Tweets From My First Lean Study Trip to Japan, Day 1

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I know many of you aren't into the whole Twitter thing, but I'm using my account (@MarkGraban) to share some photos and small batches of ideas that I come across. I'll also share them here (but keep in mind you can read Twitter without having an account there, even). That's a Toyota “partner robot” pictured above.

When Japanese company hits hard times, first action is big boss takes 40% pay cut. Then Directors, etc. LAST step is cut for workers (more)

When recovery comes, front line workers get pay restored first then big boss restored last. Polar opposite of US (lay off workers 1st)

From the Toyota visitor center: Animatronic Andon Cord Pull:http://youtu.be/ud1oIIDc5ds    Demonstrates flagging problems so help can arrive –  #lean

I'm very surprised that Japan doesn't have the “Look Right” or “Look Left” curb markings like London does. I need to be careful!

It's still true that Japanese public company CEOs can only earn 20x a frontline worker (this is unwritten rule). Small companies 10x ratio.

I'll be back with more!


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3 Comments
  1. andrew says

    Mark, the reason there are no look left / right, is that as you’ll see if you get up to Shibumi (sp?) in Tokyo, people do not ever step out in to the road on red………….the road can be clear for 3 miles and they wait for the signal…………that was our experience. I particularly like the lines for getting on / off the train though.

    How was France

    Andrew

    1. Mark Graban says

      Ha, great point. You’re right there is very little jaywalking, if any, in Nagoya. Curious to see in Tokyo next.

      I’ll email you our vacation.

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