A Modern Japanese Parable

A Japanese Modern Parable.
( Company Toyota ) and an American company (General Motors) decided to have a canoe race on the Missouri River . Both teams practiced long and hard to reach their peak performance before the race.

On the big day, the Japanese won by a mile.

The Americans, very discouraged and depressed, decided to investigate the reason for the crushing defeat. A management team made up of senior management was formed to investigate and recommend appropriate action.

Their conclusion was the Japanese had 8 people rowing and 1 person steering, while the American team had 7 people steering and 2 people rowing.

Feeling a deeper study was in order; American management hired a consulting company and paid them a large amount of money for a second opinion.

They advised, of course, that too many people were steering the boat, while not enough people were rowing.

Not sure of how to utilize that information, but wanting to prevent another loss to the Japanese, the rowing team's management structure was totally reorganized to 4 steering supervisors, 2 area steering superintendents and 1 assistant superintendent steering manager.

They also implemented a new performance system that would give the 2 people rowing the boat greater incentive to work harder. It was called the 'Rowing Team Quality First Program,' with meetings, dinners and free pens for the rowers. There was discussion of getting new paddles, canoes and other equipment, extra vacation days for practices and bonuses. The pension program was trimmed to 'equal the competition' and some of the resultant savings were channeled into morale boosting programs and teamwork posters.

The next year the Japanese won by two miles.

Humiliated, the American management laid-off one rower, halted development of a new canoe, sold all the paddles, and canceled all capital investments for new equipment. The money saved was distributed to the Senior Executives as bonuses.

The next year, try as he might, the lone designated rower was unable to even finish the race (having no paddles,) so he was laid off for unacceptable performance, all canoe equipment was sold and the next year's racing team was out-sourced to India .

Sadly, the End.

Here's something else to think about: General Motors has spent the last thirty years moving much of its production out of the US , claiming they can't make money paying American wages.

TOYOTA has spent the last thirty years building more than a dozen plants inside the US . The last quarter's results:

TOYOTA makes 4 billion in profits while General Motors racked up 9 billion in losses.

General Motors folks are still scratching their heads, and collecting bonuses... and now wants the Government to 'bail them out'.

IF THIS WEREN'T SO TRUE IT MIGHT BE FUNNY.


Now click on the book picture.
'Waving Goodbye to a Thousand Flies'. By J L Spencer.
Click the Book Pic at top right for Purchase info. Vest has received more books from the publisher, and more have arrived before Xmas, Email me for a Quote for a signed copy, AUSTRALIAN READERS $26..00. Overseas approx $29..00 - $31..00.

Comments

Anonymous said…
Yes, the poor USA is in big trouble where its car industry is concerned ... with no clear idea of how to fix it. It will be interesting to see what their new President gets up to.
Anonymous said…
comment on your post "The Mile High Whore - Now sitting on a Goldmine":

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Vest said…
The new Presido will seek to bend the present rules but will eventually bend to the pressure of those seeking the something for nothing easy way out. I simply fear he will not go his full term, interpret that anyway you want to.

The main cause for economic downturn are those of us with beer incomes in the western world, who insist on a champagne lifestyle.
Jimmy said…
Obama Obama Obama

shit
bloody nigga
Jimmy said…
Hear hear hear

The main cause for economic downturn are those of us with beer incomes in the western world, who insist on a champagne lifestyle



- said the pot bellied Vest
Vest said…
Hey Jimmy: Your nigga comment is out of order.
I have shed 8.5 kilos in the past 40 days, therefore a pot belly is out of order too.
However Jimmy, You calling Obama Nigga, is tantamount to the pot belly stove calling the pot black.
Assuming of course your TAN is permanent.

An apology would be in order.
Jimmy said…
I apologize, OBAMA
I am brown, Vest
Vest said…
Ok Little Jimmy Brown, your chapel bells will be ringing whilst thou chant a thou "Hail Mary's".

Vest continues to have nightmares over the wickedness of faith industry followers.
Jimmy said…
u damn atheist
u will get toasted in hell

and I will have u for breakfast with butter and jam
Jimmy said…
when John asked u to IMAGINE there is no religion
he didnt mean NO God

faith industry is a religion thing u a....

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