Miss P , I have taken some time now to compile this blog . My visit to Ethiopia along with a delegation from the Zambian government comprising of officials from the Government , representatives of JICA and representation from the private sector . As indicated earlier the visit was wonderful , useful and very informative and am giving a summary of the same .
The visit comprised of 3 stages , first a lecture series by Mr.Getaun Tadesse , Director General of the Ethiopia Kaizen Institute (EKI) , second , visits to Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Foreign affairs and third , visits to Industry .
ETHIOPIA KAIZEN INSTITUTE (EKI) :
The DG of EKI explained how Ethiopia kickstarted the Kaizen revolution and have adopted and customised the Kaizen models of Japan and Singapore to create the Third generation Kaizen revolution in Ethiopia .
EKI has more than 140 trainers who go around visiting Industry and training the trainers and the employees in these companies who have shown interest . He also explained how the Kaizen movement is Government driven and through KAIZEN IMPLEMENTATION how the Ethiopian Industry has saved more than 4 million bir ( $1 = 20bir app) .
EKI is setting up itself as a role model in Africa and is keen to guide other African countries on the journey of Kaizen
The Zambian delegation visited the Hon. Ministers for Industry and at Foreign affairs . The commitment and a single voice in which the Ministers and the Directors of various departments spoke was highly commendable .
What was interesting and common in the view points by the Ethiopian team was that , they never mentioned availability of Funds as a first gap or need that hinders their growth .
ALL OF THEM COMMONLY GAVE THEIR VOICE TO MENTION THAT THERE WAS A DIRE NEED TO CHANGE THEIR ATTITUDE IF THEY WERE TO TAKE ETHIOPIA TO THE HEIGHTS WHERE JAPAN AND SINGAPORE HAVE REACHED .
THEY EXPRESSED THAT KAIZEN SHALL BE TAUGHT RIGHT FROM SCHOOL SO THAT THE YOUNGER GENERATION PRACTICE EXCELLENCE BY THE TIME THEY COME TO INDUSTRY .
VISITS TO INDUSTRY :
AP PHARMACEUTICALS :
The company has been implementing Kaizen for the past 3 years and has achieved tremendous improvements in work place culture , change in attitude from all levels of staff . The GM of the company explained that all the staff are members of KAIZEN PROMOTIONAL TEAM (KPT) and take part in various Kaizen practices right from 5S practices to process improvements .
He also explained how suggestions from the workers have made them implement Kaizen improvements and how the company was able to save money through the interventions .
The company exports Leather shoes to European countries and need to adhere to stringent norms of the EU .
Peacock Shoes has been implementing Kaizen for the past two years and has seen tremendous changes in the attitude of the staff .
They are also very happy to note the appreciations and astonishment of their customers when they visit their factory and see a complete change in the ambience and attitude of the staff . THANKS TO KAIZEN .
The company has 41 KPT's ( Kaizen Promotion Team ) and are involved in various Kaizen activities . Due to the implementation of Kaizen , the company has achieved reduction in maintenance time , increased productivity , higher staff morale and sense of belongingness .
The Company prides itself to mention that ALL THESE IMPROVEMENTS WERE DONE WITHOUT INCREASING OVERHEADS OR UNNECESSARY EXPENDITURE .
KAFETEGNA VOCATIONAL TRAINING CENTRE:
Of all the Gemba visits carried out , what impressed the Zambian delegation were the KAIZEN practices at this vocational training centre .
As one would be aware there is generally a dearth of funding available to vocational centres and the Kafetegna vocational centre is no exception .
But right across the hierarchy of the school , everyone is passionate in implementing Kaizen . The Zambian team was moved when they explained how they disposed off the waste ( MUDA) in form of old furniture , tools , tackles etc... and with the money they got from the scrap sales , they purchased NEW Sewing machines for the training centre .
All the workshops were painted and 5S is being carried out and one cannot forget the bright and smiling faces of the supervisors when they showed around their workshop areas .
I am sure each and every Educational institution in Zambia can start working on these lines and implement Kaizen to transform themselves completely .
IT IS TIME WE ALL STARTED THINKING BEYOND WHAT WE ARE NOW , AND CHART A LARGER FUTURE FOR THE NEXT ZAMBIA , OUR CHILDREN AND THEIRS , SO THAT WE PUT ZAMBIA ON THE GLOBAL MAP FOR ITS EXCELLENCE .
I am asking all our readers to contribute their opinion and comments to this blog .
Be blogging you next week , bye ....
Miss P was very moved after reading this blog , her colleagues as well , and they all immediately TOOK A RESOLUTION THAT THEY WILL EMBRACE KAIZEN IMMEDIATELY AND START SPREADING THE WORD WHERE EVER THEY CAN , AND VOWED TO GIVE ZAMBIA A NEW MEANING FOR THE WORD QUALITY .
ARE YOU PART OF THIS KAIZEN MOVEMENT ?
Note 1 : Suzuki San , Miss P and her company are characters developed by KJ and has no relevance to any particular person / processes/situation . The Ethiopian visit is a factual happening by a Zambian delegation (excecpt ofcourse Suzuki San) and readers are urged to learn from these experiences as cited above . All mention are purely for illustration purpose of the central theme of the case and are personal opinions unless cited and shall have no recourse of consequences to author . Readers can use their practical inputs to alter any of the material that may be published . Readers are invited to express their views on this continuing case study series .
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