Hey! I just want to rave a little bit about some project management software that I am using.
www.ProWorkflow.com Web Based Project Management Software Manage Projects, Tasks & Time Online
It is an ASP model so you can get at it from anywhere. The software itself is very easy to set up and intuitive. Support is very responsive as well.
In my opinion it is very cost effective which makes it apealing to everyone
My company: www.theromgroup.com
Linkedin profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Showing posts with label accountability. Show all posts
Showing posts with label accountability. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Field of Healthcare
I am looking the latest blog on Performainc.com! Pretty interesting stuff that is going on in healthcare
Monday, March 2, 2009
Current TImes
I have been thinking about this for a while. Not sure why but I have. The economic times we are in right now seem pretty dire. Jobless rate are up, value of the dollar is questionable, and suddenly everyone is looking for a new way to do business. Why is that?
I believe in part the new business models are created because alto of business people got caught with both hands in the cookie jar. In other words they were being really greedy. Greed makes people do stupid things. Why is it that whena company goes public common sense flies out the window? What the board of directors thinks becomes more important than “good” business practice or even outright honesty. I don’t get it! The people running these businesses are supposed to be very intelligent. So when intelect prevails does common sense lose? It appears that way. Or at the very least the people are protecting thier position as opposed to doing thier fiduciary responsibility.
Is cash really king? I had a friend forward an article where ther is somone saying that you can be profiable for long period of time with negative cashflow. I don’t get it! Whay would you even consider something like this. It’s almost like committing suicide. “the easy way to not have to face the problems you created”. It’s like the saying….”if you do not learn from history you are destined to repeat it”. Our grandparents faught thier way back to economic prosperity through hard work. Thier desire for our parents was for them to not have to work so hard so then a college education became the standard. We then became “sooo” smart that we could learn nothing from our uneducated parents. Then as we entered college an ”MBA” was the thing. “the next step in the evolution”. Once again we thought we had nothing to learn from our parents. Do you see where I am going with this? Once again, in order to rebuild our economy we must roll up our sleeves like our grandparents, set a course for where we want to go and work towards it.
Hard work never killed anyone! like the saying goes if it does not kill you it makes you stronger. Sometimes ther is just no easy way
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
I believe in part the new business models are created because alto of business people got caught with both hands in the cookie jar. In other words they were being really greedy. Greed makes people do stupid things. Why is it that whena company goes public common sense flies out the window? What the board of directors thinks becomes more important than “good” business practice or even outright honesty. I don’t get it! The people running these businesses are supposed to be very intelligent. So when intelect prevails does common sense lose? It appears that way. Or at the very least the people are protecting thier position as opposed to doing thier fiduciary responsibility.
Is cash really king? I had a friend forward an article where ther is somone saying that you can be profiable for long period of time with negative cashflow. I don’t get it! Whay would you even consider something like this. It’s almost like committing suicide. “the easy way to not have to face the problems you created”. It’s like the saying….”if you do not learn from history you are destined to repeat it”. Our grandparents faught thier way back to economic prosperity through hard work. Thier desire for our parents was for them to not have to work so hard so then a college education became the standard. We then became “sooo” smart that we could learn nothing from our uneducated parents. Then as we entered college an ”MBA” was the thing. “the next step in the evolution”. Once again we thought we had nothing to learn from our parents. Do you see where I am going with this? Once again, in order to rebuild our economy we must roll up our sleeves like our grandparents, set a course for where we want to go and work towards it.
Hard work never killed anyone! like the saying goes if it does not kill you it makes you stronger. Sometimes ther is just no easy way
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Why do people do the things they do?
I really hope you can help me answer this question. It has been bugging me for a while. A long while actually. I get the fact that people are creatures of habit. But, the definition of insanity is doing things the same and expecting different results. So, why is it so hard for people or us to ask for help when we know we need it? Are you afraid you will be embarassed? What is rolling around in that brain that makes you not want to admit you don’t know something?
Sometimes it is job presurvation. People say they know stuff but go in over thier head just to climb the ladder. Maybe, just maybe it is because you are afraid you will get kicked off the ladder al together. BUt look at it this way. it will relieve the stress of hiding your lack of knowledge.
