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How Toyota Became #1: Leadershp Lessons from the World's Greatest Automaker

The author of Turnaround (HarperCollins), called "a provacative case study" by Harvard Business Review, brings us the definite story on how Toyota has become the largest and arguably the best automaker in the world. Written from research compiled in the United States and Japan from first hand executive and employee interviews.

Everyone who follows the auto industry knows that Toyota has had an amazing twenty-five-year run, rising from humble Japanese start-up to thriving global giant. But the big puzzle is how Toyota did it while so many other car companies have struggled or failed.

Journalist David Magee dug deeply into Toyota’s past and present, interviewing senior executives who rarely talk to the press, along with many other sources. And he found that the company’s famous mastery of lean production is only part of the story. Magee explains the surprising power of Toyota’s corporate culture, which includes:

Focusing on the long term: While most companies worry about the next quarter, Toyota is thinking about the next quarter century

Jumping beyond the current trend: When Ford was still ramping up its gas-guzzling SUVs, Toyota was very quietly taking a huge lead on hybrids

Making quality everyone’s responsibility: Toyota expects people at every level to think and act like quality-control inspectors

Managing individual strengths: Toyota is revolutionizing the way people are managed, to maximize their strengths instead of criticizing their weaknesses

The lessons that Magee explains here will be valuable for managers in all disciplines and industries.

Reviews of this book

"From its renowned production system to its unerring sense of customers' tastes, the factors that fueled Toyota's drive to the summit of the auto industry are all well recounted here."
–Newsweek.com

"Magee runs through lessons in leadership and strategy, weaving in colorful snippets from Toyota's 70-year history.'
–Fast Company, November 2007

*Starred Review: American Library Association's Booklist: "Magee provides an excellent view of a shining business model..."

"In his new book, How Toyota Became #1, David Magee convincingly argues that the spirit of Toyota people, as much as anything, has determined Toyota's success."
–BusinessWeek.com

"This inspirational book is essential reading for both human resource professionals and business executives..."
–Library Journal, October 1, 2007

"This incredible book will show you the secrets to making your business the best it can be!"
–Strand Books, New York

"What Magee offers in “How Toyota Became #1” should be interesting reading for all of us...almost required reading..."
–The Oxford (MS) Eagle

Other books by David Magee...

• Playing to Win
• How Toyota Became #1 (see above)
• The South is Round
• MoonPie
• The John Deere Way
• Endurance
• Turnaround
• Getting Published
• They Write Among Us
• Ford Tough