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Wednesday, November 27, 2013

A THANKSGIVING MOMENT

BRYCE ON THANKSGIVING

- A simple grace.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

Some time ago, I wrote a simple grace for use at the Thanksgiving Day table. My aim was to stress the importance of the holiday and the people participating in our lives. It's not very elaborate but it stresses the need to remember these precious moments. I hope you find it useful:

"Let us enjoy the moment, cherish the moment, remember the moment.

Let us first remember those moments where we shared many a story, a joke and debate, With those loved ones at this very table, those who have gone on before us, yet we fondly remember.

Let us now take a moment and make our own mental photograph of every person at this table, what was said, what we looked like, what we ate, and the love in our hearts.

Let us remember this moment, let us cherish this moment, let us give thanks to this moment, as time slips silently away.

Amen."

Have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  MANAGING COMPLEXITY - Are we juggling too many balls?

- What is necessary to become a professional in your chosen field.

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Monday, November 25, 2013

UNDERSTANDING YOUR CRAFT

BRYCE ON MANAGEMENT

- What is necessary to become a professional in your chosen field.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

I recently gave a talk to the local "Future Business Leaders of America," a county-wide group aimed at preparing young people for the business world. Consequently, my talk was based on my book, "Morphing Into the Real World: The Handbook for entering the Work Force." Although there were some younger students in attendance, the majority included High School Juniors and Seniors. Basically, I gave them a "fire and brimstone" talk on what to expect when they entered the workforce, both good and bad.

I didn't pull any punches. We discussed the perils of micromanagement, adapting to the corporate culture, the need for corporate ethics, loyalty, teamwork, and much more. I also painted a picture of a highly competitive work place where workers need to stay on their toes at all times, and not go on automatic. This frank approach seemed to be appreciated and kept their attention.

Something I kept harping on was the need for developing a professional attitude. This is particularly needed so workers do not become complacent, and give them an edge in improving their career. Developing such an attitude, requires more than just becoming proficient in a new skill set, although it certainly wouldn't hurt, but it requires understanding decorum, learning etiquette, and continuing education in their chosen field.

Graduating from school doesn't mean you arrest the need to learn. In fact, formal education is intended to train your mind to learn. As such, your real education begins following the conclusion of school. In my presentation, I admonished the students to learn the history of their chosen field, so they have an understanding of how and why it evolved, and so they do not make the same mistakes their predecessors did.

To illustrate, I asked for a show of hands of the students interested in pursuing a career in computing. Six hands shot up. I then openly tested their knowledge by asking, "What is a 4GL (fourth generation language)?" I was answered by blank stares. They knew about HTML, and some coding, but were not intimate with programming. I proceeded to explain the differences between 1GL (machine language), 2GL (assembly language), 3GL (procedural languages such as COBOL), and 4GL (interpreters). Next, I asked if anyone knew the difference between the various DBMS models, e.g., Hierarchical, Network (CODASYL), Relational, and Object Oriented. Again, blank stares. I said, "It's not important you know this yet, but I want to challenge you to understand the nature of the industry you are embarking on, whether it is computing or some other field. Thereby, you won't make the same mistakes your elders made."

As an aside, a few years ago I wrote, "A Short History of Systems Development", which discusses these items.

Becoming a true professional in any field requires more than just a good set of clothes, it requires a sincere effort to improve one's self, both physically and intellectually. It means you are ready to put your school days behind you, act more responsibly, and develop an intellectual curiosity. It's call "maturity."

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  A THANKSGIVING MOMENT - A simple grace.

- Where were you in 1963?

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Friday, November 22, 2013

THE JFK ASSASSINATION: AN EPOCH EVENT

BRYCE ON A NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY

- Where were you in 1963?

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To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

There have been a handful of epoch events over the years which have left indelible impressions on us. Momentous events where we clearly remember where we were on that date and what we were doing. For my grandparents, it was the end of World War I. As for my parents, it was Pearl Harbor. Other generations remember Neil Armstrong setting foot on the moon, the Challenger Disaster, and of course 9-11.

As for me, it was the day President Kennedy was assassinated. At the time, I was in third grade in Norwalk, Connecticut, a public school. We had finished lunch and were now in Mr. Hamilton's Social Studies class where we were learning about Ferdinand Magellan. Mr. Hamilton was a new teacher, one of only a few black teachers we had at the time. We were always impressed by how well he dressed, his articulate speech, and his care about his students.

During the middle of the class, our principal, Mr. Kelly, made an announcement over the intercom that all teachers were to assemble in the hallway. Mr. Hamilton seemed surprised, but asked us to continue reading while he stepped outside. He was out for only five minutes where the principal spoke quietly with the teachers. When Mr. Hamilton returned his face was ashen and distressed. He fumbled for words, which was uncharacteristic of him. He said, "Children, we have just heard a report that President Kennedy has been shot in Dallas. We don't know the extent of the damage yet, but it sounds bad. I would ask that we take a few minutes and pray for the President."

And we prayed. Even though it was a public school, I didn't hear anyone complain. We had never been asked to pray before, but it became apparent something extraordinary was going on. Mr. Hamilton tried to continue teaching, but we could tell his thoughts were elsewhere. After a short while, Mr. Kelly asked the teachers to reassemble in the hallway. Shortly thereafter, Mr. Hamilton returned with instructions from the principal. He began by saying the president had died. He didn't want to belabor the point, probably because he didn't know much more than we did, plus the school felt this was something for the parents to explain. He went on to say that we were being dismissed early, and that calls were being made to parents to pick up children. He asked that we remain calm, quietly put things away and leave. We did as we were instructed and remained quiet until we got outside where we looked at each other blankly, not knowing what to think.

I raced home on my bike and ran into the house. "Mom, Mom, did you hear...?" She heard. Both my Mom and her girlfriend from next door were glued to the television, mesmerized. My brother, who had stayed home that day due to a bad cold, was also watching. My father came home early from Manhattan after learning of the news.

