Reviews (3)

Best Lean book at there on Product Development
Lean originated on the production floor over sixty years ago in Japan. But Toyota product development has been sadly overlooked by corporate America. Where is the connection between Toyota stellar production practices and Toyota product development? You can't argue with the tried and true principles to systematically eliminating waste--that is the bedrock of the lean philosophy. Lean thinking is making inroads to a number of different environments and industries beyond discrete assembly like car making. Does waste occur in non-manufacturing? Oh yes, and it has largely been an untapped, dormant opportunity for applying lean. Improvement initiatives are being re-focused on office settings and now product development. There aren't many product development(PD)lean books out there but, Liker's book is excellent--it is so thorough, well researched, logical and well written! A lean novice may have difficulty because it is not "lean 101" and PD is not quite the same as lean manufacturing. But, if I forced to pick a single book on lean product development--this would be my #1 pick. It is such a good start point for lean PD. The lean benefits are self evident: cut development time in half and never miss milestones?That's has been the Toyota norm. Liker's book will walk you thru the 14 principles on how to get there the subsystem levels (Processes-People-Tools/Technology). If your PD efforts are adrift, it's reassessment time. Start here. You won't be sorry.

A must read
A very detailed and at times difficult read. However, it is a must for anyone involved in product development.

The Toyota Product Development System
I found Morgan and Liker's new book The Toyota Product Development System to be an excellent discussion of the key fundamentals that are missing in Detroit today based on my experience in the automotive industry. The most important reason Toyota is best is because of the way they develop and value people. This book describes the basics required to build a great Engineering organization. Engineering is the foundation that drives cost, quality and timing. This book should be required reading for everyone in the automobile industry from top management down.Morgan and Liker provide a great map for going forward for any company that designs and manufactures a product regardless of industry. The key is to start the Journey. This book is a great place to start. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobiles    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Concurrent engineering    6. Design and construction    7. Industrial Management    8. Industries - Automobile Industry    9. Office Automation    10. Production & Operations Management    11. Project management   

Reviews (12)

Guide, menu, toolbook, cookbook, non Toyota case studies...whatever you name it. It helps!
For those who had been deeply impressed by "The Toyota Way" and want to implement it to your business, this book is an excellent pracctical guide. There are plenty of charts, flow diagrams, tables, checklists, non Toyota examples, action plans, report forms etc etc which I find very helpful. I particularly like the "Reflect and Learn from the Process" Section (summary/key points/action items) in the end of each chapter. A book well worths its price! Highly recommended! However, please read "The Toyota Way" before this.
So you think your company is lean? Think again......
...read this book and I will guarantee you will look at your
Review
Absolutely an excellent book that takes the "theory" of Lean, and converts it to reality in a very clear, understandable manner. If you are going to implement Lean...read this book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobile Industries (Economic Aspects)    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Corporate & Business History - General    6. General    7. History Of Specific Companies    8. Industries - General    9. Management - General    10. Business & Economics / General    11. Management & management techniques    12. Industrial Management    13. Manufacturing processes   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (73)

Very Good!Needs Sentence Building Though!
Here I sit, surrounded by language courses.
Good but Lacking in Conversational Practice
I have been using the course for two years now and I can say that I have learnt loads more Spanish than I did for several years in high school. One important tip - the best results are obtained from copying the disks to a portable player (IPod or something similar) and using them while you're walking, on an airplane flight or something similar. The abiliy to pause the recordings, where you need more time to respond, or to rewind or restart a section, where you need to revise individual parts of a lesson, is crucial to getting the most out of the course (or any similar audio course for that matter).
I'm On My Way!
For many years I harbored the belief that I have a facility for foreign languages.Unfortunately, I never tested my belief, until now.I resolved to learn Spanish as part of my preparation for a dream vacation in Spain.The Spanish Complete Learn in Your Car set has gotten me off to a great start.Within a few lessons, I began using Spanish words and phrases without thinking of the English language equivalent.In other words, I began thinking in Spanish!I reached lesson five in no time.As a result I'm confident that I could find my way around airports, train stations, and bus terminals.I begin each lesson by listening to an English word or phrase followed by the Spanish translation.In the early stages, I repeat the term twice, exactly as it is pronounced by one of the native Spanish speakers.Before long, I'm able to supply the word or phrase in Spanish before it is spoken in Spanish.My commutes to and from work have never been so productive, and the miles seem to fly by. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Spanish    4. Translating & Interpreting    5. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    6. Language learning: audio-visual & multimedia   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (19)

