Kaizen(R) Institute of America Debuts Lean Accounting Seminar for Manufacturing Sector

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 15 -- Kaizen(R) Institute of America announced today the debut of a training seminar entitled Value Stream Costing: Managing by the Numbers, slated for November 11-13 in Houston, Texas. Geared toward managers and accounting personnel in manufacturing, the public session explores how Lean Accounting drives focus into improvement initiatives and provides clarity around the real cost of waste. The session also examines how traditional costing methods hinder the success of the Lean Enterprise by providing metrics that do not effectively direct lean strategy.

"Manufacturing companies typically utilize traditional costing methods or absorption costing to allocate and track costs. But for organizations trying to run 'lean', traditional metrics are often contra-indicative of the real benefit lean affords. This can cause concern where none need be," reports Alex Tawse, CFO of Kaizen Institute of America. "Lean Accounting helps to accurately capture the effect lean improvements are having on the organization by analyzing the real cost of waste. These lean-friendly accounting methodologies ensure that managers rely on financial metrics that support lean initiatives, rather than those that may be hindering them," adds Tawse.

Kaizen Institute of America employs a process known as Value Stream Costing(TM) (VSC) to help clients understand and incorporate lean into their accounting practices. Organizations in the automobile, food, and distribution industries have been utilizing VSC(TM) to track and set improvement targets and to monitor how lean initiatives are faring. "Because the process is flexible enough to be used with little to no financial investment, VSC(TM) is fast becoming a vital part of our client's lean strategy," stated Brian Heymans, President, Kaizen Institute of America.

VSC(TM) incorporates lean accounting methodologies, including Theory of Constraints (TOC) and Activity Based Costing (ABC), and integrates them with Kaizen improvement tools such as Value Stream Mapping, Policy Deployment and Target Costing to create a better system for managing improvements.

To learn more about Lean Accounting methodology or the Value Stream Costing(TM) process visit KIA at www.kaizen-us.com/leanaccounting.php.

About KAIZEN(R) Institute of America

Founded in 1986, Kaizen(R) Institute of America (KIA) is one of the first firms in the U.S to provide consulting support in the fields of Lean Enterprise Development and Organization Culture Change. A global pioneer in these fields, KIA helps clients successfully integrate lean initiatives into the behaviors of management and the work force. KIA's strength lies in guiding companies to find their own "best" way to implement change. KIA's expertise covers a broad range of improvement strategies, which are deployed in combination to fit a company's unique situation. For more information about Kaizen Institute of America, please visit www.kaizen-us.com.

   Stephanie Klinect
   Kaizen(R) Institute of America
   512.346.3800
   sklinect@kaizen-us.com