Reviews (3)

Classical MBA litterature
In 1990 this book was revolutionary. Today, it is mostly interesting as the first book on the subject. Nobody in todays (business) world can have missed out on the concept that time is (or can be) a competitive advantage.

If you have missed this basic fact, do read this book, it explains in rather boring terms why it is so.

Personally I think they put to much emphasis on time as a competitive advantage, and tend to disregard other factors, equally important. A more relevant reading would in my opinion be D'Aveni's Hypercompetition, that takes the concept to its logical conclusion, which Hoult and Stalk misses.

Unfortunately, neither of the authors are very entertaining writers, especially as this book is usually mandatory/recommended reading in most MBA classes on strategy.

In conclusion, good, once revolutionary, but today mostly over-rated.

The Best Articulation of the Case for More Speed
Today's readers will think that this book is simply stating the obvious. That shows how much influence the book has had. Prior to the book's publication, most people felt that "getting things right" was more important than speed. This book points out that speed can actually be helpful in getting things right by encouraging you to improve your management processes so you do things right the first time.

Many companies have had trouble implementing this concept in the way it is articulated. They simplify their process, but may not improve it. This may mean that new products arrive in the market that are not really ready for the customers. That can be all right if you can quickly fine-tune the products in beta tests and the customers have that expectation because you are giving them so much benefit anyway. If you do this with me-too products that don't work, the results can be disastrous in terms of damage to your company's reputation and customer relationships.

The authors do not spend enough time on helping people understand how to improve their processes, and how to create more speed without killing stress on the people involved. For many companies, this book can be dangerous. I think this book could use a new edition that would address these two areas in more detail.

On the other hand, if you have any doubts about the potential benefits from speedier action, you should read this book. It will change your mind using excellent examples.

Have a speedy read!

superior insight on how to change a cost focus to time
Simply put, an oustanding book that has all the nuts and bolts needed to allow a company to transition to a time based focus from a cost based one. Easy to read, the logic is perfect. A must buy to have on your shelf (better yet ... on your desk). I read it first when I received my MBA ... read it again this last week .... and gave copies to top management I know around the country. ... Read more

Book Description

100 Fast, enjoyable games bring TQM Concepts to Life! As downright effective as it is entertaining, Quality Games for Trainers, by Marlene Caroselli, packs 100 fast-paced, hands-on activities designed to drive home TQM principles in any organization. Each self-contained game and activity includes a fully scripted mini-lecture, ways to stir up interest and encourage trainee participation, reproductible handouts, and discussion questions. In all, 12 independent sections serve up entertaining options for teaching and reinforcing the essentials of: empowering workers; benchmarking; assuring continuous improvement; enhancing communication; satisfying customers; building teamwork and enriching team meetings; improving work processes; much more. ... Read more

Book Description

This easy overview of Total Quality Management contains a detailed explanation of key quality improvement tools and techniques, along with the latest material on quality standards. Packed with examples, study questions, new tools, and a valuable look at the essentials in quality awards, it is useful as a business reference or text. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

One of The Best
In his book Cartin covers an amazing amount of ground, in depth and easily read. He provides a lot of graphs and figures, which I like for explaining concepts. Cartin is also a big fan of Control Charts and sigma, which is often given just equal treatment with the other tools in many other books, but as any practictioner knows, is the tool most often used for quality process control.

There are some new elements added from the earlier version (TQM in title), but substantively this is the same book. Good thing, the original book was a classic. I still refer to my copy often. I read a friend's copy of this newer version and decided that the older one was still 99% relevant. However, if you don't own the earlier version, buy this one. It will provide value longer than that car you're driving. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the second edition of an outstanding collection of readings on synergy. Fullyupdated with new readings and a new introduction, and with editorial comment throughout, the bookassembles the writings of the top management thinkers on corporate strategy, including Ansoff, MossKanter and Porter, and presents their views on how companies create synergy through building and sharingcapabilities. ... Read more

Book Description

Quality Management's all-new section provides the framework for designing effective administrative systems for quality management. New coverage of Six Sigma combines with a wealth of new examples from industry to communicate both the theory and reality of quality management today.