For the next few days, we were all transfixed on the television set, morning until night, something highly unusual for that time. Yes, we saw Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald live on TV, and we watched the final procession to Arlington Cemetery.

This was an event which seemed to shock everybody evenly, both Democrats and Republicans. My parents had not voted for JFK, but they were very much disheartened by his assassination. This was a period when we had respect for the office of the president. As far as my parents were concerned, this was not an attack on a political party or ideology. This was an attack on the United States. The families in my neighborhood all seemed to share this view.

JFK's assassination was a major milestone in my life. It's been 50 years since then, and I remember it like it was yesterday. Even now, when I see images of it on television, I remember Mr. Hamilton.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  UNDERSTANDING YOUR CRAFT - What is necessary to become a professional in your chosen field.

LAST TIME:  MOVING DAY
- It can either be a painful or enjoyable experience. It’s what you make of it.

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

MOVING DAY

BRYCE ON MOVING

- It can either be a painful or enjoyable experience. It's what you make of it.

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To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

I have been involved with several moves over the years. We moved our household seven times, primarily because my father was a pioneer in computing. As kids, we had to learn the nuances of different schools and had to make new friends with every stop. Some people may object to being bounced around so much, but in hindsight, I enjoyed meeting many people and experiencing local customs. I am still in touch with friends from these different places.

Professionally, we moved our office four times. First, we needed to expand our facilities, then we had to downsize. Whereas our software ran on mainframes, and we had printing presses to print voluminous manuals and forms, this all disappeared with the Personal Computer, hence the need to downsize.

Making a move can be a very traumatic experience. Some people dread the thought of moving, others look forward to it as it represents a change in their lives. Fortunately, I've been through it enough times that it doesn't bother me too much. It's not that a relish moving, I do not, but I simply resign myself to the necessity of it and put my best foot forward.

Perhaps the hardest part of moving is the preparation, something we are intimate with due to our many moves. In our latest move, we had to dispose of a lot of clutter we had been saving. Decades of old reports and manuals finally found their way to the public dump. In cleaning out the flotsam and jetsam, you find yourself saying, "Why in the heck were we keeping this?" (or perhaps something a little stronger).

After the initial purge, you try to sell furniture and items you no longer need or use, usually through a garage sale or, as in our case, an open house. The problem with selling such items is you have become emotionally attached to them as they invoke specific memories. Consequently, you hesitate to part with them. True, I develop such attachments myself, but I am also cognizant of the fact that everything eventually ends up in the public dump.

Following this, you have one more purge of leftover materials before packing the rest up for storage or the dumpster. Herein is perhaps the hardest part of the move, where you have to finally address the fate of the last few items you have developed attachments to. I am still leery of storing something I know I will never use again, so I am careful of what I keep.

The closing of the sale is nothing compared to the physical move. If you've got the patience for moving, it's not too bad. If not, you better adjust your attitude before things get worse. I also suggest you pace yourself. When the decision to move has been made, put the plan in motion and keep pushing ahead. Do not wait until the last moment as you do not want to go into a panic mode.

After the dust has settled and you have moved into your new facilities, you can slow down and relax. This is also when the flotsam and jetsam starts to grow again.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  RECOGNITION - Are we giving awards to the wrong people?

- Do you know your place?

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Monday, November 18, 2013

UNDERSTANDING THE PECKING ORDER

BRYCE ON SOCIETY

- Do you know your place?

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

You would be hard pressed to find an institution that does not have a "pecking order" delineating authority through superior and subordinate relationships. The order ultimately dictates the authority we assume and our duties and responsibilities. Companies, both large and small, have some form of hierarchy with a leader at the top and the workers underneath. Nonprofit organizations also have such an order, be it a religious institution, fraternal order, homeowners association, sports club, a charity, or whatever. Any formal organization incorporated under the state requires certain positions, such as a president, vice president, etc., thereby suggesting a chain of command. Informal groups will also have a pecking order, including gangs and organized crime. Such orders are a natural part of life and we should all be cognizant of our position.

Although job descriptions typically define the pecking order in any corporation, there are other attributes delineating relationships, such as seniority and skill level. Whereas seniority is based on tenure at work, skill sets distinguish people by proficiency, e.g., expert versus novice. In other words, we have learned to respect the wisdom and experience of our elders, that they may know something we do not, along with the talents and abilities of people. However, years of service is not always a good yardstick for measuring competency, which explains why we also consider skill levels.

In schools, the pecking order is typically defined by grade level, e.g., senior, junior, sophomore, freshman. However, this may vary as defined by the maturity and capabilities of the student. For example, I have seen freshman step up to leadership roles in school clubs and sports. In the absence of a qualified senior leader, leadership defaults to the person who steps up and is willing to assume responsibility. The same is true in just about every other organization and it is referred to as "personal initiative."

In families, the pecking order starts with the parents and typically works down the line of children by age. Again, if a child shows signs of particular skills or initiative, and an elder child does not, it is possible for the younger child to climb the pecking order. In the absence of parents, who are unavailable to exert leadership, children will supersede the authority of the adult and establish their own rules and make their own decisions, a rather unhealthy situation, yet a reality in today's world.

Man is a social animal and, depending on the situation, is always looking to exert his will over others, usually for his own personal benefit. The idea everyone in a body of people is equal is simply ludicrous, at least for administrative purposes. There always has to be a leader, someone in a position of authority who assumes responsibility to establish and enforce rules of conduct and make ultimate decisions, if for no other reason than to break ties. Without it, there is chaos.

As a member of any institution, you would be wise to know your place in the pecking order and, in order to maintain harmony, do not try to break it unless necessity calls on you to do so.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  MOVING DAY - It can either be a painful or enjoyable experience. It's what you make of it.

- Ever wonder about the cost of technology?

