Strategic Excellence in the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction Industries

13Introduction to Execute

Unless you are heading straight for your objectives, the most heroic efforts in the world will only be as effective as the component of work directly related to your goals. Indeed, when carrying out improvements, you will only be truly effective when you first set your objectives and then head straight for them.

Shigeo Shingo The Sayings of Shigeo Shingo, p. 53

13.1 INTRODUCTION

NUMMI was a joint venture between General Motors in the United States and Toyota from Japan. There were many struggles in blending the two management styles, and there have been numerous books published about the United States perspective of this merger. One interesting story that came out of this implementation occurred when a Japanese executive ...