Reviews (1)

Sypnosis
This book addresses the importance of focusing an organization around systems or processes, and how such a change can affect how health care managers deal with ever-present financial pressures. It also contains astep-by-step method to be used by managers to start developing a corebusiness system structure for their organization.In order to achieve acore business system organization structure, the authors believe thathealth care managers need to refrain from making changes based solely uponbottom line or end results. Discussed are reasons why it is dangerous toapply quick fixes to the problems involved in reducing costs, as well asthe importance of making changes based on a thorough understanding of thesystem. ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for Six Sigma for Financial Professionals

"Dr. Stamatis has tackled an area that is just learning the tremendous value of the Six Sigma methodology and how to use it. The financial community is proving that Six Sigma can and will reduce errors and prevent mistakes from occurring. Dr. Stamatis lays out the formula for success by starting with the foundations of Six Sigma and then moving into its application in financial arenas. He has given numerous examples and references that will assist in developing this methodology into a reality for your organization."
–Roderick A. Munro, PhD
Business Improvement Coach

"A strong and thorough blueprint to follow for companies that are planning to implement Six Sigma. The book helps one understand how to focus on processes, not just projects, to help achieve business transformation."
–Tammy S. Mitchell
Vice President Controller
TRW Automotive

"Dr. Stamatis’s approach to Six Sigma is insightful and would benefit readers outside the quality sector and quality professionals alike. The book is refreshing in truthfully identifying Six Sigma as a collection of proven methodologies, not a new ‘silver bullet.’"
–William M. Harral, CQA, CQE, CQMgr, CRE, ASQ-Fellow
CEO, Arch Associates LLC

"As a rule, financial executives focus on the bottom line for directions and ultimate decision-making. Dr. Stamatis’s manuscript is clearly written, easily followed, and absolutely describes the potential benefits of Six Sigma and the need to incorporate it for long-term survival in any industry."
–William P. Lianos
President and Treasurer
Michigan Rivet Corporation

"Amid the crushing time crunch to compete, effective leaders have found an important tool in the Six Sigma method. Yet the plethora of information in the field often generates a confusing light without generating the necessary heat. Dr. Stamatis has penned an important, coherent, and complete contribution without cheerleading a single-minded approach. If you only have the time for one book to help you plan, prepare, or advance your Six Sigma effort, this is it."
– A. J. Deeds
President
Team Quality Development, Inc. ... Read more

Book Description

Praise for Making Quality Work "Making Quality Work challenges leaders to use the best processes and explains in succinct, readable shorthand how managers can help good people work better."—Robert W. Galvin, Chairman of the Executive Committee, Motorola, Inc. "Whether just beginning your quality journey or already on the way, this book takes the mystery out of Total Quality Management and helps you mark a clear path to quality progress." —Frederick W. Smith, Chairman, President, and CEO, Federal Express For most managers, implementing Total Quality Management often can be an exercise in frustration. Now, Making Quality Work presents a wealth of practical quality strategies, techniques, and tools you can use to apply TQM in the day-to-day life of your business. You’ll see how to motivate employees, build long-term partnerships with customers, and merge TQM with your business strategy. Making Quality Work clearly explains what you must do to move your organization ahead of the competition. And you’ll see how successful companies such as Federal Express; Motorola, and Milliken have used TQM as a powerful, competitive weapon. Making Quality Work delivers a proven approach to achieving remarkable, consistent results that help make your business sharper, more competitive, and more profitable. This is the breakthrough TQM book that you’ve been waiting for. ... Read more

Book Description

This easy-to-use book gives future managers, engineers, technologists and technicians both the tools and know-how to guide an organization to world-class quality and competitiveness. Straightforward in approach, it helps readers understand both the “big picture” behind Total Quality Management as well as its individual elements, and readily applies theories and principles to the real world today.Organized into two part: quality management's philosophy and concepts; and tools and techniques. Examines global integration and Asian economic trends; the future of quality management; revolutionary thinking in strategic planning; beliefs vs. behavior and why they are often different; global partnering and education/business partnerships; value perception and customer loyalty; problem-solving in a total-quality setting, and much more.For anyone interested in learning more about quality management. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

quality management...
ordered for used book but received brand new book with half the price.... i am more than satisfied with this product..

