Yearly Archives: 2008

Big Failed Three, Meet the Successful Eight

Posted on December 15, 2008 by John Hunter

Big Three, Meet the “Little Eight” The 1,300-acre plant, in which Toyota has invested $5.3 billion, produces a car roughly every minute. Georgetown’s population has doubled. In fields where farmers once grew tobacco and raised cattle, McMansions, apartment complexes, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Economics, Manufacturing | Tagged cars, commentary, Economics, Manufacturing, Respect, Toyota | 1 Comment

How Private Equity Strangled Mervyns

Posted on December 12, 2008 by John Hunter

I do not like the actions of many in “private equity.” I am a big fan of capitalism. I just object to those that unjustly take from the other stakeholders involved. It is not the specific facts of this case, … Continue reading →

Posted in Deming, Management, Respect, Systems thinking | Tagged ethics, management, Respect, short term thinking, Systems thinking | Comments Off

Management Improvement Carnival #49

Posted on December 10, 2008 by John Hunter

The management carnival provides links to some great recent posts. Also see the management Reddit, which is a social media site for those interested in management. Submit your suggestions for future management carnivals. Lean at ThedaCare, LeanBlog Podcast with Dr. … Continue reading →

Posted in Carnival, Management | Tagged Carnival, management, Software Development | Comments Off

Google Should Stay True to Their Management Practices

Posted on December 9, 2008 by John Hunter

I believe in Google’s past, present and future. They have shown a great ability to ignore the short term focus that dominates (and kills success) of so many companies today. I am happy to invest in Google for the long … Continue reading →

Posted in Google, Management, quote | Tagged Google, Innovation, management, quota, quote, short term thinking, Six sigma | 3 Comments

Japan Airlines CEO on CEO Pay

Posted on December 8, 2008 by John Hunter

Nice webbast of CNN clip on Japan Airlines CEO cutting his pay to less than that of the pilots. He really seems to understand the company does not exist for him to plunder (unlike so many CEOs in the USA). … Continue reading →

Posted in Management, webcast | Tagged airlines, executive pay, Japan, overpaid executives | 2 Comments

Online Management Resources

Posted on December 5, 2008 by John Hunter

Since long before I started this blog I have maintained the Curious Cat Management Improvement web site. In fact, that web site has been online since 1996; the blog started in 2004. I feel the web site has tremendous resources … Continue reading →

Posted in curiouscat.com, Management | Tagged Curious Cat Links, Deming, John Hunter, lean manufacturing, management, Management Articles, management history, quote, Six sigma | Comments Off

Information Technology and Business Process Support

Posted on December 3, 2008 by John Hunter

I moved from management improvement work into information technology work (where I continue to practice management improvement). Many IT practices follow quality management guidelines well (agile software development for one). I have found it far easier to design and provide … Continue reading →

Posted in IT, Management, Process improvement, Quality tools, quote, Software Development, Systems thinking | Tagged continual improvement, curiouscat, IT, John Hunter, management, Process improvement, quote, Software Development | 6 Comments

Management Improvement Carnival #48

Posted on December 2, 2008 by John Hunter

Nicole Radziwill is hosting the Management Improvement Carnival #48 on the Quality and Innovation blog, highlights include: With so much focus on Mumbai this week, Joe Munte’s post on the dabbawallas of Mumbai focuses on a illuminating and positive aspect … Continue reading →

Posted in Carnival, India | Tagged Carnival, India, webcast | Comments Off

Embrace Diversity, Erase Uniformity

Posted on December 1, 2008 by Guest Post

Guest Post by Jurgen Appelo, author of the Managing Software Development blog. Five years ago, when I started working for my current employer, the entire organization (about 30 people) consisted only of 20-something white straight single males. The atmosphere was … Continue reading →

Posted in Management, Science, Software Development, Systems thinking | Tagged guest post | 1 Comment