The Manufacturing Executive

Lessons from Toyota: Building Aligned Manufacturing Organizations w/ Mark Reich

4 snips
Jul 29, 2025
Mark Reich, a senior coach at Lean Enterprise Institute and a former Toyota expert, delves into Hoshin Kanri, a strategic planning method for fostering alignment in organizations. He shares his insights on the disconnect between strategy and reality, highlighting the pitfalls companies face. The conversation emphasizes the need for transforming company culture and developing accountability among leaders. Reich illustrates how empowering teams and maintaining open communication can drive genuine change, transforming stagnant company visions into actionable goals.
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ANECDOTE

Mark Reich's Toyota Journey

  • Mark Reich worked for Toyota for 23 years, including six years in Japan as the only non-Japanese in his department.
  • He led the implementation of the Hoshin Kanri strategic planning system in North America for Toyota.
INSIGHT

Vision Needs Action and Engagement

  • Many organizations' visions remain slogans, disconnected from actionable execution.
  • True strategy requires engagement across the organization, not just top executives.
ADVICE

Break Strategy Into Action

  • Break high-level strategy into clear, actionable plans at departmental and individual levels.
  • Use vertical and horizontal alignment and engage people to develop capabilities through the process.
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