Highly recommended -- excellent training resource
Excellent text book and reference material for anyone in manufacturing. Straight forward, useful implementation roadmap. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A good entry level book and review for those with experience
On the surface, this book seems to be simplistic, but after reading it and considering its contents, it appears to be a worthwhile reference. The book is only 144 pages. For those relatively new to consulting and process work there's a great deal of useful information; for those more experienced, it's a gentle reminder of some of the things we tend to overlook.

The basic premise is that there's a single best way at any point in time to do a particular process; as circumstances change (different equipment, different specs/requirements, etc.) then the process should change. While this concept appears good on the surface, there are a host of possible other exceptions, not the least of which are individuals' talents and abilities (a concept that I didn't see mentioned in the book).

Among the gems that I did see, are the concept that employees are disinclined to work towards better practices if they feel their jobs or security are threatened by the "improvements". It's incumbent upon those in power to provide some degree of security to ensure that conscientious employees don't "suggest" themselves out of a job.

An interesting anecdote presented was the story of three managers studying the best way to standardize the receipt of a tank truckload of alcohol at a petroleum terminal. When they got to the step of measuring the specific gravity which was then reported to other parts of the organization they found out that each had a slightly different method of measurement. Interestingly, none of them knew what the desired range was or what to do if the product was "off-spec". In checking with the recipients of the reports, it was determined that the specific gravity was not important and the reports were discarded when received - thus the entire process of measuring and reporting was unnecessary.

The authors present and discuss a 13-step process, which lists key activities. Some discussion is covered of the food services' HACCP (Hazard Analysis of Critical Control Points) method in relation to their 13-step process, but they find it necessary to add a step 9-1/2: Double-check the Process. OSHA, EPA and ISO 9002 are mentioned in passing.

The Appendices include Process Mastering Forms and Checklists as well as a listing of measurement items by discipline (Accounting, Customer Service, etc.).

If you're already a Process Master and have ample references on your bookshelf, you may want to pass on this book; otherwise it can be an informative and useful tool.

Very Light Text - Quite Disappointing
There is little depth to this book that presents very simplified case studies and process tools and techniques. For instance, the authors only present flow charts for process flow and even the cases they show are quite simple. There is nothing that covers when you have overlapping processes or reuse in processes. They do not mention Use Cases for documenting business processes or IDEF0. The best point is the quotes from other notable authors

Summary: Very little depth, quite disappointing.

Excellent Resource
I am recommending this book because it is very straight forward and offers a lot of good advise and templates. Some books are either quite dated (for example BPR in the 90's) or very academic. This book is definitely useful for current real-world needs.

A Practical empowering way to document a process
I found Process Mastering to be a very valuable resource. The book is well written and straight forward in describing how to develop a process master.

In my field of information technology (IT), it is critical for progam designers to have a baseline of how a program presently works. This is best done by a representative team of end users. I have found process mastering the most economical and efficient way to get a document that describes the current system. By doing a process master the team becomes empowered to improve the present process without the IT people and to know what else they want or need IT to do for them. Additionally, the team becomes more effective in their participation in the joint application development (JAD) with the IT folks.

The philosophy behind the approach is very empowering to employees since it is they, the people who do the work, who develop the process masters. I am also pleased with the emphasis that the book puts on understanding the needs of internal and external customers.

Finally, I can recommend this book to anyone who has processes they want to improve and who sees the value of engaging the energy, thought and commitment of their employees to do it. This book, this process, is truly liberating even to the extent of giving meaning and value to previously mundane work.

Reduce learning curves, improve processes, cut costs.
Streamlining, downsizing, cost cutting, etc., are terms everyone in the business world knows all too well. Coping with these situations has become commonplace, but the solutions for replacing displaced personnel are not simple. The result is an increase in process variations, customer complaints, and production concerns that add to the stress everyone in the organization experiences. When a vacancy occurs, a manager's burden increases. The manager has to scramble to find a replacement who then must be trained to function effectively. Extended training times are a luxury that neither the manager, the department, nor the organization can afford, yet truncated training results in increased process variation and errors. In Process Mastering: How To Establish And Document The Best Known Way To Do A Job, Ray Wilson and Paul Harsin offer a solution.

