--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Kaizen means ongoing improvement…" description: "\"Kaizen means ongoing improvement involving everybody, without spending much money.\" — Masaaki Imai" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e0/masaaki-imai-29789_improvement_kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involvi_2146809.jpg" --- # Kaizen means ongoing improvement involving everybody… ![“Kaizen means ongoing improvement involving everybody, without spending much money.” quote by Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e0/masaaki-imai-29789_improvement_kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involvi_2146809.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e0/masaaki-imai-29789_improvement_kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involvi_2146809.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e0/masaaki-imai-29789_improvement_kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involvi_2146809.jpg) > “Kaizen means ongoing improvement involving everybody, without spending much money.” [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Continuous, low‑cost improvements involve everyone and drive sustainable progress. **In simple terms:** Small, cheap upgrades by all lead to big gains. Key Takeaway Encourage team‑wide incremental changes. Themes improvement efficiency teamwork Mood practical optimistic Type business self‑help When to use this quote - manufacturing - software development - personal habits Key Concepts continuous improvement cost‑effective change Questions to Reflect On - How can you involve all staff in Kaizen? - What low‑cost change yields biggest impact? A Different Perspective May ignore larger strategic shifts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Everybody Spending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/everybody-spending-4495977/) [Improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improvement/) [Improvement Involving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improvement-involving-4495976/) [Involving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/involving/) [Kaizen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kaizen/) [Kaizen Means](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kaizen-means-4495975/) [Lean manufacturing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lean-manufacturing/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Ongoing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ongoing/) [Ongoing Improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ongoing-improvement-4351941/) [Spending](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spending/) ## Related quotes > [You can't do kaizen just once or twice and expect immediate results. You have to be in it for the long haul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/you-can-t-do-kaizen-just-once-or-twice-and-expect-immediate-results/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [The Toyota style is not to create results by working hard. It is a system that says there is no limit to people's creativity.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taiichi-ohno/the-toyota-style-is-not-to-create-results-by-working-hard-it-is-a/) [Taiichi Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taiichi-ohno/) > [Why not make the work easier and more interesting so that people do not have to sweat? The Toyota style is not to create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eliyahu-m-goldratt/why-not-make-the-work-easier-and-more-interesting-so-that-people-do/) [Eliyahu M. Goldratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eliyahu-m-goldratt/) > [Commercialism is doing well that which should not be done at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/commercialism-is-doing-well-that-which-should-not-be-done-at-all/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [The most dangerous kind of waste is the waste we do not recognize.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shigeo-shingo/the-most-dangerous-kind-of-waste-is-the-waste-we-do-not-recognize/) [Shigeo Shingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shigeo-shingo/) > [“The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-stone/the-goal-a-process-of-ongoing-improvement/) [Brad Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-stone/) > [Kaizen is like a hotbed that nurtures small and ongoing changes, while innovation is like magma that appears in abrupt eruptions from time to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/kaizen-is-like-a-hotbed-that-nurtures-small-and-ongoing-changes-while/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [All of management's efforts for Kaizen boil down to two words: customer satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/all-of-management-s-efforts-for-kaizen-boil-down-to-two-words/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [The Kaizen Philosophy assumes that our way of life - be it our working life, our social life, or our home life - deserves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/the-kaizen-philosophy-assumes-that-our-way-of-life-be-it-our-working/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [The message of the Kaizen strategy is that not a day should go by without some kind of improvement being made somewhere in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/the-message-of-the-kaizen-strategy-is-that-not-a-day-should-go-by/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [The world we have created is a product of our thinking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/the-world-we-have-created-is-a-product-of-our-thinking/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [We have to grasp not only the Know-How but also 'Know Why', if we want to master the Toyota Production System.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shigeo-shingo/we-have-to-grasp-not-only-the-know-how-but-also-know-why-if-we-want/) [Shigeo Shingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shigeo-shingo/) > [A corporation is a living organism; it has to continue to shed its skin. Methods have to change. Focus has to change. Values have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-grove/a-corporation-is-a-living-organism-it-has-to-continue-to-shed-its/) [Andy Grove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-grove/) > [Scrap doesn't come for free, we pay someone to make it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-edwards-deming/scrap-doesn-t-come-for-free-we-pay-someone-to-make-it/) [W. Edwards Deming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-edwards-deming/) > [And we are reducing the time line by reducing the non-value-added wastes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taiichi-ohno/and-we-are-reducing-the-time-line-by-reducing-the-non-value-added/) [Taiichi Ohno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taiichi-ohno/) ## More by Masaaki Imai > [There are various non-statistical tools that have been typically developed by lean companies, notably by Toyota for minimizing variability in production, such as standardization,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/there-are-various-non-statistical-tools-that-have-been-typically/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [Where there is no standard, there can be no improvement. For these reasons, standards are the basis for both maintenance and improvement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/where-there-is-no-standard-there-can-be-no-improvement-for-these/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [I have a theory that among the large Western companies (mostly American) the higher an executive is promoted, the more wisdom is lost and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/i-have-a-theory-that-among-the-large-western-companies-mostly/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [I believe that management should focus on two particular areas. One is Gemba (shop floor) and the other is customer (not the shareholder).](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/i-believe-that-management-should-focus-on-two-particular-areas-one-is/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [Progress is impossible without the ability to admit mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/progress-is-impossible-without-the-ability-to-admit-mistakes/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [Japanese management practices succeed simply because they are good management practices. This success has little to do with cultural factors. And the lack of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/japanese-management-practices-succeed-simply-because-they-are-good/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [The message of the Kaizen strategy is that not a day should go by without some kind of improvement being made somewhere in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/the-message-of-the-kaizen-strategy-is-that-not-a-day-should-go-by/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [To assure the prosperity of a firm should be a long-term strategy and the turnover of key managers should be taken into account from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/to-assure-the-prosperity-of-a-firm-should-be-a-long-term-strategy-and/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [Under the lean system, any tools which are required for solving problems are used.