Business901

In my mailbox several weeks ago from the website Academia.edu, I came across a an interesting article, How Instructional Designers Solve Workplace Problems, co-authored by Dr. Lisa Yamagata-Lynch. An abstract on the article: The findings revealed differences between experts and novices with regards to tolerance of ambiguity, expectations about their own roles in finding solutions for their clients, adaptability, attention to appropriate details, and management of workplace stress. The contrast between instructional design processes taught in universities and actual workplace practice was noted by both expert and novice participants. Experienced participants demonstrated adaptability in processes and communications to efficiently arrive at viable solutions for their clients. Expectation setting and relationship building emerged as techniques for creating environments supportive of instructional designers' problem-solving activities. Dr. Yamagata-Lynch authored the book Activity Systems Analysis Methods: Understanding Complex Learning Environments where she outlines Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). CHAT is one of several theoretical frameworks that are popular among educational researchers because it conceptualizes individuals and their environment as a holistic unit of analysis.  Activity systems analysis is one of the popular methods among CHAT researchers for mapping complex human interactions from qualitative data. I found the area fascinating and applicability to sales and marketing. I had a great time in the podcast as we explored the world of Design and discussed her present work in Design Thinking and Theory. What Dr. Lisa Yamagata-Lynch says about herself: Teaching Interests In the classroom I encourage students to experience their own construction of understanding regarding the teaching-learning and design processes. I want my students to be aware of their beliefs regarding this process, and to be aware of what influences those beliefs have on their teaching and design practices. I encourage students to become involved in a dialogue with colleagues and mentors regarding their beliefs, and to become reflective practitioners. Through the activities I facilitate, I want students to pose questions that engage them in project-based problem solving activities. I do not want to promote the impression that there is one correct answer for issues related to teaching and design, but I want students to be able to find their own pedagogical solutions. Research Interests I identify myself as a Cultural Historical Activity Theorist (CHAT), and I believe that knowledge is not an isolated set of rules accessed only when necessary, but is a shared entity that is distributed among individuals, context, activity, artifacts, and in the interactions that take place among the above. I also believe that individuals belong in a community that enables them to share and negotiate their knowledge with other members. For the last several years I have focused my research in using activity theory, or more specifically activity systems analysis, for understanding the complex nature of human interactions within a community.

In my mailbox several weeks ago from the website Academia.edu, I came across a an interesting article, How Instructional Designers Solve Workplace Problems, co-authored by Dr. Lisa Yamagata-Lynch. An abstract on the article: The findings revealed differences between experts and novices with regards to tolerance of ambiguity, expectations about their own roles in finding solutions for their clients, adaptability, attention to appropriate details, and management of workplace stress. The contrast between instructional design processes taught in universities and actual workplace practice was noted by both expert and novice participants. Experienced participants demonstrated adaptability in processes and communications to efficiently arrive at viable solutions for their clients. Expectation setting and relationship building emerged as techniques for creating environments supportive of instructional designers' problem-solving activities. Dr. Yamagata-Lynch authored the book Activity Systems Analysis Methods: Understanding Complex Learning Environments where she outlines Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). CHAT is one of several theoretical frameworks that are popular among educational researchers because it conceptualizes individuals and their environment as a holistic unit of analysis.  Activity systems analysis is one of the popular methods among CHAT researchers for mapping complex human interactions from qualitative data. I found the area fascinating and applicability to sales and marketing. I had a great time in the podcast as we explored the world of Design and discussed her present work in Design Thinking and Theory. What Dr. Lisa Yamagata-Lynch says about herself: Teaching Interests In the classroom I encourage students to experience their own construction of understanding regarding the teaching-learning and design processes. I want my students to be aware of their beliefs regarding this process, and to be aware of what influences those beliefs have on their teaching and design practices. I encourage students to become involved in a dialogue with colleagues and mentors regarding their beliefs, and to become reflective practitioners. Through the activities I facilitate, I want students to pose questions that engage them in project-based problem solving activities. I do not want to promote the impression that there is one correct answer for issues related to teaching and design, but I want students to be able to find their own pedagogical solutions. Research Interests I identify myself as a Cultural Historical Activity Theorist (CHAT), and I believe that knowledge is not an isolated set of rules accessed only when necessary, but is a shared entity that is distributed among individuals, context, activity, artifacts, and in the interactions that take place among the above. I also believe that individuals belong in a community that enables them to share and negotiate their knowledge with other members. For the last several years I have focused my research in using activity theory, or more specifically activity systems analysis, for understanding the complex nature of human interactions within a community.

