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Best Managers

Takeo Fukui, 64

CEO, Honda, Tokyo

What makes Takeo Fukui a good manager: Fukui did not focus on volume target or market share; instead, customer satisfaction was his first priority, as well as consistently improving product image. His philosophy stemmed from this priority: satisfying customers and improving products expand sales and, in turn, produce plant expansion. Unlike most automakers, who build their plants first and then calculate market share based on production capacity, Fukui pointed out that he intended do the opposite so as not to diminish quality and performance.

Management Function: In Fukui's view, Honda must continue to meet the challenge of a global community by both respecting and understanding other countries' cultures when introducing Honda products into those societies. As of 2004 Honda was progressing in many and varied directions, led by Takeo Fukui, a fiercely competitive and experienced engineer.

Strongest skills: Fukui had a strong competitive nature even in his early days with Honda. He quotes "The truth is, as part of my nature, I don't like to lose."

By the first quarter of 1979 Fukui had been appointed the chief engineer at Honda R&D Company, and three years later he was selected to be chief engineer at the Honda Racing Corporation. After losing a string of races during the late 1970s, Fukui abandoned research on a sophisticated four-stroke engine technology and returned to the older, but tested, two-stroke design. Soon, Fukui was leading his racing team to nearly a decade-long series of victories, including Honda's first world championship within the World Grand Prix 500cc class. At that time, according to the Wall Street Journal , Fukui said, "Ultimately, the result is everything."

Read more: http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/F-L/Fukui-Takeo-1944.html#ixzz39aVpQBjj

Worst Manager

Andrea Jung,

CEO, Avon, USA

What makes Andrea Jung a bad manager: Presided over a long period of poor...