I believe in LEAN, Kaizen, TQM and JIT. These methodologies DO work if the organisation as a whole is committed to them (committed being the key word).
There is a word in the Kaizen method for the incorrect use of the method and it follows these simple principles.
‘Where Kaizen is often misunderstood and applied incorrectly, resulting in bad outcomes including, for example, layoffs. This is called "kaiaku" - literally, "change for the worse." Layoffs are not the intent of kaizen. Instead, kaizen must be practiced in tandem with the "Respect for People" principle. Without "Respect for People," there can be no continuous improvement. Instead, the usual result is one-time gains that quickly fade.’
Anyone notice any similarities there?