In my mailbox several weeks ago from the website Academia.edu, I came across a an interesting article, How Instructional Designers Solve Workplace Problems, co-authored by Dr. Lisa Yamagata-Lynch. An abstract on the article: The findings revealed differences between experts and novices with regards to tolerance of ambiguity, expectations about their own roles in finding solutions for their clients, adaptability, attention to appropriate details, and management of workplace stress. The contrast between instructional design processes taught in universities and actual workplace practice was noted by both expert and novice participants. Experienced participants demonstrated adaptability in processes and communications to efficiently arrive at viable solutions for their clients. Expectation setting and relationship building emerged as techniques for creating environments supportive of instructional designers' problem-solving activities. Dr. Yamagata-Lynch authored the book Activity Systems Analysis Methods: Understanding Complex Learning Environments where she outlines Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT). CHAT is one of several theoretical frameworks that are popular among educational researchers because it conceptualizes individuals and their environment as a holistic unit of analysis.  Activity systems analysis is one of the popular methods among CHAT researchers for mapping complex human interactions from qualitative data. I found the area fascinating and applicability to sales and marketing. I had a great time in the podcast as we explored the world of Design and discussed her present work in Design Thinking and Theory. What Dr. Lisa Yamagata-Lynch says about herself: Teaching Interests In the classroom I encourage students to experience their own construction of understanding regarding the teaching-learning and design processes. I want my students to be aware of their beliefs regarding this process, and to be aware of what influences those beliefs have on their teaching and design practices. I encourage students to become involved in a dialogue with colleagues and mentors regarding their beliefs, and to become reflective practitioners. Through the activities I facilitate, I want students to pose questions that engage them in project-based problem solving activities. I do not want to promote the impression that there is one correct answer for issues related to teaching and design, but I want students to be able to find their own pedagogical solutions. Research Interests I identify myself as a Cultural Historical Activity Theorist (CHAT), and I believe that knowledge is not an isolated set of rules accessed only when necessary, but is a shared entity that is distributed among individuals, context, activity, artifacts, and in the interactions that take place among the above. I also believe that individuals belong in a community that enables them to share and negotiate their knowledge with other members. For the last several years I have focused my research in using activity theory, or more specifically activity systems analysis, for understanding the complex nature of human interactions within a community.

Beyond Agile: Tales of Continuous Improvement is the latest publication of Modus Cooperandi. Co-author Maritza van den Heuvel is my guest on the podcast. Beyond Agile examines 10 companies, mostly in the tech world, but also in innovative automotive and business consulting, that have actively evolved their processes. Using tools from Lean, Agile and other schools of management thought, these companies have actively engaged in continuous improvement. Beyond Agile other authors are Jim Benson and Joanne Ho. Maritza is also the author of the Becoming an Agile Family blog where she writes about the ways her family uses Personal Kanban to navigate work and life. You can also find Maritza on Twitter (@maritzavdh). Maritiza also appeared in another Business901 Podcast,  Becoming an Agile Family thru Kanban. A written excerpt of the blog appeared last week, Life does not stand still Work does not stand still. About Maritza van den Heuvel: Maritza spent six years doing research in computational linguistics after completing a Postgraduate degree in Linguistics. She eventually left academia for the software industry where she cut her teeth on Agile and Scrum as a Scrum Master and Product Owner, helping teams to evolve from waterfall to Scrum. Along the way, her unquenchable thirst for knowledge led her to Kanban and Lean systems thinking. Since then, she has become a passionate proponent of the power of constraints and visual controls to transform the world of work in the 21st century. She is currently with Pearson Southern Africa, where she’s applying her background to leading innovation in technology-enabled education.