THe sign of a good leader is not the you know everything. A good leader knows thier flaws and brings people along side of them to fill the gaps. If not individuals then outside companies. So do yourself a favor and admit your weakness and bring it to light and it won’t be such a big deal.
My Company: www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Sometimes it is job presurvation. People say they know stuff but go in over thier head just to climb the ladder. Maybe, just maybe it is because you are afraid you will get kicked off the ladder al together. BUt look at it this way. it will relieve the stress of hiding your lack of knowledge.
THe sign of a good leader is not the you know everything. A good leader knows thier flaws and brings people along side of them to fill the gaps. If not individuals then outside companies. So do yourself a favor and admit your weakness and bring it to light and it won’t be such a big deal.
My Company: www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Getting Things Done and a Lot of Questions
A Wise man once told me “if you wnat to get things done, you have to measure it.” Is that true? Have we wondered so far from our parents work ethic that the only way our employers can be assured things get done is to put performance measures on us? So if we measure and use positive reinforcement does that make measurement better? As opposed to not so good if negative reinforcement were used.
I tend to try to put a positive spin on most everyting. So, what if we were incentified? Would that work? Would that help us to work smarter or harder? You knowwhat I mean, the better I do the more money I make? I think yes! Most people in this life will work harder or smarter if they can better themselves. Therefore measures must be used as tools for improvement and quality and not as a club.
So as business owners are we using measurement as a good thing or a bad thing? Do we share the results? Should we? What is gained from sharing measured results? Today I’m kind of like the kid who always asks why. Let me know what you think.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
my linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
I tend to try to put a positive spin on most everyting. So, what if we were incentified? Would that work? Would that help us to work smarter or harder? You knowwhat I mean, the better I do the more money I make? I think yes! Most people in this life will work harder or smarter if they can better themselves. Therefore measures must be used as tools for improvement and quality and not as a club.
So as business owners are we using measurement as a good thing or a bad thing? Do we share the results? Should we? What is gained from sharing measured results? Today I’m kind of like the kid who always asks why. Let me know what you think.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
my linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Capacity
Here is a response from Rob Verheyden to the question “Out of curriosity can you offer some ways firms might cut capacity beyond the typical reductions in the workforce? “
The only time that cutting capacity is justified is when a company is truly on the ropes in terms of cash flow, when it really is a matter of survival. Admittedly, that is pretty much the case these days, though in past downturns, it was done purely to manage the #’s - to pad the bottom line.
A well-managed company, however, should have sufficient resources to treat this as an opportunity. Ideally, management should take advantage of this excess capacity as an opportunity to:
Take equipment out of service to perform a major overhaul, upgrade or even to replace it.
Implement training programs for the labor force.
If necessary, implement initiatives to bring about culture change - I know this sounds vague, but it is imperative that the philosophic, intellectual and bureaucratic inertia be dealt with in a company that must change to survive.
Visit customers, visit vendors and examine the supply chain in great detail. If people have time to worry about excess capacity, then they have time to talk and tour each other’s facilities. This is an excellent time to develop stronger relationships.
Examine the company’s processes and emphasize continuous improvement programs.
After all, if you can’t afford to do these things now, when you have the time, then the only alternative is to do so when you are busy and your people more harried than receptive. I recall a study from the late 80’s or early 90’s that pointed out that companies which go through these cycles of layoffs incur heavy training and quality costs during the ensuing upturn and inevitably lose ground to their more progressive competitors each time.
OK, so now that I’ve described the ‘big picture’, I should probably answer your question as it was posed. First, we should recognize that cutting excess capacity is really just another term for cost cutting. One of my accounting prof’s taught us to perform a differential analysis when comparing two or more alternatives and he made it very clear that we should remember two things - always include the intangible / non-quantifiable factors, and only the AVOIDABLE cash flows count.
That’s the rub, in this case the company only benefits to the extent that it can avoid cash outflows and many of the costs that we are familiar with simply do not represent avoidable cash flows. Salary and wages are avoidable (unless you dealt with the UAW), but depreciation is not. If you cut the headcount significantly, then you cut the cash outflows significantly. No wonder it’s so popular.
