The changes submitted must already be fully implemented and have resulted in improved efficiency or delivered a tangible improvement. Improved efficiency can include measurable cost and/or time savings, safety improvements, increased value to the public, and more. 
 

Applications should be submitted via the Lanegenuity form. The application is brief and requires applicants to describe the problem solved by the change, the details of the change and the efficiencies gained.

Submissions also require contact details for a supervisor to confirm the change has been successfully implemented.

Once a project is submitted, applicants will receive a confirmation email.

There are three different opportunities to recognize Lanegenuity changes based on size and scope.

Changes may be recognized within departments and participants will receive certificates of recognition and a thank-you from their manager or head of department.

Larger changes will receive wider recognition from their departments and County Administration.

Changes with the most considerable size and scope will be invited to a Board of County Commissioners meeting for a personal thank-you from the Board of Commissioners.

Applications are reviewed by a volunteer committee of Lane County employees from multiple departments.

After an application is submitted, the applicant's supervisor will be asked to verify the details included in the application. Once verified, the application will be shared with the committee for discussion and decision.

The projects are evaluated and scored by the committee against a standard set of criteria to ensure each is reviewed fairly.

Kaizen is the practice of continuous improvement and focuses on big results that may come from many smaller changes accumulated over time. It originated within Toyota and is now used by organizations all over the world to guide positive change. In Japanese, "kaizen" translates to "good change."

There are articles detailing how Toyota uses the process to effect positive change, including:

• "In lieu of money, Toyota donates efficiency to New York charity" from the New York Times
• "Toyota gears up efficiency at New York soup kitchen" from NBC Nightly News