Slow Tech, The Toyota Way

Achieve excellence through disciplined, human-centered technology adoption

Slow Tech, The Toyota Way ask us to resist “technology obsession” and carefully select, test, and introduce high-value-added technology—a stark contrast to many companies’ rush to digitally transform to something they do not really understand.  Pushing “technology solutions” when the problem is not even clear only confuses people and can lead to chaos. Organized around ten timeless principles that readers can apply to their own organizations, the book shows that AI and tech can be contributing factors to operational excellence, if they are subordinate to investments in exceptional people and well-defined processes. Core cases from Toyota and other companies that have been inspired by Toyota’s lean approach are included throughout to show the efficacy of a slower and more methodical approach to change.   

Readers will learn how to:   

• Consider a range of total value-stream objectives, instead of focusing only on short-term, cost-oriented technology objectives   

• Train people through deliberate practice, rather than just sharing user manuals, to develop skills required to effectively use technologies   

• Develop in-house capabilities to create and modify technology in order to avoid overdependence on vendors   

Slow Tech, The Toyota Way shows business leaders and executives how to harness patience, long-term thinking, careful planning, and experimentation to achieve strategic goals by making  breakthrough and routine technologies work for you. Through these principles you can avoid chasing the latest technology fads and become a high-performing learning organization.