Better With Behind the Wheel French Revised
Henry S. Raymond's Learn in Your Car French is clearly and indisputably one of the best 'bang for your buck'car French courses on the market.
Good Purchase
I have taken a few French classes and this was a fun easy refresher to teach and go over the basics in spoken French language.It also helps refine pronunciation and was exactly what I was looking for.It might be a little challenging for someone with no experience at all in the language.

The First 3 CDs Helped Tremendously!
I had to go to Paris for a conference and didn't know the first bit of French other than "Bon jour!" and "Oui." I searched through many options and, after reading all the reviews, decided on French Complete. I spent two months (about 3-4 hours per week) listening to the first 3 CDs (Level 1) over and over and over again in the car. By the time I left for my trip, I was surprisingly comfortable with basic French conversation. I was confident I would be just fine. Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language Study    2. French    3. Language    4. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    5. Language self-study & phrasebooks    6. Language teaching theory & methods    7. Tamil   

Reviews (11)

Toyota Magic
"Toyota Production System: Beyond Large-Scale Production" is a very enlightening work by the inventor of lean manufacturing, Taiichi Ohno. This small book is packed with insights and ideas on how to efficiently and effectively run a production system. The Toyota Production is also known as lean manufacturing, entails, among other things, minimising waste through continuous improvement and producing only what is sold, as requested by the customer. This unique and innovative system explains why Toyota makes profits even in tough times when other competitor firms are losing money.
Toyota Production Systerm: Beyond Large-Scale Production
Great! Enlightening AND an interesting read. So good I bought an extra copy to give as a gift.

Worth every penny
The Toyota Production System provides fantastic insight into the genius of Toyota and how implementing Lean Principles or Continuos Improvement can help eliminate waste. Whether your new to Lean or need a jump start, this is a great book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - Customizing    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Engineering - Automotive    5. General    6. Manufacturing (Specific Aspects)    7. Production & Operations Management    8. Production Engineering    9. Production control    10. Technology & Industrial Arts    11. Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabush    12. Toyota Jidåosha Kåogyåo Kabushiki Kaisha    13. Road vehicle manufacturing industry   

Reviews (72)

Excellent resource
This tape series is wonderful! I had a few years of high school spanish but was very rusty.I used these tapes to brush up.After listening to them over and over, I am able to speak pretty fluently with clients at work. The 2 speakers on the tape are enjoyable and professional in the way they interact.I feel like I know them personally, by now! It is nice to hear a native speaker as well as an american born person say the words and phrases.

Learning Spanish Made Fun and Easy, and most of all, Affordable
This is one of my favorite Spanish courses. I have learned lots of Spanish from it. But what's most important about this course is that Mark Frobose uses a method that not only teaches you Spanish but also helps you retain it. I recommend this course to any that is looking to learn Spanish fast but is not looking to spend lots of money to learn it.

