Is it just me or does it seem that the past few days have been filled with ominous government warnings about Toyota vehicles and today the newspapers are filled with stories about the quality of Japanese vehicles eroding while American car companies are building better cars then ever.  Today Toyota’s stock dropped 7% when Obama’s Secretary of Transportation Ray Lahood said American’s should stop driving their Toyota’s until they all fixed. 

 

So the United States Government makes the unprecedented statement that Toyota drivers of recalled vehicles should immediately stop driving their cars.  They never made such a statement when Ford Explorers were rolling over in what seemed like everyday.  What could their motivation be …… maybe, just maybe it’s because the very same Federal Government owns 60% of GM?  Could someone in the Obama administration be pressuring government officials to trash the most respected car maker in the world in an effort to improve the return on their $30 billion investment in an effort to hide the fact that GM still cannot make a car people want? 

We do not own Toyota stock (we do own Ford stock so this is oddly helpful …but still wrong)… but I do own two Toyota vehicles and thy and one’s I’ve owned before have always been heads and shoulders better then anything GM could produce. 

Some say Toyota’s decision to halt production of these vehicles as an admission of some kind of widespread problem, I disagree.  The culture of Toyota demands that you stop to fix a problem.  For some time I’ve kept this list at my desk the 14 Management Principles of Toyota or the Toyota Way … check out number 5: 

The 4 Sections and the 14 principles of the Toyota Way 

I. Having a long-term philosophy that drives a long-term approach to building a learning organization 

1.  Base your management decisions on a long-term philosophy, even at the expense of short-term financial goals 

II. The right process will produce the right results 

2.  Create a continuous process flow to bring problems to the surface 

3.  Use “pull” systems to avoid overproduction 

4.  Level out the workload (heijunka). (Work like the tortoise, not the hare) 

5.  Build a culture of stopping to fix problems, to get quality right the first time 

6.  Standardized tasks and processes are the foundation for continuous improvement and employee empowerment 

7.  Use visual control so no problems are hidden 

8.  Use only reliable, thoroughly tested technology that serves your people and processes 

III. Add value to the organization by developing its people and partners 

9.  Grow leaders who thoroughly understand the work, live the philosophy, and teach it to others 

10.  Develop exceptional people and teams who follow your company’s philosophy 

11.  Respect your extended network of partners and suppliers by challenging them and helping them improve 

IV. Continuously solving root problems to drive organizational learning 

12.  Go and see for yourself to thoroughly understand the situation (Genchi Genbutsu). 

13.  Make decisions slowly by consensus, thoroughly considering all options; implement decisions rapidly (Nemawashi). 

14.  Become a learning organization through relentless reflection (hansei) and continuous improvement (Kaizen). 

I think we should follow the money and understand who has the most to gain by trying to beatup on Toyota … I think we will find their their motivations are far from genuine.  I applaud Toyota for sticking to their principles and putting safety before financial gain.  There can be no other explanation when you see how their principles are guiding them through this problem. 

BTW.  I dare say that I may be picking up some Toyota stock tomorrow.  Symbol TM.  They are going to bounce back much bigger and better than GM will. 

Toyota FTHS - What Real Innovation Looks Like

Aiden got a present from a family member who lives out of town for Christmas and unfortunately it did not work. It clearly came from Toys ‘R’ Us so we swung by to Exchange it for another this afternoon.

As we approached the Service Desk they had not one but two 8 1/2 by 11 pieces of paper taped to the light that read a “Receipt is Required for all Returns and Exchanges”. I couldn’t believe that in today’s world any store would require a receipt for a like exchange. So I waited in line to confirm the policy. Aiden was really bummed so I told him that if they would not exchange it, I would buy him one to replace it.

Indeed they will not accept any toy for an exchange even when it clearly came from their store and they have it in stock …without a receipt. I explained that it was from a relative out of town and of course we had no receipt. They could not be of any help.

So while we are still at the counter, Aiden asked if he could go ahead a pick something else out or get a new one to replace it. I told him loud enough for anyone in a six foot radius to hear. We’ll get a new one Buddy but I’m certainly not going to give Toys ‘R’ Us any of my money.