The fact is, we don’t really want to cut capacity, we just want to stop paying for it! This is probably one of the factors that drives decisions to outsource. The company can sell, close or spin off a portion of the operation, then buy only what is needed from a vendor without cutting productive capacity at all. This works, as long as you aren’t outsourcing the company’s core competencies - that would be slow death.
Following a similar course, the company can push more responsibility down to the vendors. This can be as complex as looking to them to handle more of the engineering, or it might be something as straight forward as implementing a vendor managed inventory system. Ironically, to the extent that such moves would open up floor space, they could actually allow the company to make inexpensive, incremental increases in capacity.
Finally, implementation of lean manufacturing principles, value stream analysis, continuous improvement, etc. can have a huge impact upon the cost of everything from headcount to inventory investment and energy consumption. Again, while creating the opportunity to increase capacity, rather than cut it.
Thanks Rob
My Company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
The only time that cutting capacity is justified is when a company is truly on the ropes in terms of cash flow, when it really is a matter of survival. Admittedly, that is pretty much the case these days, though in past downturns, it was done purely to manage the #’s - to pad the bottom line.
A well-managed company, however, should have sufficient resources to treat this as an opportunity. Ideally, management should take advantage of this excess capacity as an opportunity to:
Take equipment out of service to perform a major overhaul, upgrade or even to replace it.
Implement training programs for the labor force.
If necessary, implement initiatives to bring about culture change - I know this sounds vague, but it is imperative that the philosophic, intellectual and bureaucratic inertia be dealt with in a company that must change to survive.
Visit customers, visit vendors and examine the supply chain in great detail. If people have time to worry about excess capacity, then they have time to talk and tour each other’s facilities. This is an excellent time to develop stronger relationships.
Examine the company’s processes and emphasize continuous improvement programs.
After all, if you can’t afford to do these things now, when you have the time, then the only alternative is to do so when you are busy and your people more harried than receptive. I recall a study from the late 80’s or early 90’s that pointed out that companies which go through these cycles of layoffs incur heavy training and quality costs during the ensuing upturn and inevitably lose ground to their more progressive competitors each time.
OK, so now that I’ve described the ‘big picture’, I should probably answer your question as it was posed. First, we should recognize that cutting excess capacity is really just another term for cost cutting. One of my accounting prof’s taught us to perform a differential analysis when comparing two or more alternatives and he made it very clear that we should remember two things - always include the intangible / non-quantifiable factors, and only the AVOIDABLE cash flows count.
That’s the rub, in this case the company only benefits to the extent that it can avoid cash outflows and many of the costs that we are familiar with simply do not represent avoidable cash flows. Salary and wages are avoidable (unless you dealt with the UAW), but depreciation is not. If you cut the headcount significantly, then you cut the cash outflows significantly. No wonder it’s so popular.
The fact is, we don’t really want to cut capacity, we just want to stop paying for it! This is probably one of the factors that drives decisions to outsource. The company can sell, close or spin off a portion of the operation, then buy only what is needed from a vendor without cutting productive capacity at all. This works, as long as you aren’t outsourcing the company’s core competencies - that would be slow death.
Following a similar course, the company can push more responsibility down to the vendors. This can be as complex as looking to them to handle more of the engineering, or it might be something as straight forward as implementing a vendor managed inventory system. Ironically, to the extent that such moves would open up floor space, they could actually allow the company to make inexpensive, incremental increases in capacity.
Finally, implementation of lean manufacturing principles, value stream analysis, continuous improvement, etc. can have a huge impact upon the cost of everything from headcount to inventory investment and energy consumption. Again, while creating the opportunity to increase capacity, rather than cut it.
Thanks Rob
My Company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Imagine That
We are going through some economically trying times right now to say the least. I personally try to find some good in almost everything but some days are harder than others.
