Profound Book Club August 18, 2023 (Morning Session)

Here is a more detailed summary of the key points from the conversation:

Research Process

John Willis discussed the extensive research that went into writing the book, including trying to find connections between Deming and other historical figures. For example, they hoped to find the collaboration between Deming and Claude Shannon when they were both at Bell Labs but could not confirm direct links.

There was a lot of "speleunking" to find potential connections to Deming, like whether he interacted with famous people or had correspondence with other thought leaders of the time. This sometimes led down "rabbit holes" in research.

One intriguing lead was the potential overlap between Deming's work on statistical process control and Genichi Taguchi's quality methods in Japan, but direct collaboration was not proven.

Deming's Influence on Post-WWII Japan

The group discussed Deming's pivotal role in rebuilding Japan's economy after WWII by providing a framework for quality control. Japan was able to transition from devastation to becoming an exporting nation remarkably quickly with Deming's guidance.

However, there is an ongoing debate about how directly Deming influenced specific Japanese companies like Toyota. The consensus seems to be he had a very significant and transformative impact overall, even if specifics of his involvement with Toyota are disputed.

Deming's message aligned well with Japan's cooperative, crisis mindset after WWII when a lack of resources required working together to rebuild. The group reflected on these unique circumstances.

Deming's Approach in Japan

Deming focused on appealing directly to top executives and industry leaders in Japan. This top-down approach was important in driving change, as he recognized leaders were critical to any transformation.

Book Writing Process

The collaborative process between author John Willis and writer Derek Lewis was highlighted, involving multiple iterations, edits, feedback, and partnership. Willis wrote initial drafts; Lewis helped refine and polish the writing in Deming's "voice.”

In Conclusion

The group appreciated the thoughtful conversations around the book and the chance to engage with like-minded learners.