Review

His newest book, The Harada Method is the next step in Norman’s on-going learning about finding more effective ways to improve. Takashi Harada developed an effective approach for helping people to become more self-reliant and more successful in their lives. Much of his theory is based on sound research that elite athletes have used for many years: visioning success, specific interim measurable goals, and challenging one s self to be a better person. This book pulls it all together, in one place. It can supplement the workshops Norm does on this subject; it could also be used by two-or-three people who work together to reinforce what they individually seek to accomplish. This book fits very well with the people side of lean. It would also be a great book for educational institutions to use in working with poor and disadvantaged students as this is where Takashi Harada did his original research and developed his theories. He was able to help students transform their abilities moving from a life of failure to a life of possibilities, an impressive accomplishment to say the least.

- Michael Bremer, The Cumberland Group --Letter

by Svetlana Voitovscaia

By understanding the essence of Harada Method and following such steps as Selecting the Long-Term Goal, Open Window 64-chart, Daily Diary, Routine Check Sheet, one can sharpen his/her skills, mind, body and spirit, as well as achieve the most outstanding goals in the life. The Harada Method book reminds me about ancient Athena s orator Demosthenes who suffered from a speech impediment. He designed a series of techniques to improve his speech. The most outstanding is that he practiced speaking with stones in his mouth. He also practiced reciting speeches while running and speaking over the roar of ocean waves to improve his projection. Self-reliance forced him to work very hard, and as a result, Demosthenes dramatic forensic achievements made him the greatest orator in ancient Greece. The moral is that in order to succeed, one should develop self-reliance, work hard and be persistent. The same idea is the core of The Harada Method book. Self-reliance is the ability of each person to become so skilled at something that she or he is virtually irreplaceable. By becoming self-reliant, people learn how to manage their personal lives and come to be more responsible and accountable for their decisions within organization. One of the basic steps of the Harada Method is to select a Long-Term Goal that gives a vision about where to go and how to move the process forward. This is not an easy process, as many people get lost and cannot state exactly what they want to do. The real goal worth pursuing should be hard and beneficial not only for an individual, but for a company and society: If it wasn t hard, everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great . The Harada Method gives a Long-Term Goal Setting Form and walks through the steps to complete the form. Even though people state their major goals, it is so easy for them to lose the path towards final results. Here, the Harada Method comes for and gives further recommendations. By following steps presented in the book, the curiosity of even the most skeptical and fascinated people will be satisfied. The great advantage of the book is that the author, Norman Bodek, learned the Harada Method from primary source Mr. Takashi Harada, which was a miracle. Mr. Harada was a track and field coach at the worst school in Osaka (Japan) but became one of the leading professionals in business consulting world. The Harada Method is based on the methodology used by Mr. Harada in developing great athletes and gold winners. By mastering these techniques, employees go through the process of transformation from being monitored to self-monitored. The real assets of an organization are employees who are proactive and willing to make decisions, but not those who cultivate fear to make changes and experiments. The Harada Method is a Renaissance for business world perceptions regarding decision-making processes. Another important aspect in the Harada Method is that it should become a part of corporate culture, and should be linked to personal mastery, as for most people Lean becomes just another assignment which should be done in a proper way. Additionally, companies do not catch the essence of the Harada Method that is all about developing people and creating the right culture. The Harada Method book is a recipe for those who are willing to use their judgments, efforts, and consistency for improving themselves and for becoming the greatest employees, leaders, coaches, and citizens. --Letter