Here is a question for you. Durinf the bail out process, who determines who gets the monies to be distributed? Congress? A senate sub-committee? I would really like to know! Oh wait I forgot to tell you what I heard this morning as I listened to the inaugural hype. Like a good lawyer I never ask a question whitout knowing the answer. For this historical event there is a list of approximately 230 mega contributors. These people get the red carpet treatment for all of the events. Front row seats, special parties, and to qoute” All so they can throw money at the feet of the president” Can you guess who these people are? THEY ARE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO GOT THE BAIL OUT MONEY! IMAGINE THAT! I never would have guessed that. Riiiiiiiight!?! I’m not sure there is a “real” point to this other than to say that according to some the issues we face are relative.
I think the equation goes like this. I have alot of money but I don’t want to risk any of it. So I will give to the politians so I can play with the tax payers money. My parting shot is this….. If you could not handle what you had before what makes you think that throwing more money at it will help. In my book that’s the definition of insanity. I forgot though, it’s the taxpayers money so it does not count.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
my linked in profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Here is a question for you. Durinf the bail out process, who determines who gets the monies to be distributed? Congress? A senate sub-committee? I would really like to know! Oh wait I forgot to tell you what I heard this morning as I listened to the inaugural hype. Like a good lawyer I never ask a question whitout knowing the answer. For this historical event there is a list of approximately 230 mega contributors. These people get the red carpet treatment for all of the events. Front row seats, special parties, and to qoute” All so they can throw money at the feet of the president” Can you guess who these people are? THEY ARE ALL THE PEOPLE WHO GOT THE BAIL OUT MONEY! IMAGINE THAT! I never would have guessed that. Riiiiiiiight!?! I’m not sure there is a “real” point to this other than to say that according to some the issues we face are relative.
I think the equation goes like this. I have alot of money but I don’t want to risk any of it. So I will give to the politians so I can play with the tax payers money. My parting shot is this….. If you could not handle what you had before what makes you think that throwing more money at it will help. In my book that’s the definition of insanity. I forgot though, it’s the taxpayers money so it does not count.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
my linked in profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Friday, January 9, 2009
Unkept Promises
A long time ago the president of Hitachi metals said this to me “Tell me what you can do and don’t tell me you can do things you can’t and we will get along fine.” This profound statement has stuck with me.. can you tell? Why is it that accounting software developers only tell you the “convenient” portion of the truth. It goes something like this…..You can run payroll for “better” control. THe reality is that they want to upsell thier payroll services and if you don’t they make you do everything manually, including all the tax stuff. THis is the one I am switching to.
The software I am droppingsaid it was supposed to integrate with outlook. Wrong! You can run manual payroll. Same as above. THey are pushing ADP. It was supposed to integrate with project. WRONG again! With this software you can’t even do your year end tax reports. How stupid is that!?!
I get really tired of the “upsell”. When dealing with others remember what my friend said and all will be well. Oh, by the way, incase you were wondering. I am leaving Microsoft small business accounting and moving to Quickbooks. FOr the record.
my company:
www.theromgroup.com
my linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
The software I am droppingsaid it was supposed to integrate with outlook. Wrong! You can run manual payroll. Same as above. THey are pushing ADP. It was supposed to integrate with project. WRONG again! With this software you can’t even do your year end tax reports. How stupid is that!?!
I get really tired of the “upsell”. When dealing with others remember what my friend said and all will be well. Oh, by the way, incase you were wondering. I am leaving Microsoft small business accounting and moving to Quickbooks. FOr the record.
my company:
www.theromgroup.com
my linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Thursday, January 8, 2009
A freind of mine sent this to me this morning. He found it on a blog. I am going to post on my blog so if it your original list I am not taking credit for it. I just think it is amazing that someone thinks enough of me to send it and that it is important enough to pass on.
1. Take the time to bold all the things you have done on the list
2. No go back through the list and see how blessed you really have been.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (how about a bus?)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (not real proud of it, though)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (Solar or Lunar)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (oddly enough, it’s not the amount, but the satisfaction that counts!)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (blech!)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
Take the time to pass this on to someone who needs it. Most times in life we are too hurried to stop and take stock in what we have done or to helps others do it.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My Linkedin Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
1. Take the time to bold all the things you have done on the list
2. No go back through the list and see how blessed you really have been.
1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland/world
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train (how about a bus?)
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill (not real proud of it, though)
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
29. Seen a total eclipse (Solar or Lunar)
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (oddly enough, it’s not the amount, but the satisfaction that counts!)
