Andy & Me - Crisis And Transformation On The Lean Journey (05) by Dennis, Pascal [Paperback (2005)]

by Denis

Excellent Book

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published February 1, 2005

Reviews

[Kostiantyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Business novels are a very specific genre of literature. Not only it is trying to sell you a remedy to all your business problems. Not only it is trying to convince you that all other remedies are (at best) just placebos. But it also serves the message under the umbrella of the author’s efforts in literature. Usually not the greatest efforts, so to say.

“Andy & Me” is exactly like that. It is trying to sell Lean. It is trying to prove that any methodology is just a placebo. And covers all this with some personal events, stories, dramas, and other details from the private lives of the characters.

But it also has one great feature. There are actually more, but just one turns this unstructured book about Lean into one of the best Lean books. The fact that author explains very complex tools in a very simple way. If I had to explain Lean to children, I would start quoting this book.

And if that were not enough, the author makes a very important point on the background of all these tools. You cannot delegate Lean to employees. Lead them, guide them, engage them, and teach them how to do it. Start with yourself.

[Jkwon247 · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an accessible case study to learn the basics of Lean manufacturing, specifically for the automotive industry. Even though it does not offer much in terms of story, I found myself quite moved by the end of it.

[Erin Egan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book for work. This is a great book to demonstrate Six Sigma ideas. The journey of this book is very similar to The Goal.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice high-level introduction to Lean processes. Read it for the introductory information, not for the story, which is weak and not engaging.

[Marc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well done for an introduction to Lean

[Omly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly not something that would appeal to everyone, but I can see why this book is so widely recommended. The style is simple and accessible. To avoid the dryness of many lean manufacturing resources, it is rich with characters who are written as people with lives outside of work.

Any reservations I might have are mostly to do with the fact that this is clearly a box designed to sell an idea, which like any too will be great in some situations but not others. It is approachable, but also since it does not go deep, it does not go into where there are limitations.

Having said all that, I did find that it clearly explained and demonstrated examples of core concepts in lean manufacturing, and because it really gets to the heart of the philosophy I found myself mulling implications to other types of work outside of physical manufacturing.

[Emily B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Supply Chain is not my favorite subject, but this book made it interesting by weaving it in with an engaging story. Some chapters would focus on Tom Pappas, his family, and his marriage drama. Others would focus on how Tom and his mentor, Andy Saito, used the basics of Supply Chain to improve Tom's factory. While this book is not a substitute for an official textbook, it serves as a handy guide - think of it as Supply Chain 101. I would recommend this book to anyone curious about how to run a factory with minimum errors.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d say one of the best business books I’ve read. It has a narrative story that is a little cringe but not near as bad as others. The information is solid with good examples in the book itself. It is a good beginners lean textbook that isn’t dry. I’d recommend to anyone looking to start a lean journey.

[Jesse Kessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here is a unique genre. I'm glad someone tried to teach business principles the same way moral and theological principles have been taught for EVER.

The core principles of Lean methodology taught in story format. Short and easy to read. Instead of textbooks, every business major should start here.

[Mike Thelen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Lean book written in novel style to help readers understand the Lean transformation. Pascal Dennis has written several books from his experiences in Toyota. All are worth owning.

[Matt Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the entire book, quick read and overall explained how lean is implemented in a crisis plant.

[Galina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Очень легкий бизнес-роман о принципах производственной системы Тойоты. Со схемами, объяснениями и «запуском на заводе». Для производственников может быть полезным.

[Juliana Azevedo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very relatable for anyone working in manufacturing

[Jonathan McGuire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the latest book that I've read to utilize the concept of novel (novel concept of novel? sorry. :) ) to explain how lean thinking (as understood by the Toyota Production System) can revolutionize seemly obsolete and failing processes. The narrative uses a fictional auto manufacturing plant in the Northeastern US that is failing to meet cost, quality, and delivery requirements and is headed toward being closed. Through a number of personal connections, and episodes of near depression, the plant manager comes into contact with a guru who once was responsible for implementing the fabled TPS in plants in Japan and Kentucky. There are no big surprises (yes, TPS is victorious by the end of the story) but the book is rarely trite or the type of boring that comes when you have a pretty good idea about how its going to end.

The goal of the book appears to be to show the simplicity that is lean thinking. Note the use of the root word "simple" in my previous sentence. The concept is very simple. But implementation is the real task (along the lines of the planning v. execution comparison...this is the lesson that, in this reviewer's opinion, corporate executives fail to grasp when they see "Lean" as the latest business buzzword to chase after or to use as bread and circuses if you're cynically inclined).