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Friday, November 15, 2013

HAS TECHNOLOGY TRULY IMPROVED OUR LIVES?

BRYCE ON TECHNOLOGY

- Ever wonder about the cost of technology?

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

Has technology truly improved the quality of life? It is hard to say as many companies do not take the time to measure the variables involved, such as economics. Such analysis is normally documented as a Cost/Benefit Analysis, complete with break even points and return on investment. Although we would like to believe technology enhances productivity and profits, there is little or no data to substantiate it.

In recent years, we have seen technology enhance our powers of communication, transportation, sales, design, manufacturing and materials management, health management, wage war, and more. We have also seen changes in our culture as a result, such as personality changes, modification of our thinking patterns and values, language, and interpersonal relations. Technology enhancements come at a cost, and not just economical in nature. This is one reason why it is difficult to quantify how technology improves our lives.

To illustrate how technology affects us, imagine fighting a war today with weapons from World War II, e.g., ships, planes, tanks, and guns. We would look primitive by comparison, even to a third world country. Wanting to understand the differences between then and now, I made a comparison between tanks and fighter aircraft:

TANKS
M4 SHERMANM1 ABRAMSINCREASE
Operational Range120 miles265 miles+221%
Speed30 mph42 mph+140%
Armament75mm + X105mm + X+300%
Unit cost$.4655M (2012)
$ 33.5K (1942)
$8.58M (2012)+1,843%

For its time, the Sherman was a very cost effective solution. The unit cost back then was $33.5K which, when converted to 2012 dollars, comes to $.4655M, much cheaper than the Abrams which costs $8.5M per unit, an astounding increase. True, the Abrams can go farther and faster than the Sherman, not to mention superior armament. Nonetheless, the Sherman was a bargain by comparison and lasted a long time.

FIGHTER AIRCRAFT

P-51 MUSTANGF-16 F.FALCONINCREASE
Maximum speed437mph1,320 (Mach 2)+302%
ArmamentGuns + XGuns, Mis, Bombs+300%
Unit cost$.459M (1998)
$ 50.9K (1945)
$14.6M (1998)+3,180%

The P-51 Mustang was the sleek super fighter used in the closing years of WW2, the Korean War, and other conflicts. As a propeller plane though, jet fighters eventually forced its retirement. Aside from jets though, there was nothing to catch it and it was instrumental in bringing the war in Europe to a close. Regardless, it pales in comparison to the aircraft of today, such as the well known F-16 Flying Falcon, which could go three times faster and includes a diverse assortment of armaments, much more than the P-51. The drawback to the F-16 though was its unit cost, which was three times greater than the Mustang. Driving the cost was a quantum leap in complexity, requiring a higher level of sophistication to manage the technology.

I also considered the impact of technology on entertainment, particularly motion pictures. 1939 is considered by many to be the best year in terms of attendance, and outstanding movies produced by the studios, such as "Gone with the Wind," "It's a Wonderful Life," "The Wizard of Oz," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," "Ninotchka," "Love Affair," and "Stagecoach." In studying the budget costs for these films, I found they cost on the average $1,889,297 to make in 1939 dollars ($30.8M in today's dollars).

I then studied the budget costs for the top movies thus far in 2013, including, "Iron Man 3," "Despicable Me 2," "Fast & Furious 6," "Monsters University," "Man of Steel," "The Croods," "World War Z," and "Oz the Great and Powerful."

On the average, the movies this year cost $175M each, more than five times the pictures in 1939. Today's movies all use color, enhanced audio, and all used computer generated graphics. Many were animated films. In contrast, most of the movies in 1939 were black and white (except "Gone with the Wind" and "The Wizard of Oz") and relied on story-lines, dialog, and acting.

MOTION PICTURE BUDGETS:
1939 - $ 30,822,495
2013 - $175,000,000 (+567.8%)

Here again, we see a tradeoff: today's movies may visually be better "eye candy" with enhanced audio, but they have sacrificed plots, scripts and acting in the process. Studios now are more inclined to trust the programmer's hand as opposed to the craftsmanship of the actor, actress, or writer.

In studying the numbers, it appears to double the productivity of something, you need to increase unit costs by at least tenfold, a disturbing figure encouraging inflation. This would suggest for every technology enhancement, the cost of living goes up, not down.

More importantly, with every technology improvement, our culture seems to change, particularly our ability to socialize. It affects our language, our work habits, our priorities, and our perspective on life. Such is the true cost of technology.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  UNDERSTANDING THE PECKING ORDER - Do you know your place?

- If you are in the public eye, become proficient in how to use such facilities.

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: POLITICS AND SOCIAL MEDIA

BRYCE ON POLITICS

- If you are in the public eye, become proficient in how to use such facilities.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

As most of us know, to get our message out to the public, there is nothing easier to use than social media. Services such as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Google+, Instagram, et al, have made it incredibly easy to disseminate text, graphics, videos, audio, or just about any other computer file. It is now the vehicle of choice to reach friends, family, customers, and news outlets. Whereas a 24 hour cycle was required to distribute news, now it is done around the clock and reaching a global audience.

Whereas many people have a cavalier attitude towards what they post on the Internet, and let the chips fall where they may, if you are in the public eye, you have to be extremely careful what you say and do. Case in point, the recent Dan Tucker incident here in Pinellas County. Dan is a local Republican Committeeman, an unpaid volunteer position. His job is basically to help Republicans get elected and recruit new members for the party. As such, he has no real power in party politics. He just assists any way he can.

In September, Pinellas County Commissioner John Morroni (a Republican) endorsed a Democrat for St. Petersburg City Council. In response, Tucker posted an unfortunate comment about Morroni's health on Facebook, "Doesn't he have cancer of the brain ... hmmm?", a reference to Morroni's battle with lymphoma which is now in remission. The comment went viral and Tucker was openly chastised for making such a comment. The media picked up on the story thereby adding fuel to the fire.

