As Promised, betcha couldn’t wait.

Here goes. The deal with the new Company President falls through. Tainted goods-long story. Forget it. The existing CEO decides to come to work everyday on time until quitting time. His Palm Pilot is attached to his hand. Meetings, meetings and more meetings. The theme? ISO. Doesn’t matter whether it’s 9000-2001, 9002-2003, he is adamant about obtaining the badge. Every meeting I am asked to give a little speech. Energy Benenergy is driving this effort and he has my full support. Yippee. Right? Uh Uh. I attended three meetings so that he could demonstrate that we do have goals and objectives. 4 ½ hours of talking about hits and misses on leads for new work. Sales –won and lost. They call it a batting average. Those numbers mean something to them. Well they should lest we be finding another line of work. I noticed one number that was a job number for a Customer we had already shipped to. “Why is that there?” “Well, we had issues.” “What issues?” The story was 50% the customer’s fault, 50% ours. We know, as a company that is was a design/band aid issue, on our part. I told them “That’s what ISO is about”. Reporting problems with the Customer and performing Corrective/Preventive Action. “Huh?” I no longer have to attend those meetings.

Every meeting begins with him putting his hand to his ear like he is hearing something. “You know what that is folks?” That’s the beat you are going to hear from me everyday. It’s ISO,ISO,ISO….can you hear it?” To me, it’s a positive sign as long as we take the advice, collectively, that has been attained here in the Cove. He wants to know what happening amongst other companies and how are they dealing with it. Since becoming a member, I have downloaded valuable references, including what is in the Premium Files and distributed it to all members of the Steering Committee. They misplaced or ignored it. Not one person can produce a reference document that was given them. keep in mind that they weren't just handed a pile of paper. When a topic came up, I had already visited the Cove in preparation and distributed relevant information, only. King Rat, me, reminded them all that everything the CEO has asked for has been distributed, their response? “Well, you always give us too much paperwork and we don’t know what is good and what is bad. Am in this business to give you “bad” paperwork, you sniveling, whining, dirt bag?” I’m sorry; my fingers lost their cool.

This is an on-going saga, like, I think, much of you, but I wanted you get a flavor of what Energy’s day is like and, perhaps, a reason for being snippety from time to time. I will close by saying, “The Cove has made me everything I am today”. Good and bad! :vfunny:
I made it a new thread because I feel that I'm not the only one who as experienced this kind of set back in trying to achieve their goals or what is expected of them. So, let's not drag another topic of track and give this one a go. If you have experienced a similar experience please post it. If you have walked the walk, talk the talk.
:bonk: :ko: :smokin:

Ah! Do it or it's your :ca: huh? Top management involvement can be as much of a problem as it is a help...

Yes, indeed. I would much prefer the authority to implement rather than a tag team match. When others start making suggestions which are way off the target, he says "that makes sense, don't it?" Then I am on the defensive as to why it's not what is required. From identifying measuring instruments that will need calibration to establishing goals and objectives. Everybody is now an expert. The big guy doesn't know so it's like a tennis match with him in the middle. Quick example, Engineering honcho has told us that design is completed. I asked where is it? All the information is contained in the Project Execution Flow Chart. maybe it does and I'm too stupid to see it. I will post it Monday for inputs. I don't see it passing muster. Hey, maybe it is me. With the amount of talent among the members, I'll know quickly.

Deep Sea fishing on Mother's day. Cold and rainy day expected.

Time to perform C&P on the management team with a little continual improvement (fresh blood);)

Can't say I have any real horror stories, but your note about engineering's paperwork rings a bell. Getting the feeback can be like pulling teeth from an alligator with your bare hands in the middle of the swamp.

Just as a suggestion. Does the ASQ in your area have an audit consortium? If so you can propose to have them come in for mock audits. I believe they do this for free so the CEO should like it. Let the "outside auditors" help to back you up.

James

JRKH said:

Just as a suggestion. Does the ASQ in your area have an audit consortium? If so you can propose to have them come in for mock audits. I believe they do this for free so the CEO should like it. Let the "outside auditors" help to back you up.