FANTASTICO !
I have several others CD's that I do not use b/c they are boring.However, when I saw the reviews on this I decided to take a chance.It is wonderful.Head & shoulders above the others I have.Really an excellent supplement to my spanish language lessons (or it would be very fine by itself I think).
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Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Foreign Language Study / Spanish    3. Spanish    4. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    5. Audio - Language    6. CAS - Audio - Language    7. Foreign Language Study    8. Instruction and study    9. Self-instruction    10. Spanish language   

Reviews (1)

Business tools like six sigma and TOC are the "ante" required to "get in the game". Many possess profound knowledge of the tools, but that is insufficient.Matt May helps leaders understand that real, enduring success derives from a lean culture fanatically committed over the long run to continual small improvements, to the care of its customers, and to the welfare of the society of which it is a part. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobile Industries (Economic Aspects)    2. Automobile industry and trade    3. Business & Economics    4. Business / Economics / Finance    5. Business/Economics    6. Corporate & Business History - Strategies    7. Creative thinking    8. Employee Participation In Management    9. Employee participation    10. Industries - Automobile Industry    11. Japan    12. Leadership    13. Management    14. Marketing - General    15. Technological innovations    16. Business & Economics / Marketing / General   

Reviews (3)

Success through suppliers
The pursuit of knowledge that gives us an understanding of factors that determine success in the market place has always considered "the firm" as the unit of analysis. This has been the case with microeconomics, game theory, competitive strategy and many such specialized areas of research. Cartels that manipulate supply and prices are perhaps an exception to this rule. If, instead of considering the firm as the unit, we consider a group of firms teaming together to collectively provide value to the customer and succeed as a unique identity as a unit of analysis, the methodology to understand competition would undergo a paradigm shift. This book is precisely about this concept as applicable to the automobile industry. A Masterpiece
Having followed Dyer's other research, I think that this is a theoretically elegant piece of work. He builds further on his pieces in SMJ (with Singh from Wharton) and AMR and illustrates the concepts of relationship-based assets in firm networks. The running exemplar has he uses (Toyota) illustrates his theoretical arguments quite elonquently. The book also highlights the limitations of his concept of collaborative advantage, and his closing chapter illustrates how cultural differences (here with Benz) can keep this strategy from becoming reality. This book is not for folks looking for cut-out recipies. This book is a MUST for researchers and managers who like to think instead of searching for cookbooks! The concluding chapter is a gem because it highlights our gaps in knowledge. This is an excellent book, and having read Dyer's other works, it's high quality comes as very little surprise. Buy, own, read, reread, and profusely highlight your own copy! VERY highly recommended.

Highly Recomended!
Jeffrey Dyer, an accomplished scholar and management teacher, has developed a cogent and sophisticated theory of extended enterprise management based on a wealth of empirical data from the history of Toyota in Japan and from his six-year study of Chrysler Corp. before its merger with Daimler-Benz. Beyond being a detailed and rigorous case study of the automobile manufacturing industry, Dyer's book presents an extremely valuable model for vertical integration. His model can be applied to other complex product industries, though he is honest about the limits of its applicability. This book provides a clear, effective blueprint for achieving value-chain collaboration. We [...] recommend it to consultants, executives in complex product industries and leaders in firms that supply components or materials. If you always suspected you were part of a greater whole, now you can be sure.
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Subjects:  1. Automobile Industries (Economic Aspects)    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business networks    5. Business/Economics    6. Case studies    7. Chrysler Corporation    8. Comparative management    9. Corporate & Business History - Strategies    10. Industrial procurement    11. Industries - General    12. Management    13. Management - General    14. Organization Of Industrial Production    15. Purchasing & Buying    16. Toyota Jidosha Kogyo Kabush    17. Business & Economics / Corporate History    18. Business | Management    19. Management & management techniques    20. Ownership & organization of enterprises   

Reviews (5)

The title does not exaggerate...
There are two types of 993 owners...the driving enthusiast and the poseur.For the latter group, this book would be a waste of time. For the former, however, this is indeed an "essential companion."Whether the owner's interest in his car is the history, the esoterica of 993 numerology and variation, and/or owner-maintenance and repair, this book covers the ground with alacrity.This is the Porsche equivalent to John Muir's well-known VW book, and as such is an important part of the 993 enthusiast's reference library.

Good info...But
A well written document covering most of the elements a 993'er would be concerned with but a little underwhealming in terms of photos/graphics quality.