Recognizing he had made a mistake, Tucker personally called Morroni and apologized and reported it on his Facebook page. Regardless, the attacks on Tucker became so voluminous, he suspended his Facebook page and is now careful who he talks to.

As Tucker learned the hard way, if you are in the public eye, you cannot afford to make a slip of the tongue. Social media may be a great way to disseminate news and information, but it is also a convenient means to shove your foot in your mouth. We have all said things we wish we could retract, including yours truly, but that is not easily done. If you're an average Joe, you may not be overly concerned with what you say, but if you are in the public eye, you unfortunately have to be politically correct.

Even though Tucker was called upon to resign his position by his own party, he refused, and frankly I do not blame him as I believe this has been blown out of proportion. Did Tucker commit murder, mayhem, physically attack someone, abscond with party funds, caught in a sexual tryst, or some other felony? Heck, he didn't even jaywalk. He made a slip of the tongue which he corrected by apology. Yet, a firestorm of protest ensued with people calling for his head. What is the old saying, "Let he who is without sin..."? As an aside, Tucker claims he received over a hundred messages, from both parties, NOT to resign.

If you are in the public eye, read your messages twice and think about them before posting. Look for grammar too as you will be judged not just by what you said, but how you said it. Next, learn how to delete a posting. True, someone may spot it before you can retrieve it, but make an effort to delete comments if they are wrong. Social media typically has functions to moderate comments on your web page; use them. Your social media page is YOUR page, not someone else's. As such, police it accordingly. If someone persists in posting rude comments, block them as their comments will inevitably discourage others from following you. Finally, if you have made a mistake, fess up to it and offer an apology, and be sure to explain it on your social media page. It's not foolproof, but your critics will be forced to pull their punches if they know you have made a sincere apology.

One last note, if you are attacked with nasty or vulgar comments, do not respond in kind. Resist the temptation and do not stoop to the other person's level. Let them look like the classless fool that they are, but not you. Simply delete the comment and block the person from your group. Also, avoid correspondence with people who have an anonymous identity. It is always wise to know who you are conversing with.

In Tucker's case, he was attacked more for political purposes than what he actually said. He simply left himself exposed and allowed his detractors to hit him square on the chin. All thanks to the power of social media.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  HAS TECHNOLOGY TRULY IMPROVED OUR LIVES? - Ever wonder about the cost of technology?

- Understanding the difference between "jobs" and "careers."

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Monday, November 11, 2013

ARE YOU ENGAGED IN WORK?

BRYCE ON MANAGEMENT

- Understanding the difference between "jobs" and "careers."

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

Last month, the Gallup organization produced a report entitled, "State of the Global Workplace: Employee Engagement Insights for Business Leaders Worldwide," a rather lengthy name making a simple point: People are lazy. It goes on to admonish corporate management to change tactics in order to engage workers thereby improving productivity (and the GDP overall). The report studies the work habits of 142 countries and is produced every other year, the last one being in 2010.

According to the report, only 13% of the world's workforce is "engaged" in their work, meaning they are happy, find their work meaningful, and are productive. 24% are "actively disengaged," meaning they are employed but are negative about their work. Finally, 63% are "not engaged" in any form of organized work. This means approximately one out of eight people are ultimately supporting the rest, a rather dismal figure, and equates into 180 million people in the countries studied.

The report paints a rather bleak picture and hints as to why the world economy is not growing as it should be. In a nutshell, workers are psychologically depressed causing them to give up and are no longer actively looking for work. This means they are content to become wards of the state which implies we are all becoming third world countries dependent on others for handouts.

Interestingly, Canada and the United States are the most "engaged" at 29% which is somewhat surprising when you consider how we have struggled economically over the last five years. Western Europe was only 14% "engaged" which is surprising as you consider Germany, Austria, and Switzerland are powerhouses today. However, they are mixed in with Greece, Portugal, Spain, Ireland, and France who are struggling, thereby bringing the number down. Surprisingly, the least "engaged" area was East Asia at a measly 6%. This includes China, South Korea, and Japan who are typically viewed as workhorses. The number though hints of the economic decline in the area.

I have always been a big believer of the dignity of work, whatever form it takes. Ideally, we all want a "career" where we can make a difference and do something meaningful and worthwhile, but we do not always have such a luxury. Most of us have to settle for a "job" which may pay the bills, but we treat as mundane as we consider it beneath us. This difference between a "job" and a "career" is considerable. One offers mobility and allows us to apply our skills anywhere, the other does not. We are proud to be one, but not necessarily the other. And finally, one means workers are "engaged," and the other we are "actively disengaged." As an aside, you do not get "stuck" in a career.

Regardless of whether you have a job or a career, I admonish you to take on a professional attitude at work. It is always a pleasure to watch a secretary, custodian, clerk, waiter/waitress, customer services rep, mechanic, carpenter, bricklayer, barber, cook, salesman, or whatever do their job with precision and professionalism. It means they possess personal confidence and pride in workmanship.

As I said, I believe in the dignity of work. It is what distinguishes ants from grasshoppers.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  STRANGE BEDFELLOWS: POLITICS AND SOCIAL MEDIA - If you are in the public eye, become proficient in how to use such facilities.

- What shaped the Baby Boomers?

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Friday, November 8, 2013

THE GOLDEN AGE OF CHILDREN'S TV

BRYCE ON SOCIETY

- What shaped the Baby Boomers?

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

Now for a bit of nostalgia. I was recently up on a Philadelphia web site doing some research when I stumbled upon an old kiddie show I watched back in the 1950's. I couldn't have been more than three years old at the time, but memories of the show came flooding back to me. I happened to tell my wife about the show, including its plot and puppet characters, and she looked at me like I had lost my mind. Before I reveal the name of the show, which only someone from the Philadelphia/New Jersey/Delaware area will remember, I prepared a list of the children television shows from years ago and contemplated their impact on my generation.