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/under-the-lean-system-any-tools-which-are-required-for-solving/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [Control charts are one of the statistical tools for solving quality related problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/control-charts-are-one-of-the-statistical-tools-for-solving-quality/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [The standard is not writ on the stone. The definition of the standard is that it is the best way to do the job…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/the-standard-is-not-writ-on-the-stone-the-definition-of-the-standard/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [I am beginning to see a large-scale introduction of various management tools, philosophies and practices in the service sectors and have a high hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/i-am-beginning-to-see-a-large-scale-introduction-of-various/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [It is impossible to improve any process until it is standardized. If the process is shifting from here to there, then any improvement will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/it-is-impossible-to-improve-any-process-until-it-is-standardized-if/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [The Kaizen Philosophy assumes that our way of life - be it our working life, our social life, or our home life - deserves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/the-kaizen-philosophy-assumes-that-our-way-of-life-be-it-our-working/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) > [All of management's efforts for Kaizen boil down to two words: customer satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/all-of-management-s-efforts-for-kaizen-boil-down-to-two-words/) [Masaaki Imai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) [Explore all 18 Masaaki Imai quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/) ## More Improvement quotes > [Create an environment for people to fail, to learn, and to grow. Their creativity and productivity will increase.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/create-an-environment-for-people-to-fail-to-learn-and-to-grow-their/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The average condition of the people improving or deteriorating, depends upon whether population is advancing faster than improvement, or improvement than population.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-average-condition-of-the-people-improving-or-deteriorating/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [The invention of gunpowder and the constant improvement of firearms are enough in themselves to show that the advance of civilization has done nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-von-clausewitz/the-invention-of-gunpowder-and-the-constant-improvement-of-firearms/) [Carl von Clausewitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-von-clausewitz/) > [We're focused on providing innovations in software, driving the continuous improvement for a much better experience, and there's a lot going on here that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-gates/we-re-focused-on-providing-innovations-in-software-driving-the/) [Bill Gates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-gates/) > [If you only know something one way, then you don't really know it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arndt/if-you-only-know-something-one-way-then-you-don-t-really-know-it/) [Michael Arndt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-arndt/) > [Research is an organized method of trying to find out what you are going to do after you cannot do what you are doing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-kettering/research-is-an-organized-method-of-trying-to-find-out-what-you-are/) [Charles Kettering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-kettering/) > [Business is always a struggle. There are always obstacles and competitors. There is never an open road, except the wide road that leads to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-kirubi/business-is-always-a-struggle-there-are-always-obstacles-and/) [Chris Kirubi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-kirubi/) > [Decisions decide destiny, there is no action without decision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/decisions-decide-destiny-there-is-no-action-without-decision/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [Continuous Improvement is taking control of how your company's money is being put to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/continuous-improvement-is-taking-control-of-how-your-company-s-money/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Every step by which an individual substitutes concerted action for isolated action results in an immediate and recognizable improvement in his conditions. The advantages…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/every-step-by-which-an-individual-substitutes-concerted-action-for/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [The Qur'an does not ask for human perfection, but rather asks that we persevere in striving for self-improvement and that we never become complacent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-lang/the-qur-an-does-not-ask-for-human-perfection-but-rather-asks-that-we/) [Jeffrey Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-lang/) > [“A responsible woman doesn’t see opportunities and needs and look the other way pretending not to see them rather she gets to work to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agu-jaachynma-n-e/a-responsible-woman-doesn-t-see-opportunities-and-needs-and-look-the/) [Agu Jaachynma N.E](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agu-jaachynma-n-e/) > [A most important lesson taught by nature. Only after destruction there is construction. Only on letting go will new opportunities crop up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-most-important-lesson-taught-by-nature-only-after-destruction-there/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [By questioning all the aspects of our business, we continuously inject improvement and innovation into our culture.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dell/by-questioning-all-the-aspects-of-our-business-we-continuously-inject/) [Michael Dell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dell/) > [I don't feel like congratulating myself, because I know there's still a lot of room for improvement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-bronze/i-don-t-feel-like-congratulating-myself-because-i-know-there-s-still/) [Lucy Bronze](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-bronze/) [Browse all 2,074 Improvement quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/improvement/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Kaizen means ongoing improvement involving everybody, without spending much money.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Masaaki Imai" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involving-everybody-without-spending/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Improvement" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involving-everybody-without-spending/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e0/masaaki-imai-29789_improvement_kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involvi_2146809.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e0/masaaki-imai-29789_improvement_kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involvi_2146809.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7e0/masaaki-imai-29789_improvement_kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involvi_2146809.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Kaizen means ongoing improvement involving everybody, without spending much money.” — Masaaki Imai", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Masaaki Imai", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masaaki-imai/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Kaizen means ongoing improvement involving everybody,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involving-everybody-without-spending/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masaaki-imai/kaizen-means-ongoing-improvement-involving-everybody-without-spending/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```