Here is an interesting example of an auto repair shop applying Deming’s ideas, AGCO Automotive in Baton Rouge, Louisiana:
In this section we hope to present our business philosophy, through a series of articles written by president Louis Altazan. Our strategy of continual improvement is based on the work of Dr. W. Edwards Deming and has been incredibly successful for us. There is nothing we enjoy more than discussing our methods and invite all questions and comments.
The site includes several interesting articles including, Motivating Our Staff:
Clients often ask how we motivate our staff members. The answer is simple, we don’t. We feel good people are already motivated, what they need is removal of the things that de-motivate them
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I also believe this is a far superior state with regard to production, quality, efficiency and human relations than the one that commonly exist in the incentive driven system. It requires management that trust people to do what is best, rather than rely on a system of punishment and reward. It requires management that trust its own ability to share vision and remove obstacles to joy in work. Management’s job shifts from a controller of reward to a leader of an inwardly motivated team of people.
Related: Deming Companies – Stop De-motivating Employees – Deming Management Thoughts – At Ford, Quality Was Our Motto in the 1980s
Matthew Boconco, Boconco shipping, one of the the attendees to the recent Deming seminar showed me this web site.
The founder of AGCO Automotive also created an Automotive Repair Shop Management Forum:
When I formed this small auto repair shop, in 1974, I quickly found it to be a frustrating, barely profitable enterprise. After struggling for many years I met Dr. Deming. Applying the business management principles and 14 points Dr. Deming taught, allowed me to transform my small automotive repair shop. By changing the business management system my auto repair shop became a profitable multi-million dollar business.
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I believe employee motivation, lower cost, problem solving skills, marketing and improved client satisfaction are all topics that Dr. W. Edwards Deming addressed in his business management philosophy and 14 points.
May 22nd, 2008 at 3:01 am
I believe giving motivation, even if our team members are already motivated, should be a continuous exercise. Now, if you can suggest ways on motivating people, please share them with me. I have team members who have been doing the same tasks over time, and they’re doing good so far. Now, I don’t want them to get bored and then their performance gets affected.
May 26th, 2008 at 1:00 pm
“The key is that one hour is designed to be effective and you’re committed to improving your business and it’s systems incrementally….”
June 29th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Motivation is a tricky subject. I believe that people, when are left to themselves allow entropy to set in. That is why in my business, I do not have employees. I’m the owner, and the only technician. I used to have employees. Too much time and money wasted trying to motivate them.
-Dwayne
July 2nd, 2008 at 10:44 am
Thanks for Motivation blog. I absolutely love this blog series. They are didactic and I’ve learned so much from your entries. Please keep it UP!
January 14th, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I agree wholeheartedly with the above. Good management means providing leadership and incentive for people to worm at their maximum potential. It doesn’t mean micromanaging and controlling people. Admittedly, it’s not easy to do.
June 2nd, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Motivation is key to a great team. We run into that problem daily. Thanks for the post. keep it up!!
October 10th, 2009 at 8:49 pm
I totally agree. Leading is one thing, but micro-management is quite another. Leadership is all about caring for the people you lead. I’ve never been motivated by a micro-manager. I think you also have to keep in mind that people are not all motivated by the same thing. The trick is figuring out what motivates each person.