Andy & Me: Crisis and Transformation on the Lean Journey
| Pascal Dennis, 2005
What’s It All About?
In his business novel Andy & Me: Crisis and Transformation on the Lean Journey, Pascal Dennis draws on his own experiences in automobile manufacturing to tell the narrative of Tom Papas, the manager of a struggling original equipment assembly plant in New Jersey. While searching for a way to save his plant, he connects with Andy Saito, a reclusive and retired Toyota guru. Tom convinces Andy to help him use Toyota’s iconic production systems to save his plant, and Andy eventually becomes his sensei. Throughout their time together, Andy teaches Tom many valuable lessons and shows how the Toyota Production System (TPS) can be a great model for finding new ways to think, behave, and lead.
Like Tom, readers of this business parable can find great lessons and insights on a wide range of topics, from managing your valuable time to creating strong processes for recruiting, hiring, and retaining great team members. It’s a great read that covers so many key lessons in a unique, readable format.
Favorite Quote
“Change is a voyage, but only 10% understand the need and want to be Rowers. Most people do not understand the need for change are Watchers 80%, and the remaining 10% are Grumblers and oppose change”
Biggest Takeaway
When I was at Formet in the early 2000s, Andy & Me was read by many people in the plant. They found Tom’s story similar to their own challenges of trying to grow and staying competitive during the slowdowns and layoffs of 2008 and 2009. The book was transformational, as it took the technical tools Toyota used to take over the big three auto manufacturers—Ford, GM, and Chrysler—and presented them in a parable format.
At the time, not everyone took to the book. But our corporate leadership believed in its value, and even brought Pascal Dennis in to coach the team. Through this, the plant was able to practice the techniques described in Andy & Me, and found significant cost improvements as a result.
For me, this book was one of my very first reads about the lean journey. It really got me thinking about the concepts and transformed how I prepare, spend my time, and show up for my team. Since this book was written in 2005, some of these practices have faded out as different leadership took over in different times. But I still keep a few copies and hand them out to clients who want to make process improvements in their own plants, which goes the show its powerful impact!
Reviewed by: Trevor Blondeel, March 28, 2016
At Manufacturing Greatness, Trevor Blondeel works with manufacturers to connect the top to the shop. If you’re ready to improve your own organization, contact Trevor to learn how Manufacturing Greatness can help you build stronger leaders and develop a dynamic, high-performing workplace.