While the title may give the impression that the book's purpose is to ensure that system documentation is compatible with ISO or ISO/QS requirements, the authors have a higher purpose. They recognize the problems managers face and also understand that the manner in which system documentation is developed is inadequate. They propose a method of developing process documentation that not only aids in the preservation of an associate's knowledge, but also helps to reduce the learning curve for new associates. An added bonus is a reduction in process variation during the training or transition period.

The authors define "process mastering" as the fundamental building block for continuous improvement, and as such, they describe a more complete and value-added approach to process documentation. While most organizations have used process mapping for documented processes, they have failed to implement a most important element, which is the evaluation of process needs and interactions which are used to determine the critical process steps. Combining the best of process mapping, quality function deployment, process analysis and planning, and cross functional team techniques in a simple manner, the authors present a more effective method for establishing the "best known way" to do a job.

The authors are not proposing a method that is either "magic" or easy. What they are proposing is a method that managers may use to avoid suboptimizing the system while juggling multiple projects and priorities. In addition to the flowcharts, forms, and templates, the examples provided in the book make this an excellent reference for managers wishing to evaluate or implement process mastering. Whether your specialty is manufacturing, engineering, quality, or auditing, you will find this book a worthwhile resource. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a "hands-on, how-to" guide to making significant improvements in a manufacturing plant. Uniquely written in a step-by-step format for both managers and operators, Implementing World Class Manufacturing allows everyone in a facility to participate in making the business the best at what it does - now and in the future. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Great training resource
Though the title implies implementation, I see this more as an educational resource used to train both shop floor workers and management alike. Under this context, this book is outstanding.
Excellent diagrams, charts, and photos make understanding 5S, manufacturing cells, kanbans, and techniques for setup reduction easy.
In fact, the basic concepts behind lean manufacturing are simple. The problem with most lean manufacturing books is that the authors often complicate the subject to make themselves seem as though they are smarter and have something unique to add (when they really don't). This book keeps lean simple.
Great book.

One of the best "implementation" manuals I have seen.
We are going through a major re-organization from push system manufacturing to pull manufacturing in our facility and throughout the company. This book fits in quite nicely with this endeavor. The book does a nice job of explaining concepts and implementation of the principles. It is easy to read. Additionally, it has forms for suggested use in organizing information, AND it explains the forms and how to use them. I am purchasing multiple copies for distribution to all of my Manufacturing Engineers. Too I am recommeding it for use throughout the company.

An excellent training book suited for shopfloor associates
This is a book that small and medium-sized manufacturers can use to develop in-house training materials for educating their workforce on the how-to's of WCM. The explanations are succint with simple and well-written examples, backed by the rich experience of the authors. Supplementary materials available from the authors would allow any Plant Manager to develop customized training materials specific to his/her shopfloor. A particular merit of this book is the that it recommends the sequence in which the various elements of a WCM manufacturing program ought to be taught/implemented for best results. I plan to recommend this book as a reference to undergraduates who co-op or intern at companies as part of their educational experience.

Excellent manual provides "How-to" details and consideration
Unlike other books on "world class manufacturing" which are intended more for business school students and management theorists, this book really is a Shop Floor Manual as the title suggests. Each subject and technique is explained, application considerations are given, and real life "how-to" instructions are provided so that all concerned, from production worker to group leader and production manager, can easily understand and implement the technique in their company. Implementation of just one of the hundreds of world class manufacturing techniques covered will return the price of the book manyfold.

A must-read about World Class Manufacturing activities.
For those who are serious about World Class Manufacturing activities on the shop floor, this book is a must-read. The authors have created a detailed, step-by-step guide filled with useful examples, forms, quotes, and stories. ... Read more

Book Description

Like most manufacturers today, your company is probably striving toward the critical goal of organizational excellence. And because there are many avenues to achieving this goal, you're most likely using a variety of improvement processes. What you need to navigate your way to successful implementation is a collection of problem-solving and process improvement tools. However, If you're a team leader or facilitator in a manufacturing environment, chances are you've had trouble finding a set of tools tailored specifically to your needs. Well, look no further. Based on the same principles and user-friendly design of the Tool Navigator-Master Guide for Teams, here's a package of 40 dynamic tools to guide your teams through successful process improvement. Understanding your unique needs, we've carefully chosen the 40 most powerful tools for teams working in a manufacturing environment. This compact book is packed with plenty of illustrations, tables, and references to help you navigate your way through the problem-solving process. In addition, the author provides an overview and relevant background information essential to the proper selection, sequencing, and application of major tools such as JIT, TPM, Process Mapping, and Cycle Time Management. Finally, here's a quality toolbox worthy of your tough manufacturing standards ... Read more