We went around the corner to Best Buy and Aiden picked out a new game for the Wii.

Geoffery Can Take a Hike

As far as I’m concerned, I will never buy another thing from Toys ‘R’ Us most of their stores have already been closed and the ones they have are inconvenient as it is. I’m not sure if this is a corporate policy or just something this one store choose to do but to not accept a like for like exchange at Christmas is absolutely unbelievable. Good Bye!

Vinturi Red Wine Aerator

They both have a ton a gadgets that well-intentioned relatives buy for interested family members at the holidays.  In fact most of these gadgets are more novelty than necessity. 

So I may have thought when my parents gave us a Vinturi Essential Wine Aerator for Christmas, until I tried it last night. 

Although I have declared 2010 the Year of White Wine in our house we still have a considerable amount of red wines so we tried Spier Vintage Selection Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 from South Africa.  We took two glasses and pour some straight from the bottle and another through the Virturi Essential Wine Aerator and into a glass. The wine went straight through the aerator as quickly as if it passed through a funnel.  Absolutely no waiting. 

Then we tasted both of them.  The difference was remarkable.  When we tasted the wine poured through the Vinturi Aerator it was as if it had been properly decanted and allowed to breath for 15 or 20 minutes.  It was wonderful and ready in mere seconds. 

If you are a red wine drinker you need to get this gadget because unlike that practice putting cup with the automatic return, this one is worth the money! 

I’ve looked and the best price I could find was on Amazon – Venturi Essential Wine Aerator 

You’ll love it.

This time of year many of us will make resolutions to improve ourselves.  If you are anything like me you’ll probably have a few resolutions to work out more and get in better shape.  So I’ve compiled these videos to inspire you for the year ahead and help you achieve your resolutions.

First let’s start with a classic motivational speech.  Caution this has very strong language.

 

Let’s get to work. 

You might feel like you are too old for your I offer up this montage!

No you don’t have to belong to some big fancy gym.  you can you what you have around you.

Ever feel like you want to give up?  Like skipping a day is ok well here’s 40 Inspirational Speeches in Two Minutes.

Now sound off like you’ve got a pair!

SIR Yes SIR …..and Happy New Year!

Last night we took the boys to Picture People for their semi-annual portraits.  Afterwards they told us it would be 20 minutes so we decided to walk around the mall and maybe check out the wait to see Santa.

Indeed, even on a Friday night, the line for Santa was non-existent.  So the boys took their spot in the queue waiting for one little boy to take a picture with the Big Man.

For the first time all three boys had no problem going up and talking to Santa.  They climbed on his chair and his lap and took a great picture.  Afterall they had just come from their latest photo shoot.

The Boys With Santa

 

While I’m proofing the photo with the help of Santa’s Elves, who by the way looked like they just rolled in fom a tractor-pull, Santa begins to ask the boys what they’d like for Christmas.  As I finished up I walked over to listen and I hear Wesley say “I want a Bakugan, a Four-Wheeler, and a… a… a… Towel.”

Santa looks at me and says “A Towel?” with a puzzeled look on his face. 

I shrugged my shoulders and said “I dunknow”.

Santa finished up with the boys who thanked him and wished him a safe flight on Christmas Eve. 

On the way back through the mall I couldn’t help but ask Wes, “Why did you tell Santa you wanted a Towel”.

Clearly Wesley was very disappointted in himself, “Daddy I got nervous …. I couldn’t think of my third thing … I’ve got to go home and look at my list.  Can we come back tomorrow after I check my list …. I don’t want Santa to bring me a Towel Daddy.”

For the record, the third thing on his list was a GI Joe Snake Eyes Action Figure …. he’s going to get Snake Eyes but he’s going to be wrapped in a towel. 

That’s right November has been a banner month, not just because Lauren and I celebrated our 12 Year Anniversary, and not because I started at job at the Credit Union.  No, November saw more traffic across my blog that any month previously recorded.  In fact traffic has been building steadily for the past 6 months.  And no it does not include my visits, nice try.