As a note, since I primarily grew up in the Northeast and Midwest, some of these titles will not be recognizable to everybody. Maybe you'll remember some of these programs. If not, it will give you some insight into how the Baby Boomers think.

Alvin and the Chipmunks - was a cartoon series originally produced in the late 1950's/early 1960's. The premise involved a trio of singing chipmunks; Simon, the intellectual; Theodore, the chubby one, and; Alvin, the mischievous one. Their manager was David Seville who produced their music and tried to keep them out of trouble. The group made some songs that reached the pop culture, but it was the cartoon series that perpetuated them for many years. Their TV show included a series of shorts featuring Clyde Crashcup, an imaginative inventor, and his shy assistant Leonardo, who could only be heard whispering to Clyde. In the 1980's, following the death of their creator, Ross Bagdasarian, Sr. (the voice of Dave Seville), the group was updated and re-released to the public.

Beany and Cecil - the creation of Bob Clampett, it originally started out as a puppet show but became a popular animated series in the early 1960's. The show featured "Beany," a young boy, and "Cecil" the Sea-Sick Sea Serpent. The two would go on adventures with Cecil making wise-cracks and puns. "Dishonest John" was the bad guy.

The Sandy Becker Show - Becker was one of a handful of pioneers of children's television on WNEW-TV in New York (Channel 5, now WNYW); others included Soupy Sales and Sonny Fox (see below). Sandy's show featured puppets and characters with funny voices. The show was just plain fun and entertaining for kids after school. His most bizarre character was "Hambone."

Bozo the Clown - was both a cartoon and a franchise featuring a circus clown. He appeared on local channels throughout the country with Chicago's WGN version becoming the most popular. Bozo was so popular, to attend the show Chicago parents had to order tickets one year in advance.

Captain Kangaroo - ran for 38 seasons (from 1955-1984) and featured Bob Keeshan as the Captain, who was supported by a cast of characters like Mr. Green Jeans, guests, and puppet characters such as Mr. Moose and Mr. Bunny Rabbit.The Captain may have been somewhat sedate, but Keeshan was interested in teaching moral values while entertaining children.

Chatter - Chatter's World was produced by WBKB Channel 7 in Chicago as a series of black and white shorts. It starred a talking chimpanzee that would get in and out of trouble. The voice of Chatter was comically unique.

Circus Boy - kids gravitated to this 30 minute black and white show as it combined a circus with the old West. It featured "Corky" in the title role, and played by Micky Dolenz (later of "The Monkees"). Corky's big responsibility was to care for Bimbo, a baby elephant. What kid wouldn't want to ride or take care of a baby elephant?

Cisco Kid - graduated from radio to television in the 1950's. Unlike most Westerns at the time, which were shot in black and white, the Cisco Kid was one of the first to be shot in color. The show starred Duncan Renaldo as Cisco, and Leo Carrillo as the fun-loving Pancho.

Clutch Cargo - was an adventure cartoon series featuring limited animation. To compensate, filmmakers superimposed the lips of the actors to make it seem more realistic. Clutch was assisted by his ward "Spinner" and his dog "Paddlefoot."

Crusader Rabbit - was the first animated series produced specifically for television. Although the stories were interesting, the animation was primitive, particularly when you compare it to Disney or Warner Brothers.

Walt Disney Presents - early Sunday nights were Disney nights and hosted by Walt. The show featured cartoons, nature films, and adventure series, such as "Davy Crockett" which became incredibly popular.
Diver Dan - was an adventure series of filmed shorts, in black and white, featuring a sea diver in an old-fashioned diving suit who would talk to passing fish. The show was filmed through an aquarium to give it the illusion of a water effect. The fish were actually marionettes. The antagonists were Baron Barracuda and Trigger Fish who were always trying to undermine Diver Dan. Miss Minerva, the beautiful mermaid queen, also talked to the fish but shyly avoided Diver Dan.

Fireball XL5 - was a space ship which was a part of the World Space Patrol. It was filmed in "Supermarionation" (puppetry) and originated in the UK. The futuristic look to the show made it popular, particularly at a time in the 1960's when we were engaged in the Space Race.

Hanna-Barbera - William Hanna and Joseph Barbera were the creators of MGM's "Tom and Jerry" cartoons, and became the most prolific producers of animated cartoons in the 1950's and 1960's, including: "Huckleberry Hound," "Quick Draw McGraw," "Yogi Bear," "The Jetsons," "Top Cat," and many others. "The Flintstones" became their most popular series and the first to play during prime time. The series itself was a takeoff of Jackie Gleason's "The Honeymooners." "Jonny Quest" was particularly popular with young boys as it featured the adventures of Jonny and his father, scientist Dr. Quest. He was accompanied by Race Bannon, Hadji, and Jonny's dog, Bandit, for comic relief. The animation was more lifelike than the other Hanna-Barbera series.

Hot Dog - was an imaginative show created by Frank Buxton who explained to children how things were made, including hot dogs, hence the show's name. To add levity to the program, Buxton would interview Jonathan Winters, Woody Allen and Jo Anne Worley who would offer bizarre answers for how things were created, thereby becoming a favorite among adults as well as children.

Howdy Doody - was a marionette dressed in Cowboy garb. The show was hosted by Buffalo Bob who was dressed in buckskin and quickly became a favorite of the "Peanut Gallery," a set of bleachers for kids attending the show. There were other characters used for comedy relief, such as Clarabell the Clown, who would honk horns and squirt people with seltzer, and Chief Thunderthud who coined the greeting, "Kowabonga!"

Jungle Jim - was played by an older Johnny Weismuller who had retired as Tarzan. Jungle Jim was a black and white syndicated show, featuring Weismuller as a hunter and explorer. He was accompanied by his teenage son Skipper, and supported by Haseem, an Indian servant. There was also Tamba, the chimpanzee. Although the show was theoretically set in Africa, Jungle Jim also visited Asia and other places. For kids, "Jungle Jim" was the next best thing to "Tarzan."