Amazon.com Audiobook Review

Utilizing principles outlined in her many works--including the bestselling Anatomy of the Spirit--Carolyn Myss tells listeners how to restructure their thinking in order to better handle crises, health problems, and life in general. She divides power into three levels: tribal, individual, and symbolic, in which a person observes his/her life as if from a distance. Myss is an energetic speaker, keeping listeners tuned in by punctuating her lecture with compelling anecdotes (listen for the one about the mother of a hemophiliac), clear analogies (power as perfume), and bold statements (she believes the notion of having only five senses is antiquated). Performed in front of a live audience, Three Levels was also recorded as a PBS television special. (Running time: 2.75 hours, 2 cassettes) --Kimberly Heinrichs ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fascinating concepts on where we get and loose power.
I heard this author first discuss this information in lecture, then again on tape. She is riveting. Her wisdom is so "right on" that it left me stunned for some days, trying digest the sheer quanity of new insights I had to find a place for it in my gut. This tape set truly analyizes the creation and maintenence of personal power, how we get it, loose it, and minipulate with it. Interesting also, is how we get suckered in by others who have found out power leaks. A must for folks in competitive work places, or disfunctional families. It taught me how to be more fair and truthful to myself and others. Thanks to the Author. :-)

Can't wait to hear tape one.
I listened to tape two of the two tape series. It was recommended and lent to me by my brother. (he must still have tape one!) Even though I started on tape two, I was able to follow along midstream without difficulty. The author delves into her meaning of "self" and "self-discovery" that came to her on her journey into her faith. It is thought provoking and intellectual without losing the listener. The interviewer's questions were insightful, and really what I wanted to ask. It reminded me of a Bill Moyers type of interview. Respect for the author, while asking tough questions. ... Read more

Book Description

What Is Design for Six Sigma? reveals how to use DFSS to design new products, services, and processes so that quality problems can be solved before they ever start. Topics include:

• How to design new products and processes
• The DMADOV implementation process (Define, Measure, Analyze, Design, Optimize, and Verify)
• How to redesign existing processes and services

Book Description

U.S. managers tend to look at the quality challenge posed by Japanese industry in the early 1980s as a challenge slowly yet successfully met. Academics see the emergent quality movement as just another fad. This book is about reconciling these images. Can managers learn from fads? Robert Cole explores the reasons behind American industry's slow response to the challenge of high quality Japanese goods, then proceeds to explain the factors which eventually enabled management to effectively address the quality gap. He argues that a variety of institutional factors slowed management's response in the U.S., and describes the reshaping of institutional forces that lead to sustained quality improvements in the 1990s. Ultimately, this book is about factors inhibiting and supporting organizational learning and provides lessons for all those interested in the issue of organizational transformation. ... Read more

Book Description

For TQM to succeed in America, you need to create anAmerican-style "learning organization" with the full commitment andunderstanding of senior managers and executives. Written expressly forthis audience, A New American TQM offers a comprehensive and detailedexplanation of TQM and how to implement it, based on courses taught atMIT's Sloan School of Management and the Center for Quality Management,a consortium of American companies. Full of case studies and amplyillustrated, the book examines major quality tools and how they arebeing used by the most progressive American companies today. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A real practical TQM book
This book has provided a very practical TQM framework, both for the concepts and the implementation. The book very well describes how to adopt and practise the Customer Focus concept, a component of TQM, by using well explained standard steps and real world examples. The best thing about this book, however, is that it has been written with the very common English so that it is not too difficult to understand by those using English as their second language.

TQM for XXI century
Nice review of the very best practices of total quality management. Grat number of dramatic samples of quality tools use. Recomanded to professional of quality business. ... Read more

Book Description

Another new book in the popular and original series of pictorial guides -John Oakland cuts through the complex concepts and confusing jargon associated with implementing Total Quality, and Peter Morris presents the information in his inimitable pictorial style. This book will show students and managers what they need to understand about TQM in the simplest, clearest and most memorable form.


