Toyota names first non-Japanese to board

[andy82481]

http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/070412/japan_toyota.html?.v=8


Toyota Names 1st Non-Japanese to Board
Thursday April 12, 7:18 am ET
By Yuri Kageyama, AP Business Writer Toyota Names 1st Non-Japanese to Board, an American, to Avert Backlash for Booming U.S. Sales

TOKYO (AP) -- Toyota named the first non-Japanese to its board of directors Thursday, appointing American James Press, the automaker's president of North American operations, amid growing fears of a political backlash for its booming U.S. sales........>

For rest of the story, click on the link.

[Z28Wilson]

Originally Posted by andy82481

amid growing fears of a political backlash for its booming U.S. sales........

Why are they continually stating they are worried about this? There is absolutely no indication that any sort of backlash is coming. Besides, even if this did happen, I doubt naming one American to the board of directors is going to make a difference. I sure hope they didn't appoint this guy telling him it was simply a PR move and not because he belongs there.

The only thing Toyota would need to worry about is becoming the world's #1. They will then have the big bullseye for all kinds of nastiness on their back that GM has worn for the last 70 years. Witness the Eco-whackos in my other thread.

[ECHOKnight2000]

Originally Posted by Z28Wilson

Why are they continually stating they are worried about this? There is absolutely no indication that any sort of backlash is coming.

The only thing Toyota would need to worry about is becoming the world's #1. They will then have the big bullseye for all kinds of nastiness on their back that GM has worn for the last 70 years. Witness the Eco-whackos in my other thread.

I think you anwser your own question. I think because Toyota might or soon to be number one like you said they will be target and there is no holding back. Its already happening and its only going to get worst because Toyota is getting bigger, I'm glad they are doing well but I personally I don't want them to get to the point of loosing it. I know they aren't perfect and they have and will stumble from time to time but this rapid growth is probably Toyota's worst enemy, ironically.

[Bakemono]

Nothing against James Press, but IMO putting a non-Japanese person on the board is a mistake.
Look at how the quality has dropped since Toyota has hired non-Japanese leaders to run their factories.

[dsmnick]

Originally Posted by Octane

Nothing against James Press, but IMO putting a non-Japanese person on the board is a mistake.
Look at how the quality has dropped since Toyota has hired non-Japanese leaders to run their factories.

So them adding Jim Press to the board of directors will somehow make quality drop more? I don't quite follow the logic. Why is there this belief that all Americans are incompetent? Hasn't Jim Press's leadership expanded sales in North America? Why should he not be elligible to be part of the board when he is the president for Toyota's largest market?

[Bakemono]

Nick, you dont understand the Japanese work ethic. Watch the movie, "Gung Ho" and you might begin to understand.
I wont deny the good things that Jim Press has done for Toyota in North America, but IMO Toyota needs to keep as many Japanese minds in the board room as possible because non-Japanese for the most part do not have the same work ethic and do not understand the Toyota way.
You ask why there is this belief that all Americans are incompetent? You need look no furthur than how screwed up Ford and GM are right now to find the answer to that question. Ford and GM are dying, Toyota is growing bigger than ever. It looks to me like the Japanese have it pretty well figured out, you cant say the same about the Americans.
Maybe that makes me unpatriotic, I think it makes me a realist. Ive seen what has happened to Ford and GM and I dont want to see the same happen to Toyota.

[dsmnick]

Originally Posted by Octane

Nick, you dont understand the Japanese work ethic. Watch the movie, "Gung Ho" and you might begin to understand.
I wont deny the good things that Jim Press has done for Toyota in North America, but IMO Toyota needs to keep as many Japanese minds in the board room as possible because non-Japanese for the most part do not have the same work ethic and do not understand the Toyota way.
You ask why there is this belief that all Americans are incompetent? You need look no furthur than how screwed up Ford and GM are right now to find the answer to that question. Ford and GM are dying, Toyota is growing bigger than ever. It looks to me like the Japanese have it pretty well figured out, you cant say the same about the Americans.
Maybe that makes me unpatriotic, I think it makes me a realist. Ive seen what has happened to Ford and GM and I dont want to see the same happen to Toyota.

I know about the Japanese work ethic...I've read plenty about it, how failure is shame and all that. In fact, I took a Chinese history class last year with a good portion devoted to Japan and the reason the Japanese society is so hard working is that they have few natural resources and the only way for them to survive was by continually improving technology in order to eliminate waste. I've read plenty on it.

About the "Toyota Way"...I'm sure Jim Press could "understand" it, if he doesn't already. He must be a pretty bright guy if he has acheived the position he is in currently. It's not like the Toyota Way is a secret code that needs de-bunking...you can find the 14 Principles on Wikipedia. But you alluding that somehow only the Japanese can understand the "Toyota Way" is a naive way of thinking...any educated person can read and comprehend these principles.

