The Purpose: Will and Skill

A purpose is something worthwhile or meaningful that we want to attain.

At The Toyota Template (www.thetoyotatemplate.com), will and skill are the requirements for successful implementation of a "True Lean" or Just-In-Time system. Ohno said, "Progress cannot be generated when we are satisfied with existing conditions." This marriage to mediocrity may be comfortable in the short term but can be disastrous in the long term (as you'll hear).

"We're different", we're not Toyota", and "that'll never work here" are just excuses. Ohno addressed these too..."The extent to which we achieve success is dictated by the degree to which management is committed to innovative change, not making excuses."

GM had full access to all things Toyota for 25 years. Why didn't they spread their NUMMI success throughout GM? Chicago Public Radio did an interesting story in 2010 about the NUMMI plant in Fremont, CA. The link below is the story of what happens when will and skill are present and what happens when they're not.

https://www.thisamericanlife.org/561/nummi-2015