Perhaps you’ve heard the saying:  Isn’t that person getting too big for their britches?

Or… Don’t they think they’re something?!  I remember them when…

And that’s exactly what’s happened at Toyota.  They got too enamored with their own success and stature.  According to news reports, the company has known for quite some time that they have a potentially life threatening mechanical defect with the gas pedals on several Toyota makes and models.  And now even owners of the popular, eco-friendly Prius are coming forward with concerns. Yet the company hasn’t dealt with it.  Until now, when finally the US government met with Toyota and pressured officials to do something about the safety hazard.  As a business person and consumer, you have to ask the obvious question – Why?  Why did Toyota let this problem spin so out of control?

Toyota has spent years building an image and building a company that ultimately became the biggest car manufacturer in the world.  Although Toyota may recover from their financial and image losses at some point, for now the business is in serious trouble.  Car dealers can’t sell popular models.  Owners of Toyota cars are worried every time they drive that it will be their gas pedal that sticks.

Could this business fiasco and public relations nightmare been avoided?  Probably so.  Now Toyota will spend millions and millions of dollars and an extraordinary amount of time trying to rebuild their reputation for well built cars with consumer safety being foremost in the company’s priorities rather than rank and profits.  It could take years to undo the damage.  It’s only a matter of time till the lawsuits are filed against Toyota.

Don’t get too big for your britches.  Don’t think you are too big to fail.  Pay attention to your business.  Remember, you don’t need to be the biggest business to be profitable or to be influential in your industry.  What’s important is making a profit, keeping customers and employees happy and designing your products and/or services to meet the needs of those who buy them.  And always… putting the customer first.