| Date |
Topic and Description |
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| Jun. 2010 |
Introduction to Systems Thinking
Join Tom Persoon for the beginning of this series of meetings on Systems Thinking. We'll be discussing this topic in-depth for the next few months so block off your calendars now! |
| May 2010 |
Tour of Whirlpool Corp. |
| Apr. 2010 |
Last month we enjoyed a great discussion around the Covey Disciplines of Execution. We will continue our look at Covey through a great summary of the 7 Habits (for those of us that might be new to Covey, or like me a bit rusty), and an article which relates the Keys to Execution to Work-Life Balance. The articles are as follows: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Work-Life Balance: A Different Cut . Join us for another great learning opportunity. |
| Mar. 2010 |
Franklin Covey’s 4 Disciplines of Execution
Understanding the key points of how to run an organization and grow an organization at the same time; leadership focusing on the right things. Covey brings to light the need to consider the organizational goals in the midst of the whirlwind that must continue to run the organization. |
| Feb. 2010 |
Toyota's Quality Issues
Our February meeting was originally intended to be a tour of a local organization. Unfortunately circumstances have made that impossible at this time. So, we will come together on February 23 in the Gold Room at the Hygienic Lab to discuss a hot topic. What in the world is happening to Toyota? Lets look at what we know in relation to Dr. Deming and his Fourteen Points. Perhaps we can even develop a theory of what is happening and see how it holds up as more of this story develops. Should be a stimulating discussion. So bring your thoughts and ideas. |
| Jan. 2010 |
Social Networking in the Workplace
Please join us for a lively conversation about social networking and how it is used by different generations in the workplace and in life. This link will take you to a USA Today article “Boomers Zero in on Social Networks” which will be the reference point for our discussion.
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| Jul. 2009 |
Just Culture
At our June meeting we focused on a video presentation The Nun and the Bureaucrat. This presentation dealt with issues of patient safety in hospital health care. Two health care providers which have made great improvements in patient care were described. This led to a very spirited discussion. Out of that discussion the topic of Just culture emerged. Just culture is a method for balancing learning from incidents with accountability for their consequences. Sydney Dekker has done extensive work with Just culture in both the health and aviation fields. We will have an opportunity to view this address by Sydney describing Just culture and Systems thinking. This should prove to be another interesting opportunity to learn and enjoy our discussion after hearing the presentation. |
| Jun. 2009 |
The Nun and the Bureaucrat – How They Found an Unlikely Cure for America’s Sick Hospitals
In this video presentation doctors, nurses, and administrators explain how they did not believe they could reduce unnecessary deaths, suffering and mistakes by using systems thinking and Toyota production methods. To their surprise and delight, they did, they also dramatically reduced costs, increased their satisfaction in work, and required no outside funds or government help. Come and enjoy this presentation and discussing its message for improving healthcare.
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| Apr. 2009 |
Two Million Minutes Special Presentation
Regardless of nationality, as soon as a student completes the 8th grade, the clock starts ticking. From that very moment the child has approximately Two Million Minutes until high school graduation. How a student spends their Two Million Minutes - in class, at home studying, playing sports, working, sleeping, socializing or just goofing off -- will affect their economic prospects for the rest of their lives. How do most American high school students spend this time? This film takes a deeper look at how the three superpowers of the 21st Century - China, India, and the United States - are preparing their students for the future. As we follow two students - a boy and a girl - from each of these countries, we compose a global snapshot of education, from the viewpoint of kids preparing for their future.
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| Feb. 2009 |
Organizational Management
Join us as we continue to discuss the "people" side of organization management. Larry Audlehelm of Volt Services Group (Larry is a long standing member of our network) will share a flow chart which is designed to increase the likelihood that new hires in an organization will stay with the organization. We should have a lively discussion around this tool and the problem it addresses.
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| Jan. 2009 |
Six Sigma and Lean Applications at Clipper Windpower
In a follow-up to the October tour of Clipper Windpower, Jeremy Knepper will talk to the network and answer questions about Clipper’s use of Lean and Six Sigma. |
| Nov. 2008 |
Quality in the New Economy
What is the role of quality in the new economy? What is the new economy and how can a reflection on Deming’s 14 points help us better understand the need for change. A guaranteed lively discussion. |
| Oct. 2008 |
Tour of Clipper Windpower
For the October meeting, Jeremy Knepper will lead the group on a tour of Clipper Windpower in Cedar Rapids (4601 Bowling Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404). This tour is limited and there are 10 spots left so please RSVP to info@iowaqc.org if you would like to attend. |
| Sept. 2008 |
Organizational Change
Pat Semanek , Quaker Oats, will be giving a presentation on Noel Tichy's approach to strategic change management. Participants will receive a useful tool for analyzing barriers to change or developing implementation strategies. |
| Aug. 2008 |
Trust
How important is trust in a relationship or in an organization? Deb Burt, of Bridgestone Firestone, will take on the topic of "the speed of trust" as written about in Steven Coveys new book The SPEED of Trust: The One Thing That Changes Everything. |
| Jul. 2008 |
Hoshin Konri Planning
Hoshin Kanri (AKA Policy Deployment) is an annual process that helps an organization set goals with measurable milestones and reconcile actual performance against those milestones. A high-level goal (objective) is refined through the levels of management at an organization into strategies that ensure its achievement. Each manager is assigned an objective (or more) and is responsible for creating strategies to achieve their objective. They must also define measurable milestones (metrics) for judging their progress. Hoshin Kanri is hierarchical: each manager's strategies become their direct-reports' objectives. As the plan cascades down the organization in a series of discussions and planning sessions, implementation tables are created to define the detailed tasks necessary for achieving the primary objective. Plans may be reviewed monthly or quarterly. Each objective or strategy is judged dispassionately against the metrics that were created at the beginning of the year. This reconciliation process provides critical insight into where the organization needs to focus in order to achieve the strategic breakthroughs it needs. |
| May 2008 |
Covey's Maturity Continuum
Steven Covey indicates that effectiveness can be determined through the learning and application of 7 habits. These habits are recognized within systems that require individuals to have private and public victories. Gary Nesteby will facilitate a discussion on the Maturity Continuum of forming habits that move one from dependent to independent to interdependent. |
| Apr. 2008 |
How Do You Reach Agreements?