James

James,

What a great idea.:bigwave: As a new ASQ member, I may want to attend a meeting, instead of fishing. My concern, as usual, is that I would now have auditors defining our system. I could deal with a registrar auditor because, hopefully, we will have passed a Pre-Registration Audit and we would not be miles apart on issues. If I could arrange it so that they make observations on an informational basis only, it's worth a shot. No arguments. Just comments. I guess we could discuss the ground rules prior to their coming here. Even if they charge for it, we would provide lunch, it couldn't be that much. Great suggestion.
:ko: :smokin:

energy said:

James,

What a great idea.:bigwave: As a new ASQ member, I may want to attend a meeting, instead of fishing. My concern, as usual, is that I would now have auditors defining our system. I could deal with a registrar auditor because, hopefully, we will have passed a Pre-Registration Audit and we would not be miles apart on issues. If I could arrange it so that they make observations on an informational basis only, it's worth a shot. No arguments. Just comments. I guess we could discuss the ground rules prior to their coming here. Even if they charge for it, we would provide lunch, it couldn't be that much. Great suggestion.
:ko: :smokin:
Energy,
The audit consortium is designed to let people get audit hours under their belt while they so they can get their RAB certification. I know down here in Cinci they do not charge. They conduct it just like a regular audit. But you can get the feed back from them on what looks good and what doesn't.
Thought it my give you a lever (or club) with the big boss and all the little bosses.

James:bigwave:

energy said:
Not one person can produce a reference document that was given them. keep in mind that they weren't just handed a pile of paper. When a topic came up, I had already visited the Cove in preparation and distributed relevant information, only. King Rat, me, reminded them all that everything the CEO has asked for has been distributed, their response? “Well, you always give us too much paperwork and we don’t know what is good and what is bad. I made it a new thread because I feel that I'm not the only one who as experienced this kind of set back in trying to achieve their goals or what is expected of them. So, let's not drag another topic of track and give this one a go. If you have experienced a similar experience please post it. If you have walked the walk, talk the talk.
______________________
So many stories, so little time! How about a quick one from last week? About 4 weeks ago our new Dir. Of Sales (supposedly very familiar with, and a supporter of, ISO, or so he said) asked for a few minor changes to the Contract Review procedures. No problem, I made the changes, he signed off on them, and all is wonderful. NOT!

Last week we get samples into the lab for a product that does not exist!! Huh?? How the h*ll did we take an order for THIS I wonder? Seems that the Dir. Of Sales just decided unilaterally that contract review was too much trouble and we weren’t gonna do that anymore!!!! At least not as per the procedures he approved and helped write. And he didn’t feel this required notifying anyone or any discussion, either! He decided he’ll do it on his own. Trouble is, he doesn’t have anywhere near the knowledge required. Not even close. I asked him what the spec’s. are for this product that does not formally exist and he said he didn’t know, and he didn’t know that it didn’t exist. (!!!???) After a short “discussion” with me he said he now understood the importance of following the procedure!!! Am I confident of that? Hah! I wouldn’t bet $1 of YOUR money on that one! But the owners love this guy (why I’ll never know) so he feels very secure in whatever he does. Me? I’m just trying to survive personally without letting everything go to h*ll in the proverbial handbasket.

I feel for you, Energy. Since misery loves company, this thread should make many people realize they aren’t alone. Commiserating might help us to release some stress and get some chuckles at the same time. Thanks for starting it! There should be no shortage of material!

Mike S.

energy:

What a great idea. As a new ASQ member, I may want to attend a meeting, instead of fishing.

ARE YOU NUTS!!!!!!! :confused:

If you really want input...... take some ASQ folks fishing with you! :smokin:

Amen, I had a sales guy who would take orders for parts that he knew we needed to build equipment to make, and give lead times of 2 weeks. :bonk: He didn't care, he made his numbers and we didn't get the parts, it was my fault. The crazy part was my boss agreed with him. To **** with that little item called quality planning. I wonder if they do things like that in aerospace. Makes you wonder if you ever want to fly again.

Oh how I wish I could commiserate with you guys today, but today I'm doing the happy dance!:p

I've got a signed and approved Quality Manual and Quality Policy!!!!!! Can you believe it???? And only a toehold away from the formal approval and release of 5 sets of procedures!! Yes, after only 11 months the day is here.

Don't despair, I shall be suitably frustrated and depressed by the end of the week and will have some sad stories to share.:smokin:

But until then....I dance!:vfunny:

JRKH said:

Energy,
The audit consortium is designed to let people get audit hours under their belt while they so they can get their RAB certification. I know down here in Cinci they do not charge. They conduct it just like a regular audit. But you can get the feed back from them on what looks good and what doesn't.

Thought it my give you a lever (or club) with the big boss and all the little bosses.
True, but the expectation is that someone from your company join the team, as I understand it, and donate time to audit other companies. Most of them don't just come out and do an audit and leave, as far as I understand it. Make sure you check and see what their 'conditions' are.

Marc said:


True, but the expectation is that someone from your company join the team, as I understand it, and donate time to audit other companies. Most of them don't just come out and do an audit and leave, as far as I understand it. Make sure you check and see what their 'conditions' are.


