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A million innovations
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February 2007
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The world’s greatest problem solvers, is how a new book – The Elegant Solution – describes Toyota. With one million new ideas implemented a year, the book provides an insight into its formula for mastering innovation, from an insider.
What the book doesn’t try to explain is anything about the engineering of the products. Indeed, it says: “it’s not about the cars”. What it reveals is how three principles, and ten practices, all contribute to the Toyota associates creative process. And why is the book titled so? The Elegant Solution is a Toyota term for achieving the maximum effect with the simplest effort – innovation.
Does the world really need another innovation book? This question is asked, and answered in the first chapters. The answer, albeit Americanised, is that yes, to avoid innovation being outsourced, it does. “Innovation is a core company process – it’s everyone’s responsibility.”
Each chapter explains a principle or practice, and includes ‘sound bite’ quotes backing up the text, as well as case study material from outside of Toyota – including Starbucks and the NYPD.
Although focused on our cousins from across the pond, the book makes an interesting read for those that not only value innovation, but would value an insight into a business that has become one of the ten most profitable companies in the world.
It is authored by Matthew May, a senior advisor to the University of Toyota and a director of Aevitas Learning, a consulting firm.
The book is published by Simon & Schuster and is available in hardback for £17.99.
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Author
Chris Rowlands
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