VP, Director or Manager - Management By Walking Around (MBWA)?

What percentage of your time do you Manage by Walking Around?

  • 100 - 80% of the time

    Votes: 1 7.1%
  • 60 to 79% of the time

    Votes: 1 7.1%
  • 40 to 59% of the time

    Votes: 5 35.7%
  • 20 to 39% of the time

    Votes: 6 42.9%
  • 1 to 19% of the time

    Votes: 1 7.1%
  • I don't

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    14
  • Poll closed .

ScottK

Not out of the crisis
Staff member
Super Moderator
#11
Safety and security are of course covered,which is the added advantage.But the primary reason is that Managers and Directors,who can not afford a regular visit to the shop floor,remain in touch with day to day activities;even when abroad the connection is available on the internet.

The technology has compressed the world in a small capsule. :D

/Umang
We have video cameras in our facilities too. But only the President, CIO, and VP of Manufacturing have access.
I've heard them justify it saying they're to give "virtual plant tours" when they're visiting a customer. But when you have one in an office aimed at the backs of the workers (making their computer screens very visible) you HAVE question that.
I hate it, but the pres doesn't care and my authoity in that facility is nil. For now.
Personally if I was in that office, I'd quit.
 
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psyched1

Involved In Discussions
#12
With the advent and popularity of U tube, myspace and facebook our young culture is moving away from the personal aspect. Cameras on the manufacturing floor only support this move away from interpersonal communications.

Umang installed these cameras for all the right reasons however I would bet that some of his peers have reduced their visits to the floor just because the cameras exist.

Our company culture is such that I do not talk with my plant manager except when he needs something (just prior to audits when he is nervous) and our Genral Manager lives two states away. If it wasn't for email we would never communicate.

I would also believe his employees know where the cameras are and provide a good show for them. We installed cameras in an Ammo plant (1990's) I used to work at in troubled locations of manufacturing. Suddenly the loss prevention issues (tools not bombs) in those areas halted after a few firings. However you can't move cameras fast enough to catch everything nor do employees veiw cameras as a positive event in their lives.

Getting on the floor and your hands dirty occasionally speaks volumes to people about commitment.
 
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k3nny

Periodic Visitor
#13
Its interesting to see the classical MBWA technique is right down the middle in the poll - an assumption on my part when I put together the poll.

However, the ccv camera conversation has proven interesting. How much control is too much control? How do we define walking around?

Thanks for responding.

Ken
 

ScottK

Not out of the crisis
Staff member
Super Moderator
#14
Its interesting to see the classical MBWA technique is right down the middle in the poll - an assumption on my part when I put together the poll.

However, the ccv camera conversation has proven interesting. How much control is too much control? How do we define walking around?

Thanks for responding.

Ken
My definition of "walking around" includes actually speaking to people and hearing concerns and ideas.

Can't do that via a camera.
 

Wes Bucey

Quite Involved in Discussions
#15
surveillance by remote camera isn't "control," it's just surveillance.
I notice that recent stories of robberies of in-store banks (groceries, department stores, etc.) and outdoor and lobby-based ATMs always show TV surveillance of some character wearing disguise or ski mask - sure not much "control" of bank robbery for all the surveillance.

Two-way communication and real evaluation of the information thus communicated IS an important factor in MBWA. What have you communicated when you say to the employee, "Even though it looks like I am spying on you because I don't trust you, who are you going to believe - me or your lying eyes?"
 

k3nny

Periodic Visitor
#16
surveillance by remote camera isn't "control," it's just surveillance.
I notice that recent stories of robberies of in-store banks (groceries, department stores, etc.) and outdoor and lobby-based ATMs always show TV surveillance of some character wearing disguise or ski mask - sure not much "control" of bank robbery for all the surveillance.

Two-way communication and real evaluation of the information thus communicated IS an important factor in MBWA. What have you communicated when you say to the employee, "Even though it looks like I am spying on you because I don't trust you, who are you going to believe - me or your lying eyes?"
I agree. However, a ccv in a facility observing the dock door vs. observing the production line is this line in the sand.

Back to the poll - I agree with Scott - communication (message sent - message received). So how do we perform MBWA with telecommunicators?

