Dubai Quality Group launches First Continual Improvement Symposium 2009

The event was one of the most important annual events launched in the field of improvement and development of governmental and private organizations in the country.

The event provided an opportunity to various organizations to present actual case studies of improvement.

In addition to the discussion on 'Kaizen' principle of continual improvement in organizations and companies, the event also included a workshop on Kaizen, a seminar on Kanzen by Dr. Shrinivas Gondhalekar, and presentations of case studies by 12 short listed participants of the Kaizen Blitz Competition.

More than 250 participants including a large number of researchers and specialists who have enriched the business community of the United Arab Emirates attended the event.

Saad Maniar, Finance Director, Dubai Quality Group urged the organizations to adopt the principle of Kaizen. "The Launching of the continual improvement conference comes in the context of Dubai Quality Group diligent efforts to inform all the economic sectors of the improvement and organizational development standards in the business community as the main feature of competition and progress in all economic activities," said Maniar.

He added, "The dynamic, development and continual improvement of the UAE economy at various levels are the most important factors that have stimulated companies and organizations to participate in the continual improvement competition to provide their best practices, which underline the commitment of these organizations to the country's strategic plan for sustainable development."

For his part, Sunil Thawani, Chairman of Continual Improvement Subgroup, said:

"We launched the Kaizen Blitz competition for first time ever in UAE for organizations to implement principles and techniques of continual improvement in all types and sizes of organizations operating in the country. Kaizen is a well proven and effective strategy to improve business performance by involving employees."

He added, "We received a total of 58 number of Kaizens from various industries like Logistics, Banking, Travel etc. reporting a total annualized saving of Dhs2.27m involving hundreds of staff in continual improvement. It is the rate of improvement which will decide the winner in the market place. From next year we plan to take this idea beyond the borders of UAE. Continual Improvement subgroup will continue to support organizations interested in implementing Continual Improvement strategies."

The conference included improvement case studies in the areas of Maintenance, IT, etc. It allowed the participants and audience to experience and take advantage from realistic Kaizen samples.

The event concluded by the announcement of the gold, silver and bronze winners of the competition, who were later appreciated and recognized by Saad Maniar. Also appreciated at the ceremony were Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), Jumeirah Group, Abu Dhabi Systems and Information, and Kanoo Travel in recognition of their sponsorship and support to the symposium.

Dubai Quality Group frequently organizes such events which include knowledge sharing opportunities among the business community, in line with its goal to promote quality and excellence in the business community in UAE and the region.