Toyota way Essay Example for Free

Toyota way Essay With a market capitalization greater than the value of General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler combined, Toyota is also, (by far), the world s most profitable automaker. Toyota s wellknown secret weapon is Lean production the revolutionary approach to business processes that it invented in the 1950s and has spend decades perfecting. Less well known are the management principles that underlie Lean production, Lean product development, and all of Toyota s business and service processes. Today businesses around the world are attempting to implement Toyota’s radical system for speeding up processes, reducing waste, and improving quality. But are they getting beneath the surface of Lean tools and techniques to the real foundation of Toyota s success? The Toyota Way, explains Toyota’s unique approach to Lean management the 14 principles that drive Toyota s quality and efficiency-obsessed culture. You will gain valuable insights that can be applied to any organization and any business process, whether in services or manufacturing. You will discover how the right combination of long-term philosophy, processes, people, and problem solving can transform your organization into a Lean, learning enterprise the Toyota Way. Foreword When I joined Toyota after 18 years in the U.S. automobile business, I didn’t know exactly what to expect. But I was hopeful. I knew that I wasn’t comfortable with the direction that American automobile manufacturing was taking, and I felt Toyota might be different. In no time at all I noticed a fundamental difference between Toyota and my previous employers. At a Toyota/GM joint venture plant in Fremont, California, called NUMMI (New United Motor Manufacturing), I witnessed the transformation of a workforce from one of the worst in the General Motors system to one of the best in any manufacturing facility in the United States. The difference was the Toyota Way. In this book, Dr. Liker explains the management systems, thinking, and philosophy that form the foundation of Toyota’s success, providing the reader with valuable insights that can be applied to any business or situation. While there are many books that provide insight into the tools and methods of Toyota’s Production System (TPS), Professor Liker’s book is unique in its explanation of the broader principles at work in the Toyota culture. The Toyota Way is not the Japanese Way or the American Way or even the Gary Convis Way of managing. It is the fundamental way that Toyota views its world and does business. The Toyota Way, along with the Toyota Production System, make up Toyota s DNA. This DNA was born with the founders of our company and continues to be developed and nurtured in our current and future leaders. The Toyota Way can be briefly summarized through the two pillars that support it: Continuous Improvement and Respect for People. Continuous improvement, often called kaizen, defines Toyota s basic approach to doing business. Challenge everything. More important than the actual improvements that individuals contribute, the true value of continuous improvement is in creating an atmosphere of continuous learning and an environment that not only accepts, but actually embraces change. Such an environment can only be created where there is respect for people hence the second pillar of the Toyota Way. Toyota demonstrates this respect by providing employment security and seeking to engage team members through active participation in improving their jobs. As managers, we must take the responsibility for developing and nurturing mutual trust and understanding among all team members. I believe management has no more critical role than to motivate and engage large numbers of people to work together toward a common goal. Defining and explaining what the goal is, sharing a path to achieving it, motivating people to take the journey with you, and assisting them by removing obstacles those are management s reasons for being. We must engage the minds of people to support and contribute their ideas to the organization. In my experience, the Toyota Way is the best method for fulfilling this role. However, readers of this book should understand that each organization must develop its own way of doing business. The Toyota Way is the special product of the people who created Toyota and its unique history. Toyota is one of the most successful companies in the world. I hope this book will give you an understanding of what has made Toyota successful, and some practical ideas that you can use to develop your own approach to business. Gary Convis Managing Officer of Toyota and President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Preface In 1982 when I first arrived as a new assistant professor at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, the automotive industry was in serious turmoil in the midst of a national recession. The situation seemed dire. The Ford Motor company was seriously flirting with bankruptcy. The Big 3 were losing market