Category Archives: Respect

Interruptions Can Severely Damage Performance

Posted on May 12, 2010 by John Hunter

Interruptions can severely degrade your performance. The type of work you are doing impacts the cost greatly. I have spent some of my time programming web applications. When I am doing that interruptions are a huge drain on my performance … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Management, Psychology, quote, Respect, Software Development, Systems thinking | Tagged Creativity, curiouscat, John Hunter, management, managing people, Paul Graham, Psychology, quote, respect for people, Software Development, Systems thinking, tips | 7 Comments

The Toyota Way – Two Pillars

Posted on April 15, 2010 by John Hunter

Toyota is receiving plenty of criticism now, much of it for good reason. There is also a large amount of psychology involved. From what I have seen, the insurance companies still see better claims history (fewer and lower cost claims) … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Lean thinking, Management, Manufacturing, Popular, Process improvement, quote, Respect, Toyota Production System (TPS) | Tagged continual improvement, curiouscat, lean management, lean manufacturing, Lean thinking, management, managing people, Popular, quote, respect for people, Toyota, Toyota Production System (TPS) | 18 Comments

Kiva – Giving Entrepreneurs an Opportunity to Succeed

Posted on April 3, 2010 by John Hunter

I really like Kiva. Kiva lets you lend small amounts of money to entrepreneurs around the world. My latest loan is to a manufacturing entrepreneur in the USA. When Tony’s 6’0 6″ body could not fit in the traditional supercars, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Fun, Investing, Respect, Systems thinking | Tagged Creativity, curiouscat, Economics, ethics, Investing, John Hunter, respect for people | 2 Comments

Aligning Marketing Vision and Management

Posted on March 23, 2010 by John Hunter

Why do so many companies market one thing and provide something else? I know it might be easier to sell something different than what you offer your customer today. But if you decide to market one vision, why don’t you … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer focus, Management, Popular, quote, Respect, Systems thinking | Tagged Customer focus, customer service, John Hunter, management, marketing, Popular, quote, respect for people, Systems thinking | 6 Comments

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: Creativity, Fulfillment and Flow

Posted on February 24, 2010 by John Hunter

“After a certain basic point, which translates, more or less, to just a few thousand dollars above the minimum poverty level, increases in material well being don’t see to affect how happy people are.” The speech includes, the first purpose … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Creativity, Psychology, Respect, webcast | Tagged Books, Creativity, Economics, engineering, intrinsic motivation, Psychology, TED, webcast | Comments Off

More Reasons to Avoid Layoffs

Posted on February 11, 2010 by John Hunter

Lay Off the Layoffs by Jeffrey Pfeffer As its former head of human resources once told me: “If people are your most important assets, why would you get rid of them?” … In fact, there is a growing body of … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Health care, Lean thinking, Management, Management Articles, Psychology, Respect | Tagged Deming, health care system, layoffs, Lean thinking, Management Articles, managing people, Psychology, respect for people | 1 Comment

Circle of Influence

Posted on February 9, 2010 by John Hunter

In, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey discusses the circle of control, circle of influence and circle of concern. This provides a good framework from which to view issues as you look for improvement strategies. Within your … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Creativity, Deming, Management, Popular, Psychology, quote, Respect, Systems thinking | Tagged curiouscat, John Hunter, Management, managing people, organization as a system, Popular, Psychology, quote, respect for people, tips | 9 Comments

Understanding Psychology: Slogans – Risky Tools

Posted on February 3, 2010 by John Hunter

Slogans mainly are bad. But like most things they can be used in ways that help or hurt. The main problem is when they substitute for a method to achieve the aim (most of the time). If the slogan serves … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Management, Psychology, Quality tools, quote, Respect | Tagged curiouscat, Deming, John Hunter, management, management tools, motivation, Psychology, quote, respect for people | 2 Comments

Prophet Unheard: Dr. W. Edwards Deming – 1992

Posted on January 25, 2010 by John Hunter

[embedded webcast links removed because they have been removed from YouTube. To see video with W. Edwards Deming see the Deming Institute YouTube channel.] This is an interesting video on Deming and American management (by the BBC in 1992): Prophet … Continue reading →

Posted in Data, Deming, Management, Manufacturing, Quality tools, Respect | Tagged Data, Deming, Japan, Management, management history, managing people, Quality tools, respect for people | 1 Comment

Undercover Boss – Will They Really Change?

Posted on January 11, 2010 by John Hunter

[removed video that is no longer available] I am skeptical that this reality show (Undercover Boss) will actually do any good but the webclip looks fun. It will premier right after the Super Bowl on CBS. The concept, if done … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Management, Psychology, quote, Respect | Tagged management, quote, respect for people, webcast | 7 Comments