**Kaizen** *Pronunciation:* kai-zen *Origin:* Japanese (改善)
*Definition:* Kaizen is a Japanese business philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement of processes in manufacturing, engineering, and business management. It involves all employees from the CEO to the assembly line workers, aiming to enhance productivity, eliminate waste, and improve quality. The term translates to “change for better” or “continuous improvement.”
*Kai:* change or improvement
*Zen:* good or beneficial