KoFacts.com Traffic Report

By far the most popular stories are my article on trying to get my Facebook account back after it had been hacked appearently this happens to a whole lot of people and they get directed to my site by Google.  Coming in second is my blog pleading with the writers of 24 to kill off Jack Bauer then make him go through another autrocity of a season like last season.  In third place is my article on How to Use Disney’s Photopass.  As good as Disney is about putting great things together they do not do a great job explaining to visitors to their parks just how wonderful this service is.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to let 870 visits a month go to my head, I’m not quiting my job …yet … there’s too much good material in there, and I won’t be walking into the Golden Corral expecting to be given priority seating (I know you still have to tip the gal to get the best table.)  

If you are a frequent, or just an occasional reader, I do want to thank you. 

 

 

 

I’m luvin this new song from Snoop Dogg.  The Dogfather has done it again … enjoy

This morning while I was still laying in bed, my wife pulled me close whispered Happy Birthday and then got up to take a shower.  I turned over and fell back asleep.  While I dozed off I had a dream. . .

In this dream I was wearing lot of heavy winter clothes walking through several stores in a large mall with the intention of getting “back to my car”.  I was carrying a couple of bags as slowly I negotiated stairs, turnstiles, and multiple sets of doors.

Finally, having passed through about five stores, I get outside the last store and realize that my car wasn’t there.  It was parked back at the first store.  And as I considered how to turn around and walk back the way I came, I had a thought. 

“Wouldn’t it be alot easier just to wake up?”

So I did.  That’s right, I was soo lazy I wouldn’t even walk through a mall in a dream.

So a couple of months ago I attended a conference where a Disney trainer shared their secrets or rules for brainstorming sessions.  I used them several time already and have had a couple of employees ask me for them so they could use them in their meetings.

I thought I would share them here for everyone and document them for my own future reference.

Disney’s Rules for Brainstorming

1.  No Boundaries – Nothing is too far a field of “off subject”.  Go with it and see where you end up!

2.  Be Positive – Nothing will sour a brainstorming session faster than if you start complaining about something or someone.  Everyone is here to find solutions to the problem not to wallow in it.

3.  No Judgements (Positive or Negative) – Negative judgements on someone’s contribution can shut down the individual – Positive Judgements create barriers that limit discussion.

4.  Ideas are Seperate From Your Identity – Once you share it the idea belongs to the team you don’t need to defend it or make your idea better, the entire team can do that.

5.  Everyone is Creative – Everyone Can Contribute to the Discussion

This was on the N & O Website this morning and I thought it was interesting enough to share.

Presidents should submit to grillings

When U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina shouted “You lie!” at President Barack Obama a couple of weeks ago, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s dark eyes shot daggers. Her scornful message: How dare you?!

And that, not Wilson’s outburst or the veracity of his accusation, is our problem.

Politicians in Washington, as in Raleigh, like to think they’re better than you or me. They demand regal deference — and we comply cravenly.

Worse, we embrace a double standard. Seconds before Wilson’s spasm, Obama himself had said of an unwelcome criticism of his program, “It is a lie, plain and simple.” The response? Applause.

We’ve got our undue deference backward. Our governors owe all their power to the consent of the governed. (That’s us, folks.) So says our defiant Declaration of Independence.

The president isn’t a king, or even our boss. He (or she) is our temporary hired help. We the people are the boss. We are the sovereign.

Yet many presidents bristle at being questioned by anyone — and we acquiesce. The U.S. House forbids its members to call any president a liar, a hypocrite or “intellectually dishonest,” even when true. Even the supposedly hard-bitten Washington press corps often turns meek in the face of presidential pique.

This subservience disserves America.

Instead of performing staged town-hall meetings and delivering scripted lectures, our presidents should submit to frequent, free-ranging questioning by our Congress, as Britain’s prime minister does to its Parliament.

It should be orderly, but wide open. Our democracy needs more accountability, not less.

And that, my fellow Americans, is no lie.

Matthew Eisley is editor of The N&O’s North Raleigh News and Midtown Raleigh News.