share fast. There was a lot of debate at the time over the root cause. The party line among Detroit auto executives was that the cause was the Japanese invasion. Japan, Inc. had banded together with industry and government colluding to set up trade barriers to prevent American cars from being sold in Japan and artificially lowering prices of Japanese cars in the United States. Of course, in the minds of U.S. companies, as long as the root cause was unfair business practices, there was no need to seriously change the way they built cars. Instead, political channels would right the wrongs. Around this time I was fortunate to be invited by David Cole and Robert Cole (two University of Michigan professors who were leading the study of the Japanese quality movement) to work on a U.S.-Japan automotive study. This research was an effort to help U.S. companies learn from the Japanese automakers. My project focused on how automakers worked with their suppliers on new product development in the U.S. and Japan. The numerous studies that made up the overall U.S.-Japan auto study covered many aspects of the industry, and all the studies collectively pointed to a single conclusion. Whatever was going on with Japan s government and the value of the yen and other macro-economic factors, Japanese auto companies were very good at engineering and building cars. They were not necessarily financial or marketing whizzes. They were not the leaders in advanced manufacturing technology, at least not in complex automation. They designed in quality and built in quality at every step of the process, and they did it with remarkably few labor hours. Not only were Japan s automakers good, their top suppliers were also world class in engineering and manufacturing, and they worked together as a team. But even in these early stages of my introduction to the auto industry in Japan, there were indications that Toyota was different from the other Japanese automakers. While the basic product development process seemed similar across the three automakers, and the top tier suppliers were all integrally part of the product development process, there was a sense of partnership between Toyota and its suppliers that we did not see as strongly in the keiretsu of Mazda and Nissan. Later, in 1991 John Campbell and I received a grant to create the Japan Technology Management Program at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, which I am still directing. The goals of this program are to learn about the practices that have helped the best Japanese companies become strong globally, teach what we learn to our students and industry, and encourage technically oriented students to learn about Japanese language and culture through courses and internships in Japan. This research program allowed me to continue my studies of the Japanese auto industry, and I chose to focus more intensively on Toyota, in particular its product development process and the Toyota Production System. The U.S. government grant focused on transfer of learning so I began studying Toyota’s efforts to transfer its practices to its U.S.-based subsidiaries and American companies efforts to learn from Toyota. By the early 1990s all of the Big 3 auto producers had woken up to the reality of Japanese quality and concluded that Toyota was the company to beat. They were all actively studying Toyota and creating their own versions of Toyota’s systems. They benchmarked the company on its production system, product development system, and supplier relationship management. Their great interest in Toyota’s systems has given me an opportunity to teach about Toyota’s production system and product development process, and get my hands dirty consulting to implement these systems. I have had opportunities to work in America, the United Kingdom, and Mexico in industries including automotive, paint manufacturing, nuclear fuel rod assembly, ship building, ship repair, an engineering professional organization, and lawncare equipment. I have taught lean change agents from over one thousand companies worldwide, and my participation in lean transformation has given me a deeper understanding of what is involved in transforming a culture and learning from Toyota. My studies of U.S. companies working to implement versions of the Toyota Production System led to a book I edited called Becoming Lean: Experiences of U.S. Manufacturers (Liker, 1997), winner of a Shingo Prize (in honor of Shigeo Shingo who helped create the TPS) in 1998. Articles I co-authored on Toyota’s product development system and supplier management in Sloan Management Review and Harvard Business Review also won Shingo Prizes. But it was not until I was invited to write The Toyota Way that I had an opportunity to pull together in one volume 20 years of observations of Toyota and companies learning from Toyota. Reading this book might give you the impression that I am a strong advocate for Toyota. As a professor and social scientist, I work at being objective, but I will admit I am a fan of the Toyota Way. I believe Toyota