By Dan Markovitz Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal ran an article explaining that employees are more likely to embrace changes when they’re fully informed of the rationale behind those changes. What?!?!?!? You mean that performance relates to worker involvement?!?!? Shocking!!! Foremost…
New Detroit Woe: Makers of Parts Won’t Cut Prices – WSJ.com Wah, the latest complaint from the “Detroit Three” (formerly known as the “Big Three”) is that they are having trouble squeezing and stomping on their suppliers for lower prices.…
In the Lead – WSJ.com Maybe the whole Toyota notion of “respect for people” and developing employees is the real “secret” sauce that companies can’t copy (or refuse to). While not mentioning Toyota, this WSJ article caught my eye this…
Wonder Land – WSJ.com: Reading up on the continuing Walter Reed situation (my earlier post on the subject), I saw this in the WSJ this morning: “Gen. Peter Schoomaker, the Army chief of staff, described the problems at Walter Reed…
Desperate to Cut Costs, Ford Gets Union’s Help – WSJ.com Here’s an example of why you can never be satisfied. A key to Toyota’s success is the mindset that you’re always shooting for perfection (an article with some examples). Here’s…
Toyota University Opens Admissions to Outsiders – WSJ.com (Gift Article) The headline is a bit misleading; it should say “Toyota Opens, Then Closes Admissions to Outsiders.” The WSJ article is about the Toyota University site in Gardenia CA. It had…
Intel, Motion Develop Tablet PC for Nurses – WSJ.com More news stories via Google. Is this a “siren song” of technology for healthcare? Executives and managers in any industry, it seems, believe in the promise of technology as the solution…
Dream Cars: Made-to-Order Line Could Restore Pride in American Autos – WSJ.comThe WSJ published a group of letters critical of GM in response to the article about the head of AutoNation calling on the automakers to “think different” (to borrow…
In the Lead – WSJ.com The WSJ wrote Monday about the leadership styles of Tony Dungy and Lovie Smith, the Super Bowl coaches for the Colts and Bears. The Super Bowl should be required viewing for managers who think screaming…
U.S. Car Makers Stand to Gain From Bush Plans – WSJ.com: “Though many factors have contributed to the industry’s woes, soaring health-care costs are a big part of the problem. The Detroit giants are paying the price for years of…
By Dan Markovitz: (Mark’s note: I saw this article and instantly thought of Dan, re: Lean in an office environment. The dynamics in this article reminded me of the typical dynamics in a non-Lean factory, where lots of expediting takes…
For Some Manufacturers, There Are Benefits to Keeping Production at Home – WSJ.com This really is a recurring theme in the WSJ, this article starts: “It has long been an axiom that U.S.-made consumer goods such as TV sets and…