Comments on: Where was Mr Toyoda yesterday? http://paulseaman.eu/2010/02/where-was-mr-toyoda-yesterday/ I am a PR and love my trade. Nevertheless PR requires a reality check. We're about helping clients speak honestly, even robustly. People who run things have a lot of explaining to do in the next few years, so PR is crucial. I want a lively debate and I hope you’ll make it so. Sat, 31 Mar 2012 09:07:53 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Let’s not turn media dramas into real crises | 21st-century PR issues › Paul Seaman's online review http://paulseaman.eu/2010/02/where-was-mr-toyoda-yesterday/comment-page-1/#comment-3055 Let’s not turn media dramas into real crises | 21st-century PR issues › Paul Seaman's online review Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:01:06 +0000 http://paulseaman.eu/?p=8915#comment-3055 [...] fear she rightly roughs me up a little for my recent piece Where was Mr Toyoda yesterday? She certainly compellingly argues that every so-called crisis is different. She adds that too many [...] [...] fear she rightly roughs me up a little for my recent piece Where was Mr Toyoda yesterday? She certainly compellingly argues that every so-called crisis is different. She adds that too many [...]

]]> By: Paul Seaman http://paulseaman.eu/2010/02/where-was-mr-toyoda-yesterday/comment-page-1/#comment-3024 Paul Seaman Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:35:58 +0000 http://paulseaman.eu/?p=8915#comment-3024 Peter, I acknowledge the cultural sensitivities - but that works both ways. CEOs are meant to lead from the front in such crises in the US and Europe. Wouldn't it have been great had Toyoda said straight to the world what you just said above about the real issues Toyota faces? I remain a fan of Toyota and Toyoda. Peter, I acknowledge the cultural sensitivities – but that works both ways. CEOs are meant to lead from the front in such crises in the US and Europe. Wouldn’t it have been great had Toyoda said straight to the world what you just said above about the real issues Toyota faces? I remain a fan of Toyota and Toyoda.

]]> By: Peter Walker http://paulseaman.eu/2010/02/where-was-mr-toyoda-yesterday/comment-page-1/#comment-3023 Peter Walker Thu, 04 Feb 2010 09:22:46 +0000 http://paulseaman.eu/?p=8915#comment-3023 Interesting Paul, that you, the FT, Times and even Golin Harris jumps in and has a pop at Toyoda. Some cool cultural and sensible consideration might not go amiss: 1. Toyoda admitted that the firm unprepared for the recession - what manufacturer was - and automotive production still outstrips the capacity of the market to absorb the product - ask Prof Garyl Rhys at Cardiff Uni. Japanese culture - Toyota ain't Ford and culturally Toyoda would only appear as a front man to abase himself - fall on his sword if you will. 2. Apart from the former Apple founders suggestion that this is software and not hardware - the villain of the piece seems to be a components manufacturer in Eastern Europe - there's a better, and more relevent trail for the news hounds to follow on the whole issue of assembly manufacture and quality assurance along the procurement chain - ask anyone sourcing widgets from China, ask Mercedes about the electrical systems in SL and SLK cars. I know I own one and not even the dealers were prepared to come clean on a fault that threatened to release the airbag as I was driving around the south coast - easier to replace the system and say nothing. Only later did I discover the battle going on over quality control with Chinese suppliers 3. Surely the key issue is whether the recall and subsequent action was handled well, badly or what. Just think if this had been tyres rather than a component the 'must have a villain' brigade would have chasing down a component manufacturer.' I suggest and in the interests of evaluating brand integrity, reputation management and public relations management we avoid a rush to judgement and make pronouncements based on outcomes not out put. Peter Interesting Paul, that you, the FT, Times and even Golin Harris jumps in and has a pop at Toyoda. Some cool cultural and sensible consideration might not go amiss:

1. Toyoda admitted that the firm unprepared for the recession – what manufacturer was – and automotive production still outstrips the capacity of the market to absorb the product – ask Prof Garyl Rhys at Cardiff Uni. Japanese culture – Toyota ain’t Ford and culturally Toyoda would only appear as a front man to abase himself – fall on his sword if you will.

2. Apart from the former Apple founders suggestion that this is software and not hardware – the villain of the piece seems to be a components manufacturer in Eastern Europe – there’s a better, and more relevent trail for the news hounds to follow on the whole issue of assembly manufacture and quality assurance along the procurement chain – ask anyone sourcing widgets from China, ask Mercedes about the electrical systems in SL and SLK cars. I know I own one and not even the dealers were prepared to come clean on a fault that threatened to release the airbag as I was driving around the south coast – easier to replace the system and say nothing. Only later did I discover the battle going on over quality control with Chinese suppliers

3. Surely the key issue is whether the recall and subsequent action was handled well, badly or what. Just think if this had been tyres rather than a component the ‘must have a villain’ brigade would have chasing down a component manufacturer.’

I suggest and in the interests of evaluating brand integrity, reputation management and public relations management we avoid a rush to judgement and make pronouncements based on outcomes not out put.

Peter

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