• Avoid overproduction by following the principle of just-in-time — namely, customers should get what they want, when they want it, and in the amount they want.

• Eliminate waste of human and material resources. Also, strive to cut back to zero the amount of time that any work project is sitting idle or waiting for someone to work on it.

• Build a culture of stopping to fix problems, to get quality right the first time.

• Standardised tasks are the foundation for continuous improvement and employee empowerment. Capture the accumulated learning about a process by institutionalising today’s best practices and allow employees to improve the standard through creative self-expression.

• Use visual and manual control so that no problems are hidden.

• Use technology to support people, not to replace people. Reject or modify technologies that conflict with your work culture. Nevertheless, encourage your people to consider new technologies when looking into new approaches to work.

• Develop such leaders in your organisation who thoroughly understand the work, live the philosophy, and teach it to others. Do not view the leader’s job as simply accomplishing tasks. Leaders must be role models of the company’s philosophy and way of doing business.

• Develop exceptional people and teams who follow your company’s philosophy. Make an ongoing effort to teach individuals to work together as teams toward common goals.

• Have respect for your business partners and suppliers and treat them as an extension of your business.

... contd.