Sakichi Toyoda have in common as well as how Sakichi Toyoda was an amazing inventor. Mr. Imai also explains his relationship with Sakichi’s son, Kiichiro Toyoda.

Part 2

Mr. Imai explains the importance of going to gemba, or the place the work is done, while also explaining the roots of the Just in Time production system.

Part 3

Mr. Imai explains what his relationship with Mr. Taiichi Ohno was like including how they played golf together on more than one occasion!

Part 4

Mr. Imai continues to discuss Mr. Ohno including a story of Mr. Ohno’s giant cat that he used to carry around his home! Mr. Imai also explains how Toyota was forced to succeed with less resources after the war and how this may have been the true secret to their global success.

Part 5

Mr. Imai explains the mission of the Kaizen Institute while also explaining how Mr. Taiicho Ohno differentiated between knowledge and wisdom.

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The Overview modules for each course are a part of the free Lean Starter Package! Register now »

This course is included in the Complete Lean Package online training subscription. Premium includes 34 DVDs.

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