The Toyota Way Fieldbook
- ISBN13: 9780071448932
- Condition: NEW
- Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
Product Description
The Toyota Way Fieldbook is a companion to the international bestseller The Toyota Way. The Toyota Way Fieldbook builds on the philosophical aspects of Toyota’s operating systems by detailing the concepts and providing practical examples for application that leaders need to bring Toyota’s success-proven practices to life in any organization. The Toyota Way Fieldbook will help other companies learn from Toyota and develop systems that fit their unique cultures…. More >>
I think this book, similar to Dr. Liker’s The Toyota Way, misleads the reader into believing that if the reader employs these principles and programs, that their enterprise/business will be successful like Toyota. Why? The authors fail to inform the reader that Toyota, at least in the Georgetown plant, where I am and have been employeed for many years, uses temporary employees extensively to produce the Camry, Avalon, and Solara. By extensively I mean temporary employees who remain employed from 3 to 4 to 5 years on the production line alongside regular team members. The advantage to Toyota is the temps are paid approx. $10 per hour less; receive no health benefits from Toyota; are entitled to 4 vacation days per year; have abolutely no guarantee from Toyota of permanent employment ( Toyota does occasionally hire some of these people after exploiting their service for 3,4, or 5 yrs.); receive no pension; earn no bonus or performance award, etc….Folks I could go on & on with how these temporary employees are exploited for Toyota’s financial gain. Neither Dr. Liker or David Meier tell the reader that this practice of using temporary employees is a fundamental key to controlling cost, particularly labor costs. What Toyota sacrifices in exchange for the financial gain is quality. In the past 5 years no Georgetown Toyota produced vehicle has earned a J.D. Power Gold Award. Why? Because Toyota in Georgetown (TMMK) does not completely follow the standards/principles in this fieldbook or The Toyota Way. I say buyer beware because if you as the reader opt to adapt your business to the guidelines in this book, you will be successful, but it will cost you more that it does Toyota. I firmly believe in the 14 principles outlined in Liker’s The Toyota Way and I believe in the guidelines in this fieldbook. I work at TMMK and I’ve seen the successes gained many years ago when TPS was being taught to new hires when were under Japanese management. Today , as we have for the past 5 years, have an American manager, Gary Convis, formerly with GM. I’m simply stating that these authors fail to tell the reader that many of Toyota’s recent financial successes is derived by deviating from TPS by using non-permanent Team Members who loyalties are subject to question. Afterall, why should a temporary employee provide 100% effort to Toyota if Toyota will not promise them a job or share in the profits through performance awards and/or bonuses? One of the points brought up in this book is that David Meier used to be a Group Leader at TMMK. Indeed he was; he was one of the first hired. He remembers how TMMK produced quality vehicles which earned numerous vehicle and plant Gold awards from J.D. Power before the use of temps on a long term basis. In those days, temps were utilized to cover for summer vacations and medical leaves, but only temporarily, not long term as they are now. Permanent Team Members went through an extensive screening process to ensure Toyota was comfortable with their skills to be such that they could be molded to TPS requirements. Those hired were offered and earned full benefits from day one. These temps today are not screened as extensively and are not compensated accordingly. Why Doesn’t Mr. Meier inform the reader of these facts? Why? It all boils down to credibility. In my opinion, this book is not credible in terms of conveying to the reader the way Toyota really conducts business. I say, buyer beware. One of the concerns I have is that David Meier reviewed Dr. Liker’s The Toyta Way last year and failed to qualify that review by informing the reader that he was working with Dr. Like on this book. Credibilty is everything; just ask Oprah or Mr. Frey.
Rating: 1 / 5
I tentatively downloaded this book for a class I am taking. I was a little nervous because I didn’t think there would be any images. I was pleasantly surprised to see images on my Kindle (I have the 6″ display Kindle 2) that you can use the five-way selector to enlarge. You can not jump to different chapters, but you can do this manually by searching for each chapter and hi-lighting the “chapter 5″ for example. I was worried this book would not be as good or useful on the Kindle as in real life, but I think it will be more useful and faster than having the hard copy version.
Rating: 5 / 5
I added this book to my lean collection over a year ago. Those of us that have 10+ years experience with lean, we will find this resource very basic. What the author created was a resource tool for training. I utilize this resource for introducing new leaders to the concepts of lean. In addition, this resource is especially helpful for those who have zero understanding and are somewhat resistant to embrace lean / systems thinking.
I find the author created an introduction tool for front-line leaders. Therefore, this is a must have for people at this level.
Unfortunately, I have recognized a number of gaps with this text. First, if your culture does not promote these concepts, forget it. If you are a supervisor in a ridged union shop, you will have a hard time implementing these concepts, since the thrust is aimed at non-union and high-performance driven cultures. My second issue is the overall simplistic approach granted to cultural transformation. Even in the best, most highly motivated environments, a lean transformation requires great time and patience. A change agent must understand that positive change occurs when these excellent concepts are `top down, bottom driven.’
Lastly, I would like to see more case studies. More specifically, this audience needs case studies on how to transform a culture (from mass production to lean for example) in small pieces. Leaders need more than concepts to learn. As we know and have experienced, leaders, especially front-line leaders, need a road map of how to start. I recommend small case studies that illustrate small success stories.
I still highly recommend this resource, for all levels. The author created an easy-to-read guide that motivates the reader to begin cultural transformation. I would like to see a dedicated resource on case studies for (a) union and non-union shops; (b) lean with limited resources such as organizations with few employees, start-ups; (c)lean in highly challenging, toxic work environments; and (d) lean in distribution industries.
Rating: 4 / 5
…read this book and I will guarantee you will look at your
company’s Lean implementation in a different way. The perspective given as you read the book makes one feel as though you are actually working for Toyota. The book’s content, real-world examples and illustratons will present you with opportunities to ask the question “Why” to your management again and again.
This book will make you “Think” and think like Toyota would think and what better company would there be to follow? IMO, there is none and what makes it that way is Toyota’s humble attitude in that they are not perfect and always strive for perfection.
Read the book, make the changes in the way you do business, become more competitive and profitable, satisfy your customers, change yourself and hopefully those around you and best of all, have fun doing it.
Rating: 5 / 5
Can you imagine not only purchasing an excellent book on management, but even meeting the author and receiving an excellent education on the principles of that book. Well that happened to me. The principles have remained with me for more than a few years. I highly recommend this book and any course its authors teach. Pay close attention to their exercises. David Meier even inspired me to write my own bookA Greater Prayer: A How-To Manual on Making the Lord’s Prayer Your Very Own. Thanks David!
Rating: 5 / 5