effectiveness
Principles of Information Technology 1 of 5
September 08, 2014
This video bog begins a series of five about Martin Ramsay's five principles of Business Information Technology Deployment.
The first principle is that "the Business Information Technology System must model the business it serves." In this brief video Martin discusses why this simple concept is so foundational to understanding and effectively deploying any technology system. Organizations routinely violate this principle, either by poorly modeling the business in the information system, and/or by failing to recognize that the information technology system must serve the organization (and not the other way around).
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The first principle is that "the Business Information Technology System must model the business it serves." In this brief video Martin discusses why this simple concept is so foundational to understanding and effectively deploying any technology system. Organizations routinely violate this principle, either by poorly modeling the business in the information system, and/or by failing to recognize that the information technology system must serve the organization (and not the other way around).
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Build Internal Capabilities
June 23, 2014
One of CEATH Company's dozen or so basic operating principles involves "building internal capabilities." We want to see our clients better able to solve their own problems after an engagement with us than they were before we came. If we fail in that regard, then we have failed as consultants.
So many consultants don't understand this principle. They prefer to build a culture of dependency, one in which it becomes necessary for the client to call the consultant back, again and again. That may be good for business in the short term, but it is not good for the health of the client nor for the overall relationship in the long term.
The same thinking could be applied to companies and customers, governments and citizens, therapists and patients, and more. Watch this week's video blog to get Martin Ramsay's thoughts on building internal capability.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
So many consultants don't understand this principle. They prefer to build a culture of dependency, one in which it becomes necessary for the client to call the consultant back, again and again. That may be good for business in the short term, but it is not good for the health of the client nor for the overall relationship in the long term.
The same thinking could be applied to companies and customers, governments and citizens, therapists and patients, and more. Watch this week's video blog to get Martin Ramsay's thoughts on building internal capability.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Unintended Consequences
June 09, 2014
"Be careful what you measure, because you may actually get it." In this video blog, Martin Ramsay counters conventional wisdom that says you should measure what you hope to accomplish.
There is truth in the idea of measuring what you expect to achieve, that you should "inspect what you expect." But sometimes the result has unintended consequence. Using a very real example from a CEATH Company manufacturing client, Martin suggests that measurements that are not extremely well thought out do not always achieve the desired goal and instead, drive organizational behavior toward something than is unintended, even counterproductive.
Be sure to use the cloud of tags to the right to find other related videos. For example, The Catfish Principle discusses being clear about your organization's purpose and Is Your Mission Your North Star? points out the role of an organization's mission in achieving its goals.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
There is truth in the idea of measuring what you expect to achieve, that you should "inspect what you expect." But sometimes the result has unintended consequence. Using a very real example from a CEATH Company manufacturing client, Martin suggests that measurements that are not extremely well thought out do not always achieve the desired goal and instead, drive organizational behavior toward something than is unintended, even counterproductive.
Be sure to use the cloud of tags to the right to find other related videos. For example, The Catfish Principle discusses being clear about your organization's purpose and Is Your Mission Your North Star? points out the role of an organization's mission in achieving its goals.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
A Cat is a Process
June 02, 2014
A cat is a process, right? Well ... yes and no. In a way, everything is a process. But is that really being fair to the cat?
In this video blog, Martin reflects on an amusing cartoon he saw years ago and draws some conclusions about process as he does so.
Be sure to use the cloud of tags to the right to find other related videos. For example, The Woodshed is a Process and More Details about Process both help us understand processes better.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
In this video blog, Martin reflects on an amusing cartoon he saw years ago and draws some conclusions about process as he does so.
Be sure to use the cloud of tags to the right to find other related videos. For example, The Woodshed is a Process and More Details about Process both help us understand processes better.
Be sure and check out Martin's previous blog entries.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The Factory on a Desk-Top™
May 12, 2014
Have you ever wished you had a good way to help people understand the complexities of how system work together and how they drive human behavior? Have you ever wished for a way to talk about process improvement in a tangible way? Look no further than this week's video about CEATH Company's Factory on a Desk-Top™, a simulated factory in which everyone has a role and the results can be measured.
The Factory on a Desk-Top™ is loads of fun as people work with Lego® bricks, Monopoly® money and poker chips to figure out how to improve processes.
As you watch this video, think about process in your organization and how you can dissect them for improvement.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The Factory on a Desk-Top™ is loads of fun as people work with Lego® bricks, Monopoly® money and poker chips to figure out how to improve processes.
As you watch this video, think about process in your organization and how you can dissect them for improvement.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Use the Right Tool
May 05, 2014
Martin Ramsay emphasizes the importance of tools in our work using three tools familiar to a woodshed. He makes the point that we need to a) have the right tools for our work, b) learn how to use them well, and c) not be seduced into thinking that bigger, more expensive, or more complex tools are always the best.
As you watch this video, think about the tools you use in your work, wether they be a spreadsheet or a laser welder, and how you can use them most effectively.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
As you watch this video, think about the tools you use in your work, wether they be a spreadsheet or a laser welder, and how you can use them most effectively.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The Newark Experience
March 31, 2014
A recent experience in the Newark airport causes Martin Ramsay to reflect on what NOT to do when it comes to process effectiveness. This video blog focuses on four key points for making sure that processes are as good as they can be.
Don't give your customers, your colleagues, or your company the "Newark Experience!"
Also, be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Don't give your customers, your colleagues, or your company the "Newark Experience!"
Also, be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
Efficiency and Effectiveness
March 24, 2014
This is the second of a two-part series about processes. In this video blog, Martin Ramsay ask whether efficiency is the same a effectiveness in a process. The answer is "no" -- the two are not the same. Martin explains why, which leads to a discussion again about the importance of purpose and knowing where your processes are going.
This video blog is part two of two parts. Review Video Blog 20 for a discussion of processes in general and the components that go into making a process.
Also, be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
This video blog is part two of two parts. Review Video Blog 20 for a discussion of processes in general and the components that go into making a process.
Also, be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
The Woodshed is a Process
February 24, 2014
Martin Ramsay talks a lot about process in his Notes From the Woodshed video blog. But did you know that the woodshed itself is a process?
In this video blog, Martin Ramsay shows how the woodshed process works, what its inputs and outputs are, and the ultimate purpose of the "woodshed process." Along the way, he helps us see processes in other everyday things, setting us up to help improve processes wherever we are.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.
In this video blog, Martin Ramsay shows how the woodshed process works, what its inputs and outputs are, and the ultimate purpose of the "woodshed process." Along the way, he helps us see processes in other everyday things, setting us up to help improve processes wherever we are.
Be sure and check out earlier blog entries from the list on the right.
Sponsored by CEATH Company.