Star Trek and ISO - The Ferengi ?Great Material Continuum?

[Randy]

Star Trek and ISO

Even fictional characters in the Star Trek series (Deep Space Nine in particular) recognize the needs of customers and suppliers. I thought this was cool the 1st time I heard it and I have actually applied it in some training sessions.

The Ferengi “Great Material Continuum”

"You have to have faith… in the Great Material Continuum… the force that binds the universe together… (everywhere) in the universe, there are (places) filled with too much of one thing and not enough of another and the Great Continuum flows through them all like a mighty river: from 'have' to 'want' and back again. And if we navigate the Continuum with skill and grace our (lives) will be filled with everything our hearts desire… Trust and the river will provide." - "Nog" ("Star Trek: Deep Space Nine")



What is required are tools or instruments to help navigate the treacherous waters of the Continuum.

The Continuum is the Business World, The “Haves” are the suppliers and the “Wants” are the customers. ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 are navigation tools that brings them both together. -Randy Daily


Cool!!

 

[energy]

I want some

Whoa, Big Guy. What are you on?

 

[Mike S.]

From what I'm reading in another thread, the Ferengi must be running PJ -- no scruples they'll do anything for money. I wonder if PJ lets their women employees wear clothes?

 

[energy]

Of course

Mike S. said:
I wonder if PJ lets their women employees wear clothes?

Absolutely. You know the dangers associated with wringers?

 

[Carl Exter]

Re: I want some

energy said:

Whoa, Big Guy. What are you on?

Careful. His avitar is armed.

 

[db]

Not to change the subject, but.....

Okay, to change the subject.....

During some of my USAR Officer training, we looked at the Star Trek model for management. We compared Kirk’s leadership qualities to Picard’s. We even looked at Clint Eastwood’s role in “Heartbreak Ridge”. Really quite fascinating stuff.

As we look to implementing a QMS, EMS, or even just a good “quality” program, we need to interact with management. The better we can identify the management style, the better we can present things in terms that management can relate to.

Sometimes fiction can assist us in dealing with reality (or in my case avoiding it)!

 

[energy]

Absolutely

db said:

During some of my USAR Officer training, we looked at the Star Trek model for management. We compared Kirk’s leadership qualities to Picard’s. We even looked at Clint Eastwood’s role in “Heartbreak Ridge”. Really quite fascinating stuff.

Sometimes fiction can assist us in dealing with reality (or in my case avoiding it)!

Let's not forget Private Pyle's management issue/resolution in "Full Metal Jacket".