Monthly Archives: April 2008

Making a Difference

Posted on April 13, 2008 by John Hunter

Kiva provides loans through partners (operating in the countries) to the entrepreneurs. Those partners do charge the entrepreneurs interest (to fund the operations of the lending partner). Kiva pays the principle back to you but does not pay interest. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Fun, Respect | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

Toyota Building Second Plant in India

Posted on April 11, 2008 by John Hunter

Toyota is investing $350 million in a second Indian manufacturing plant. The plant is focused on producing vehicles for the local market – as the Toyota Production System suggests that production be close to the market. Toyota to invest Rs1,400 … Continue reading →

Posted in India, Manufacturing, Toyota Production System (TPS) | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Confusing Customer Focus

Posted on April 10, 2008 by John Hunter

Misuse of the “Customer” Concept “We are told that the airlines are our customers,” FAA inspector Charlambe “Bobby” Boutris said. “But we have a more important customer, the taxpayers” who want government to ensure a safe aviation system. That’s crazy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Customer focus, Management, Public Sector | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Packaging Improvement

Posted on April 9, 2008 by John Hunter

McDonald’s Branding Makes Food Tastier for Tots Researchers at Stanford University have found that children tend to rate food that is wrapped up in McDonald’s-branded paper as tasting better than the same food wrapped in plain paper — a finding … Continue reading →

Posted in Creativity, Customer focus, Management, Psychology, Science | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Bezos on Internet Boom

Posted on April 8, 2008 by John Hunter

The webcast shows Jeff Bezos, Amazon.com founder and CEO, speaking at TED on the internet boom. He compares the boom to the gold rush highlighting the similarities. But then he compares the internet to the development of industry around electricity. … Continue reading →

Posted in Innovation, Management, webcast | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Bezos on Internet Boom

Management Seminar in May

Posted on April 7, 2008 by John Hunter

The Deming Institute is sponsoring, How to Create Unethical, Ineffective Organizations That Go Out of Business, 12-14 May, 2008 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Kelly Allan and I will be presenting the seminar. Please let me know if you sign up. … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, curiouscat.com, Deming, Education, Management | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

A Programmers Take on Agile Software Development

Posted on April 6, 2008 by John Hunter

A Case for Agile: Benefits for a Programmer’s Career by Theodore Nguyen-Cao Through agile development, I’ve been able to deliver working software time and time again. I’ve been exposed to all different aspects of the business. I’ve learn what I … Continue reading →

Posted in Career, Lean thinking, Management, Process improvement, Software Development | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Manufacturing Employee Shortage in Utah

Posted on April 3, 2008 by John Hunter

Utah scrambling to meet need for technical workers The state faces challenges in generating necessary interest to fill available manufacturing jobs for what Utah’s governor has called the state’s “Aerospace Hub,” both immediately and in the future, the report said. … Continue reading →

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10x Productivity Difference in Software Development

Posted on April 2, 2008 by John Hunter

10x Software Development The original study that found huge variations in individual programming productivity was conducted in the late 1960s by Sackman, Erikson, and Grant (1968). They studied professional programmers with an average of 7 years’ experience and found that … Continue reading →

Posted in IT, Management, Performance Appraisal, Software Development | Tagged | 5 Comments

Management Improvement Carnival #32

Posted on April 1, 2008 by John Hunter

Please submit your favorite management posts to the carnival. Read the previous management carnivals. The Skipper & First Mate: A Pattern for Continual Progress by Jamie Dinkelacker – “An organization can only depend on individuals in critical chain processes when … Continue reading →

Posted in Carnival, Management | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Management Improvement Carnival #32