has raised continuous improvement and employee involvement to a unique level, creating one of the few examples of a genuine learning enterprise in human history—not a small accomplishment. Much of the research behind this book has come from 20 years of visits to Japan and interviews in Toyota facilities there and in the United States. When I was asked to write this book, I immediately asked Toyota for support through additional interviews specifically focused on the Toyota Way. They graciously agreed. As it turned out, they had just launched their own internal version of the Toyota Way to keep the â€Å"Toyota DNA† strong as they globalize and entrust international team members to run subsidiaries. This was the pet project of Fujio Cho, President of Toyota Motor Company, who learned the Toyota Way from one of its inventors, Taiichi Ohno, and he agreed to a rare, personal interview. I asked him what was unique about Toyota’s remarkable success. His answer was quite simple. The key to the Toyota Way and what makes Toyota stand out is not any of the individual elements. But what is important is having all the elements together as a system. It must be practiced every day in a very consistent manner—not in spurts. Over a one-year period I was able to interview over 40 Toyota managers and executives from manufacturing, sales, product development, logistics, service parts, and production engineering. I gathered over 120 hours of interviews, all transcribed. Included in these interviews were several former Toyota managers who left to apply what they learned to U.S. Companies and several suppliers to Toyota. I visited many Toyota plants, supplier plants, Toyota’s sales offices, a parts distribution center, a supplied parts cross-dock, the Arizona proving ground, and the Toyota Technical Center. I have thought about what impact I would like to make on readers of The Toyota Way. First, I have had a special opportunity to get inside the culture of a unique and high performing company and wish to share my insights. Second, Toyota is a model to many companies throughout the world so I wish to provide a different look at what makes Toyota so successful. The fundamental insight I have from my studies of Toyota is that its success derives from balancing the role of people in an organizational culture that expects and values their continuous improvements, with a technical system focused on high-value-added â€Å"flow.† This leads to my third and more challenging goal: to help other companies learn from Toyota and themselves so they can continuously improve on what they do.

Is equality for all a realistic and desirable aim within society? :: essays research papers

Equality exists in many contexts. It can exist in the political level; individuals have the same rights under the law. It can exist in a social level, between categories of people, for example gender, or race. It can even exist on an individual level, as to how each person is treated. Equality cannot be confined to simply equal opportunities for all; for an equal and fair process is still equality. An equal and fair result is also equality. At each of the different level, equality shifts from being realistic or being desirable, sometimes both, or sometimes neither. Modern societies often take for granted that social quality is desirable. Democratic values mean people from all backgrounds should be given an equal say to affect decisions in the country. All individuals should be given the equal right to education, and a chance at success in life. While this is amiable, one must consider if such a notion is in fact a realistic one. There is only so much that society can do to ensure equality. Taking a case of two boys, Tom and Jerry. Tom is from a respectable multibillion-dollar company owning family. Jerry on the other hand lives alone with his single mother along the streets. Assuming the every effort of equality, both Jerry and Tom are offered places in the same college. Upon entry to the college, Tom is instantly the popular guy with the hippest clothes and accessories, while Jerry is ostracized for his faded wear. The situation is simply not equitable. Tom comes from a ‘normal’ family and has potentially the love of both parents. Jerry has had to come to terms with only one parent. Hence in terms of psychological development, they are not equal. There are too many factors, too complicated to be realistically resolved within society’s reach. It is thus, unrealistic for society to aim to ensure equal chance at success for people. Society may also aim to provide equal opportunities for people. This could be done through education, hence the rich and the poor will both be admitted on grounds of meritocracy; if they do equally well they should have equal chances at the same job. However this is not always the case. Tom’s parents may have connections, which obviously Jerry’s mother would not have, giving him an edge in finding a job. His upbringing in a family business, may instil a keen eye for business in him, again giving him an edge over Jerry.