Reaching agreement on issues is dependent on many personal and organizational characteristics. Deb Burt for Firestone will facilitate a discussion on methods of reaching agreement. |
| Mar. 2008 |
Performance Appraisals
Edwin D. Deming on the subject of Performance Appraisals— "It nourishes short-term performance, annihilates long-term planning, builds fear, demolishes teamwork, and nourishes rivalry and politics." [Page 102 Out of the Crisis]. Did you realize the strong position Deming took? He identified the performance appraisal as one of the Seven Deadly Diseases of Management and pulls no punches in stating the negative effects. So, are you ignoring his counsel? |
| Feb. 2008 |
Employee Engagement
We will continue our discussion around employee engagement and generational and other differences in the workforce. Please bring any articles etc. that you have discovered. |
| Jan. 2008 |
Employee Engagement
Join us as we continue our discussion around employee engagement. Our focus at the January 22 meeting will be challenges around workforce differences. We will explore how to engage workers from different generations, backgrounds, training levels, etc. |
| Nov. 2007 |
Coaching
Join us as we continue our discussion of workforce engagement. Coaching will be explored by the group and our facilitator will be Pat Kenner. bring your ideas, experience and questions! |
| Oct. 2007 |
Workforce Engagement - How Do You Get to Where This Culture Is Supported?
This will be our challenging topic at our next network meeting Tuesday October 23, 2007. Join us and we will share our insights and ideas. |
| Sept. 2007 |
Workforce Engagement
How can you tell if you employees are engaged or if their interest is waning? How can you boost morale and increase the effectiveness of your workforce. We've selected two article on Workforce Engagement to read and discuss this month and we hope you'll join us for a thought provoking discussion. |
| Aug. 2007 |
Is Your Leader's Mood Affecting You?
Join us for a discussion about how a leader's mood may affect your workplace, your team, and everyone's performance. The basis for our conversation will be an article from the Mindtools.com website entitled "A Leader's Mood: The Dimmer Switch of Performance" By Bruna Martinuzzi. |
| Jun. 2007 |
Global Competitiveness – Emerging as a World Economic Power
We will discuss this important topic after viewing a challenging short video presentation, “Shift Happens.” We will also review some pertinent articles which deal with world competitiveness. |
| May 2007 |
Managements Five Deadly Diseases
Explore and discuss what Dr. Deming believed is adversely affecting productivity and diminishing America's capability for competitiveness. Also, learn about Managements Five Deadly Diseases and what management can do to overcome them. |
| Apr. 2007 |
Deming’s 14 Points
Dr. Deming taught that an unceasing focus on improvement and a systemic view would enable al kinds of organizations to thrive and prosper. His 14 points are his description of the leadership approach and organizational environment needed for the transformation of an organization. Join us in the discussion of how these points affect us in today’s environment. |
| Mar. 2007 |
Emotional Intelligence and 6 Sigma
This month we will read the article "Emotional Intelligence and 6 Sigma" from the August 2006 issue of Quality Progress. |
| Feb. 2007 |
Leading at a Higher Level
This month we will continue our discussion of leadership. Higher Ground, a monthly newsletter designed to deliver thought-provoking information for leaders will provide us with many opportunities for discussion. You can access Volume 8, Issue 1, January 2007 here. We will also have copies available. In addition, we will visit Dr. W. Edwards Demming’s Fourteen Points and what implications they have for leaders. |
| Jan. 2007 |
Leadership Development: Past, Present and FutureWe will continue our discussion of the article “Leadership Development: Past, Present and Future” with an added dimension. We will compare current thinking with that of early leaders in the quality and continuous improvement philosophy. This should be very interesting. You can access the article here. At this meeting we will also use a planning process to set our course for the next six months as a network. Bring with you ideas for topics and an area of interest that you would be willing to facilitate. |