Tag Archives: Japan

Looking in the Mirror at Customer Focus

Posted on September 5, 2017 by John Hunter

Most organizations say they are focused on meeting and exceeding customer needs. But, as a customer, this often isn’t what I experience. Delighting customers is critical to long term business success. Satisfied customers will remain your customers until they see … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer focus, Innovation, Management, Systems thinking | Tagged culture, Customer focus, customer service, Innovation, Japan, management, strategy | 1 Comment

Robots for Health Care from Toyota

Posted on April 12, 2017 by John Hunter

Japan has an extremely rapidly aging population. This increases the need for health care and for assistance with everyday tasks from the elderly. Japan is also among the leading countries for developing robots for health care and living assistance. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Innovation, IT | Tagged engineering, Health care, Innovation, Japan, long term thinking, system thinking, Toyota | Comments Off

Toyota Understands Robots are Best Used to Enhance the Value Employees Provide

Posted on April 8, 2014 by John Hunter

Toyota has always seen robotics as a way to enhance what staff can do. Many USA executives think of robotics as a way to reduce personnel. Toyota wants to use the brainpower of employees to continually improve the organization. Toyota … Continue reading →

Posted in Lean thinking, Management, Toyota Production System (TPS) | Tagged continual improvement, engineering, Innovation, Japan, lean manufacturing, managing people, Manufacturing, overpaid executives, respect for people, technology, Toyota, Toyota Production System (TPS) | Comments Off

Manufacturing Outlook and History In the USA and Globally

Posted on February 27, 2014 by John Hunter

I write primarily about management improvement on this blog – which makes sense given the title. In the very early days I had more on investing, economic data, science, engineering and travel. Then I created three new blogs (Curious Cat … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Manufacturing | Tagged China, Data, economic data, economy, Germany, Japan, Manufacturing, USA | 1 Comment

Jiro Dreams of Sushi

Posted on November 5, 2013 by John Hunter

Jiro Dreams of Sushi is a documentary on a Japanese sushi restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro, that is full of great quotes for those interested in continual improvement. Throughout the film people discuss a never ending focus on doing better and better … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer focus, Process improvement, Respect | Tagged continual improvement, Customer focus, Deming, food, Japan, Joy in Work, long term thinking, Psychology, suppliers | 4 Comments

Leading Manufacturing Countries from 2000 to 2010: China, USA…

Posted on August 13, 2012 by John Hunter

Over the years I have been posting data on the manufacturing output of leading countries. In 2010 China finally overtook the USA to becoming the leading manufacturer (long after you would have thought listening to many news sources and political … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Manufacturing | Tagged China, curiouscat, economic data, economy, Germany, India, Japan, Manufacturing, UK, USA | 2 Comments

Dr. Deming in 1980 on Product Quality in Japan and the USA

Posted on December 5, 2011 by John Hunter

I posted an interesting document to the Curious Cat Management Library: it includes Dr. Deming’s comments as part of a discussion organized by the Government Accounting Office in 1980 on Quality in Japan and the United States. The document provides … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Management, Psychology, Public Sector, Quality tools, quote, Respect, Statistics, Systems thinking | Tagged continual improvement, curiouscat, Deming, government, Japan, Lean thinking, management, management history, managing people, Process improvement, Psychology, Public Sector, quality, Quality tools, quote, respect for people, SPC, Statistics, Systems thinking, variation | Comments Off

Deming Prizes for 2011 go to Companies Based in India, Taiwan and Thailand

Posted on October 14, 2011 by John Hunter

The Union Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) has awarded the Deming Prize to 3 companies in 2011: Sanden Vikas Limited (India) The CPAC Roof Tile Company Limited (Thailand) – I am not sure if this link is for the right … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Management | Tagged Asia, awards, Deming, Deming Prize, India, Japan, Thailand | 2 Comments

2010 Deming Prize

Posted on October 15, 2010 by John Hunter

The Union Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) has awarded the Deming Prize to 4 companies in 2010: Corona Corporation (Japan), Meidoh (Japan), GC Dental (China) and National Engineering Industries Limited (India). Organizations receiving the Deming Prize since 2000 by country … Continue reading →

Posted in China, Deming, India | Tagged awards, China, Deming, Deming Prize, India, Japan | 1 Comment

Toyota’s Journey to Lean Software Development

Posted on March 18, 2010 by John Hunter

Toyota’s journey from Waterfall to Lean software development by Henrik Kniberg Toyota builds cars (duh). In the past that didn’t involve much software, and the little software that was needed was mostly developed by suppliers and embedded in isolated components. … Continue reading →

Posted in Innovation, IT, Lean thinking, Management, Quality tools, Software Development, Toyota Production System (TPS) | Tagged agile management, IT, Japan, Lean thinking, Software Development, Toyota, Toyota Production System (TPS) | Comments Off