Kit Kat

The main competitors of Kit Kat are ‘Time Out’, ‘Mars’, ‘Twix’, and ‘Ferrero’. Among the entire competitors ‘Time Out’ is on the top name of the list. According to the survey most of the people prefer Kit Kat rather than the other chocolates. Cadbury is one of the most popular companies for chocolate. It is known for its original milk chocolates. But when it comes to the snack bars, the first preference is ‘Kit Kat’. Hence we can say that the competitors are trying to improvise the original wafer coated with milk chocolate with other ingredients, such as ‘Tim Out’, which inserted flakes, ‘Twix’ which is combined with caramel flavour and ‘Kinder Buenos’ using hazelnut chocolate. This shows that the difference between Kit Kat has a different way to promote their chocolates and their competitors have different ways of promotion as they give there ingredients importance. Consumers are becoming more design conscious, demanding for goods which are aesthetically pleasing. Talking about Kit Kat, the packing is outstanding because of the striking red and convenient size. The chocolate also has a double packing. First is the outer layer which is red in colour and the second is the inner silver layer which is made of foil to protect the chocolate from bacteria and fungus. Products and there packing are affected by the lifestyle of people. More people are eating Kit Kat on the move, creating opportunities for chocolate bar line to compete in the snack market. Thus having an upper hand over its rivals, Kit Kat has done a good job by putting its product picture in front of their packing, so that it gives a clear meaning of what type of confectionary chocolate bar is Kit Kat. Nevertheless, â€Å"Time Out† has also done a good job by telling straight forwardly that it is a snack bar. On the other hand, â€Å"Twix’ packing may be a bit dull and misleading because there packing has only the product name but not what type of snack it is. At the same time, the gold packing is not so appealing to the customers. As for â€Å"Kinder Buenos† there packing is good and interesting but is big and bulky compared to others. As far as marketing system is concerned, Cadbury focuses on their product placement. The punch line will be, â€Å"location, location, location†. The product will normally be placed on the middle shelf, where most consumers find it at the same eye level, from adults to teenagers. When we talk about â€Å"Twix†, their concern is not with the placement of the product, but Mars Inc, their brand product is the one which takes care of its recognition. The same case is with â€Å"Kinder Buenos†, where Ferraro, their brand does the same for it, and helps maintain the sales. While Kit Kat on the other face, does its promotion by inducing a price which is lower to its competitors. The reason is believed to be the ingredients which are mostly local. This enables them to reduce the price. This acts as strength, because when supply and demand mechanism is taken into consideration, lower price leads to higher demand.

As The Years Go By The World Changes Extremely Quickly,

As the years go by the world changes extremely quickly, the new trend becomes an old trend in a week and the cycle continues over again. Although the world moves as fast as Usain Bolt, one thing that may never change is the popular use of the entertainment industry. The world thrives off of being entertained. People are always finding something to do or watch so that they won’t be bored. Sitcoms have been around for quite a time now, but rather a new idea that has come about is called reality TV. Society has made this type of entertainment very popular. Giving the viewer an impression that reality TV is relatable, drama filled and intriguing to watch. With all the viewers consuming hours of Reality shows, it’s pretty ironic that there†¦show more content†¦Sitcoms have given characters problems that can relate to the viewer and even drama but if the viewer is not watching the show with suspension of disbelief they aren’t going to stay engaged. Society see s real people that seem to have real problems; individuals with different personalities that aren’t celebrities and that is what becomes more relatable. Our society is gravitating toward stories about real people actually going through problems in life rather than actors interpreting these feeling and emotions through a character. Within the article James Poniewozik had a lot of sources that had their own views on society and reality television with interesting concepts. â€Å"Ridiculous and pernicious! Many kinds of cruelty are passed off entertainment.