Just For Fun - was hosted by Sonny Fox on New York's WNEW-TV (Channel 5). Although Fox was perhaps better known for "Wonderama" (see below) which ran on Sunday mornings, "Just for Fun" was on Saturday mornings and featured contests between teams of kids. The winners would inevitably win more games and toys than they could carry.

Kukla, Fran and Ollie - was created by Burr Tillstrom and originated out of Chicago. It featured two puppets: Kukla, a clown and, Ollie, a one toothed dragon. Fran Allison sat in front of the two and controlled the dialog. The humorwas gentle, but very entertaining.

Lassie - a beautiful dog that appeared at times to be smarter than her owners. Kids loved this animal, particularly at the end of the show when she would offer her paw to the audience. The show was so popular on Sunday nights that it competed with Disney.

The Shari Lewis Show - Lewis was a puppeteer and actress. Her principal characters were Lamb Chop, Hush Puppy and Charlie Horse, all possessing endearing personalities. Lewis had an instinctive way to make kids laugh while teaching them positive lessons.

The Lone Ranger - the masked man of the plains graduated from radio to the television screen in the early 1950's. Clayton Moore played the quintessential ranger, as did Jay Silverheels as Tonto. The two were positive role models as they always fought for truth and justice.

The Chuck McCann Show - the noted comedian began his career in New York on WPIX where he developed nutty characters and skits for children.

Mickey Mouse Club - a Disney project started in the mid-1950's and featuring Jimmie Dodd as host and the "Mousketeers" ensemble who would sing and dance. Actress Annette Funicello got her start on the show as did many others over the years. The show would also include serials, such as "The Hardy Boys," featuring Tim Considine and Tommy Kirk, and "Spin and Marty," starring Tim Considine and David Stollery.

Mister Rogers' Neighborhood - featured Fred Rogers and was considered the PBS version of Captain Kangaroo. Rogers' character was very mild mannered. So much so, comedians such as Johnny Carson and Saturday Night Live would make parodies of him.

Muppets - long before "sesame Street," Jim Henson's Muppets gained notoriety on the "Jimmy Dean Show" in the late 1950's (Yep, the singer who sold breakfast sausages). In particular, Rowlf the Dog became a favorite with adult audiences.

My Friend Flicka - first created as a book, then produced into a movie, the TV version was set in a fictional ranch in Cheyenne, Wyoming and featured Ken McLaughlin, the son of a rancher, and his horse Flicka.

Popeye the Sailor - was a newspaper comic strip and an animated series which got it start in the 1930's. An updated version of Popeye was produced in the 1950's with the same characters, his girlfriend Olive Oyl and rival Bluto. His secret to his strength was a can of spinach. By doing so, he increased the sale of spinach significantly.

Rin Tin Tin, The Adventures of - Rin Tin Tin had long been a movie star. For television though, the setting was the Wild West where the famed German Shepherd accompanied Rusty, a boy being raised by the soldiers on a US Cavalry post known as Fort Apache.

Rocky and Bullwinkle - was a cartoon series produced by Jay Ward. The show starred Rocket J. Squirrel, and Bullwinkle J. Moose who would go from one adventure to another, usually fighting Boris Badenov and Natasha Fatale. The series also featured cartoons entitled "Fractured Fairy Tales," and "Sherman and Peabody," featuring a brilliant talking dog. The cartoons were loaded with puns and wisecracks that would often go over the heads of children, but quickly picked up by adults.

Romper Room - was a long running syndicated show for children. Like Bozo, Romper Room was franchised to local media outlets throughout the country. Modeled after a kindergarten, the hostess played the roll of teacher and would talk to the students on the set as well as those in the television audience. The kids loved her "Magic Mirror" where she would extend greetings to children who mailed in their names. The show taught manners, the Pledge of Allegiance, and offered a Romper Room prayer to God.

The Roy Rogers Show - was a thirty minute black and white show featuring the King of the Cowboys. Rogers was a beloved character by children everywhere. He teamed up with his wife, Dale Evans, his sidekick Pat Brady, who drove a jeep named Nellybelle. There was also Roger's Palomino named Trigger, and his German Shepherd named Bullet. Visiting Roger's ranch was a dream for many kids. Roy and Dale would end the show by singing, "Happy Trails."

Sergeant Preston of the Yukon - like the Lone Ranger, Sergeant Preston began on radio and graduated to TV. The show told of Preston's exploits as a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). His trusted dog was Yukon King, and Rex, his horse. And they always got their man.

Sky King - "America's favorite flying cowboy" was another 30 minute black and white series. King was based in Arizona and chased bad guys or performed search and rescues. He was assisted by his niece, Penny, and Clipper, his nephew. The real star of the show though was "Songbird," a sleek Cessna.

Soupy Sales - was another veteran of WNEW-TV (channel 5). His humor was considered avant-garde for his time and was aimed at both children and adults (the kids missed a lot of his jokes). He was supported by three puppets: Pookie, a small lion; and White Fang and Black Tooth, two large dogs which you never saw on camera except for their paws.

Superman, Adventures of - the late George Reeves played the Man of Steel. In this series, Superman only tackled local hoods and trouble-makers, not villains from other planets. He was a positive roll model for "Truth, Justice, and the American Way."

Tom Terrific - was an early cartoon designed specifically for television. Like Crusader Rabbit, the animation of Tom Terrific was not very good. Tom though had the unique ability to magically change form to just about any object. He was accompanied by his dog, the "Mighty Manfred."

The Paul Winchell Show - was a noted actor and ventriloquist who was accompanied by two dummies, the wise-cracking Jerry Mahoney and Knucklehead Smiff, a country bumpkin. Like Shari Lewis, Winchell had a unique ability to connect with kids.

