Ceptara

According to Nationwide Insurance, automotive crashes cost society $230 Billion each year.

The No.1 source of driver inattention is use of a wireless device.  Driving while distracted is a factor in 25 percent of police reported crashes.  Driving while using a cell phone reduces the amount of brain activity associated with driving by 37 percent. [1]

How many times have your found yourself driving and suddenly remembered that you needed to do something?  What do you do?

Throughout the novel the author uses subtle devices to help Alex reach cathartic moments to breakthrough seemingly insurmountable roadblocks.

Few books find an audience in their initial printing and even fewer get a first revision.  Dr. Eliyahu M. Goldratt’s novel “The Goal” is well into its 3rd revision and has sold over 2 million copies.

Quick View

Harley Davidson has lost its focus on quality as evidenced by our most recent bike trip and by dozens of others expressing their opinions about HD motorcycles.  That hasn't seemed to impact HD's business momentum in large part due to the success of their marketing strategy and brand image.  But will it be enough?  I know I won't ever own a Harley, at least not until they clean up their quality issues.

Enough!

I've had enough, I'm divorcing my e-mail notifications.  You get them from your computer, you get them on your phone, everytime I start my browser (and if you have your homepage set to one of those 'I can solve all of your problems just join my website' services), there it is, the notification staring at me, expecting me to do something about it.

Summary

• Small business is hard.  How do you know you're prepared to be a small business owner, and how do you create a better stronger business?
• Make sure you are on the right path. Are you executing your passions? Is it easy to dedicate time to it? Do you have a plan? Do you believe in yourself and your vision?
• Build a system for success. Create a vision of the future. Build a repeatable system and execute well. Instrument for success. Improve what doesn't meet expectations. Maintain momentum.

• Decide what problem to fix
• Do something new or differently
• Check to see if it helped
• Capture and standardize the new practice

SUMMARY

• Focus on action not messaging, use tasks to track work
• Establish projects to make tasks manageable
• Process your inbox to zero using the 5Ds
• Block time for planning
• Focus on what's important, subordinate everything else

• ASQ announces a Quality Body of Knowledge (QBOK®)
• QBOK Embraces Personal Excellence
• QBOK declares Pursuit of Personal Excellence as, Personal Mastery, Quality Fit, Interpersonal Skills, Leadership, and Personal Quality Philosophy
• How will it be integrated into certifications?

Summary

• Five lessons learned: use 360 reviews, goals apply to your whole life, connect daily tasks to your goals, think win/win doesn't apply to every interaction, block time to sharpen the saw.
• Engineers (technical types) have a difficult time with the soft skills, i.e. there are soft skills?
• Self reflection and growth only comes when you're ready to hear it.  Just like many programs, you can't work on something until you admit that it's an issue.
• A personal mission statement is the foundation upon which all decisions and actions are based.

Summary

• Focusing solely on your customer can stifle growth and innovation
• Leading your customer is possible through a consultative relationship which can help find mutually beneficial ways of increasing profit margin
• Creating a new market for your products or harnessing a new technology can take a completely different business model that the one that made you successful in the first place