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Japan Inc.

Sunday Jan 31 2010

Picture 4  Sony Toyota and JAL are having problems.   Once Toyota got as big as GM it started making the same kinds of mistakes. As the article points out a one part fits all strategy saves money but raises the possibility of Tipping Point across all model lines if the part fails. Which is what happened. 

There is always someone coming up from behind. Woolco is gone, K Mart ate Sears, what good did that do Sears? and Wal Mart is now enjoying a resurgence in price centered behavior. 

Group think is part of the problem. TQM is not about innovation that's for sure. The downfall is quality is trading the quality idea for larger market share. It seems that the reputation for quality goes hand in hand with smaller markets and defense of price. Apple computer and Macintosh stereos come to mind. Trek and Cannondale bikes are not sold in department stores. Stihl power products are not sold in big box retailers. Defending one's product integrity is another piece of the puzzle. 

TCU has improved its academic status in the last ten years. It made the decision to cap enrollment at 7500, the accolades keep coming.  

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3 responses to “Japan Inc.”

  1. Johnny Ancich Avatar
    Johnny Ancich

    [CARTOON] Toyota Sticky Accelerator
    http://pastexpiry.blogspot.com/2010/01/cartoon-toyota-sticky-accelerator.html

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  2. Tammy C. Salinas Avatar
    Tammy C. Salinas

    Funny this happened. I did a paper about a year back regarding Toyota’s TQM and how it helped them succeed and become high in the rankings out ranking GM. They were so proud to announce it was all because of TQM they were able to produce a more quality vehichle, blah blah blah. Now that they start producing in higher quantities …failure has occured. Its bound to happen, a mistake when you increase the quantity of your quality.I think you pay for what you get, yes sometimes you may get a good deal but that comes once in a long time. My husband was shopping around for another vehicle, and found a ‘nice one’, a 2006 tahoe for $4500.Hmmmm…I wonder whats wrong with it.

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  3. Erin De La Rosa Avatar
    Erin De La Rosa

    I really love my toyota. I bought it because of the good reputation of Japanese products. I have a Honda too. Its too bad that their growing pains have cost them a scar on their good reputation.

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