Warner Brothers cartoons - Saturday mornings were filled with vintage cartoons from the archives of Warner Bothers, such as Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Roadrunner, Porky Pig, Yosemite Sam, et al. It makes you wonder how we ever lived without Mel Blanc, the voice of all of the characters.

Wonderama- whereas Sonny Fox (WNEW-TV) hosted the "Just for Fun" game show on Saturdays, he hosted "Wonderama" on Sundays which was a more cerebral type of show for kids, and originally aired for three hours. Fox would conduct interviews, discuss news, and exercise. Kids participating on the show would win prizes, but nothing to the degree of "Just for Fun."
 
There were also a multitude of local children's shows across the country. In Cincinnati alone, there was the "Uncle Al Show," "Larry Smith and his Puppets," and the "Skipper Ryle Show." The local shows may not have been as polished as the national shows, but kids still flocked to them.

In many of the adventure shows listed above, you will notice many of the stars had young sons, wards or some other relative. This was a clever move by the producers as the viewing children would associate themselves with the characters, thereby imagining they were a part of the show.

The hosts in these shows were loved by the kids. Today, grown adults openly confess their admiration to these same people many years later. Before his death in the 1990's, Buffalo Bob Smith (of Howdy Doody fame) would tour college campuses with the marionette where he was met by standing room only audiences. Likewise, June Foray and Bill Scott, the voices of Rocky and Bullwinkle, were also mobbed by college audiences. The bond we formed as children to these pioneers of television is something we do not see anymore as such shows no longer exist.

In terms of teaching, all of these shows promoted the concept of good conquering evil, to accept right over wrong, and the need for doing well in school. In addition to being a moral compass, they filled kids with the imagination to be adventurous, yet becoming responsible for their actions. They also provided role models and taught socialization skills. All of this, combined with some simple silliness and fun, no wonder the kids became hooked on children's television.

Finally, the show I watched as a young lad in the Philadelphia area was "Bertie the Bunyip" - It was another puppet show created by Lee Dexter, an Australian. Lee described a Bunyip as a mythical Australian animal which was a cross between a bunny, a collie dog and a duck billed platypus. As a three year old, I wasn't really concerned with what a Bunyip was, just the character who seemed to be wise, good hearted, and cared about the safety of his friends. Maybe I did learn something from television after all.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  ARE YOU ENGAGED IN WORK? - Understanding the difference between "jobs" and "careers."

- It certainly wasn't "transparent," was it?

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

WHY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HATE OBAMACARE

BRYCE ON POLITICS

- It certainly wasn't "transparent," was it?

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

The 2010 Affordable Care Act (aka "Obamacare") has been the object of our attention for the last three years. It remains controversial to this day as polls show Americans disapprove of it. Of course, this is what led to the ugly standoff between the House of Representatives and the President. Even early supporters of the legislation, such as unions, realize it suffers from deficiencies and needs to be changed.

The bill was voluminous making it doubtful the Congress knew what they were voting for at the time. As Nancy Pelosi said, who was then Speaker of the House, "But we have to pass the bill so that you can find out what is in it." And herein lies the problem. Since it was signed into law, the details have been slowly emerging much to the consternation of the American public; e.g., exemptions for Congress and big business, that it triggered a flood of companies to turn employees into part-time workers, that companies are laying off workers as they cannot afford it, that young people will be faced with escalating policy costs and elect to pay the penalty instead, that the IRS will enforce it (who has also been granted an exemption), and that it is plain and simply bad for the economy. According to a Gallup Poll, almost half of the American people believe the law will make the healthcare situation in the United States worse.

Bottom-line, the American people do not trust the Affordable Care Act as it represents something concocted in a back-room by one party. It was certainly not something considered "transparent" as promised by the president:

"My Administration is committed to creating an unprecedented level of openness in Government. We will work together to ensure the public trust and establish a system of transparency, public participation, and collaboration. Openness will strengthen our democracy and promote efficiency and effectiveness in Government."
- President Obama via White House web site

This is hardly what happened with the Affordable Care Act.

This is not how business would devise such a solution. Instead, they would implement a Feasibility Study whereby the current system would be defined, complete with strengths and weaknesses, requirements would be specified, alternatives considered based upon a cost/benefit analysis, and a suitable solution selected. By going through this process, nothing is hidden and everyone understands what is going on. More importantly, it leads to an intelligent business decision. This didn't happen though, did it?

Some people argue the preparation of a Feasibility Study would have been too laborious and time consuming. Maybe, but when you consider the chaos we are currently embroiled in, a Feasibility Study would have made a lot more sense than the way the Affordable Care Act was drafted and implemented.

The fact remains, we enacted a law that looks like it will do more damage than good. So, what should we do, throw the baby out with the bathwater? Hardly. We have learned a lot from this exercise already, but I would still delay or repeal it until such time as we do a proper Feasibility Study.

Years ago, when I served as a baseball umpire, I learned the importance of getting the call right. As much as I didn't want to back down from a call, I had to do what was best for the game. Fortunately, I didn't have to do this too often, but I did have occasion where I had to swallow my pride and reverse my decision. I had to do this for the kids. Now we have to do it for the country.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  THE GOLDEN AGE OF CHILDREN'S TV - What shaped the Baby Boomers?

- Quality must be built into the product during design, not inspected in afterwards.

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Monday, November 4, 2013

TAKING QUALITY FOR GRANTED

BRYCE ON MANAGEMENT

- Quality must be built into the product during design, not inspected in afterwards.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

Back in the early 1980's there was a big push for quality in the work place. The sudden interest came about after it was discovered the Japanese were overtaking the Americans in building superior products. Interestingly, the works of quality pioneers such as W. Edwards Deming and Joseph M. Juran, who enjoyed success in Japan, were rediscovered. Books couldn't be written fast enough on the subject, seminars overflowed with attendees, and Deming and Juran became overnight sensations in their home country which, for many years, ignored their contributions. The International Standards Organization (ISO) introduced the ISO 9000 Series of standards for quality which were quickly adopted by Europe and grudgingly by the United States. Although there was a general raising of consciousness in the 20th century, interest in quality began to wane in the 21st. So much so, you do not hear too much about it anymore and I fear quality is something we again take for granted.

