Kaizen, Akihabara and Ramen

This morning we heard from two different Japanese businessmen, one hailing from a career in banking and the other involved with Tokyo from the beginning of kaizen, and the process of eliminating waste toward continuous improvement. Even though it is originally a production method, I enjoy thinking about how the Toyota System can be applied to other industries, services and life skills including: studying and time-management.

As we were walking through the department stores in Ginza and the electronic stores in Akihabara, I was wondering what would happen if all retail were produced using "Just In Time," or nearly made-on-demand. Retail outlets have much less space in Japan, so reducing backstock is less of an issue, but I am thinking of back home where stores are crowded with stock items on the floor. Often what is out for consumer purchase does not even include backstock. Then, how is it that I can still go to the store and they will be out of the one item I want? Is it simply poor inventory management? I am not sure if that is the only problem. I know of one clothing retailer that attempted to limit backstock and offer customers incentive to order goods, but they went under and sold their brand to another clothing company. Certainly ordering more goods than can be sold is not a sustainable practice, but who is to blame? Is it marketing's fault for innacurate demand forecasting? Or maybe the customer's for inconsistent purchasing patterns? Personally, I believe sustainability and reducing waste are the responsibility of all.

On a lighter note, we went to a very delicious ramen shop, tucked away in a small alley near Akihabara station, where we pre-paid for our meal in a vending machine-type menu out front and gave our ticket to the cook when we walked in. Very dive-y, but amazing food nevertheless. The walk around the area was refreshing after sitting for so long, and I am looking forward to what lies ahead tomorrow.

What Can You Do?

I am always interested in finding out more about innovative and creative solutions for sustainable business and living. I recently heard about a lecture to take place locally later this week:

Lewis and Clark's Dr. Eban Goodstein will be speaking this Wednesday night, May 21st on "Four Things You Can Do in the Next Five Minutes to Save the Planet" at the South Waterfront Discovery Center (0680 SW Bancroft, Portland, OR 97239). Dr. Goodstein's work investigates global warming's effect on the economy, and he has authored texts on the topics of the environment and the economy, including:

The Trade-Off Myth: Fact and Fiction about Jobs and the Environment
Fighting for Love in the Century of Extinction: How Passion and Politics Can Change the Future
articles published in the Scientific American, The New York Times, The Economist, The Chronicle of Higher Education, and USA Today.

If you end up attending the presentation, I would love to hear your thoughts. Where can I find access to more local events or resources highlighting actionable steps toward sustaining environmental and social resources?

RiverFest

Portland's new city-wide, sustainable event focused on beautifying the Willamette river. It will take place the last week of August and first week of September, sanctioning other community events. Stay tuned for more details...

Earth Day

Yesterday's Earth Day event was a success. I stood outside in the rain with my friend Patrick from Guayaki and sipped yerba mate, while talking with people about the rainforest, sustainable business and other topics of intrigue. I believe global warming was mentioned here and there, as well as the health benefits of mint, mate, and other healing plants.

I have two questions for you today:
1.) Why is April 22nd the only "Earth Day;" should we not be striving for good environmental stewardship daily?

2.) If everyone is polluting anyway, and we find out about major violations to the Earth ten, twenty or even fifty years down the road, why even bother with sustainability?

Nepalese Paper

What if making paper was as harmless to a tree as making yarn is harmless to sheep? It can be. In the making of traditional Nepalese paper, the a bush called Lokta is stripped of its bark for processing into pulp, but it is left to regenerate. Harvesting the bark is actually beneficial for the long-term health of the plant. Generations have used this paper for centuries, although scholars differ on when and where it was first used.

I recently met a representative from NepalesePaper.com, and I encourage you to look into the paper products. Take a look at their products, and let me know what you think.