Our KAIZEN State of Mind

Our KAIZEN State of Mind
 
   
KANE Watches are designed in the heart of Amsterdam and inspired by the essentialist lifestyle movement in Tokyo. Much like the movement in Japan, we focus on what is truly important in our watch designs - because sometimes less is just more. To shed some light on what exactly this less is more philosophy means to us, the following feature will elaborate on the KAIZEN State of Mind that drives everything we do at KANE.
 
It all starts with the name - KANE is derived from the Japanese word KAIZEN which means continuous improvement. For us at KANE this means we continuously strive to improve our products, services, and the processes of all functions involving all employees from our Founder right down to workers in our assembly lines.
  
  
 
“Almost all quality improvement comes via simplification of design, manufacturing, layout, processes, and procedures.” 
  
- Tom Peters in In Search of Excellence (1982)

  
In terms of our products, the KAIZEN state of mind drives us to pursue consistent quality improvements, to develop new product features, and to expand the KANE product range to improve our customer's choice. A crown at the 3:00 O’Clock position was uncomfortable, so we moved it. We found that most other minimalistic men’s watch faces were too large, so we shrunk the diameter of ours down to 39.3 millimeters. We started with an industry standard of 3ATM water resistance, but felt this was not good enough, so we upped it to 5ATM. Out of all our straps, we received the most feedback for improvement on our Vintage Brown leather straps. Therefore, we designed and produced a more durable and improved version of the Vintage Brown Leather strap that will be released within the next two weeks. All of these actions were driven by our KAIZEN State of Mind.
Old Version Vintage Brown Leather StrapNew Version Vintage Brown Strap
 
Applying KAIZEN principles to our services involves working closely with our customers to collect and evaluate feedback and reviews to improve the quality of service and enrich the overall customer experience. Shortening response times, offering personalized discounts, and inviting customers to our office to discuss what we could be doing better, are all part of the KAIZEN process. Finally, efficient processes are essential. Therefore, in the spirit of KAIZEN we restlessly seek new opportunities, new technologies and new partners to simplify our processes in-house and make life easier for our customers.
  
“You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for his own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity.”
    
- Marie Curie (1911)
 
Moreover, a sincere adoption of the KAIZEN State of Mind involves extending the principles of simplification and improvement beyond the realms of business. In fact, in part KANE was formed because we believe that KAIZEN should transcend into the lives of every one of our customers.
    
  
At KANE we do not just sell accessories. Rather, our watches are a symbol of the commitment our wearers have made to their own personal development and growth. Our timepieces were designed with the purpose of simplifying our customers’ lives and with the aim of empowering our wearers to explore and shape their individuality. Our interchangeable strap system reduces the number of watches you need to one essential KANE, and makes it possible for the watch to be changed and adapted as the wearer progresses through different stages of their lives. We all know that opinions and preferences change as we grow older. Therefore we have designed our watches in such a way that your KANE not only goes wherever you go, it also grows with you.
   
“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement and success have no meaning.”
   
- Benjamin Franklin, 1754
  
In that sense, the KAIZEN State of Mind implies an intrinsic commitment to personal growth and development, not just in business but also to our own personal lives and those of our customers. Just as we strive for perfection in everything we do, we want to inspire the wearers of KANE to become the best version of themselves. We want YOU to set goals and take decisions that drive change. We want to inspire you to accomplish and achieve what you set out to do and make good things happen. All the while our watches serve as a friendly reminder to stay motivated and on track, or alternatively, act as a symbol of the achievements you have already accomplished.
 
   
    
In line with the KAIZEN State of Mind and the Japanese essentialist movement that form the basis of our core philosophy, getting rid of the unnecessary and continuously driving improvement is what we do. Consequently we asked our customers what they would like to see us do next. Your answer was pretty straightforward: More choice. At KANE the customer is always King, and no one argues with the King!
So we decided to give you what you want – a new KANE.
  
The launch for our new addition has been set for early September, but if you want to find out all the nitty-gritty details before everyone else then sign up to our Newsletter. We will be doing an early release round for this new watch face with an exclusive introductory offer, only available for those subscribed, so don’t miss out!
  
  
  
Questions or Comments? Want to know more?
 
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Keep it Clean. Simple. Essential.
   
  

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