Professor John Oakland is undoubtedly the British guru of quality management. Following a successful industrial career in research and production management, he has developed a pragmatic approach to introducing TQM which he and his colleagues have used successfully in literally thousands of organizations. He is founder and Executive Chairman of OAKLAND Consulting Plc. and Head of the European Centre for TQM at the University of Bradford Management Centre.Also published by Butterworth-Heinemann are John Oakland's bestselling Total Quality Management (now in its second edition) and Cases in Total Quality Management.Peter Morris is the creative force behind the illustrations in all Butterworth-Heinemann's pictorial guides.Originally trained as an art teacher, he spent several years as an industrial designer in Canada before returning to England to design educational and training materials for the University of Sussex.His experience working on industrial contracts convinced him, quite rightly, that cartoons are frequently the best way to illustrate the abstractions of business life.

Part of the popular and original series of pictorial guides
Enables students and managers to grasp the basic concepts of TQM
TQM presented in its simplest, clearest and most memorable form ... Read more

Book Description

Quality System Assessors are deployed both by registration bodies to verify an organisation's compliance with the standard and also by companies seeking registration who have to assess their system before being audited by an external body. Most of their time is spent walking around companies asking questions, so there is a real need for a handy book to assist auditors on the move which will help jog the memory when planning an audit away from home.


A book containing many lists and tables is the ideal solution. The first five chapters cover the auditing process, first in outline and then more thoroughly, the four phases of an audit. There then follow another seven chapters each intended to assist auditors in some aspect of their job. Also included are some statistics on ISO 9000 which auditors can use to help others, a bibliography and a dictionary of auditing terms placed at the back for ease of use.There are also anecdotal case studies throughout the text which illustrate in a memorable manner the key concepts being examined. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Process Management
This book is geared around implementing ISO along the Business Managment Approach, essentially fortelling the coming of ISO 9000:2000.

I had tried several other "published", "easy" methods for implementing ISO and found that the routine approaches were cumbersome, secular in that they focussed on each clause, and generally was a project plan requiring that all needed to divert their attention from the business and product development to writing 'clause' related procedures. In other words, they dropped the business and development process to write these procedures that seem to fall outside the scope of the business.

This book offered for the first time a process management approach that, if sequenced properly, can merge seamlessly into the development of the business in parallel to the quality system development. I also noticed that auditors generally audited around the process management approach and not the clauses. This book provided the link I needed to develop a coherent strategy that can achieve ISO without disrupting the business and works well in both start ups and mature companies.

A true handbook
This is a book that address comprehensively and rigourously all the auditing process. The effort and the success of David Hoyle to explain difficult concepts are very remarkable. The methodology "auditing by process" proposed by the author is going to be necessary with the ISO 9000 year 2000 edition. The chapter "tips for auditors" show, for example, his thorough knowledge and experience on the auditing field.

The book is very useful for me and a permanent source of inspiration on my work as quality consultant and auditor. Really this book is a true "handbook".

This book and also the others author's books are, in my opinión, clear references for the quality professional.

Excellent book for professional auditors
In my opinion this book is excellent and very useful for professional auditors. This book is written about auditing itself, but not about implementing ISO 9000. It is not just a know-how book for auditing and it gives essence of auditing from principles of auditing and auditing process to useful information for auditors. I have noted that this book is read world-wide from the fact that it has been already translated into Japanese and Spanish.

Unworkable
In my opinion this book is completely unworkable. For a company to be able to follow this book and try to impliment what the author is suggesting would be an administrative nightmare. The company would have to be cash rich, non-competitive and be overstaffed to cope with doing things his way. I wonder if the author has any actual experience of putting in ISO 9000 in a commercial company because my company certainly could not afford to do it his way.

Quality Systems Assessment
Although this book is packed with information, it is a bit confusing even for the most experienced in ISO. I have personally worked with David Hoyle. Although a very pleasent person, he tends to make things far more complicated than necessary. I think his books are the same - far more complicated than they need to be. ... Read more