"Akio emphasizes immediate action over observation to the newly recruited Toyota associates"
In a historic moment, Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation, addressed some 1,100 new recruits and mid-career hires during a remote entrance ceremony held on April 1, 2021. The ceremony, held amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, marked a significant milestone for the company.
In his speech, Akio Toyoda discussed the challenges and painful truths that Toyota faces, emphasising the importance of understanding these as opportunities to grow. He shared the basic mindset that should guide Toyota's new colleagues throughout their time at the company: the Toyota Production System (TPS).
Created by young Sakichi Toyoda with little more than elementary school education, the TPS allows machines to stop if the thread breaks and restock when it runs out, without the need for a person to constantly monitor the machine. This innovative system is a testament to Toyota's commitment to efficiency and continuous improvement.
Akio Toyoda also highlighted the importance of sports in Toyota's culture. Toyota boasts two professional league teams: Alvark Tokyo (basketball) and Nagoya Grampus (soccer), and nearly 40 corporate sports teams. He sees sports as a way to develop people and wants athletes to show them how to live.
Toyota offers second and third careers for athletes, including coaching and association staff positions. Mitsuru Kawai, a Toyota executive, advised athletes to be grateful for the opportunity to practice and play their hardest. Kawai, who faced challenges such as adapting to rapid technological changes and overcoming age-related stereotypes in his career, addressed these by continuous learning, leveraging his experience, and maintaining a positive, proactive attitude.
After the ceremony, Akio Toyoda met with representatives of the attendees for an informal talk. The gathering took the form of a Q&A session, with Akio answering questions from this year's recruits. Akio expressed feelings of insignificance and pressure when he was appointed president, but has spent his presidency ensuring that he says and does the right thing in any given moment.
He emphasised the importance of facing difficulties and not giving up. Kawai echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of understanding each person's capabilities when assigning tasks. Mitsuru Kawai believes that athletes, being watched by the outside world, should maintain a sense of gratitude.
As Toyota looks to the future, Akio Toyoda emphasised the importance of understanding the company's origins. He shared with his new colleagues the values that have made Toyota a global leader in the automotive industry: resilience, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. These values, embodied in the Toyota Production System and the company's sports teams, will continue to guide Toyota as it navigates the challenges of the future.
