Japanese -vs- American

[darkknight1955]

Japanese vs American

 

 

A Modern Parable.

 

A Japanese company ( Toyota ) and an American company (General Motors) decided to have a canoe race on theMissouri River Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race.

 

On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.

 

The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

 

Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 8 people steering and 1 person rowing.

 

Feeling a deeper study was in order, American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion.

 

They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

 

Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 3 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager.

 

They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 1 person rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rower. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses.

 

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

 

Humiliated, the American management laid off the rower for poor performance, halted development of a new canoe, sold the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses and the next year's racing team was out-sourced toIndia .

 

Sadly, The End..

 

Here's something else to think about: Ford has spent the last thirty years moving all its factories out of theUS , claiming they can't make money paying American wages.

 

TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US. The last quarter's results:

 

TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while Ford racked up 9 billion in losses.

 

Ford folks are still scratching their heads.

 

IF THIS WASN'T SO TRUE IT MIGHT BE FUNNY

[123]

Best post I have ever seen on this forum. I hope someone can forward this to Mr Mulally. That is exactly the way I see it a KCAP. As well as company wide.

 

Mr P Bass

[udontkno]

I agree at my plant we have 1 supervisor/manager for every 6 hourly. The sad part of it is half of those managers make over $120,000 a year while the highest paid hourly is around $65,000. But everyday they are looking to cut the hourly workforce. But at this point I have given up on Ford cutting their bosses, they are going to pay them more and keep getting rid of the blue collar. Alan dosnt give a shit hes part of the system. The only way it will change is for the Ford family to give up their voting shares and stockholders to demand fewer chiefs.

[stapking]

Lets also remember Toyota has really only achieved sucess through coverups as in regards to their recalls hiding the numbers also using the bullshit north american freetrade agreement which allows them to come in but when North America wants to send our product over there they either don't let them in or put tarriffs on our cars which make them way to expensive. Thank the WTO for siding with the enemy.

 

Also remeber wait until the vast numbers of Toyota employees start retiring due to the good pensions by the big 3 it's taking a toll on them. Toyota isn't even paying out yet.

 

Funny how a country which wanted to blow our ass off the planet over 60 years ago we now give them our money. Then there's China who's even a bigger threat, nothing like feeding a future war machine! War today isn't always on the battlefeild now it's from a company boardroom. The use of spies and media as used in war are being used now all propaganda. Other countries must just shake their heads at North america we're to occupied with what Rosie said on the veiw as to whats going on in the real world. :bowdown:

[Savetheplanet]

Maybe if we had health coverage for everybody in the US, like Japan does, Ford would be in better shape.

[CSMJ]

WE SETTLED THIS QUESTION IN 1945.

[ebritt]

Maybe if we had health coverage for everybody in the US, like Japan does, Ford would be in better shape.

Yeah but people would be dying in the waiting rooms.

[Furious1Auto]

Lets also remember Toyota has really only achieved sucess through coverups as in regards to their recalls hiding the numbers also using the bullshit north american freetrade agreement which allows them to come in but when North America wants to send our product over there they either don't let them in or put tarriffs on our cars which make them way to expensive. Thank the WTO for siding with the enemy.

 

Also remeber wait until the vast numbers of Toyota employees start retiring due to the good pensions by the big 3 it's taking a toll on them. Toyota isn't even paying out yet.

 

Funny how a country which wanted to blow our ass off the planet over 60 years ago we now give them our money. Then there's China who's even a bigger threat, nothing like feeding a future war machine! War today isn't always on the battlefeild now it's from a company boardroom. The use of spies and media as used in war are being used now all propaganda. Other countries must just shake their heads at North america we're to occupied with what Rosie said on the veiw as to whats going on in the real world. :bowdown:

I think that the original post was more directly about the lack of morality in the upper management ethics. What you say is true though!

[Roadrunner]

Yeah but people would be dying in the waiting rooms.

 

In the border states, this already happens due to the overextension of hospital ER rooms due to illegal immigrants needing them.

[Furious1Auto]

Maybe if we had health coverage for everybody in the US, like Japan does, Ford would be in better shape.

I can't beleave you would try using this argument after pointing out there are import manufacturing plants in the U.S. They pay wages and for medical benefits the their American employees.

Edited May 29, 2007 by Furious1Auto

[CAPlineWORKER]

Lets also remember Toyota has really only achieved sucess through coverups as in regards to their recalls hiding the numbers also using the bullshit north american freetrade agreement which allows them to come in but when North America wants to send our product over there they either don't let them in or put tarriffs on our cars which make them way to expensive. Thank the WTO for siding with the enemy.

 

Also remeber wait until the vast numbers of Toyota employees start retiring due to the good pensions by the big 3 it's taking a toll on them. Toyota isn't even paying out yet.

 

Funny how a country which wanted to blow our ass off the planet over 60 years ago we now give them our money. Then there's China who's even a bigger threat, nothing like feeding a future war machine! War today isn't always on the battlefeild now it's from a company boardroom. The use of spies and media as used in war are being used now all propaganda. Other countries must just shake their heads at North america we're to occupied with what Rosie said on the veiw as to whats going on in the real world. :bowdown:

 

 

I agree!

[Furious1Auto]

I agree!

We know what's going on but why? Why is there nothing but negative press coverage of domestics. Why is Toyota the darling of the media? Do they get the same sick satisfaction that Howard Stern got while he was attempting to destroy American Idol, Keeping a no talent loser on to disrupt the competition! I just don't understand where the satisfaction comes from. Why would they want to unemploy thousands of Americans. Unless maybe Ford attempted to dictate what the where whiling to pay for advertising! The Toyota retiree's don't have traditional pensions and the company never carry the same liability if they can't be organized!

Edited May 29, 2007 by Furious1Auto

[el norte]

Maybe if we had health coverage for everybody in the US, like Japan does, Ford would be in better shape.

ford maybe in better shape, but the health care in the US will turn to shit!

[Furious1Auto]

ford maybe in better shape, but the health care in the US will turn to shit!

It would be good for the financial state of all companies operating in the U.S., but I don't see where it would give the domestic brands an edge over the import brands! Our insurance companies and Dr.'s need some humbling though. Are they going to wait until everyone refuses to pay for insurance and they become unemployed or government health care is imposed to control medical costs before they charge responsible rates! Health care costs are ridiculous and they want us and our companies to pay more! Get real!