Porsche Crazy
I found the EC a super book and a very easy read. I pick it up and read a section of interest and then discover sometime of new interest. This is my second Streather book on Porsche, and he is by far my favorite porsche writer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - History    2. Automotive - Pictorial    3. Transportation    4. Automotive technology    5. Motor cars: general interest    6. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Features

• Audiobook

Reviews (60)

Behind-the-scenes of Big Business
A good behind the scenes type of book. Interesting to learn why Toyota is one of the big three automakers.

Good Summary of Toyota Culture
This book brings it all together under 14 principles. It is a good book for those who would like to learn about Toyota's success.

THE TOYOTA WAY CD REVIEW
On disk # 2 some of the tracks "skip" when played and are inaubible.Have not yet played all of the disks, but was disappointed to find this lack of quality - especially when the book topic stresses the importance of quality. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abridged Audio - Business/Professional    2. Audiobooks    3. Automobile Industries (Economic Aspects)    4. Business & Economics    5. Business/Economics    6. Case studies    7. Corporate & Business History - Strategies    8. Corporate culture    9. Industries - Automobile Industry    10. Industries - General    11. Interactive & Multimedia    12. Production management    13. Quality (Management)    14. Total Quality Management    15. Management & management techniques   

Subjects:  1. Automotive - Pictorial    2. Motor Sports    3. Photoessays & Documentaries    4. Sports    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Ferrari (Team)    7. Sports & Recreation / Motor Sports   

Reviews (6)

GERMAN PERFECTION
Let me confess right off, I absolutely love cars designed by Porsche, I have always found the car to be sexy and elegant.When i see someone pull up next to me in a Carerra with the top down, I just sit and stare with envey.As for this book, it is quite simply fantastic, it is easy to read and well researched, almost scholarly and the images are crisp and well placed throughout the book.You see the evolution of the automaker and get a real feel for what has made the company so successful.If you have any interest in Porsche or just cars in general, then I highly recommend this book...pricy yes, but well worth it...the car and this book.

Porsche
I bought this book as my main reference for a paper I am writing about Porsche for business class, but my use for this book will not end there.I found this book not only informative, but interesting, and insightful.The pictures were plentiful, but not over done, beautiful, and well described.I will undoubtedly have this book for the rest of my life, and is a must for every car-enthusiast!!

Find this book for less money......
I found this spectacular book via Yahoo! Shopping for $42.99. No, not used either! I highly recommend this book and I highly recommend Yahoo! Shopping! They got it to me fast too....like my 911 Turbo! This book is a great addition to my coffee table. Enjoy the book and enjoy your Porsche. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - General    3. Automotive - History    4. Foreign Automobiles - History    5. History    6. Porsche A.G    7. Porsche A.G.    8. Porsche automobile    9. Porsche automobiles    10. Transportation    11. Transportation / Automotive / Foreign / History   

Subjects:  1. Automobile industry and trade    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Business/Economics    5. Case studies    6. Japan    7. Management    8. Management - General    9. Management Science    10. Office Automation    11. Production & Operations Management    12. Toyota Jidåosha Kabushiki Kaisha    13. Workplace Culture   

Reviews (10)

One of my Favs
It is everything and more than I expected to find in a Mercedes tome. Having read several books on the subject I find this one to be the most informative. The early years are covered well.

Truly Exquisite
This book is a joy to have. Well written and beautifully illustrated, I found this book a pleasure to own. As a dedicated Benz owner, I can appreciate the attention to detail that exists in this book.
Almost as heavy as the car!
The amount of factual material lavished in this tome about the origins of the motor car and the search for excellence via the Mercedes Benz brand should keep the afficianado glued for hours.The pictures are also excellent.Written in about three or four languages within the same book, the descriptions are backed by photographs - good ones charting the evolution of the Merc from the 19th century right to the modern sleek saloon.I think this is very much for the Mercedes buff or collector and I bought it as a gift.I think this book would be good if it showed how the Merc could grow some wings and start being more in harmony with the Earth's environment based on what sort of fuel it burns and fuel efficiency rather than just talk about technical specifications in self congratulatory terms.Still this book is about "man's" achievement with the motor car and there are things in this which you could admire. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - General    2. Automotive - History    3. Automotive - Pictorial    4. Transportation    5. Automotive technology    6. Road & motor vehicles: general interest   