The problems that led to GM and Ford's troubles were bad management, plain and simple...cost-cutting, corner-cutting, saturating certain markets while starving others, overlap, and many other factors. They CAN build a good, competitive car, as they have proven with the new ones coming out. Do you lack faith in American work ethic for all sectors of industry or only the auto industry?

[Bakemono]

Originally Posted by dsmnick

I know about the Japanese work ethic...I've read plenty about it, how failure is shame and all that. In fact, I took a Chinese history class last year with a good portion devoted to Japan and the reason the Japanese society is so hard working is that they have few natural resources and the only way for them to survive was by continually improving technology in order to eliminate waste. I've read plenty on it.

You obviously dont understand the Japanese work ethic. Let me sum it up for you. Every day, the people of Japan arise and seek perfection in everything they do. In some ways, it has its origins in the Bushido code of honor.

About the "Toyota Way"...I'm sure Jim Press could "understand" it, if he doesn't already. He must be a pretty bright guy if he has acheived the position he is in currently. It's not like the Toyota Way is a secret code that needs de-bunking...you can find the 14 Principles on Wikipedia. But you alluding that somehow only the Japanese can understand the "Toyota Way" is a naive way of thinking...any educated person can read and comprehend these principles.

Yes, anyone can look it up. Yes, anyone can read and comprehend these principles. However, GM has tried since '80s to copy the Toyota Production System and implement Kaizen in their factories, but they have NEVER been able to implement it with the same success that Toyota has had.

The problems that led to GM and Ford's troubles were bad management, plain and simple...cost-cutting, corner-cutting, saturating certain markets while starving others, overlap, and many other factors. They CAN build a good, competitive car, as they have proven with the new ones coming out. Do you lack faith in American work ethic for all sectors of industry or only the auto industry?

I lack faith in the American work ethic in most all areas. I work in a factory and several of my friends worked at the GM plant in Janesville, WI plus my aunt works for GM in Fort Wayne, IN. Ive seen firsthand the lack of accountability and the general attitude of, "its not my problem, as long I get paid every week thats all I care about". Sad but true...

[dsmnick]

You obviously dont understand the Japanese work ethic. Let me sum it up for you. Every day, the people of Japan arise and seek perfection in everything they do. In some ways, it has its origins in the Bushido code of honor.

My Chinese history professor grew up in China and related his personal experiences about the differences between the Chinese and the Japanese. I have two friends that studied in Japan and told me a great deal about the culture and the work life. I also did a project where I designed an Asian garden based on principles of Zen and Taoism. I've read plenty on Japanese work ethic and have a pretty good grasp on it.

Yes, anyone can look it up. Yes, anyone can read and comprehend these principles. However, GM has tried since '80s to copy the Toyota Production System and implement Kaizen in their factories, but they have NEVER been able to implement it with the same success that Toyota has had.

Like I said, mismanagement and the UAW are why GM never acheived the efficiency of Toyota. That was the 80s...this is 2007.

I lack faith in the American work ethic in most all areas. I work in a factory and several of my friends worked at the GM plant in Janesville, WI plus my aunt works for GM in Fort Wayne, IN. Ive seen firsthand the lack of accountability and the general attitude of, "its not my problem, as long I get paid every week thats all I care about". Sad but true...

So a handful of people you know are enough to condemn the rest of the American workforce? Are all GM workers like your friends and your aunt? With the buyouts and job cuts, GM and Ford are finally starting to weed out the ones like you describe.

[Bakemono]

Originally Posted by dsmnick

Like I said, mismanagement and the UAW are why GM never acheived the efficiency of Toyota. That was the 80s...this is 2007.

True, but GM hasnt learned the lessons of the past.

So a handful of people you know are enough to condemn the rest of the American workforce? Are all GM workers like your friends and your aunt? With the buyouts and job cuts, GM and Ford are finally starting to weed out the ones like you describe.

I know more than a handfull of people who work for GM, its more like dozens. That and Ive toured both the Janesville and Fort Wayne plants and have seen the knuckleheads who work there. I could tell you stories that I know are true about people being drunk and stoned on the job (and they are not the exception to the rule).

[Corona67]

Originally Posted by Octane

I know more than a handful of people who work for GM, its more like dozens. That and Ive toured both the Janesville and Fort Wayne plants and have seen the knuckleheads who work there. I could tell you stories that I know are true about people being drunk and stoned on the job (and they are not the exception to the rule).

I think I would agree with your assessment (generally) of lots of segments of the work force. However, I would not put the blame entirely on the workers themselves. Random, capricious and hostile management practices over many decades have sucked much of the life out of American workers. Also, declining wages, benefits and standards of living don't exactly inspire people to have a smile at work. These factors have only recently begun to affect the Japanese labor market. Time will tell if they adopt our attitudes toward work.

C