Client Testimonials

Wow. What a great experience not just from a learning perspective but also a great cultural experience as well. From the start the group came together really well. It was a perfect mix of practical and theory, and to gain an insight into the Toyota Production System and see it in action at all the sites we visited this week was awesome. A big thank you to Ben for making everyone feel so warm and making the week run smoothly. Over the week I have seen there are so many opportunities for myself and my company to improve. Now I’m heading back to implement what we have learnt and will take small steps to achieve our ultimate goal as a business. This is a wonderful investment personally and for the company. In six months’ time I want to look back at this trip and show how much it has made me achieve.

Finally, to spend time with Yamashita Sensei and get hands-on insights into the Toyota Production System was an eye-opener and an experience I will never forget. Great tour with an awesome bunch of people.
read more

It was an inspiring week with great learnings around lean and how it is applied across various levels of the supply chain. The tour also provides a nice glimpse into the Japanese culture with its amazing food and friendly people.
read more

As I have had a previous unpleasant experience with lean training, I was worried about how much I could gain from this tour. At the end of this magnificent experience I can confirm that Shinka Management has exceeded my expectations. They are so organized, dedicated, helpful and generous. The tour was based on very-well known organizations using lean over decades and we got the maximum benefit from it.
read more

This trip really enlightened me in some specific lean topics and showed me all the beneficial aspects of lean manufacturing. The biggest take away for me was a deeper appreciation of not just the tools but the philosophy. The way the trip was organised and flowed was amazing. Thanks to Paul and David from Shinka Management.
read more

The whole experience of the lean tour was excellent. I learned so much over the past week and all of my previous knowledge of lean was reinforced. Not only did I learn about lean management but I was also impressed with the Japanese culture. The whole team at Shinka Management were very helpful and made sure the tour went smoothly. It was an experience that I will surely remember throughout my lean journey. Thank you.
read more

I had several projects that I had been procrastinating on. They seemed too big, too complicated and I was actually struggling to know where to start. Without a word of a lie, after the first day I came back to my hotel room and wrote up the backbone of my strategy using the skills I learnt of the first day.
read more

Dear Paul, Thank you for the nice experience you and your team were able to provide me! It has been a very professional tour and even more a very nice human connection with you and Eri. You have built a nice team that makes people’s lives change! Ciao, Maurizio
read more

I am now back in the office in rainy Seattle and wanted to say a huge thank you, once again for making the lean tour such an enjoyable learning experience. There are so many valuable learnings and enriching experiences that I am looking forward to sharing with my team and colleagues here in the coming days. I would also like to thank you again for including me in the additional visits to both Kameda Medical Center and Osaka City University Hospital. I cannot believe what a super fun group of people that the Osaka team were; they certainly made me feel very welcome.

Please also pass on my sincere appreciation to Eri for the amazing attention to detail both prior to the trip and to everything on the trip from a logistical standpoint. I know that a lot of work goes into ensuring things run smoothly and I truly thought that she did an amazing job!
read more

Paul, I just wanted to reach out and give my sincere thanks for an amazing week in Japan. You and your team of experts across all areas of business and language gave me an unforgettable experience and reminded me of so many aspects of lean that I had put to one side or taken for granted. The organisation of the course, food, logistics, trains, hotels, etc was of such a high standard and managing that for a large group with their own needs and wants was made to look effortless by your whole team. I will be promoting your Lean Japan Tour to everyone I come across both in my group and outside and I hope to come again myself in the not too distant future. Thanks again.
read more

To do a lean learning tour with Shinka is definitely highly recommended. As lean is a personal journey for everyone who is involved in this topic, it doesn’t matter at which point of your journey you are in. At each level of personal experience there is a lot that you can take home with you. As an eye opener, as a deepener of your own level, as inspiration or as a booster – just do it. Organisation, support, guidance and facilitation by the coaches and trainers – five stars from five!
read more

I enjoyed every aspect of this extremely well organised kaizen tour including: factory visits, translations by Paul and Ben, TPS training, sightseeing, accommodation, transportation, and meals. This tour is a must for anyone trying to understand / implement LEAN into their business or organisation. I hope the tour continues for many years to come as I would like to do it again in future.
read more

I attended the Shinka Management / Ai Group / JMAC Lean Japan Study Tour in 2010 – outstanding, highly recommended. (I don’t have this much fun when I go on holiday.) To see the cultural home of Lean Manufacturing is an experience you will never forget. Ride on a bullet train, walk the factory floor in Toyota plants and talk to the production people, see modular housing being produced on a Lean Production line. Eat in a different Japanese restaurant every night, practice your Karaoke, see Tokyo – amazing! Our tour was guided by Ben Sparrow, an Aussie who is fluent in Japanese and great company (night and day). The Japan Lean Manufacturing tour is a “must do” for anyone serious about understanding world class manufacturing!
read more

A high quality, professional and first-hand experience of how just-in-time and lean are mastered. Great for professional development and a genuine motivator to go further using the lean tools available. A marvelous cultural experience.
read more

The one week Lean Japan Tour not only validates ‘how lean can make business sense’ but also provides the opportunity to learn and share with professionals across different industries.
read more

The whole tour was very professionally undertaken and led. Paul and Ben have to be congratulated for putting together a very informative and very enjoyable experience. The itinerary was excellent and to see from the raw material all the way through the supply chain through to the finished product was superb. I loved the thought put into gaining the experience of the Japanese culture and food. I would very much recommend this tour for organizations and companies looking to implement lean.
read more

I thoroughly enjoyed my time on the November 2013 tour. I learned so much about Japanese culture and TPS. Despite coming from the IT industry, I was able to gain valuable insights on the philosophy and principles of Lean that I can apply in my industry. Ben and Paul are top-notch guides. Their wealth of knowledge and proficiency in Japanese (both language and culture-wise) helped us to gain deeper understanding. I strongly recommend anyone who has great passion in Lean to go on this tour.
read more

Amazing experience, exceptional learning. If you want to learn about Lean go on this tour!
read more

Not for the fainthearted, this action-packed tour will blow you away. It’s a one-week learning adventure supercharged with information on TPS (Lean) principles. The learning experiences and companies visited far exceeded expectations. The Japanese managers we met were friendly and excited to share their experiences.

If you desire change within your organisation and are not sure what you need, then this is the trip for you and your company. You have been warned; “this could lead to some serious self-analysis on how GOOD companies operate!”

Thanks to Ben & Paul for the well organised trip from beginning to end.
read more

One of the best weeks of my life. It has changed the way I see my production facility forever!
read more

Paul and Ben from Shinka Management need to be commended for the tour that they ran in Japan. The experience has enlightened and energised me to intensify the lean efforts within our organisation. The tour was packed full of knowledge building as well as relationship building with other participants all whilst experiencing a cultural treat that normally only a local would be able to show you. Thank you for a once in a lifetime trip Shinka – I would thoroughly recommend it to anyone in business.
read more