† –Washington Post. Which is stating how society feeds off of what the producers are giving them as far as ridiculous drama that comes out of nowhere, and even the cruelties. Putting strangers in a house and forcing them to be on camera 24/7 and coexist with people they might not get along with. This situation causes conflict and viewers anticipate what will happen anxiously waiting to see a fight. Even when it c omes to watching someone get their heart broken or embarrassed, viewers will stay tuned in every night to see what happens next. What does this say about society? AreShow MoreRelatedA Day With My Dog938 Words   |  4 Pagesowning an animal can change our perspective on life. Not only can our animals change the way we look at things, but can make us into better people. There is an understanding to why I think my dog, Molly has truly transformed who I am into an exceptional human being. Molly represents me because she is an example of how much I have changed for the better, and ended up exactly where I want to be. The picture is myself and my dog Molly and I at my grade twelve graduation, after one year of having her fourRead MoreEssay about Interest Rates In The Economy1528 Words   |  7 Pagesdominate day-to-day financial decision-making (Greenspan). This quote is from Allan Greenspan, the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board who was arguably the most powerful man in the world . Greenspan was also extremely financially intelligent. Being financially knowledgeable is essential in surviving in the financial world today. Even more important is educating ourselves about interest rates because they play a huge role in our economy. I believe higher interest rates will improve the economy. HigherRead MoreThe Invention Of The First Industrial Revolution1391 Words   |  6 Pagesarable land and farms. Imagine constantly hearing about brand new inventions and ideas that were deemed impossible only a few years ago. Visualize working long hours in cramped factories, in exchange for low pay and contagious diseases. For some people that lived during the age of industrialization, this was their reality of life. During the 18th and 19th century, the world was exponentially industrializing. After the first industrial revolution in Great Britain, other countries were influenced, suchRead MoreThe Wealth of Nations: A Revolutionary Work on Economics1357 Words   |  6 Pag esWealth of Nations is one of history’s most revolutionary works on economics, with basic principals that remain applicable to today’s business world. Smith wrote it in an effort to transform the way Europeans created and sold products and to promote the concept of a free market. The book was a catalyst for change, quickly spreading throughout the world new and revolutionary ways to improve the financial systems of Europe by making them more productive. It promoted the concept of specializingRead MoreThe Human Race : A Source Of Energy1549 Words   |  7 Pagesis causing the end of conventional oil to grow closer and closer to the present day. According to the statistics recorded on the website Worldometers.info, there are approximately 13,513 days (roughly 37 years) until the end of conventional oil. With this inescapable reality approaching very quickly for the human race, engineers must begin to harness more reusable and cleaner sources of energy to substitute for this dying resource. Without reasonable replacements for such a popular resource the futureRead MoreEnder’s Game, by Orson Scott Card Essay1014 Words    |  5 Pages is an exceptional novel created by an extremely smart, intuitive, and talented individual. This novel deals with several of societies’ issues and is almost satire, comparable to Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn. Some topics that are prominent in Ender’s Game are compassion, humanity, and the relationship between adults and children. These three elements define the main character, Ender, and influence the way he makes decisions and eventually changes the world. The setting of this particular novel isRead MoreHow A Chess Master Of A Immerses World By Mary Kelly Essay837 Words   |  4 PagesHow to Lead Like a Chess Master in a Snapchat World By Mary Kelly | Submitted On October 19, 2015 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Expert Author Mary Kelly One of the toughest things to coach is how toRead MoreComing Of Age By Anne Moody1536 Words   |  7 Pages especially in the 1960’s. It was a time where everyone was segregated. Blacks and whites were treated completely different. They weren’t allowed to eat at the same restaurants, go into the same bathroom, or even drink from the same water fountain. Anne Moody did just that. As just a young girl being raised by extremely poor black family in the South, she personally experienced the difference between the lives of blacks and whites. She was growing up in the middle of the civil rights movement, whereRead MoreThe Flowers by Alice Walker Essay1491 Words   |  6 Pagesa short story written in the 1970’s. The story focuses on Myop, a ten year old African American girl who loves to explore the land in which she lives. Carefree and naà ¯ve, Myop decides to travel further away from her ‘Sharecropper cabin’ and travels deep inside the woods to unfami liar land where she discovers the decomposed body of an African American man. It is then Myop quickly grows up and suddenly becomes aware of the world in which she lives. The story relies on setting and symbolism to conveyRead MoreRacial Segregation And The Civil Rights Movement1550 Words   |  7 Pagestime of racial segregation Anne Moody had experiences that were extremely different then other children at the time. The gender-based and economic hardships she faced were factors that played a role in her experiences as a child. Her childhood experiences shaped her views and actions as she was fighting against the racial inequality in her home state and her views on racism as a whole in America. Her childhood and high school years were a series of events that gave her the basis of her beliefs, growing