Ken
 

Wes Bucey

Quite Involved in Discussions
#17
I watched a demonstration not too long ago where a doctor specialist in Miami walked another doctor on a cruise ship in the South Atlantic through a relatively tricky procedure (simulated) via webcam and microphones over a high speed satellite connection. How difficult would it be to add the extra peripherals to have similar capability in a corporate setting already rigged with high speed WIFI? Manager calls up from office or across the world and says, "Hey Joe, it's me, John Boss. Have you got time to talk and show me around your area? pick up the WIFI webcam and microphone and lets go talk to the folks and see what's happening so I can get some feedback straight from them."

Nobody says the worker's view of the boss has to be much more than on an ipod screen or vice versa, but it is technically feasible now. If a situation arises during the tour, there's always time for heavy duty follow up. Remember, MBWA is essentially two things:
(1) a goodwill tour and
(2) an information-gathering tool (one of several in a manager's kit, not least of which is an internal audit by a dispassionate team, reporting facts, not accusations for their enemies nor attaboys for their friends.)
 
U

Umang Vidyarthi

#18
We have video cameras in our facilities too. But only the President, CIO, and VP of Manufacturing have access.
I've heard them justify it saying they're to give "virtual plant tours" when they're visiting a customer. But when you have one in an office aimed at the backs of the workers (making their computer screens very visible) you HAVE question that.
I hate it, but the pres doesn't care and my authoity in that facility is nil. For now.
Personally if I was in that office, I'd quit.
We have the cameras in the plant,don't need them in the office.
2.You don't need cameras to monitor computer screens,that will prove very expensive (One camera/computer).In MNCs,IT & other big companies,all the computers are under constant watch by the Administrator,to ensure that computer is not being misused,plus covering the security angle.

3.I re iterate that I practice MBWA as stated in my earlier posts.The CCTV is used in addition,since it is not possible to make multiple visits to the plant.IMO it is wonderful to stay in touch with the plant's activity 24x7.It is to be used as an aid and not in stead.With the advent of latest technology,we have to change to derive the maximum advantage,without loosing the benefits of prevalent tools;else we will be confined to 'Bullock-Cart' age.

4.As another technological aid,I have planned to install proximity sensors with counters on all the power presses,relaying their signals on a screen in my office.At any given moment I will know,as to how many parts are produced on any machine;and can take the requisite action.

5.I feel that one has to strike a balance between 'new' and 'existing' to get the best.

/Umang :cool:
 

ScottK

Not out of the crisis
Staff member
Super Moderator
#19
I agree. However, a ccv in a facility observing the dock door vs. observing the production line is this line in the sand.

Back to the poll - I agree with Scott - communication (message sent - message received). So how do we perform MBWA with telecommunicators?

Ken
I think Wes demonstrated how it's possible above...
But it's kind of a reach for companies without a decent IT budget (like mine they balk at $300 for a copy of MS Access so I can stop putting everything in Excel spreadsheets and calling them databases :frust:).
 

ScottK

Not out of the crisis
Staff member
Super Moderator
#20
We have the cameras in the plant,don't need them in the office.
2.You don't need cameras to monitor computer screens,that will prove very expensive (One camera/computer).In MNCs,IT & other big companies,all the computers are under constant watch by the Administrator,to ensure that computer is not being misused,plus covering the security angle.

3.I re iterate that I practice MBWA as stated in my earlier posts.The CCTV is used in addition,since it is not possible to make multiple visits to the plant.IMO it is wonderful to stay in touch with the plant's activity 24x7.It is to be used as an aid and not in stead.With the advent of latest technology,we have to change to derive the maximum advantage,without loosing the benefits of prevalent tools;else we will be confined to 'Bullock-Cart' age.

4.As another technological aid,I have planned to install proximity sensors with counters on all the power presses,relaying their signals on a screen in my office.At any given moment I will know,as to how many parts are produced on any machine;and can take the requisite action.

5.I feel that one has to strike a balance between 'new' and 'existing' to get the best.

/Umang :cool:
I understand where you're coming from on the positive aspects of cameras.

I'm just experiencing what I consider the wrong sort of use.
And, incidentally, the one in the office can be rotated and zoomed so any screen in the office area may be seen (group office, no cubicle walls, desks all face the same way).

Of course one may put up cameras with the right intention but then, as is said, the road to hell is paved with good intentions...
 
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