Chevy Volt - future GM failure - Toyota Yaris Forums

TLyttle · 12-11-2008, 01:00 PM

Hm. Looks like we are closer in our thinking than we thought. I agree with your last post in its entirety.

I ran my own company for some years, and didn't realise that we were running "lean", 'cuz everything in there that could be applied to our operation was "lean". We all made good money (profit sharing, among other perks), we all got along (same target: quality), we enjoyed ourselves. No one got bored, and the deadwood left on their own accord. It was a small company, but we changed the face of that industry to the benefit of the customer. I suppose someone will say that there is a big difference between us and GM, but I feel that Toyota proves that there is no difference: it can be done.

And man, can I relate to managers not trusting their people! Many companies I worked for simply felt that there had to be some trick to my suggestions about improving things; how goofy is that? No one goes to work to do a poor job, but Management seems to think that The Peasants must be there to do just that, as lousy a job as possible. None of those guys ever offered any kind of encouragement, and the thought of getting their own hands dirty... well, that was simply a non-starter.

I worked in a truck plant for some years, and was amazed at the transformation that took place when new, dedicated managers took over. All of a sudden the whip disappeared, and the enthusiasm appeared: no one could believe it was the same place. Management CAN make a difference, they just have to want to.

12-11-2008, 01:00 PM	#33
TLyttle Drives: 07 Yaris sedan Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Keremeos BC Posts: 986	Hm. Looks like we are closer in our thinking than we thought. I agree with your last post in its entirety. I ran my own company for some years, and didn't realise that we were running "lean", 'cuz everything in there that could be applied to our operation was "lean". We all made good money (profit sharing, among other perks), we all got along (same target: quality), we enjoyed ourselves. No one got bored, and the deadwood left on their own accord. It was a small company, but we changed the face of that industry to the benefit of the customer. I suppose someone will say that there is a big difference between us and GM, but I feel that Toyota proves that there is no difference: it can be done. And man, can I relate to managers not trusting their people! Many companies I worked for simply felt that there had to be some trick to my suggestions about improving things; how goofy is that? No one goes to work to do a poor job, but Management seems to think that The Peasants must be there to do just that, as lousy a job as possible. None of those guys ever offered any kind of encouragement, and the thought of getting their own hands dirty... well, that was simply a non-starter. I worked in a truck plant for some years, and was amazed at the transformation that took place when new, dedicated managers took over. All of a sudden the whip disappeared, and the enthusiasm appeared: no one could believe it was the same place. Management CAN make a difference, they just have to want to.