the value of inclusion
“
Toyota was founded
on a strong value system
that guides us in how we
conduct our business and our
interpersonal relationships.
Toyota’s founders in Japan
planted the seed more
than 75 years ago when
they first conceived these
guiding principles, known
as the Toyota Way. One of
the guiding principles revolves around respect for
people and teamwork, which are the roots of Toyota’s
inclusive culture.
Today, no matter where we are, those tenets are the
same. Respect for people is at the very foundation
of being a good corporate citizen and is relevant
everywhere—whether it be respect for our associates,
suppliers, dealers, customers or communities. We
respect individuals and value what they have to say
and contribute—this is how we do our best work.
Collective perspectives and valued differences are
a vital asset to our future growth and our ability to
operate as a global team with a competitive advantage.
On the following pages, Toyota associates, dealers,
suppliers and business partners talk about Toyota’s
commitment to diversity and inclusion in their own
words. I invite you to see what they have to say.
Yoshimi Inaba
Toyota Motor Sales Chairman and ceo
”
a better toyota
From the beginning, Toyota has believed in putting
people first. So when it comes to serving our customers,
associates, dealers, suppliers and business partners,
we live out our mission and values by: creating jobs,
developing talent, fostering an inclusive culture and
supporting the communities where we live and work.
At Toyota, diversity and inclusion means a commitment
to meaningful jobs and career advancement
opportunities, new and long-term business partnerships
with minority and women-owned suppliers and
dealers, committed investments in the community, and
connecting with customers in meaningful ways.
“We are building a more inclusive culture that
fosters diversity of thought. We see a workplace
that welcomes, respects and develops individual
differences as a competitive strength, and a
workforce which offers a wide variety of skills,
background, perspectives and lifestyles.”
– Gail Herring, TMS Communications Coordinator,
Diversity and Inclusion
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one team, many talents
Historically innate in Toyota’s culture is the sense of “oneness.” People are at the core
of any successful organization. Toyota cultivates an inclusive environment where the
talents of every associate are maximized and everyone feels respected and valued.
This creates a work force that not only ignites creativity and innovation, but also
mirrors the communities we serve and addresses the needs of our customers.
One shining example is Toyota’s long-standing program that employs adults with
developmental disabilities in the company’s mailroom. The goal of this partnership is to
help Toyota maximize productivity and cost-effectiveness, while helping individuals with
developmental disabilities become successful and independent members of the workforce.
“Being a member of Toyota’s African American Collaborative
(AAC) helps with individual skill development, such as project
management. Members take ownership of assigned projects
from inception to implementation. I’ve interacted with many
people that I would not have otherwise met in my normal
course of business. Membership invites collaboration across
the organization.”
– Angelina Moore, TMS Internal Audit Consultant
AAC Community Fundraiser Chairperson
“I am honored to be a part of the Toyota Business Partnering
Group TORQUE! which helps connect the women of Toyota
at all levels of the organization. From speed networking to
the executive-sponsored Corner Table lunches to the first
North America Women’s Conference focused on Toyota
“Women Leading Change,” we are working together,
mentoring each other, and building strong relationships.”
– Debbie West - TMS National Technology Manager
TORQUE! Advisory Council Chair
toyota business partnering groups
Toyota supports associate-initiated and chartered employee resource groups,
known as Toyota Business Partnering Groups (TBPG). TBPGs facilitate
connections between members with shared interests, collectively advance
business interests, engage in community outreach, and support associate
development. Members offer unique insight into Toyota’s recruiting efforts, product
development, and market segments.
“Spectrum is highly encouraged by the progress Toyota has
made in the areas of marketing and advertising to the LGBT
community, overcoming significant hurdles in the process.”
– Robert Palme, TFS Regional Bank Product Manager,
Spectrum Advisor
“As a result of participating in the TODOS mentoring program
at Carson High School, one student’s grades improved from a
D average to a B average. He always had the potential; it’s just
that no one challenged him to use it.”
– Jul Hermosisima, Product Education Manager,
TODOS Member and Carson High School
Mentoring Program President
“Someone cared enough about me as
a person, believed in me and held me
accountable. My TODOS mentor helped
me realize there was more life waiting for
me out there.”
– Carson High School 2010 Graduate and
TODOS Mentoring Program Participant
(improved from D to B average)
champions for diversity
and inclusion
For more than 10 years, a group of Toyota Motor Sales
associates designated as Champions for Diversity and Inclusion,
who represent business units in headquarters and regional
locations, have provided significant leadership and support to
the company by:
• Working in collaboration with officers and department heads
to enhance inclusion and leverage diversity within their
division/department;
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“When we first started talking about
diversity and inclusion in a more
structured way, it was often accepted
that people automatically went to gender
and race. Now, I believe there is an innate
acknowledgement that the concept
includes a broader perspective. More
people appreciate that differences and life experiences
make up who a person is, and that shift makes diversity
and inclusion more powerful.”