The story follows the plant manager and his Japanese sensei as they tackle the underlying cultural problems that are the real reasons for the many failures at the auto plant. References to the personal lives of the main characters are used as a device for showing how poor system thinking in the workplace cannot be completely isolated from events at home (and vice versa).

It is a quick and worthy read...and not just for those whose jobs depend on a culture of process and product improvement.

[Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this book. Dennis introduces Tom who hires for Mr. Andy Saito (his Sensei who is from Japan) to teach him how to apply the lessons of lean thinking and the Toyota Production System (TPS). If you like stories and are curious about Lean/Kaizen/TPS/Continuous Improvement you'll enjoy this novel.
Ch 1. "We'll Have to Close Some Plants.";
2. Looking for Mr. Saito
3. Finding a Sense
4. Sincere Mind
5. Henry Ford's Vision [I skipped this chapter; too interesting; I'll come back to it.]
6. Walking the Plant
7. Continuing the Tour [it's getting more interesting]
8. Needs More Work
9. Understanding Zone Control
10. Time Out at the Blue Giraffe
11. Making Our Video
12. Kickoff
13. Big Heart
14. The Money Board
15. A Night in Astoria
16. Visual Management
17. The River and the Rocks
18. People Make the Difference
19. "No Problem" Is a Problem
20. Developing Early Warning Systems
21. The Valley of Darkness
22. Learning about the Help Line
23. The Efficiency of Pull Systems
24. Stupid Meanness
25. The Frog, the Scorpion, and the Nightingale
26. Grapefruit Moon
Glossary;
Bibliography;
Index.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

forgetting the little i learned about SCM concepts from the one class i took, this was a great read to become aware of the meanings, implications, and use of 5s, A3, PCDA, JIT, and many other strategies. the fact it was told in a story makes it easier to relate and remember, rather than the straight and dry (sometimes boring) facts.
it definitely is a basic introduction - don’t look here if you want advanced techniques. for my need it was 5 stars great story to align and remind me of Lean Thinking.

it was about improving car manufacturing, but i would even suggest reading this for insight on applying Lean Thinking to personal life! I will be attempting that with the S System.

[Jeff Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not usually one to read a lot of business text books, but I have to say, this is one of the few that I not only finished, but can honestly say I enjoyed reading. While not the most literary effort, Dennis's ability to succinctly summarize complex concepts in very simple stories is truly impressive. For anyone who works in a company undergoing Lean, Six Sigma or other improvement initiatives, this is a very good read. I'm looking forward to the sequel, The Remedy, which is about applying the principles in the rest of the organization--not just the factory.

[Lindsay · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed the novel aspect of this book, and the lean principles were delivered in a basic, easily understood format. I struggled with both of these under the same cover. When I read for education or pleasure my mindset switches, so this took me a while to read. I would recommend this for those folks who have a difficult time getting through pure educational reads, as this might be a good transition for them.

[David Zerangue · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to Lean. It is more inspirational than educational. If you want to bring people on board to the prospect of doing things more efficiently, this is one way of inspiring it. Worth buying a number of copies and handing out to your organization. Come to think of it, that's exactly what happened to me...

[Valeria · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is a brief introduction to Toyota Production System an lean. But probably you should have it as a reference guide after you've familiarized yourself with it. Otherwise, it is hard to buy into TPS after you read it. For me E. Goldrat's Goal is way more appealing as a business novel, then Andy & Me.

[Pedro · Rating 4 out of 5]

So "Tom Pappas and Andy Saito enter a bar. There they join John Karras and Alex Rogo in a corner table..."

Manufacturish, on the short side, and the story feels like it's missing some setbacks.

But gets a 4 instead of a 3, by a good exposition of some lean concepts, not usually found in other books or articles.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this because I'm seeing myself head down the road of continuous improvement add my next "career." This is a Kimberly-Clark recommended read so I thought I would pick it up. Overall a quick read and worthy of some thought in how America works.

[Michael Fruergaard · Rating 3 out of 5]

180p

[Jason · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great!

[Jody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book for work. It is a simple introduction to the lean process.

[Hubdiggity · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine, it's short, it teaches you a thing or 2 if you're trying to learn. I don't feel particularly transformed. 'Nuff said.

[Bonesnapper · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's a story about implementation of a lean production system but it's a little too basic. It might be better to start with "Lean Production Simplified" by the same author.

[Ammon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good intro to Lean Production, but a lousy novel.

[Dogan Dikmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read but lots of practical tips.

[Caleb Reister · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for an English class... well written, entertaining, and practical.