Kevin Mader

MN: continue the learning and enjoy!

 
MN,
In my opinion, I think folks respond to the questions/topics they have the most interest in.  They are selective to their own preferences.  There are many questions/topics I have introduced to the forum that go unanswered or draw low participation, but I don’t conclude anything negative from it.  Different strokes for different fol…[Read more]

Gaia,
Keep the passion and enjoy the journey!!!
Regards,
Kevin

 
Corina,
 
I didn’t take your response to be “not so nice” at least directly to me.  The focus was mostly on the topic than on me.  Regardless of our individual beliefs, it is important for those following the thread understand both sides.  To often, decisions are made while only possessing knowledge of one side of a story/problem.  We know…[Read more]

I found that by using the search function, you can access older discussions.  I must admit, though, that I haven’t tried to post to an older discussion to see if it resurfaces on the top 20.

 
Mark,
 
Spencer Johnson and Ken Blanchard support the one-minute reprimands and praises, but nowhere in their book to they address and support the aspects of Systems.  Since they do not, it leads me to believe that they are unaware that one exists.
Failing to recognize that there are two types of causes, those common to the process or sy…[Read more]

Corina,
I think that you are probably right that neither of us will change the other’s mind.  However, I agree that aside from being a fun discussion, it is an important one, pragmatically speaking.
I must admit that you catch me off-guard regarding operating under the assumption of whether intrinsic motivation actually exists.  Obviously, I do…[Read more]

 
Corina,
 
It is clear from your response that you have not read “Punished by Rewards” or if you have, you did not read it well.  The data you say is missing is there: some 7 years and 500+ studies worth.  You should do well to listen to Thomas Trible: his reputation precedes him and his message is accur…[Read more]

Gaia,
Thanks for posting.  Have you read “Punished by Rewards” or anything from Herzberg?
Regards,
Kevin

Sounds like we are thinking along the same lines!!
Regards,
Kevin

 
Everyone,
 
Thank you for all of your well thought out responses.  They provoked good thought and discussion.
 
I agree with Mike that it really isn’t important which quality technique came first.  All programs deserve some merit regardless of our individual beliefs about the whole.  I agree with Niraj that TQM is a more holistic approa…[Read more]

Thank you for responding.  I would agree with you that Six Sigma is more than likely, a tool, and not a philosophy.  However, I wish to continue to explore the possibility that Six Sigma is a philosophy as recognized through generally accepted rules and boundaries.
I found it interesting that you consider two generally accepted philosophies as ‘…[Read more]

Smith,
If you do a search on “rewards” here, I think you will find ‘lots to read’.  I would guess we have talked about this off and on for the last 9 months or so.  I could talk about this very important topic over and over again, so if you can’t find what you are looking for, fire away.
My personal take is this: rewards do exactly opposite of…[Read more]

Hello Rajanga.  Why do you think that Six Sigma is a philosophy?  What are the underlying guiding principles that apply?  Who has stated what they are?  Dr. Harry?
I must admit that in my study of Six Sigma and in my review of posts here, I do not see folks talking about such principles.  I am in agreement with you that Six Sigma is a tool, but…[Read more]

Hello Kim,
Is Six Sigma a philosophy?  Well, what are the guiding principles?
Regards,
Kevin

Good answer!

I would recommend reading this thread some time ago.  Manolis Psarros comments are along the lines of your current querry.  In case this link doesn’t work, take a look in the search results on and about April 3, 2001.
I hope this get’s you started and feel free to post with q…[Read more]

No.

In the United States, the resident expert would be Jim Womack.  You can visit his site at http://www.lean.org.  He has written two books and has recently updated his first book with some more recent events (The Machine the Changed the World).  His book Lean Manufacturing is also a good read and informative.

Taichi Ohno is considered to have be…[Read more]

 
Jim,
 
I don’t think you’re missing much of it.  Your comments are appropriate; Six Sigma doesn’t replace a Marketing or Sales Strategy (different tools for different jobs) but some of the basic quality tools and methodologies found in Six Sigma can help.
 
Six Sigma is not the end-all-be-all solution.  It is a tool, one of many in the too…[Read more]