E38: Toyota IT Executive Jason Ballard on Improving the Employee Experience, AI, and Leadership

This week, host Troy Edgar traveled to Toyota’s North American headquarters to meet with IT Executive and General Manager Jason Ballard to talk about his background and experience at the company.

Troy and Jason started working together in 2014, when Toyota began consolidating their North American sales and manufacturing operations. They discuss the move of Toyota's headquarters to Plano, Texas, the role of technology in the company's operations, and the importance of leadership and continuous improvement.

Troy and Jason also touch on the return to office policies and the impact of remote work on collaboration and creativity.  Jason emphasizes the need for authentic leadership, building relationships, and being bold in driving change. He also mentions the use of artificial intelligence and conversational AI in improving employee experiences and productivity.

Lastly, Jason shared his insights that highlight the importance of staying connected, thinking like a CEO, and embracing new technologies in the automotive industry.

Recommended reading: CEO Excellence by Carolyn Dewar, Scott Keller, Vikram Malhotra