In the Information Technology industry alone, I do not see any evidence to suggest quality has improved. If anything, it is worse, particularly in software where bugs are still common, probably because vendors avoid structured testing and, instead, allow customers to beta-test their products (a concept I still cannot fathom).

Even to this day, the general work force suffers with misconceptions about quality. For example, it is generally believed quality is a matter of "class" as in different "classes" of automobiles; e.g., compact, midsize, luxury), which is like mixing apples with oranges. No, it's not about "class" but rather, producing a product in accordance with its specifications. To do so, quality must be built into the product during its development, not inspected in afterwards. This means the entire development process must be well defined in terms of Who, What, When, Where, Why and How the work is to be performed. Perhaps the best way to think of it is as an assembly line with several stations of work to perform different tasks. Instead of waiting to inspect the product after it rolls off of the assembly line, where it can be difficult and expensive to correct problems, every step in the assembly process checks the quality of the product before it proceeds to the next work station, thereby assuring a quality product comes off of the assembly line.

I had an occasion to visit a Sony factory in Japan years ago. While there I observed an assembly line where the various workers built television sets. Each workstation had its own set of responsibilities for adding components and checking the work preceding them on the line. During scheduled breaks, each worker would rotate to the next work station in the line where the work resumed. This made each worker cognizant of all of the steps needed to assemble the television set, as well as to promote the development of a quality product. It also broke up the monotony and kept the workers sharp.

Maybe this is why there are so many quality problems in computer software, since programmers typically have a problem relating to the manufacturing analogy and insist on testing their work afterwards as opposed to performing rigorous design reviews earlier on.

Beyond the mechanics of quality though, people must learn to care about the work products they are charged to produce. This is an area once referred to as "pride in workmanship" or "craftsmanship." Without this spirit of caring about one's work, nothing can guarantee a quality product, regardless of the number of rules the ISO writes. Quality requires both discipline and a conscientious work force. You cannot have one without the other.

Keep the Faith!

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  WHY THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HATE OBAMACARE - It certainly wasn't "transparent," was it?

LAST TIME:  CHATTY CATHIES
- Dealing with those who talk incessantly.

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.

Friday, November 1, 2013

CHATTY CATHIES

BRYCE ON SOCIALIZATION

- Dealing with those who talk incessantly.

(Click for AUDIO VERSION)
To use this segment in a Radio broadcast or Podcast, send TIM a request.

We've all run into people who talk incessantly, be it a relative, friend, neighbor or coworker. You say "Hello" and that's basically the last word you have in the conversation. I was sitting at a lunch counter recently and overheard two men talking; actually, it was just one guy dominating the conversation. He talked for over thirty minutes nonstop without taking a breath. From what I understood, it had something to do about his financial portfolio. I could tell by the inflection in his voice that he thought he was being rather brilliant and articulate, but I could also tell by his companion's eyes that he was growing weary of the diatribe. And I think that's part of the problem of these people I call "Chatty Cathies"; they simply have no regard for the other person in the conversation or whoever else might overhear them. It is this insensitivity that annoys us more than anything else.

"Chatty Cathies" feel compelled to entertain us when, in reality, they are putting everyone else to sleep. I find it interesting that most are unaware of how annoying they are. I don't know why they do it other than they must have some insecurity they are hiding or perhaps it is an inferiority complex they are trying to overcome. I don't know what it is, but it sure drives people bananas.

I have always thought of a conversation as a two-way street involving both give and take. Not so with the "Chatty Cathies" of the world who see conversations as unidirectional. Have you ever noticed that people only understand a fraction of what the "Chatty Cathies" are talking about? That's pretty scary when you think about it, especially if the person has something important to say and people simply ignore it.

Interestingly, most of the "Chatty Cathies" I have met are actually nice people, if you can get them to shutup for a minute. At some point you have to inevitably confront the person about the problem which can be awkward to explain. Not to worry. I have found most are conscious of their problem and take criticism well. When I have to break off a conversation with one of them I say something like, "I'm sorry but I have to go do something else." They are normally not offended, take it in stride and go looking for their next target.

People tend to avoid "Chatty Cathies" and treat them like lepers which is disheartening to the person in question who feels like they are being ostracized. What they do not seem to realize is, it is their mouth which is their own worst enemy.

Keep the Faith!

P.S. - Want to help a "Chatty Cathy"? E-mail this article to them anonymously.

Note: All trademarks both marked and unmarked belong to their respective companies.

Tim Bryce is a writer and the Managing Director of M&JB Investment Company (M&JB) of Palm Harbor, Florida and has over 30 years of experience in the management consulting field. He can be reached at timb001@phmainstreet.com

For Tim's columns, see:   timbryce.com

Like the article? TELL A FRIEND.

Copyright © 2013 by Tim Bryce. All rights reserved.

NEXT UP:  TAKING QUALITY FOR GRANTED - Quality must be built into the product during design, not inspected in afterwards.

- The different types of costumes available and what is hot for 2013.

Listen to Tim on WJTN-AM (News Talk 1240) "The Town Square" with host John Siggins (Mon, Wed, Fri, 12:30-3:00pm Eastern), KGAB-AM 650 "The Morning Zone" with host Dave Chaffin (weekdays, 6:00-10:00am Mountain), and KIT-AM 1280 in Yakima, Washington
"The Morning News" with hosts Lance Tormey & Brian Teegarden (weekdays. 6:00-9:00am Pacific). Or tune-in to Tim's channel on YouTube.