Toyota vs GM: just for laughs

[detroiter]

I think it's safe to say though that given that much empowerment in whatever position it is...the typical Japanese would respect it and stay within reason of the powers, not getting too greedy. Typical American would see how far they could push it and what they could get away with all for personal gain.

The typical Japanese mentality is when they all do a good job, the company does a good job and that's what makes them proud. The typical American mentality is how much you going to pay me and IF I DO A GOOD JOB, THEN HOW WILL I BE REWARDED FOR IT?

It's easy to see the group mentality of the Japanese as compared to the "it's all about me" individuality thought process of alot of Americans.

I was staying with my friend in Japan for about a month, a few years ago and they worked rediculous hours. And they were not the only ones, most everyone I met there who was a worker for a halfway decent job, worked LONG hours. 10-12 hour work days for 5-6 days a week were normal. I wonder how many people I know here in the states could hack a schedule like that.

[GeneW]

Originally Posted by detroiter

I was staying with my friend in Japan for about a month, a few years ago and they worked rediculous hours. And they were not the only ones, most everyone I met there who was a worker for a halfway decent job, worked LONG hours. 10-12 hour work days for 5-6 days a week were normal. I wonder how many people I know here in the states could hack a schedule like that.

They're not always efficient, though. A lot of Execs in Japanese firms also party with their people, sometimes late into the night. They're back at work the next day.

A LOT of Americans work fifty hour weeks. I am averaging about forty five hours a week, plus more during crunch times. I'm heading to work today to do some reports and gather data. We also help each other out a great deal and don't sweat our money since times are tough right now.


Where Toyota does well is in their sense of team. They don't indulge non-sense like class struggle, either from below or from above. You don't see Good Ole Boy networks above wanting to control every little thing, making gigantic salaries and lording it over the peasants. You don't see people from below playing haves vs have nots with "Troublemaker's Guides" and other cute non-sense. You don't see that "I'll grab what I can get from the company... f' em" either in the form of bloated pensions or insane bonuses for antics like chopping head count. You get recognized for doing more with what you got, not doing more by beating on people.

Probably the biggest thing I've noticed from the literature is that Toyota doesn't pay people not to think or not to care about what they're doing.

Gene

[frownonfun]

Originally Posted by detroiter

I was staying with my friend in Japan for about a month, a few years ago and they worked rediculous hours. And they were not the only ones, most everyone I met there who was a worker for a halfway decent job, worked LONG hours. 10-12 hour work days for 5-6 days a week were normal. I wonder how many people I know here in the states could hack a schedule like that.

i think many people in the states DO hack a schedule like. matter fact i think we are one of the most over worked countries in the world personally. i have been with the same company for 3 years now and a 10 hour day is the norm and a 6 or 7 day work week is not at all uncommon. that's what you call blue collar. i don't know how schedules are for those in more professional positions but to say the US doesn't have people who work their asses off is kinda insulting. the problem isn't that americans are lazy or don't care it's that too much money goes to the people on top.