Step 1: Engage Top Management!

[ccochran]

Hello, all:

Here's something kind of interesting called, "Step 1: Engage Top Management!" The title gives a pretty good indication of what the article is all about. This piece is interesting in that it's told as a fictional narrative. As always, your feedback and criticisms are welcomed and encouraged...

Warm regards,
Craig

[Claes Gefvenberg]

As usual Craig: A well written piece that really gets the message across. This new fictional narrative format makes the message very easy to understand, and the key points are well defined and fully in line with the story.

I am a wee bit intrigued by the President of he company, though: He obviously has some good instincts, so why on Earth would he let the ISO team steamroll him like that, and just fold? I'm sure it happens, but I would wager that it is the other way around at least as often: The president steamrolls the ISO team.

Besides: Someone must have hired the ISO team. Maybe there is a step before step 1? Someone must get the ball rolling, after all.

On the whole, this story reminds me of a very crucial question, often being asked after aviation incidents/accidents: Who was in command? With two pilots aboard, both of them may be waiting for the other one to take charge...

Now I'm looking forward to step 2...

/Claes

[Tupham]

A great article, Craig. Thanks!

[JaneB]

I liked the narrative, George, loved the various voices (oh so sadly true) and found it an interesting article.

But I found the overall structure a bit unclear. In particular, the introductory bit ("I have to clean up messes") left me a bit confused when I moved on to the article body: I wasn't sure if you were talking of the 'now' or the 'then'? ie, are these why they pulled the plug with the last consultant? Or is their reaction to you? Presumably not, as I'm guessing at the end it's your voice as consultant speaking.

Would you consider either removing the front & end pieces, or reworking them to make your point clearer?

[ccochran]

Claes, Tupham, & Jane:

Thanks for your feedback. More than anything, this article illustrates why I haven't been successful as a fiction writer! The President character is a bit strange. I've written 11 other installments related to this fictional company, and the President character is in many ways the least believable. I may need to give him a re-tooling. I guess I'm trying to paint him as technically competent but organizationally naive, which is something I see often in small and medium sized companies. He will give a little, but finally say "Enough!"

The intro is completely goofy, now that I went back and looked at it. This article will eventually become a book chapter, and it will be appended with a section of 'what happened next' at the end. The consultant character will facilitate a series of solutions and the company will be a little bit better off. But without that part at the end, the intro doesn't make a lot of sense. I've got something already finished called 'The 7 Deadly Sins of Management,' and this article will eventually be a chapter in 'The 7 Deadly Sins of Quality.' They may never see the light of day, but your feedback and encouragement is greatly appreciated.

Warm regards,
Craig

[Dr. L. Ramakrishnan]

Dear Craig,

In general a good starting point and well presented. Why not add the views of the "Quality Team" too? Probably the team has something important to say - more than what is quoted by the President, CFO, COO etc.

With best regards,

Ramakrishnan

[JaneB]

Craig,

I think you're right on the money with 'the Pres' - I often see the same thing in SMEs, although I'd be more likely to refer to it as lacking in senior management skills. Classic Michael Gerber E-Myth territory - they're often excellent at the doing & working in the biz, but not so good at working on it.

I rather like the narrative & different voices, which I think portrary the various & varying points of view well. Had you considered perhaps having a 'top & tail' (or perhaps just a 'tail') for each section where you provide your viewpoint/commentary on the situation? Kind of a 'Voice of God' or the consultant-narrator if you like.

(And ok, I know as consultants we're not really theologically blessed, except mayhap in one's dreams, but pace as it's you creating the article/s.)

[Ted Schmitt]

Great piece !!

I agree with Claes, who hired the Quality team?? I look forward to the continuation !