Category Archives: Systems thinking

Usability Failures

Posted on July 15, 2006 by John Hunter

‘Smart’ phones, stupid punters? A survey* of 15,000 “faulty” devices by mobile data provider WDSGlobal found 63 per cent of the one in seven new phones which are returned have nothing wrong with them. I believe one in seven is … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer focus, IT, Management, Systems thinking | Tagged bad usability, Customer focus, Data, Management, technology, usability | 7 Comments

Reducing Waste

Posted on July 12, 2006 by John Hunter

Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd – achieving zero waste to landfill [the broken link was removed] Toyota developed its Environmental Management System to stay on top of its environmental objectives and ensure that all processes are dealt with in an … Continue reading →

Posted in Data, Innovation, Management, Management Articles, Process improvement, Systems thinking, Toyota Production System (TPS) | Tagged continual improvement, Quality tools, suppliers, Toyota | 1 Comment

How Google Works

Posted on July 9, 2006 by John Hunter

How Google Works [the broken link was removed] by David F. Carr An interesting look at the technology system behind Google. “But this is the start of the story,” he adds, part of an approach that says “don’t necessarily do … Continue reading →

Posted in Google, Innovation, IT, Management, Systems thinking | Tagged Google | 4 Comments

CEO Flight Attendant

Posted on July 1, 2006 by John Hunter

Street Smarts: Learning From JetBlue by Norm Brodsky. The Jet Blue CEO works (once a month he estimates) as a flight attendant. He interacts directly with customers in real world situations (not just talking to travel managers in his office). … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Customer focus, Deming, Management, quote, Respect, Systems thinking | Tagged Customer focus, gemba, Management, organization as a system | 3 Comments

Innovation Needed to Keep USA Manufacturing?

Posted on June 29, 2006 by John Hunter

ICAR touted as example of innovation needed in U.S. [the broken link was removed] “Our ace in the hole is innovation, and that’s why intellectual property is so important to develop,” Graham said. “How do we protect that advantage within … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Innovation, Management, Manufacturing, Systems thinking | Tagged curiouscat, Economics, Innovation, Manufacturing, Systems thinking | 2 Comments

Innovation Example

Posted on June 27, 2006 by John Hunter

Farecast is a cool internet application, and one that might actual save you money to buy, say a digital camera. Farecast provides data and analysis to those looking to purchase airplane tickets. The graph above shows ticket prices for tickets … Continue reading →

Posted in Fun, Innovation, IT, Systems thinking | 3 Comments

Employee Ownership

Posted on June 26, 2006 by John Hunter

H.C. Miller workers to earn ownership [the broken link was removed] by Richard Ryman. I have always liked the idea of employee ownership. To me this can be a great help in creating a system where employees, owners, customers, suppliers … Continue reading →

Posted in Investing, Lean thinking, Management, Manufacturing, Systems thinking | Tagged Investing, jobs, Management, organization as a system | 1 Comment

Hospitals, Heal Thyselves

Posted on June 22, 2006 by John Hunter

Hospitals, Heal Thyselves by Cal Thomas: This proven system does not require more staff or expensive consultants and it certainly does not need another bureaucratic, costly and inefficient government agency, which can only make things worse. Improvements can be made, … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Health care, Lean thinking, Management, Systems thinking | Comments Off

Health Care Crisis

Posted on June 16, 2006 by John Hunter

Probe finds nation’s emergency care system at ‘breaking point’ (the San Jose Mercury News broke the link so I removed it – poor usabilty on their part) by Lauran Neegaard: It’s a sobering symptom of how the nation’s emergency-care system … Continue reading →

Posted in Health care, Lean thinking, Management, Public Sector, Systems thinking | Tagged Economics, Health care, health care system | 3 Comments

Thinking About the Future

Posted on June 15, 2006 by John Hunter

In Thinking About the Future Russ Ackoff does his usual great job of providing insightful ideas while not being afraid to be controversial. In this speech Dr. Ackoff discusses his thoughts on the issue of global development at the occasion … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Management, Systems thinking | Comments Off