What You Can Expect From a Healthcare Tour:

• Observe first hand the cultural and technical application of lean, and how they work together
• Have engaged discussions with senior company members
• Visit the most successful companies and observe how they've implemented the "continuous improvement systems"
• In depth discussions during workshops allow participants to share what they've learned with each other
• Tour participants will be shown how work efficiency is driven by people instead of new, hi-tech equipment

Toyota has had the most success with lean systems, so a lean healthcare Japan tour will still include visits to their factories. Yazaki Meter Co and Omron Kyoto Taiyo are also companies that will be visited. They're production but after visiting the former, participants will get to discuss how their executive and senior managers work together. The latter has implemented lean in a way that allows anyone who may be handicapped to work. Nerima General Hospital has been implementing this system for ten years and is still improving. This is a concrete example that following the kaizen philosophy actually will help any company owner considering making the transition.

There will be a heavy focus on these companies due to how well they exemplify what will be taught in workshops, and their lead in their respective industries. Of course, different tour companies have deals with various companies so there will be some aspects that are similar but others will change.

Tour visits combine seeing the work floor in action and discussions with experts so a true understanding can be taken away from the tour. Since most tours only last a week it's important to ask as many questions as possible, and they are encouraged. There may be evaluations to test just how well participants are absorbing this new information. Though the tours will visit other companies, issues exclusive to the healthcare industry will be covered. Insights from participants are also welcomed and there are directors in place to implement those suggestions, if possible.

Participants will be accompanied by consultants from the tour company, who have experience with lean themselves. Other participants may have some experience with lean, especially if they're an executive member of the company they're representing. This is an added benefit for other business owners who haven't yet implemented these methods. Another benefit is that group sizes are kept fairly small, between ten to fifteen people, to make sure no one is overlooked and everyone gets to speak during discussions.For anyone who is visiting Japan for the first time may be surprised to find that sightseeing is on the agenda, and not just to buy souvenirs and take photos. lean healthcare Japan tour has become a part of the culture. This philosophy is not only meant to help an individual company, but the whole chain; from supplier, to the company, to the customers, and also the environment. For anyone worried about extra prices, the tour fee covers everything except flight costs. This remains the same at every company that business owners can go through to set up lean custom Japan tour.