Shingo Institute - Home of the Shingo Prize

Daily Dose: Fun Fact
Did you know that former Campbell Soup CEO Doug Conant wrote over 30,000 handwritten thank-you notes to team members during his tenure? He prioritized writing these notes every morning to emphasize the vital importance of individual recognition. Conant famously believed that an organization cannot "win in the marketplace unless you win first in the workplace."
Beyond the notes, he was known for walking the production floor to engage directly with associates, embodying the foundational principle of Respect Every Individual. His legacy serves as a powerful reminder that sustainable excellence is not built through tools alone but through a deep commitment to valuing the people behind the performance.

Shingo Challenge: Results Through Alignment
What happens when you align systems with ideal behaviors? You get the kind of outstanding results Lyn Wang and the team at Smith & Nephew Suzhou Limited are achieving!

Lyn’s insight perfectly captures the heart of the Shingo Model. It’s not just about the tools we use—it's about designing systems that naturally encourage the behaviors we want to see. When systems and principles are in sync, continuous improvement isn't just a project; it’s a sustainable journey that drives excellence across the entire enterprise.

We love seeing the "know-why" of system design translate into real-world success on a global scale. 🌍

Daily Dose: Humor
We all like to think we have common sense, but Shigeo Shingo had a funny (and very direct) way of challenging that. He once famously quipped:

"99% of common sense is actually common nonsense."

It’s a lighthearted reminder that "the obvious way" of doing things is frequently a mask for hidden waste we’ve grown used to. When we stop questioning the status quo because it "makes sense," we miss out on the best opportunities for Kaizen!

The next time you hear "that's just common sense," take a closer look—you might see a process that’s ready for a revolution.

Unlock Excellence: Shingo Workshops 🎓
Are you ready to move beyond just using Lean tools and start building a sustainable culture of excellence? The Shingo workshops are designed to help you bridge the gap between tools and results by focusing on the foundational principles that drive ideal behavior.

Whether you're starting with DISCOVER EXCELLENCE to understand the Shingo Model or diving deep into SYSTEMS DESIGN to formalize your communication tools, these sessions provide the "know-why" behind the "know-how."

Join a global community of leaders and practitioners to learn how to:
Align your systems with guiding principles
Drive innovation through scientific thinking
Create a culture of respect and humility

🔗 Find a workshop that fits your schedule here: https://shingo.org/workshop-schedule/

Daily Dose: History
Did you know that the roots of Strategy Deployment are hundreds of years old? As detailed in the book Complex Management Systems and the Shingo Model, while term Hoshin Kanri was formalized in 1965 at the Bridgestone Tire company in Japan, its essence draws from much deeper historical wells.

The foundational philosophy of hoshin—often translated as a "method for strategic direction setting"—can be traced back to the 1645 work A Book of Five Rings, written by the legendary samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Musashi’s teachings on strategy (or heiho) focus on the ability to recognize intentions and cultivate strategies to thwart adversaries.

Today, this ancient wisdom is integrated with modern management to help organizations create constancy of purpose and align every level of the enterprise toward true north.

📚 You can purchase Complex Management Systems and the Shingo Model and explore other essential Shingo resources here:https://www.amazon.com/shop/shingoinstitute-homeoftheshingoprize/list/3L06EHUTSFT9?ccs_id=76f0b6cf-89ee-4702-87de-c9bd563ac45e

Daily Dose: Upcoming
Ready to take the next step on your journey toward organizational excellence—from anywhere in the world? Join us for Shingo Connect APAC on June 30! 🌏

This is a virtual and on-demand experience designed to bring together our international network of leaders and practitioners to share insights on creating a sustainable cultural shift. As the Shingo Model continues to serve as the global standard for excellence, this event offers a unique platform to deepen the "know-why" behind your "know-how".

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with the Shingo community across the APAC region and learn how to build systems that drive ideal behavior. 📚

🔗 Register here:https://web.cvent.com/event/d465aaad-cf65-468f-9abe-7001cb958bca/summary

Daily Dose: Trivia
In the Shingo Model, color-coding isn't just for aesthetics; it serves as a structural anchor that aligns every map directly with the model.

By using these visual cues consistently, organizations can ensure that every formalized system—whether in Manufacturing, Accounting, or HR—is tightly connected to the foundational dimensions of excellence.

How did you do? 🏆

Spotlight: Jack Warne
True leadership isn't just about setting a strategy—it's about learning together. When Jack Warne, former CEO of Omark Industries, discovered Shigeo Shingo’s principles, he didn't keep them to himself. He ordered 500 copies of Shingo’s first English-translated book to ensure his entire management team was literally on the same page. 📚

By studying the text chapter-by-chapter, they built a shared foundation that transformed Omark into a world-class JIT leader. It’s a powerful example of how leading with humility and a commitment to collective learning can spark a global revolution in excellence.

Daily Dose: Inspiration
It’s easy to feel comfortable when things seem to be running smoothly. However, in the world of continuous improvement, a "problem-free" environment is often a red flag.

Problems aren't failures—they are opportunities for improvement. Embracing them is the only way to move from "know-how" to "know-why."