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Gotten flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar (blech!)
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a lawsuit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee
Take the time to pass this on to someone who needs it. Most times in life we are too hurried to stop and take stock in what we have done or to helps others do it.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My Linkedin Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Customer Service
You know I am ashamed to admit this but I fell prey to some of the worst customer service I have ever been exposed to over the holidays. I was trying to purchase this particular product off of the net and I found it at a price I wanted. I placed the order. And here is what transpired.
I received an email stating that I must confirm my order by calling an 800 number. I did that and was astounded by what took place. The gentleman on the other end of the line started to upsell the package I was ordering. How frustrating is that. I had already placed the order and made up my mind as to what I wanted. I was now being pushed into something I did not want. I gave into the pressure because I needed the item I was buying.
Here is the the rest of the story in case you hadn’t uessed. the stuff I paid extra for was part of the original packge deal with the digital equipment I was buying. I ended up paying a considerable amount extra for a bag, miniatur stand and some filters. I am embarassed. I guess what I am trying to say is when you’ve made up your mind stick to it. If you don’t like what is going on walk away and don’t look over your shoulder like I did.
Mycompany:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
I received an email stating that I must confirm my order by calling an 800 number. I did that and was astounded by what took place. The gentleman on the other end of the line started to upsell the package I was ordering. How frustrating is that. I had already placed the order and made up my mind as to what I wanted. I was now being pushed into something I did not want. I gave into the pressure because I needed the item I was buying.
Here is the the rest of the story in case you hadn’t uessed. the stuff I paid extra for was part of the original packge deal with the digital equipment I was buying. I ended up paying a considerable amount extra for a bag, miniatur stand and some filters. I am embarassed. I guess what I am trying to say is when you’ve made up your mind stick to it. If you don’t like what is going on walk away and don’t look over your shoulder like I did.
Mycompany:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Interesting Thought
You know I had an interesting thought just a little while ago. At least it was interesting to me so you will have to decide for yourself.
Yesterday a friend sent me a link to a video that showed one of the most modern maufacturing facilities in the world. Can you guess what the were making????? Cars! Imagine that! Now can you gues where it was and who owns it? It was located in Brazil and it is owned by Ford Motors.
This is the video of a new Ford plant in Brazil .One look at this and you will be able to tell why there will probably never be another one built in the USA .It will also point out why more assembly plants will go offshore.http://info.detnews.com/video/index.cfm?id=1189 and.. pay attention to the last few words. It says a lot!
I urge you to take a look at this video. Then ask yourself why this could never happen in the U.S.
Perhaps we as the workforce have gotten lazy and greedy. Maybe not your choice of words but you have to call it what it is. Anytime there are "lineworkers" anywhere in the work force products will be over priced. Do you think you pay too much for the privelege of owning a new vehicle? Think back to the video and see if you can find an answer to the problem. You should not have to look far.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My Linkedin Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Yesterday a friend sent me a link to a video that showed one of the most modern maufacturing facilities in the world. Can you guess what the were making????? Cars! Imagine that! Now can you gues where it was and who owns it? It was located in Brazil and it is owned by Ford Motors.
This is the video of a new Ford plant in Brazil .One look at this and you will be able to tell why there will probably never be another one built in the USA .It will also point out why more assembly plants will go offshore.http://info.detnews.com/video/index.cfm?id=1189 and.. pay attention to the last few words. It says a lot!
I urge you to take a look at this video. Then ask yourself why this could never happen in the U.S.
Perhaps we as the workforce have gotten lazy and greedy. Maybe not your choice of words but you have to call it what it is. Anytime there are "lineworkers" anywhere in the work force products will be over priced. Do you think you pay too much for the privelege of owning a new vehicle? Think back to the video and see if you can find an answer to the problem. You should not have to look far.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My Linkedin Profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Monday, December 1, 2008
Eat Your Own Cookin'
Wow! It's 5:00 in the morning and I have been awake for an hour shoveling the snow. I was going to fix the snow blower this weekend but I never got around to it. So here is the down and dirty of it. Unless there is some type of accountabilityor action involved somewhere measurement is useless.