Reviews (1)

Great Porsche Book
This book is a must read for anyone who owns or even just admires an early, mid, or late year 911 and enjoys its performance.
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Subjects:  1. Automobile Engine    2. Automotive    3. Automotive - Foreign - High Performance & Engine Rebuilding    4. Automotive - General    5. Transportation    6. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Subjects:  1. Automotive - History    2. Transportation    3. 20th century    4. History of specific subjects    5. Motor sports    6. Sicily    7. Transportation / Automotive / Foreign / General   

Subjects:  1. Motor cars: general interest   

Reviews (1)

VERY Good
Have NOT finished but I can see this is a very well thought out book.For instance, the content page contains a thumbnail to identify the car: Great idea, for quick ref. if you do not know the model name/number.The index is full, the trailers show races won in order.The details of each is large and althought I cannot vouch for all accuracy of info. the items I DID know were accurate enough.The book is small, and compact enough to keep along with you....kind of like a bird-watchers field manual.
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Subjects:  1. Automotive    2. Automotive - History    3. Automotive - Pictorial    4. Transportation    5. Transportation / Automotive / General   

Reviews (11)

Porsche Excellence
The history of Porsche like no other. An absolute MUST HAVE for anyone who wants to everything about the Porsche cars. Wish the 964 chapter was more detailed (since I have one) but that is a minor issue.

The best automobile history ever written
"The best automobile history ever written" -- that's a big claim and is easily misunderstood. But I think it would be exceedingly difficult to find a more thorough, better researched, more comprehensive, and better written automobile history, regardless of topic or marque. One may argue that there are more "important" cars (or not); perhaps the story of Daimler and Maybach's pioneering efforts, or Henry Ford's, are more "important" in a larger historical context than the activities of a relatively small maker of specialist sports and racing cars, but that's not what I claim here. I claim that this is the best WRITTEN, most thorough autombile history ever. Porsche, as an automobile and an enterprise, is a very special phenomenon, and Ludvigsen's book presents both company and car to an audience that may otherwise never appreciate it. If you don't like Porsches, then that doesn't matter. If you do, you need this book. If you're not sure, then this book may be the beginning of a lifelong passion for all things Porsche.
Porsche Through Rose Glasses
If I'd realized Mr. Ludvigsen had a past history of writing for Automotive Quarterly, I would never have wasted this much money buying this set.Just like Automotive Quarterly (which never had a bad thing to say about any automobile) Mr. Ludvigsen glosses over the problems with the 356 and early 911 road cars, the internal power struggles within the company and board, and so on.Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobile racing    2. Automotive - History    3. Automotive - Pictorial    4. History    5. Motor Sports    6. Porsche automobiles    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Transportation    9. Motor cars: general interest   

Reviews (7)

Beautiful book , short on technical details
This is a beautifully produced book, with many high-quality photographs and drawings. A perfect gift for the F1 enthusiast, especially as an introduction. It devotes a chapter to every aspect of an F1 race car, and is lavishly illustrated and well written. The author, having designed F1 cars himself. obviously knows his topic.
A book for every Formula One enthusiast
This book is very well put together with a right blend of images & text. Covers every aspect involved in designing & building a formula one car with a focus on the Ferrari F1-2000.
Coffee table material for the engineer
First, what this book isn't:an engineering textbook with step by step blueprints for the Ferrari F1-2000.What this book is:a great compilation of the technical elements of Formula 1 and Ferrari.The best secrets of F1 still remain secrets in this book.But it does offer glimpses into a hodgepodge of technical and sporting topics:Ferrari's F1 history, monocoque design, safety considerations, fuel technology, tires, aerodynamics, and the Ferrari team structure itself.Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - General    2. Transportation    3. Motor cars: general interest