The 5 S’s of Kaizen for Team Success

In a follow up to last week’s post on Kaizen for team building, this week we’ll delve a little deeper into the philosophy.

This week’s tip for team success is to keep the workplace spick and span. Clear the clutter, clear the mind!

Last week I mentioned an example of a common issue in your typical office: paperwork build up. The solution is of course, to periodically purge those files. Here I’ll break down the 5S philosophy of Kaizen to show that this could be the very first step to “constant improvement” for your team.

Sorting: Do a sweep. Remove all things unnecessary. Do you seriously need 15 different pens and 3 tape dispensers?! Keep only things that are essential. This doesn’t mean get rid of any trace of yourself and personal belongings. Keep those pictures of your kids and your page-a-day Dilbert calendar, but just keep it simple. Many times we have to share a space with others and what is normal to you may be VERY distracting to others!

team success

Straightening: Arrange everything you use for your job in a way that flows. This will take some planning. For example, if you tend to staple and file a lot, keep your stapler and filing cabinet within arms reach. We are more likely to get things done when the process is simple!

Shine: This one is a basic principle we learned as kids. Clean up after yourself! When the day is done, make things tidy and ready for the next day (or user).

Standardize: Make it uniform. Define procedures clearly, and mark where things belong (if applicable). Have a place for everything. This is where you make the process a priority. It must be integrated as part of the workplace culture in order to stick. Add it to a schedule, keep team members accountable. Make it fun. My daughter gets awards from the Clean Desk Fairy at school. I’m sure she’ll make a visit to your office too! If that’s not your style, a simple group wide e-mail of recognition would do the trick.

Sustain: In this step you search for ways to promote your new systems, making direct connections between these procedures and the bottom line. Continually review procedures and ask for feedback from everyone. This step will ensure that processes remain relevant and efficient. It also helps employees feel more motivated to keep up with new procedures if they feel they are part of the solution.

clean desk

Do you use the 5S of Kaizen for your team? What do you do to ensure standardization and sustainability? We’d love to hear from you, please comment below!

 

Flora Baxter

Team Contributor

Subscribe

Sign up for tips on crafting the perfect team.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Categories

Podcast

around the world podcast logo

Get ideas, inspiration and best practices from across the globe.

apple podcast logo spotify podcast logo amazon podcast logo youtube podcast logo

Be a Guest Blogger

Do you have any useful tips, tricks, guides, or valuable insights about company culture?

Learn more  

Drop your email for expert employee engagement tips.

Less drama? Greater productivity and job satisfaction? TeamBonding is here to help you build a stronger and happier team. Subscribe to get one-of-kind insights and news from our team building gurus and start boosting employee engagement today.

More great content based on your likes.

Christmas Gift Ideas for Coworkers That Will Actually Wow Them

‘Tis the season for spreading joy, building camaraderie, and showing gratitude to the coworkers who make every workday brighter.

Read More  

Why Team Play Builds Stronger, Smarter Teams

The power of play at work is the best way to get your team truly collaborating today. If you’re here, it likely means you’re exploring fresh ways to help your employees bond through shared experiences so they can become a more cohesive, collaborative, and high-performing unit, right?

Read More  

Creative Holiday Luncheon Ideas for Work

Traditional holiday parties and happy hours are the most common ways to celebrate the holidays in the workplace, but they are not the only way to bring people together. A holiday luncheon offers a fresh alternative. It’s less formal than a sit-down dinner, but still special enough to show appreciation and spread holiday cheer.

Read More  

Holiday Thank You Message to Employees: Creative Ways to Show Appreciation

The holiday season is rapidly approaching, and for me, that always feels like more than just another date on the calendar. It’s a chance to pause, reflect on the past year, and recognize the people who made the journey possible. As a leader, I’ve learned that one of the easiest places to find gratitude is in your workforce. And what better way to express that than by exploring thoughtful holiday employee appreciation ideas?

Read More  

Questions? Need a quote?

Complete this form to get started or call 877-472-2725.

Loading Icon

Create Your Free Account

Get exclusive access to new programs from the TeamBonding Lab, save your favorite ideas, and track your upcoming events.
Already have an account? Login

Please wait...

Sign-in

Don't yet have an account?
Create a Free Account

Forgot Your Password? Password Reset