Remember: the Kaizen should be hard work and fun! Part of the job of the Team Leader is to make sure that the team members are actually enjoying themselves while they are working.

One option is to have a kick-off dinner at the beginning of the event, on the first or second day. In that way the team members can meet each other in a non-formal environment. The other option (and more typical) is to have a celebration immediately after the final presentation.

The key is flexibility, and adapting the celebration aspect of the Kaizen to the needs and desires of the participants. Sometimes people get so involved in the work that they don’t want to stop!