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Manufacturing Success: A Book Review of “How Toyota Became #1”

Published January 6, 2009

by Matthew Vernhout

How Toyota Became 1
Why You Should Read This Book Now

The car sector is getting a lot of press these days – particularly about how “the big three” North American brands are seeking public funds to help sustain a sector whose contraction has dramatic and worldwide implications. One of the more common reasons given for the current state of the industry is the inability of large and complex companies to adapt quickly enough to their customers’ changing tastes and needs.

It is with this state of the industry in mind that one can learn valuable lessons from David Magee’s How Toyota Became #1, because Toyota continues its 30-plus year industry reign of profitability, innovation and growth. And it has done so by ensuring that it truly stays connected with its customers as well as all other relevant stakeholders.

Who Should Read This Book

While some may think that How Toyota Became #1 is only worthwhile for those in the car and/or manufacturing sectors, the truth is that the power of its stories and practical lessons can be applied to all industries as well as to any company regardless of their size, age, geographic region or stage of growth. Furthermore, its insights are relevant for all C-level executives. For example, company leaders in charge of marketing, finance, operations and human resources can all learn about the importance of, and methods for:

Continue readingManufacturing Success: A Book Review of “How Toyota Became #1”
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Son of Tweets and Twits – Part Deux — The Sequel

Published January 5, 2009

by Pete (the mose) Mosley

http://twitterholic.com/

Twitterholic top 100

Well this did it for me. I have been on Twitter – I guess since about Day One. Real early. Never really saw the value. Now I definitely don't.

Neither do any of you Canucks out there by the looks of it.

There are two Canadians in the Top 100 – A cute broadcasting Gal (Amber, I think.)  I wasn't following her – the following cute girls makes me feel weird. Oh, and a Rob – who has a Blog directory. I was following him – but he didn't notice me. So all is cool!

What does this show?

  1. We Canadians are a different sort. We don't do this self-promoting stuff very well. Even the classic self-promoters in Canada suck at this. I know we try, and for the record, God Bless all the little brainiacs out there in The Great White North trying to make a living being experts – but ya still aren't celebs. Paris, Britney and any one of the Jonas Brothers are way ahead. And so are the Top 100 Tweeters.
  2. We are Canadians – who should really give a shit what we think anyway? There are only like 30 million of us? We are like a weird Ohio – with two languages.
  3. No right minded Canadian would stoop to be the "King-O-tweets" Why she asks? 'Cause it is silly. Full stop. Canadians have – whether you like it or not – manners. Torontonians not so much obviously. Toronto is the Twitter capital of Canada – and as Canadians we are up there Twittering – but we sadly are not that glamorous (except Amber) nor exciting. I was going to give an exception – but there isn't one.
  4. The folks in the Top 100  – and I scanned a bunch that I wasn't following – are just not real-world credible. Sorry. Yes, you are prolly wonderful folks. You are prolly terrific people. But you have no credentials. Have you worked anywhere? Have you done anything? Not that I can see. Publishing a Blog ain't the same as being published.  Malcolm Gladwell – I consider an expert. Joe(sephine) Schmoe publishing stolen shit from all over the Net on how to be successful? Nyet.

Just cause ya have a Blog – doesn't make you credible.

Continue readingSon of Tweets and Twits – Part Deux — The Sequel
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