Andon works only when you teach your employees the importance of bringing problems to the surface so they can be quickly solved. - Jeffrey K. Liker

TPS starts with the customer. Always ask, “What value are we adding from the customer’s perspective?” Because the only thing that adds value in any type of process — be it a manufacturing, service, or development process — is the physical or information transformation of that product, service, or activity into something the customer wants.

If you are responsible for a problem and make recommendations on possible solutions, you might be asked whether you went and looked at the situation yourself in person.

Sakichi Toyoda’s personal and professional philosophy continues to influence Toyota today through what the company has distilled as his “five main principles”: 1. Always be faithful to your duties, thereby contributing to the company and to the overall good. 2. Always be studious and creative, striving to stay ahead of the times. 3. Always be practical and avoid frivolousness. 4. Always strive to build a homelike atmosphere at work that is warm and friendly. 5. Always have respect for spiritual matters and remember to be grateful at all times.