Can 5S Really be Implemented in the Philippines?

5S was originated in Japan, and is therefore anchored on the Japanese culture . And we all know that Japanese are very disciplined, very simple, generally clean, and orderly. I have seen this in the many places I have been to in Japan. From their airports , to roads, to factories, homes and restaurants.

When we ate at a restaurant, we have to remove our shoes, to get into the dining area. The food served is well arranged. They have very good packaging of their products, be it food or otherwise. Their old temples are well kept. Centuries old still stands and still majestic.

In contrast, I know you would agree with me, that we have a long way to be at par with the Japanese culture. I have been to many countries and none of them goes an inch nearer to what the Japanese are.

So, since 5S was originated in Japan, and the culture of Japanese are way above what we are, can we implement 5S in the Philippines?

I say YES! The strong characteristics of us Filipinos is our resiliency and adaptability. We have seen ourselves rise above crisis after crisis. Typhoons and earthquakes, and coup de etat do not make us crumble. We as a people also blends and adapts to where we are thrown into. We are very compliant and adaptive as well. In all places I have been, Singapore, Korea, Japan, USA, the Filipinos copy exact and sometimes show much better discipline that the host county people are. Even here locally, you can see those that goes to Makati changes and adapts to where they are....

So even in 5S Implementation, I say YES...it can be done here in the Philippines for factories who wish to do it. It may require more visual controls and poka yoke systems, bu it can be done. I have seen it implemented in US companies that are located here in the Philippines.

Yes, we Filipinos can implement 5S.

God bless!

5S is not a Program..It is a Way of Life...

5S know-how is something we can learn and acquire from seminars and in-house programs. Teaching somebody to drive without getting in the car and driving around the city will be useless and soon forgotten. Still that somebody ends up not knowing how to actually drive a car.

Much the same way with 5S. You can learn it but it is in doing that makes you really know it. It is in practicing the concepts that makes you develop the discipline. And continuous application with strict discipline will lead you to make it as a way o life.

I have been to many places all over the world. I believe that the most disciplined people in Europe are Germans and in Asia, undoubtedly, it is the Japanese people. This is reflected in the general cleanliness of their country.

It is a long way before we Filipinos will be able to catch up with them. This is because as a culture and as a nation, we primarily lack discipline. But, I do believe, given the right motivation and training, we are fast learners and adapters. In my heart, I know we can learn, acquire and live with discipline.

Motivation, Training, Continuing Applications at the work site and at homes will surely ingrain in us discipline... Discipline to do what we need to do even if we do not want to.... in everything including 5S Implementation.

Would like to know your reactions....

If you need Consultants to apply 5S in your Factory ...just respond to this blog.

God bless!

Much the same way in Filipino companies or companies within our country