I know I know, you are trying to figure out what that has to do with the snow blower right? I wasn't accountable for the repair until I had to shovel the driveway by hand. So guess what's getting fixed when I get home from work!?!
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
I know I know, you are trying to figure out what that has to do with the snow blower right? I wasn't accountable for the repair until I had to shovel the driveway by hand. So guess what's getting fixed when I get home from work!?!
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Too Many Numbers
There are far to many meaningless numbers floating in space that people think are concrete or important. Of course there are some numbers that exist for a reason. To show financial health of a company, to show which items are making money, or show the cost of quality.
So, which ones are mportant to you? In some fashion they all are. Company owners need to know how the company is doing. Or they wish to know what materials and labor are costing. I am pretty sure I have said this before but it bares repeating. Measure and track what is important to you. measure the things you want to get done. If you don't measure it they won't do it.
So for you managers out there don't have people measuring things just for the sake of doing it because someone says you should. It also helps to explain to those you work with why they are doing it. And for those of you doing the measuring, sometimes you have to just shut up and do what you are asked. In either case measure only what you need to!
my company website:
www.theromgroup.com
my linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
So, which ones are mportant to you? In some fashion they all are. Company owners need to know how the company is doing. Or they wish to know what materials and labor are costing. I am pretty sure I have said this before but it bares repeating. Measure and track what is important to you. measure the things you want to get done. If you don't measure it they won't do it.
So for you managers out there don't have people measuring things just for the sake of doing it because someone says you should. It also helps to explain to those you work with why they are doing it. And for those of you doing the measuring, sometimes you have to just shut up and do what you are asked. In either case measure only what you need to!
my company website:
www.theromgroup.com
my linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Team
Are you a team leader? Or are you a member of a team? Is there a difference, really? At some point in time there may have to be a difference but 90% of the time there shouln't be.
You are a dreamer! Says you! Part of being a team member is to work to solve solutions as a unified body. Solutions that work to improve the team as a whole. So I ask, is there such a thing as a "bad" idea? I say no. There are just some ideas that may not work as well as others. THose ideas may pertain to measures that need to be taken for the sake of quality, or processes that may need to be changed in order to improve quality or reduce cycle time.
When these suggestions are made by team members do we pass them off as "stupid" because it is someone who has never run a machine? Or maybe it is because the teammamber is not an MBA. Whatever the case these bias can not exist if your facility is to be trully world class. Quite honestly in order to compete on a global scale every avenue must be explored in order to hold down cost and improve products. But remember this one point. Find out what good enough is and be alittle better. Not alot just alittle. We need to realize our customers may not find value in what we perceive valuable.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
You are a dreamer! Says you! Part of being a team member is to work to solve solutions as a unified body. Solutions that work to improve the team as a whole. So I ask, is there such a thing as a "bad" idea? I say no. There are just some ideas that may not work as well as others. THose ideas may pertain to measures that need to be taken for the sake of quality, or processes that may need to be changed in order to improve quality or reduce cycle time.
When these suggestions are made by team members do we pass them off as "stupid" because it is someone who has never run a machine? Or maybe it is because the teammamber is not an MBA. Whatever the case these bias can not exist if your facility is to be trully world class. Quite honestly in order to compete on a global scale every avenue must be explored in order to hold down cost and improve products. But remember this one point. Find out what good enough is and be alittle better. Not alot just alittle. We need to realize our customers may not find value in what we perceive valuable.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Monday, November 10, 2008
Benchmarks
What type of leader are you? Do you or are you asking those that you work with to attain a standard that you yourself are not willing to work to? Oh, I know you've worked hard all those years so that you don't have to now, Right!?! Are you measuring others with a different measrement that you are using? If so, why?
As a leader why would you ask someone to do something that you wouldn't do? That absolutely makes no sense. The leadership you bring to the table should empower those around you to be better that they ever dreamed possible. Now I know that this seems really idealistic. But is it really? Why is it so hard for us to assist others in improving themselves and attaining thier goals. If we can do that one thing those we work with will rise u even in the most adverse situations. here is an example.
