I Should B Writing

My writer’s group is meeting on Saturday. I should be writing.

I’ll get to it after this episode.

I am deep into Breaking Bad. Not having TV, I scoffed at the Sunday night junkies unable to break the weekly habit. Now, after finally succumbing to the pressure, I am suffering from the jitters, lack of sleep, and over-caffeination brought on by DVD binging.

I tell myself I am researching the art of storytelling; how to develop characters, move the story forward, integrate divergent plot points. I tell myself I can stop after the next episode, turn off the TV, do the dishes, then sit down and write.

I tell people that I have everything mapped out, the book is nearly complete, that I just have to fill in a few spots.

I am writing a business book.

It’s not a boring, academic tome. I am bringing the topics to life by developing stories that highlight the points I am trying to make. That’s why I need to do research.

I should be writing.


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Manufacturing's Bane

I visited a factory recently, which is something I love to do. But on this tour I made a very surprising discovery. I found out what it is that is holding American manufacturing back.

Testosterone!

The company, by their account, is so busy that they are not taking on new customers. However, I noticed that few of the machines were running and there didn't seem to be much activity anywhere. When I asked about this discrepancy I was told that "we don't operate on testosterone.".

Who knew that has been the problem all along. But testosterone or not, of you want to get orders out the door and serve the customers you do have, you have to keep things moving.

Maybe I'm missing something.
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Dave Shoji's 5-T's

I just saw a presentation by University of Hawaii Women's Volleyball coach Dave Shoji. Thirty eight years of winning volleyball, including several national championships, he can teach you a lot about putting together a winning team.

He talked about his 5-T's.

1) Technology - you need to use the right technology to accomplish your goals and keep up with the latest technology. In his sport it is athletic apparel, training equipment, nutrition, etc. You need to keep up with your industry.

2) Technique - in volleyball it's how to hit the ball, how to block, how to position yourself. For you it might be how to schedule production, how to manage inventory, how to prepare a purchase order.

3) Training - train, train, and train some more before you play a game. For Operations professionals it's plan, plan plan, execute.

4) Tactics - how you are going to engage the other team. How you are going to attack and defend, who is going to play and who is going to sit on the bench. For you it is how you are going to compete in the market.

5) Team - he expounded on this.

A) keep your players happy. Take care of their needs and they can focus on the game / job.
B) practice. You can't be good enough unless you practice enough.
C) team chemistry - it's overrated. Important, but overrated.
D) leadership. You can't appoint a leader. You have to see who emerges as the leader.
E) your role. You have to understand your role and accept it. If your role is to sit on the bench and challenge the better players into keeping their starting position, do that well and support the team from that role. If you want more playing time,maybe you should move on.


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