IMM Review: Top Shops! The New Manufacturing Standard ISO 9000:2000

The title of this book is an exciting one, and the cover makes a good first impression. However, on reading Top Shops! The New Manufacturing Standard ISO 9000:2000, I thought it started slowly. In fact, this was because after reading a chapter I would stop and think about it for awhile, or read it again to consider how I could apply the point at my workplace. While the content might be slightly more suited for tool shops, any manager or small business owner would be well advised to read this book with an open mind.

Chapter 1, Getting on Track, discusses the top person’s position and how to get past problems to solutions. Common problems and steps to make a business a top shop are introduced here. Chapter 2, The Top Person, describes that person’s functions and qualities and the Board of Directors. This 26-page chapter includes several case studies.

Managing Change in Your Organization (Chapter 3) covers an important aspect in today’s business environment. While the subject of change can only be touched on in the 15 pages it is allotted, the authors recognize its importance and present some good approaches to overcoming cynicism and negative reaction to change.

Supporting Your Employees (Chapter 4) proposes a reversal of the traditional pyramid-style organization chart. Reading between the lines, the authors suggest empowering lower-level employees so that less overhead is necessary. This and other novel ideas are covered in 13 pages.

Critical Relationships (Chapter 5) devotes 17 pages to how interactions among employer, supervisor, external and internal customers, and suppliers affect performance, and how to improve these critical relationships.

Zone Management (Chapter 6) states that a Success Zone is a person’s peak performance level as seen though the eyes of someone else with whom that person has a critical relationship. Most of us can use this definition to maximize job performance. Also explained are other Zones called Accomplishment, Accountability, and Danger.

Your Formula for Success is the title of Chapter 7. As a sports fan, I love the opening analogy of this chapter; it is easy to relate to and drives home the point well. I could steal the authors’ thunder and tell you what it is, but I won’t. I will tell you that the formula that the analogy presents is amazingly simple, but many businesses overlook it. After reading this 13-page chapter, I expect most managers will review and probably modify this aspect of their operations.

Tracking Goal Progress (Chapter 8) explains the authors’ Goal Program and ties goal setting into the Zone Management concept from the previous chapter. Your first thought might be, who needs another management by goals program? But read and learn. New ideas can’t hurt.

Improving Performance (Chapter 9) is a good chapter. Who among us can’t use this type of information? Reinforcement and Rewards (Chapter 10) contains thought-provoking information, including innovative suggestions for rewarding employees.
Concluding chapters include Moving into Teams (Chapter 11), Communication Skills for Team Leaders and Team Members (Chapter 12), Decision Making in Teams (Chapter 13), and Leading Your Shop to the Top (Chapter 14).

Top Shops! The New Manufacturing Standard ISO 9000:2000 is a good book for any manager with an open mind who’s looking for ideas to improve. I would strongly suggest it for those whose company or department is struggling and needs strategic help.—Reviewer: James Ray, manager of sales and marketing, TallyHo Plastics Inc., Jacksonville, TX, james@tallyho plastics.com.

Top Shops! The New Manufacturing Standard ISO 9000:2000 is one of many books selected for injection molders that are offered through the IMM Book Club and count toward a Bonus Book award. For more information, visit www.immbookclub.com or call Renee Barker at (303) 321-2322; fax (303) 321-3552; or e-mail [email protected].

Wilson, Robert G., and John D. Linscott. Top Shops! The New Manufacturing Standard ISO 9000:2000, 2nd ed. (2000), 265 pp., tables, references, index, $49.95.