Nice New Toyotas

The following question was posed on LinkedIn Answers: ‘The winning team is always the best team.’ Would you make changes in your already winning strategies to increase your returns? We need look no further that Toyota’s recent turmoil for insight into winning and the need for change. Toyota’s growth over the last decade is a blueprint for winning. They’ve increased their world market share and are now the dominate force in the automotive industry. They own the hybrid, the fuel economy and luxury markets, they have the highest resale value, and they’re the most reliable cars on the road. It would seem that their strategy is working. Or it was working, up until a few weeks ago. So what happened? How does a seemingly unstoppable giant suddenly become a top news story?

In 2007 a 70-year-old California woman was killed when her Toyota Camry accelerated and plunged over a cliff. In 2008 Toyota received information on 26 incidents involving defective accelerator pedals in Europe. In August of 2009, a family of four was killed shortly after placing a 911 call from the Lexus they were driving exclaiming, “…our accelerator is stuck…there’s no brakes… we’re approaching an intersection… hold on and pray.” Hundreds of other reported incidents are coming to light (click for more information). The root of Toyota’s catastrophic failures arise from an attitude reflected in the above mentioned LinkedIn question, namely “Would you make changes in your already winning strategies to increase your returns?”

Returns. Is that the essence of winning in business – the bottom line? One need look no further than the accounting scandals of Enron and WorldCom, or the arguments posed for bonuses paid to the executives of failing company AIG, for the answer. The problem is that “The winning team” is always comprised of people! The question shouldn’t be “Are changes justified if they can increase returns?” but rather “Will people benefit from change?” The reality is, Toyota didn’t institute change for the very reason that, not only would it not increase returns, but it would decrease them. Had they asked whether change would benefit people, not only would they have avoided the inevitable financial crisis headed their way, but lives would have been saved!

As a leader, I challenge you to work to impact the consciousness of your organizations. Help create a culture of care and concern rather than one of greed and self-gratification. Winning is about people, not prizes. And change is justified, even on winning teams, when it benefits others.

I am a certified professional coach, management and sales trainer, using the science of personality traits and communication, strengths and learning styles to help organizations develop elite teams, and help individuals realize unparalleled success.

Toyota has a couple of big things in store for the Camry when the 2007 model year version of the car rolls out this coming summer: a complete redesign and the availability of a hybrid engine. Already the best selling car in America, the Camry is destined to be overhauled and re-engineered. Let’s take a look at some of the changes scheduled for Toyota’s venerable model.

<b>New Styling Cues</b> – Nobody has ever said that the Camry is a knock out when it comes to style. Despite its pedestrian look, the Camry has managed to capitalize on Toyota quality, price, and engineering to present a car that is clearly a best seller. Still, critics have routinely yawned at the Camry’s looks, but that will soon all change and dramtically at that. Borrowing some styling cues from Toyota’s Lexus line up of luxury cars, the 2007 Camry is expected to delight motorists and critics alike. Witness the recently made over Toyota Avalon: what was once a bland, full sized car has now been transformed into a sleek, luxurious sedan.

<b>Time For A Hybrid</b> – Toyota is riding the hybrid crest and it will, therefore, introduce hybrid technology into the Camry line up. Like all other Camry models, the hybrid version will also be built in the US, making it the first Toyota hybrid to be built outside of Japan. However, the battery and inverter will be imported from Japan while the engine will be Kentucky built. The Camry will join the Prius and the Highlander as the third Toyota model to offer hybrid technology.

<b>More Power</b> – Expected to be in the same size range as the current model, the Camry will keep its current four and six cylinder engines, but both will be reworked enough to crank out additional horsepower without compromising on fuel economy.

The Camry’s chief competitor over the past decade has been the Honda Accord. With a hybrid offering available and an improved appearance in place, the Camry is likely to strengthen its hold on the “top seller” category when the new model is released.

No one knows for sure if the “hybrid phase” is simply a fad or something that will ultimately catch on. With government credits still available and high gas prices at the pump, Americans continue to look at hybrids as a viable alternative to thirsty internal combustion engines. Toyota, for its part, continues to capitalize on this trend and the Camry is the latest vehicle in Toyota’s expanding arsenal to successfully incorporate hybrid technology.