Patterns of Creativity in Japan Lessons from Successful Japanese Companies – A Resource

Cut Out the Middle

Cutting out the middle of the office/department hierarchy increases the likelihood of people taking notice of communication, fosters a sense of unity, and strengthens ties between employees.

Meetings are not the answer – walls need to be taken down and people need to be shown that they are all working for the same goals.

Example: East Japan Railways cut out the middle of its office hierarchies in its post-privatization restructuring leading to faster and more precise communication.

Source: Katayama, O. (1996). Japanese business into the 21st Century: strategies for success.