HMMM,
I never understood it that way.

Marc said:

Ah! Do it or it's your :ca: huh? Top management involvement can be as much of a problem as it is a help...


This will be little long, so check out whenever you’re feeling you’re tired. I’ve heard it before, fell for it before and never really believed it. Here we go again. A company owner/ President, saying things that I’ve never heard before. He has candidly admitted that he is ignorant on the technical aspects of the company he owns. And, quite candidly stated that he was originally interested in ISO for the certification. (The badge as Jim W. calls it.) He has changed his mind and loved the idea of mapping the processes, showing the blueprint of the company, that will allow him to gain the knowledge to improve our processes to assist in making this into a big $$$$ company. Not a bad goal. For all of us.

He is holding meetings with all his direct reports. Driving home the ISO theme.”It was designed to improve business and I need it to understand mine.” ( I’m getting nauseous) :vfunny: When he encounters resistance, I am immediately called to the principle’s office to re-enforce his position and to justify why. Quite frankly, I enjoy it. V.P’s, Managers, Supervisors and other un-interested personnel.

One quick example: (well, not so quick) One new VP indicates his experience with ISO, by observing other companies, was that they either gave up or imploded because it didn’t address improvements in their process and was restrictive. Also. that Six Sigma was the preferred way to go ensure improvement in the business. He described the different colored belts that were assigned to the competency of the individuals involved. That the cocept is based on this and that. (Let me tell you now. My earned Black Belt 1st degree in Tang Soo Do Karate was from a lot of years of practice at something that required a lot more discipline then what these people have gone through. Every time I see that I would like to show then my belt color, up close. Grant you, I’m not the sharpest tool in the shed, but I think that you have to have the resources to throw at this type of program. A new way at looking at the company. Great for huge companies. Throw a hundred+ people at the Program, get it done. Not for small.) JMHO. I reminded my new guy, that the emphasis on the new standard was Continuous Improvement and Customer Satisfaction. Are you aware of the changes? “Well, no and I wasn’t that involved.” My preferred answer to him, if he asked me, would be “ get on your own side of the pond. I’m fishing here.” But I kind of persuaded him, with help from the staring, enforcing, intimidating eyes of my new President, to begin flowcharting (oops, Process Mapping) his department. And, rather nicely put, think about presenting job descriptions for all the employees that report to you. Hey, I’m aware of the cons and pros, but it’s a start. Describe what you/they do and the recommendations for improving skills. Let them write their own. Think about what you would like to have for goals and measurables for your Department. Please make sure that they are measurable. Review. Approve. Submit them Human Resources for Training Evaluation purposes.

That kind of stuff. If we’re having so much trouble trying to get everybody on board with ISO, what were our chances that they would care about “Sick Sigma”? I got that here in the Cove, too. I used it.

Where did I get this confidence? Right here Ladies and Gentlemen. Reading your crap every day really helped me understand the different views and be able to decide what was “anal” and “level headed”. Of course that depends on the length of my yardstick. Right? Am I falling prey again to another “disappointment”? Maybe so, but it sure feels good.

O.K. Off to an AQS Process Mapping Seminar in Marlborough, Mass tomorrow. Trying to improve my image to someone who cares. I saw the attendance list and it's 2/3 women. I will be sitting in the first row, dropping my pencil, and try to learn Process Mapping. See y’all Wednesday.

:bigwave: :ko: :smokin:

energy said:
Am I falling prey again to another “disappointment”? Maybe so, but it sure feels good.
__________________________
Wow. I feel a green monster sneeking up on me, and it ain't the Incredible Hulk. I feel like the "poor" kid down the street who is envious of the "rich" kid up the street who just got a shiny new 10-speed bike for Christmas and all I got was a homemade card and a Tootsie Roll, and I don't even HAVE a bike! This guy sounds almost too good to be true, but I hope for your sake he is the "real deal". There are some of them out there, but they're the exception for sure. I hope the support and progress continues for you, Energy, as it sounds like you've been through enough wars that you deserve it. (And so do the other employees who rely on your company for their paychecks, too.)

Used and implemented properly, which means in a common-sense (uh-oh - that term again!) way that suits YOUR business and your needs, products, culture, customers, etc. I have no doubt that it can help your company improve in a bottom-line kind of way. Of course, I could say the same for MIL-I-45208A, SPC, DOE, "SICK" SIGMA, TQM, quality circles, Re-engineering, and a host of other programs, but that's another thread.

Good luck and keep us posted -- it's nice to hear success stories, too!

Mike S.