Today’s business world is all about gaining that competitive edge in your establishment while operating in a global economy.

Recently Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce and community leaders had the opportunity to make an industry visit with a company whose new manager has adopted Kaizen, the Japanese philosophy of continual, small improvements.

It is obvious that this manager understands the current economic environment and is working hard—and working “smart”—to improve productivity, reduce waste, and improve energy efficiency.

He is capitalizing on his company’s greatest asset, a skilled and stable workforce with an average worker age of over 50. Not only are they being counted on to keep the production lines going, but they’re being asked to think and contribute ideas. This particular business has even formally set aside an area in their facility where ideas may be tried out by various teams of workers.

Even though Kaizen is best known for contributing to success in production industries, it can be applied effectively to every type industry, small business, and professional practice. Kaizen is a belief that the creativity of people is unlimited and that we should always pursue the ideal condition, even though we might never achieve it.

It may be as difficult, or sometimes even more so, for the small business owner as it is for the manager of a large corporation to turn loose and listen to those who are actually doing the work everyday. Even the most independent entrepreneur will find benefit in ceasing to micro-manage and in changing the flow of ideas from a one-way, top-down direction back to the grass roots.

You will probably find that your company’s greatest asset is the thinking power of your people. It costs nothing extra to tap into this great resource, and it allows the ideas to flow from the bottom upward for a change.

Practicing Kaizen requires that every employee and even outside vendors get involved in seeking new ways to improve product quality, make jobs easier, reduce waste, and increase profits. Because everyone is involved, Kaizen is a great team builder and tends to humanize work environments and business relationships.

No longer will your workers feel that they must turn off their brains when they clock in to work, but they’ll tend to approach each task more enthusiastically and thoughtfully. Why not give Kaizen a try in your business? Involve everyone in your company, and you will probably be pleasantly surprised at the benefits you will enjoy from the group intelligence that is created.

Peggy White is Executive Director of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce.