Akio Toyoda, the man who keenly looks over the Toyota industry, has been noted for his unconventional leadership strategies that, although drifts away from common leadership strategies, helped Toyota grow into one of the most profitable automobile industries in the world. Toyada has essentially revamped the corporate culture and mission “dedicated to making cars you want to own, rather than ought to own.” His own passion for automobiles has brought an influx of design and engineering innovations for Toyota and for the slowly diminishing luxurious Lexus brand.
Toyoda’s noticeable characteristic is that he knows how to be fun. For instance, in press conferences he dresses up in colorful uncanny outfits. His ideology of instating “fun” to the corporate environment has somehow increased profits, productivity, and efficiency in their company. For example, in his interview with Automotive News, he wrote: “I have always said two things: Please make ever-better cars. And if it doesn’t offer fun, then it is not a car.”
His ingenious marketing strategy to present himself and the companies culture as being “fun” has drove Toyota into a successful area of sustainable competitive advantage. How? Their continuous innovations allows the firm to remain as the leading manufacturer for hybrid cars with further plans to introduce 15 more models and for the first time, a fuel cell powered vehicle. In addition, Toyota uses more than 50 different air bag designs to suit different driver seating positions.
Toyota still sees vast space for growth. There is a large untouched market in China and other regions around the world. As for Toyoda, he remains a promising figure for Toyota. His strong leadership and loyalty as given him the name the “world’s most fuel-efficient chief executive.”
Source:
http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/14/autos/toyota-akio-toyoda.fortune/index.html?iid=SF_BN_River
Toyoda is known for his colorful outfits and unconventional leadership strategies.
Source:
http://money.cnn.com/2013/11/14/autos/toyota-akio-toyoda.fortune/index.html?iid=SF_BN_River
Further reading:
http://money.cnn.com/gallery/technology/2013/11/01/gas-engine-alternatives.fortune/2.html?iid=EL
http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2013/06/10/akio-toyodas-toyota-makeover-is-working/?iid=EL
http://features.blogs.fortune.cnn.com/2013/09/26/toyota-hydrogen-car/?iid=EL
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