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"Always be present at the Genba"




Genba-ism.

“Genba-Shugi 【現場主義】.” It is translated as an on-site principle, on-the-ground approach, or hands-on approach. There are many meanings to this concept.


One way to understand this thinking is through a samurai family’s policy. That policy is “Jyouzai-Senjyou【常在戦場】.”

“Always be present at the battlefield.”


This was the policy of the samurai family called Makino. Makino was from Mikawa, today's eastern part of Aichi prefecture, and was loyal to the Tokugawa Shogun. As part of developing the defense line in the north, the Makino were placed at Nagaoka city in Niigata. To accomplish this mission, this policy was made.


There are several vital points in this policy.


1️⃣ Importance of human resource


Once, the future Shogun told Makino to punish a soldier for a violation. Makino ignored this order and said, “If I punish a brave fighter for such reason, then I will have no one fighting with me on the battlefield.” Later, the order from the future Shogun was proven wrong. But here, the right or wrong doesn’t matter. Makino cared about his followers all the time and protected them. Because of this, the soldiers fought with Makino. There are times when you need loyal people around you. But such loyalty doesn’t pop up conveniently. It is a reflection of how well you treated them daily.


2️⃣ Frugality


The above did not mean that people received large financial returns. Makino lived a frugal and simple life. It was recommended that people avoid spending money on luxury items.


3️⃣ Education


The Makinos did spend money on education. They searched for the latest trends and sent young talents to those schools. Those schools were typically far from Nagaoka, but the clan sent the students to study.


The results of such policies were alive after 250 years.

It was the end of the Tokugawa Shogun era. The modernized military was marching from the West to overthrow the Shogun. Many former Tokugawa followers surrendered to the new government. The Makino clan offered armed neutrality and offered to be the Shogun's negotiator. The new government's local officers declined, leading to one of the most fierce battles. The new government force to the north consisted of about 30,000 soldiers, while Makino had about 5,000. But Makino was more modernized than the new government. They had Gatling guns. Only three existed in Japan then, and the Makino held two. Makino’s had other modern weapons, and the soldiers were fully trained. Unfortunately, neighboring clans betrayed, and Makino’s were destroyed.


But the spirits were well recognized.


The modified version of Makino’s policy is “Jyouzai-Genba. 【常在現場】”

Always be present at Genba.


We should be at Genba, which is not a place to “visit.” “Visit” is for outsiders. Of course, genba is not just a production shop floor. Sales will have customers' locations or markets. Logistics might be at the seaport or railroad. Where might depend on function and situations. The opposite of Genba is Kijyou 【机上】, meaning on top of the table. Theories are great, but reality matters the most.


The Genba should have a sense of urgency or a professional atmosphere, like the battlefield. We don’t need luxury stuff, but we do need people who are willing to work there—and not just willing but fully trained.


Makino’s “Jyouzai-Senjyou” should still be alive today.

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