UK airport makes Kaizen the new standard

Heathrow, the United Kingdom's largest airport, is utilizing Kaizen to maximize efficiency and improve the general traveling experience.

Colin Matthews, chief executive of Heathrow, spent many of his business years at an auto manufacturer in Japan, where he first learned about Kaizen integration. In particular, he is fond of the notion of continuous improvement.

“I like that Japanese determination to say, 'Let's make sure next month or next year we'll be a bit better,'” Matthews told The Daily and Sunday Express.

Matthews' Kaizen approach seems to be paying dividends, with surveys suggesting three-quarters of customers were satisfied with their travel experiences last month, up from the 40 percent who said the same five years ago. The airport is currently undergoing £3 billion worth of renovations over the next seven years to continue this trend.

Kaizen mindsets can be applied to a variety of business types, despite being developed by the auto manufacturing industry. Regardless of whether it is implemented by a retail store or a marketing firm, the concept of continuous improvement can help businesses reach greater efficiency.