Keeping Up With Technology – Buyer Beware

How many times have you purchased a product only to find that a better or new and improved version was just released? It happens to all of us, myself included. Advertisers or salespeople sell you what they think you can afford. I’m not offended by the question, “What’s your budget?” One of the reasons we may feel betrayed after making […]

Happy Anniversary

Happy Anniversary It’s hard to believe that today marks our 7th anniversary.  I still remember writing that first post and wondering who would be interested in what we had to offer. After more than 293,000 views, thousands of free downloads, and visitors from more than 120 countries, we can say that we’ve successfully helped more than a few people and companies […]

Transparency – Is There An App For That?

Trust lies on the threshold of transparency. As leaders we are cognizant of the perceptions created by our words and actions beginning with the very vision that inspires them. We continually aspire to earn the trust and respect of those who choose to pursue the vision with us. We also recognize that we may quickly undermine those efforts and lose […]

Apple’s Best Kept Secrets … May Be Their Worst Enemy

One of the roles of leadership is to instill and foster a culture that embraces change and empowers the team to improve. This call for change is also echoed in the Plan-Do-Check-Act or PDCA cycle that serves as a typical model for driving continuous improvement in many organizations. In this regard, Apple has clearly demonstrated their commitment to develop and improve their existing […]

Lean Leadership: The Missing Link?

I coined the phrase “What you see is how we think” to suggest that the principles of lean thinking are not only embraced by everyone but are also evident throughout the organization.  In this context, becoming a lean organization requires effective leadership to create and foster an environment that allows lean thinking to flourish.  Just as a teacher establishes an […]

Sharp Minds – On the Cutting Edge or the Cutting Board?

I continue to be frustrated by the notion that the only way to reduce spending is by cutting services.  While the demand for change is high, few are willing to challenge tradition and conventional thinking to improve services and increase efficiencies that will enable us to do more with less, find new opportunities, and to create jobs instead of eliminating […]

Toyota #1 for a Reason

Experience is often gained by making mistakes, however, we don’t have to repeat them for the sake of experience.  This is one of the reasons I decided to read “Toyota Under Fire” by Jeffrey K. Liker and Timothy N. Ogden.  Aside from the many positive reviews this book has already received, it claims to present “The definitive inside account of Toyota’s […]

1 Way to Exceed Expectations

Although I’m still not sure that it’s possible to exceed customer expectations, something happened last night that may have given me a slightly different perspective on this matter.  In November of 2009 I published an article titled, “10 Ways to Enhance Customer Satisfaction“, on the very premise that the best we could do was enhance the customer’s experience based on […]

Toyota recalling 1.7 million vehicles

Toyota is tasked once again to deal with another recall.  The details of the recall can be found at the following link:  http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5iF7PDtO3qyJdQuqtpwz7rBTXyu7w?docId=5764670 Many people are quick to assume that resolving one recall issue somehow sterilizes or immunizes the full line up of vehicles from having other unrelated defects.  History tells us that this is simply not possible. Although the […]

5 New Paradigms for a Socially Engaged Company

I have discussed how company culture can significantly influence results.  Follow this link, 5 New Paradigms for a Socially Engaged Company, and prepare to be amazed.  How do these paradigms compare with your own? Engaging your teams can be as significant as any new investment in technology.  How much of an improvement would we have to make in Overall Equipment […]