With due respects to Japanese management philosophy (its my bread and butter..!!); I have certain questions. Its not that I am challenging/ questioning the philosophy or the concepts. The concepts in itself are proven, tried and tested methods with desired results.
However, a part of the concept is buzzing around my mind. Whats the use of it, if one doesnt understand..!
Like in layman language, it says the job of a worker is to follow the standard work and repeat it till the day ends. Just imagine a person tightening the bolts in an assembly operation till he crashes onto the bed (like its shown in one of the Chaplin epic movies..!) or to push bags into the buses till his shift ends. No doubt it adds orderliness into life! But question thats popped up, whats the use of such orderliness when there is no fun in life..!
I think there is no difference in the young kids trained by terrorist organizations operational in Pak, the kids raised in Japan and the tadpoles thriving in the closed well..! (i wont involve the Shiv Sainiks or MNS for the time being; I feel I am thinking of something more sensible and shouldnt clutter my mind). Like the kids in Pak are fed since early days about the atrocities of Indian forces on the LoC, the Japanese kids are taught about the importance of standards and standard work since he/ she starts toddling. I strongly feel both are unaware of the life which has innumerable opportunities and where life is life.. just like the tadpole who feels the well is the world..! No doubt the difference here would be; unlike the Paki terrorist, the Kimono Kid has access to the world through all versions of tech but it fails to appreciate the feel of the outside world. As the wise men rightly said, 'bandar kya jaane adrak ka swad..!' (think it fits in here..!!)What I want to convey is whats the use of all working in a particularly designed manner, when you cant appreciate what life has to offer. It is perfectly understandable that the people from 'the land of rising sun' have tasted the fruits of success and are trained to derive fun in what they do. But just imagine, does that mean there wont be any Dhirubhai or Walton..! And as one of my very able friends said, 'the rich will get richer and the poor will get children.' Why does a Japanese play any national level sport (keep aside the kids)? If Japan can excel in all fields, so should it do in sports. And it should master the skill to get the desired result/ outcome that is a win. So no excitement, and no fun and no sport as such..!!
Couple of months back, one friend of mine mentioned to me that I am into a not so good profession, of 'implementing standard work'. To which I agree (partly though), what fun would you derive if you were to assemble legs of chair all day long or would be more fun if you were to work and make the entire chair! Just put yourselves in the same shoes..!!
I understand the economies have changed and it was the era of division of labor that reigned the world, but still it is point to ponder..!!
Await your comments..!!
AB
