By Jackie Stapleton
It was the 1990s, an era known for grunge music, the dawn of the Internet, and—unfortunately for Toyota—a series of car recalls that dented their sterling reputation. Customers started questioning the quality of Toyota cars, and even loyal fans started to wander. It was a dark cloud hanging over Toyota who had always prided itself on delivering excellence.
Realizing that talk was cheap without action, Toyota unleashed a tsunami of resources aimed at one thing: Quality Improvement. Financial coffers were opened, and additional staff were hired, each one a specialist in their field. Engineers, quality analysts, supply chain experts—you name it. They were like the Avengers but for car manufacturing, each with their own set of skills, united for a common cause.
The result? A transformation that would make any Hollywood makeover pale in comparison. Recalls plummeted, customer satisfaction soared, and slowly but surely, the trust was rebuilt. People started to look at a Toyota car not just as a vehicle, but as a benchmark of quality. The little sticker that said “Inspected for Quality” started to mean something again, and it meant a lot.
The company didn’t just stop at regaining customer trust; it became an evangelist of quality, setting an example for the industry. Competitors started to look at Toyota not just as a rival, but as a model to emulate. Business schools started adding “The Toyota Turnaround” to their curriculum, dissecting every move the company made to pull itself out of the quagmire.
This remarkable journey isn’t just a story of corporate survival; it’s a lesson in the transformative power of resources when channelled correctly. It showed the world that quality isn’t a checkbox to tick off; it’s a culture to build. And to build a culture, you need resources—human, financial, physical and technological.
So, the next time you find yourself in a Toyota car, know that you’re not just driving a vehicle; you’re experiencing the fruits of a company-wide commitment to quality. And it all started because Toyota decided to invest in what matters most for quality: resources.
Tools and equipment are to a business what gears and batteries are to an electric vehicle. Just as the right tools and equipment are essential for delivering high-quality work, the right gears and batteries are essential for achieving high-performance and sustainability in an electric vehicle. Both tools and equipment and electric vehicle components are key resources that businesses can invest in to power their success
This HBR article emphasizes the critical role of human resources as a long-term competitive advantage, cautioning against the pitfalls of viewing employees merely as costs rather than valuable assets. This aligns well with the Toyota story, where investment in various forms of resources—including human capital—was central to overcoming challenges and achieving success. In a world where companies often give lip service to the idea that ‘Employees are our most important asset,’ it’s crucial to remember that actions speak louder than words.
Toyota serve as a shining example of this truth. Rather than treating their employees as mere costs on a balance sheet, they invested heavily in human resources, viewing them as the linchpin for long-term success. Such an investment wasn’t just about avoiding failure; it was about paving the way for groundbreaking innovations and setting new industry standards. Companies that overlook the importance of investing in their workforce do so at their own peril, risking not just their reputation but their very survival.
Linking Clauses to High-Performance: The ISO Value Model
Resources
Resources are the lifeblood of any organization, serving as the foundational elements that drive all activities. Whether it’s the skilled hands of human resources or the technological backbone that supports operations, resources set the stage for everything that follows.
- Human Resources
- Financial Capital
- Technological Assets
- Physical Infrastructure
- Intellectual Property
Processes and Systems
Processes and Systems act as the engine room where resources are transformed into value. They determine how efficiently and effectively your resources are utilized, encompassing everything from quality control mechanisms to decision-making frameworks.
- Quality Management
- Operational Efficiency
- Innovation Systems
- Decision-making Frameworks
- Feedback Loops
Outcomes
Outcomes are the tangible results that emerge from the effective combination of resources and systems. They are the key performance indicators—such as product quality and customer satisfaction—that demonstrate the health and success of an organization.
- Quality of Product/Service
- Customer Satisfaction
- Employee Satisfaction
- Profitability
- Market Share
Strategic Goals
Strategic Goals are what guide an organization’s journey. These long-term objectives, be it achieving industry leadership or focusing on sustainability, dictate how resources should be allocated and systems optimized to ensure a prosperous future.
- Long-term Competitive Advantage
- Sustainability
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
- Industry Leadership
Your Next Steps to Success
- Evaluate your resources.
- Identify gaps.
- Determine actions to fill the gaps.
- Work with an expert.
This article first appeared on Auditor Training Online‘s Lead the Standard newsletter and is published here with permission.