What is the difference between Kaizen vs Innovation?

Answer 1

Kaizen - Japanese for "Change for the Better" or "Improvement", in the English language it's commonly translated as "Continual Improvement". Considering continual Improvement/Kaizen versus Innovation, which usually consists of burst of high activity and massive changes in business structure, systems, products and more - which is your chosen way of doing things? While innovation can be a great tool - one that has it's place - continuously using it, will not bring you the business success you desire, because your business will not have the time to mature if you're changing it often and radically. If you're adhering to the concept of Kaizen though, you will make small, continuous improvements - of service, systems, products, etc. Refer back to your business plan to know where you want to be, add the concept of Kaizen to your strategy and track your results. Unless you started out with the 'wrong' plan - Kaizen should get you to where you want to be -without being lost, confused or overwhelmed. Dheeraj Nim Lecturer Indore Institute of Science and Technology dheerajnim@gmail.com