– Midge Waters, TMS National Manager,
Diversity and Inclusion
“As a leader in a large organization, you
have to design some techniques to help
build trust by bringing people to the table
that don’t normally get proximity to you. I
bring small groups together in a safe zone
where they feel comfortable and free to
ask anything and share concerns.”
– Barbra Cooper, Group Vice President and CIO,
Toyota North American Operations,
TMS Group Vice President
• Providing customized diversity and inclusion awareness
through formal and informal education based on the personal
characteristics of the work group; and
• Helping work groups apply change management processes
and creative problem solving to business priorities, objectives
and opportunities through demonstrated inclusive behavior.
diversity advisory board
Toyota established the automotive industry’s first Diversity
Advisory Board (DAB), which consists of seven of the
country’s most recognized leaders in the fields of diversity
and inclusion, public policy, economic development and
community relations. Engaging in regular dialogue with
Toyota’s leaders, the members of the DAB bring outside
perspective, advice and accountability.
investing in our communities
Toyota dedicates more than 25 percent of its philanthropic
support to diverse community organizations.
Toyota establishes meaningful partnerships with a large
number of education and scholarship initiatives, civil, cultural
and charitable groups. Our philanthropic outreach focuses on
education with an emphasis on mathematics and science.
Toyota’s community outreach goes far beyond financial
contributions to include innovative ways the company shares
its resources and talents. “The work our associates do to make
a meaningful difference in the lives of others makes each of
us better as well,” says Michael Rouse, Vice President, TMS
Philanthropy and Community Affairs. “Volunteerism makes us
more understanding, humble and thankful of the world around us
and all of the differing people in it.”
We strengthen our nation’s communities through national and local
partnerships and support of organizations such as: United Negro
College Fund, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, American Indian College
Fund, Out & Equal, Human Rights Campaign, Little Tokyo Service
Center, the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center and
Los Angeles Urban League, to name just a few.
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“Toyota’s success comes from every
corner of the American market and when
we think about what organizations or
programs the company wants to support,
we want to make sure we give back to
the people that contributed to Toyota’s
success.”
– Michael Rouse, Vice President, Toyota Philanthropy
and Community Outreach
“I value my membership in the Toyota
Asian American Society in Alliance
(TAASiA). I have the opportunity to
collaboratively participate in community
outreach with Asian Pacific organizations
and causes I am passionate about
helping.”
– Ivan Sim, TCE Knowledge Management Administrator
TAASiA Advisory Council Member
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dealership and retail
management development
Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. currently has more than
120 minority and women-owned dealerships. Over the
years, Toyota has also made a significant investment
to help recruit, train and develop minority employees
for dealership management and technical positions
to serve as a future talent pool for the entire U.S.
automotive industry.
provide opportunity, leverage relationships
Toyota is focused on creating and increasing relationships with a supplier base which more closely reflects our customer population. We
continue to develop a strong foundation of highly qualified, minority- and women-owned suppliers that can provide us with exceptional
products and services. Through innovative sourcing strategies, we are finding creative ways to involve Minority Business Enterprises
(MBEs) and Women Business Enterprises (WBEs) in our business. A diverse supplier base enables us to contribute to the economic wellbeing of all segments of the U.S. population, as well as reap new ideas and innovation that help build a competitive advantage.
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“Toyota is an equal opportunity franchiser, and its diverse dealer
representation shows the community that the doors are open to all
who may aspire to the same opportunity. It’s always been my hope
that in America, we can move from identifying someone as a ‘minority
dealer,’ to simply ‘a dealer.’”
“Toyota is very conscious of
diversity development, more
so than any other manufacturer
I’ve witnessed. As a business
partner, Toyota is very hands on in terms of
giving dealers quantitative information to help
measure their business.”
– Carlos Hoz de Vila, Toyota Dealer Principal
CEO Condor Automotive Group
– Gregory Jackson, Toyota Dealer Principal
President & CEO Jackson Automotive Management
“Our approach to our relationships at the dealer level sets Toyota
apart from its competitors. The dealer is also Toyota’s customer;
therefore, we listen to our dealers to fully appreciate the environments
in which they conduct business.”
“We’ve multiplied Toyota’s
investment in supplier
diversity by making sure
we, in turn, use diverse
suppliers. As a result,
many more minority- and
women-owned firms have
also benefitted from Toyota’s commitment.
These are small businesses that otherwise
wouldn’t have had the opportunity to work
with a large company like Toyota.”
– Aaron Walton, Walton Isaacson
Lexus Multicultural Marketing Agency
“Toyota has been a
customer of Fraser
Communications for
five years. As a result of
working with Toyota, we
have embraced the kaizen
(continuous improvement)
philosophy at our firm—constantly
finding ways to improve the quality of our
processes which means better products
and programs. We’re improving all of the
time.”
– Renee Fraser, President and CEO,
Fraser Communications
– Ernest Bastien, TMS Vice President,
Retail Market Development
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“
Diversity is not something
we talk about, it’s how we live.
”
-A. Walton
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www.toyota.com/diversity
Diversity: Respect IT. Include IT. Live IT.
www.toyota.com/diversity