In my past life I worked at a sprocket manufacturer and we had a huge order of idler sprockets that needed to go on a semi by Thursday at 5 or we would face a penalty. the painting process left enough paint in the bore that we could not press in the bearings. The bores had to be reemed and the beairng pressed by hand. I grabbed a machine operator to help with the sprockets. During the scramble to get the shipment out the operator kept thinking there has to be an easier way. THe result was he came up with a process that would allow us to finish bore the sporckets and press the bearings in the same operation on the machine he ran.
Here is my point. I was on the floorr helping process the sprockets for the shipment. Everyone pitched in because that is the tone we had set at the facility. But we also pushed and pulled those we worked with to improve anything we were doing. What I described above is the result of that. So be willing to get your hands dirty, you may be surprised what you get in return.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
As a leader why would you ask someone to do something that you wouldn't do? That absolutely makes no sense. The leadership you bring to the table should empower those around you to be better that they ever dreamed possible. Now I know that this seems really idealistic. But is it really? Why is it so hard for us to assist others in improving themselves and attaining thier goals. If we can do that one thing those we work with will rise u even in the most adverse situations. here is an example.
In my past life I worked at a sprocket manufacturer and we had a huge order of idler sprockets that needed to go on a semi by Thursday at 5 or we would face a penalty. the painting process left enough paint in the bore that we could not press in the bearings. The bores had to be reemed and the beairng pressed by hand. I grabbed a machine operator to help with the sprockets. During the scramble to get the shipment out the operator kept thinking there has to be an easier way. THe result was he came up with a process that would allow us to finish bore the sporckets and press the bearings in the same operation on the machine he ran.
Here is my point. I was on the floorr helping process the sprockets for the shipment. Everyone pitched in because that is the tone we had set at the facility. But we also pushed and pulled those we worked with to improve anything we were doing. What I described above is the result of that. So be willing to get your hands dirty, you may be surprised what you get in return.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
Friday, November 7, 2008
Another Week Has Gone By
Another week has gone by. So tell me what has changed in your world? The stock market is in the middle of a roller coaster cycle caused by a ton of unregulated activity.Can you tell me when it became envogue to bet on someone elses failure in real life and not on a playing field? I always thought the American dream was for everyone to achieve some sort of success. I may be idealistic but isn't that what the "dream" stands for?
There is also an unreal amout of political finger pointing going on. To put it nicely its a he said she said situation at best. The bottom line is none of the politians can agree long enough to determine the best course for our country! These supposed educated people appear to become extreamely narrow minded when they enter the district of Columbia. THose same elected officials are there to represent the people that voted them in. Can you see me laughing? I wish you could!
Still more time has passed and as business people we have a responsibility. A responsibility to the people who work for us and work with us. We have a responsibilty to the community. To actively be a part of the community. To "set the standard" in the community. To require more of those around us than they thought possible. To expect more of our public servants as well.
WHat bench mark will we set going forward. We have just come through a period of time when alot of promises have been made so people can attain positions the think are important. Can we set benchmarks for them the way we do for ourselves and our businesses. I think we should! I think then there would be a true vote on actions or accomplishments and not mere promises. WHo holds those who are in public office accountable? I want to know. Let's talk.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
There is also an unreal amout of political finger pointing going on. To put it nicely its a he said she said situation at best. The bottom line is none of the politians can agree long enough to determine the best course for our country! These supposed educated people appear to become extreamely narrow minded when they enter the district of Columbia. THose same elected officials are there to represent the people that voted them in. Can you see me laughing? I wish you could!
Still more time has passed and as business people we have a responsibility. A responsibility to the people who work for us and work with us. We have a responsibilty to the community. To actively be a part of the community. To "set the standard" in the community. To require more of those around us than they thought possible. To expect more of our public servants as well.
WHat bench mark will we set going forward. We have just come through a period of time when alot of promises have been made so people can attain positions the think are important. Can we set benchmarks for them the way we do for ourselves and our businesses. I think we should! I think then there would be a true vote on actions or accomplishments and not mere promises. WHo holds those who are in public office accountable? I want to know. Let's talk.
My company:
www.theromgroup.com
My linkedin profile:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/autenjim
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