omotenashi Archives - Katie Anderson

Reconfirming the Value of “Go to Gemba” on a Recent Trip to Japan

It’s hard to believe that my latest trip back to Japan was already over a month and a half ago. A lot has changed in

March 12, 2020 No Comments

KBJA Japan Study Trip 2019 Highlights

A vision realized….and continues! Just three weeks ago, I was in the midst of leading a week of learning, culture, and fun with a fabulous

June 6, 2019 No Comments

Looking Back: Top 10 Posts from 2018

I cannot believe that we just passed the four year anniversary of when I moved to Japan for 18 months and started writing this blog.

January 17, 2019 No Comments

Lean Sushi Restaurant in Japan

One might expect that all restaurants in Japan are operated with lean principles, but as I quickly learned when my family moved to Japan nearly

December 4, 2018 No Comments

Creating a culture of engagement, respect and customer service at a Japanese accounting firm

How does an accounting company inspire an energized culture where people are excited to go to work every day and provide excellent customer service? I

May 8, 2018 No Comments

What’s been keeping me busy this month? Planning learning experiences for you!

What have you been learning or working on this month? I am in the midst of a four week period with no work travel, which

March 13, 2018 No Comments

Only in Japan! – 3 stories of Japanese “omotenashi”, service and respect in 1 day

Japan is famous for customer service and hospitality, known as “omotenashi” in Japanese, and for being a safe and clean country – and my experiences

February 20, 2018 No Comments

You haven’t seen a start-up meeting like this one before: Teppen’s “Honki no Chorei” in Japan

How many morning or “start-up” meetings have you been part of that are fun and invigorating? I bet none as energetic and the one that Tim Wolput

July 11, 2017 1 Comment

Japan Gemba Visit: Lean Thinking in Government – Part 3 – Redesigning flow and customer service in General Services

In the first two posts in this series, I shared how the leaders of Nakano City, one of the 23 wards within the Tokyo metropolitan area,

May 9, 2017 5 Comments

Japan Gemba Visit: Lean Thinking in Government – Part 2 – Kaizen and Kaikaku to improve service to elderly constituents

In the first post in this series, I shared how the leaders of Nakano City, one of the 23 wards within the Tokyo metropolitan area, describe how

May 1, 2017 1 Comment

Japan Gemba Visit: Lean Thinking in Government – Part 1 – Kaizen, Kaikaku & PDCA to improve customer service

Less than a month before my family wrapped up our time in Japan last June, Tim Wolput of Lean Japan Study Tours invited me to

April 19, 2017 5 Comments

Year End Review: 2016 – Reflections on 18 months in Japan and returning to the U.S.

It’s that time of year again for reflection and resetting of goals and intentions -the “Check-Adjust” and “Plan” parts of the Plan-Do-Check-Adjust (PDCA) Cycle. If you

January 20, 2017 1 Comment

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