tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491762.post8288088436933459572..comments2023-10-22T06:10:35.936-04:00Comments on Scrum Log Jeff Sutherland: Kaizen Mind: Essential to High Performance Scrum TeamsJeff Sutherlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07761053439034726679noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3491762.post-40393423036118608192007-02-18T10:17:00.000-05:002007-02-18T10:17:00.000-05:00There are a number of globalization hurdles Toyota...There are a number of globalization hurdles Toyota has to overcome. Obviously, it should make no different where Toyota vehicles are made from quality perspective, however the Japanese cooperation of manufacturers, suppliers, distributors and banks in closely-knit groups (keiretsu) and big firm shushin koyo makes Japan unique as a nation. Nevertheless, despite record sales, Toyota's quality reputation has been hit by a series of recalls that you could blame on its rush to cut costs. Here in the UK we are not bad at making cars: Toyota's plant in Derbyshire and the Nissan plant in Sunderland are among the most efficient in Europe - although Nissan did report a 23% slump in profits yesterday for the last quarter of 2006, blaming the poor results on rising commodity costs, fierce competition and stagnant sales. Part of the problem Toyota may face in the US could stem from strict house agreements with unions and employee costs, eg healthcare, has risen faster than inflation for many years.<BR/><BR/>Rob<BR/><BR/>www.rob-thompson.net<BR/>www.63buckets.co.uk (lean)<BR/>www.qualityhero.co.uk (six sigma)roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07965141789034116201noreply@blogger.com