The phrase “ISO 9001-based system” can be confusing if ISO 9001 is not understood properly. It’s not uncommon to hear people use the phrase—including Dr. Nigel Croft (who chairs TC 176). For example, Dr. Croft recently participated in a ‘hangout’ session where he addressed ISO 9001, its intentions, and its development. You can see the session in its entirety here (roughly 33 minutes):
Dear friends we live in depressing times. Our media is full of failing and failed organisations. From the financial crises to the BBC, from the IRS or the Veterans Health Administration to the UK Houses of Parliament, all around us is the evidence that our systems and safeguards are failing to protect the stakeholders from the slings and arrows of outrageous management, and an ever more demanding and volatile environment. Clearly, modern life has an enormous dependence on the integrity of human systems. Continue reading
Failures in strategic planning and execution. Bungled social media. Early retirement of a (or return of a former) CEO. Private equity company takeovers. New federal reporting and control regulations. Cybersecurity breaches. Earthquakes and tsunamis. Political unrest. Governmental and commercial bribery. Employee embezzlement and financial fraud.
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Six Sigma, Kaizen, Lean, and other variations on continuous improvement can be hazardous to your organization’s health. While it may be heresy to say this, recent evidence from Japan and elsewhere suggests that it’s time to question these methods. Continue reading
In an era of budget, time, and labor constraints, is it possible to sell your ideas and concepts (which often require money, time, and labor to implement) to the CEO, CFO, Board of Directors, or whoever is in charge of the final decision? The answer is yes! You can sell your ideas up; it simply depends on how you frame the opportunity. Continue reading