While Matsushita is now known by brand names such as
Panasonic, Technics, and Quasar, it is worth noting that Konosuke Matsushita
started his career at age nine as an apprentice because of his family's
financial problems. Though his statement quoted above may sound harsh, his
intent was not to be negative. He meant that we may find ourselves in a very
undesirable situation if we do not see the flaw in treating people as
extensions of machinery.
On one occasion, he asked an employee, "What does
Matsushita Electric make?" Answered the employee, "We make TVs,
radios, and vacuum cleaners." "No, no, no!" Konosuke Matsushita
pointed out, "We make people! We make people first before making products.
Matsushita Electric is the place to make people. Our company should be known as
such."
As we talk about assuring quality in the product
we make, we learn the principles of quality control. Yet the ultimate process
control may be achieved by "making people before making