Business Forum: Focus on short term hurt U.S. carmakers:
Let's hope Ford means it when they say they are going to focus on the long-term, ala Toyota.
“In the 1980s, GM adopted lean production halfheartedly, even after it became clear that total quality management produced more reliable cars than Detroit's mass production model.”
Mark Graban
Mark Graban is an internationally-recognized consultant, author, and professional speaker who has worked in healthcare, manufacturing, and startups. His latest book is Measures of Success: React Less, Lead Better, Improve More. He is author of the Shingo Award-winning books Lean Hospitals and Healthcare Kaizen, as well as The Executive Guide to Healthcare Kaizen. He also published the anthology Practicing Lean that benefits the Louise H. Batz Patient Safety Foundation, where Mark is a board member. Mark is also a Senior Advisor to the technology company KaiNexus.
To me, this was the most encouraging statement in the message delivered today by Bill Ford. It’s realistic and prudent to underscore that becoming a sustainably profitable company can only happen with a long term plan that focuses on customers.
Like Mark – I’m hopeful that the organization will make good on Bill’s promise.