Date: Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 12:43 AM
Subject: Lessons Learned from Toyota’s Stumble…e piece on Toyota recall by Steve Spear
I received an e-mail this morning from Steven J. Spear, author of “Chasing the Rabbit: How Market Leaders Outdistance the Competition” and thought I would share his commentary on the Toyota recall. Steven raises some interesting points that we can all learn from.
The local news here in Mississauga attempted to gain commentary from CTS employees with little success. In summary, “The parts are being produced to specifications required by the customer.” It was also reported on the news today that Toyota has found a solution and will commence with their plans to fix the problem.
Steve’s e-mail follows:
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Long the quality and efficiency standard-setter, Toyota now has an ostrich-sized egg on its face — a problem with sticking accelerator pedals that led to global product recalls and a suspension of production and sales.
There are important lessons to be learned from Toyota’s stumble:
Competitive success is fluid. It depends on continuously discovering better ways to do work. The capabilities to do this are powerful but fragile and need constant reinforcement. Relentless attention to their development can lead to great success; conversely, a loss in attention can have grave consequences.
Please see the rest of the piece, “Learning from Toyota’s Stumble,” at blogs.hbr.org.
With best wishes,
Steve Spear
Author: Chasing the Rabbit: How Market Leaders Outdistance the Competition