The Toyota Way and Mimeo: Content Distribution and Printing

Toyota is a well-trusted brand. As with any successful company, Toyota has a specific method for success. In 2004, Jeffrey K. Liker published a book called The Toyota Way which detailed the management secrets to the general public. The comprehensive list of business principles has come to be known as the Toyota Way.

As a content distribution and printing business, Mimeo implements the Toyota Way throughout our organization including in our IT and production processes. The formula creates a clear and succinct roadmap for success within our company. From quality control to low-cost alternatives to high-end services, let’s take a look at the main principles of The Toyota Way.

The Four Ps of the Toyota Way

The Toyota Way is a useful tool for any manager looking to lean their organization. The process breaks down into a 4P method with 14 sub-points. The overarching goals of the method can help create a business model much like Toyota’s. Every business will have its own approach to these techniques depending on its industry and customer needs, however, the 4Ps create a strong guideline for companies looking to improve efficiency throughout their operations.

“A company’s overarching vision is much more valuable to success than rapid short-term gains.”

1. Philosophy:

   The first P focuses on long-term vision for the company. According to Liker, businesses should base management decisions on long-term goals instead of short-term gains. A company’s overarching vision is much more valuable to success than rapid short-term gains. Liker suggested aligning the entirety of a business toward a common goal beyond monetary achievements.

2. Process:

   The process step of the Toyota Way involves a multi-tiered philosophy. There are seven management principles included in this step, all of which relate to process optimization. The key points to take away from process improvement involve the elimination of waste (both time and resources), reliable yet low-cost replacements for expensive hardware and an overall commitment to building quality control into company systems. Businesses should focus on these three major aspects to ensure their manufacturing functions are high quality and consistent. The fine-tuning of these processes will ultimately amount to a better product for customers and more efficient production systems within a company as a whole.

3. People and Partners:

   A continued journey toward improvement should be cultivated at every level of a company. From suppliers to employees all the way up to C-suite executives, the people involved in a business should translate the company philosophy throughout the entirety of the business process. Companies should invest in the development of individuals and teams in order to optimize all aspects of a business. This step in the Toyota Way is focused heavily on the members of a team. Remember, employees and partners can make or break a company. Make sure the philosophy from step one is solid and well-communicated throughout the business.

“Companies need to take a direct approach to problem-solving.”

4. Problem-Solving:

   This step involves several key principles. What are the key problems and which issues take precedence? When problems arise, go straight to the source instead of hearing varying accounts through the grapevine. Companies need to take a direct approach to problem-solving. Consensus is the second principle within problem-solving. Businesses should take their time when approaching a problem and consider all the options. Discuss the issues and solutions with the relevant parties in order to cover all the bases. Lastly, an organization should build a relentless commitment to self-reflection. Take a step back to review any successes or failures after key milestones.

Mimeo and the Toyota Way

Mimeo pulls heavily from the Toyota Way. Everything Mimeo does aligns with the overarching commitment to customer service. We measure our success in customer convenience, time savings, the quality of the products we deliver and the value of our services. This is a page directly from the Toyota handbook. “Our commitment to these philosophies is why so many customers talk about their experience using Mimeo.”

Our processes reflect these same commitments. We strive to provide high-quality products at an affordable price. We have quality inspections from beginning to end in our production and delivery processes, which is clearly reflected in our 99.7 percent error-free rate.

Our philosophies and company values run strong throughout the entirety of our business – from leaders to employees all the way through to our suppliers. Mimeo is constantly updating and fine-tuning our processes as we go: Our learning is never done.

The Toyota Way provides a great structure for any company to achieve success. With a great product and strong customer base, these methods help our business improve every day.