Just to get you... Read>> Posted November 13, 2008
A TRIP TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC Thoughts and pictures from Central Europe
Darden has a way of getting students out into the world. Perhaps it has something to do with the long days (and longer nights) spent studying in a small town. Or, perhaps it has everything to do with the way our faculty constantly talk about the consulting engagements that take them all over the world during their summers and vacations...
I don't know why most people go, but I know why I went. I went because a good friend of mine brought it to my attention and bluntly stated that the trip was going to be awesome. I'd be a fool not to seize this opportunity. Ok. And the trip was partially subsidized by the school. That was all it took.
The trip was designed to give business school students exposure to one of the cornerstones of the Toyota Production System (modified here to become a critical part of the Danaher Production System) - Kaizen. Kaizen, at its core, simply means that you are constantly working working to improve things. This, in itself, wouldn't be all that earth-shattering of a concept if it weren't for the zeal and tremendous energy adherents pour into making sure they are constantly improving.
I went to see what this was like first-hand, and was astounded by the depth to which this company has absorbed Kaizen thinking into their manufacturing schedule. For example, during the week we were there the shop came to a near standstill on several occasions while we rearranged machines and fiddled with experimental methods of assembling motors. Under normal circumstances I would have expected the management to have been extremely concerned about the decrease in production. Not so. The manager in charge of operations was with teams (there were 4 of 5 groups of people 1/2 students 1/2 plant workers working at all times) 12-14 hours a day, every day and seemed genuinely happy when a radical change to production was suggested.
I hadn't seen the blood, guts, and gore of the inner workings of this type of production before but, I assure you, I now have a much deeper and more profound appreciation for the choreography and interpersonal skills it takes to keep 25-30 widgets coming off every line, every day, 365 days a year.
I could, of course, talk all about what we did, but that would be boring to most people. Instead, I'll sum up the transportable learning experiences that I left Central Europe with.
1. People skills really are the most critical ingredients for success in business. Time after time I saw the dual-edged nature of interpersonal skills either sinking a team, or helping one to survive in very challenging environments. For those of you at Darden... It really is all about LO.
2. As a general manager you should invest in learning new methods and techniques of good business rather than just fine tuning your current model. Why? Because, while expertise can be found (and bought!) quite easily, you can't hire what you can't imagine. In other words, having the sense that six sigma, advanced calculus, or CAD could solve the problem is more important than being able to do all those things. On the other hand, if you don't know a particular solution exists - you'll never be able to buy it.
On the way into and out of the Czech Republic I spent a few days exploring the cities and country in between Vienna and Brno, Czech Republic. I have uploaded some of the pictures from my trip (both film and digital photography) in my gallery and you can find a link to the left.
There is much more to write about this experience but, for now, I hope it will suffice to say that the Kaizen way of looking at business has also dramatically affected the way I look at my house and my life.
Now, off to bring the process of continual improvement to my home office. .. Posted October 05, 2009
Posted by: Richins Nice post. I'm glad you decided to come. I'd love to revisit the pictures and talk about the lessons we learned on the trip. Can't imagine how it would have gone without you. Posted 2009-10-05 20:33:17 People Skills Posted by: Monwar Hussain Great read, and a good take-away. I have a lot to improve on that regard, though. :)
Thanks for reinforcing the point. Posted 2009-10-12 01:10:56 COMMENT ON THIS POST