Beyond Agile: Tales of Continuous Improvement is the latest publication of Modus Cooperandi. Co-author Maritza van den Heuvel is my guest on the podcast. Beyond Agile examines 10 companies, mostly in the tech world, but also in innovative automotive and business consulting, that have actively evolved their processes. Using tools from Lean, Agile and other schools of management thought, these companies have actively engaged in continuous improvement. Beyond Agile other authors are Jim Benson and Joanne Ho. Maritza is also the author of the Becoming an Agile Family blog where she writes about the ways her family uses Personal Kanban to navigate work and life. You can also find Maritza on Twitter (@maritzavdh). Maritiza also appeared in another Business901 Podcast,  Becoming an Agile Family thru Kanban. A written excerpt of the blog appeared last week, Life does not stand still Work does not stand still. About Maritza van den Heuvel: Maritza spent six years doing research in computational linguistics after completing a Postgraduate degree in Linguistics. She eventually left academia for the software industry where she cut her teeth on Agile and Scrum as a Scrum Master and Product Owner, helping teams to evolve from waterfall to Scrum. Along the way, her unquenchable thirst for knowledge led her to Kanban and Lean systems thinking. Since then, she has become a passionate proponent of the power of constraints and visual controls to transform the world of work in the 21st century. She is currently with Pearson Southern Africa, where she’s applying her background to leading innovation in technology-enabled education.

Beyond Agile: Tales of Continuous Improvement is the latest publication of Modus Cooperandi. Co-author Maritza van den Heuvel is my guest on the podcast. Beyond Agile examines 10 companies, mostly in the tech world, but also in innovative automotive and business consulting, that have actively evolved their processes. Using tools from Lean, Agile and other schools of management thought, these companies have actively engaged in continuous improvement. Beyond Agile other authors are Jim Benson and Joanne Ho. Maritza is also the author of the Becoming an Agile Family blog where she writes about the ways her family uses Personal Kanban to navigate work and life. You can also find Maritza on Twitter (@maritzavdh). Maritiza also appeared in another Business901 Podcast,  Becoming an Agile Family thru Kanban. A written excerpt of the blog appeared last week, Life does not stand still Work does not stand still. About Maritza van den Heuvel: Maritza spent six years doing research in computational linguistics after completing a Postgraduate degree in Linguistics. She eventually left academia for the software industry where she cut her teeth on Agile and Scrum as a Scrum Master and Product Owner, helping teams to evolve from waterfall to Scrum. Along the way, her unquenchable thirst for knowledge led her to Kanban and Lean systems thinking. Since then, she has become a passionate proponent of the power of constraints and visual controls to transform the world of work in the 21st century. She is currently with Pearson Southern Africa, where she’s applying her background to leading innovation in technology-enabled education.

Jeffrey G. Soper, Ph.D., Executive Director of the International Strategic Business Partner Institute, and the creator of Problem Solving LeadershipTM and the C.L.I.C.KTM Process is my podcast guest this week.  Dr. Soper is a seasoned executive, consultant, author, and coach who is a recognized expert in the fields of leadership development, performance improvement, and creativity and innovation. Jeff will be presenting at the The ASQ Charlotte Section Annual Conference 2013, Quality Conference of the Carolinas. The conference is held at UNC Charlotte Center City and is a one-day event on April 16th. Additional information and registration can be obtained at http://www.asqcharlotte.org/ASQ/. An outline of Dr. Soper’s presentation: Problem Solving Leadership In his upcoming book Problem Solving LeadershipTM, Dr. Jeffrey G. Soper challenges the conventional wisdom of current leadership development thought and practice stating that “The problem with leadership can be found in the definition of the leadership problem.” His challenge is not that the focusing upon leadership skills and follower receptivity is wrong, but rather that it is incomplete. Problem Solving LeadershipTM contends that a key element of the leadership problem is missing – the nature of the work to be accomplished.

Jeffrey G. Soper, Ph.D., Executive Director of the International Strategic Business Partner Institute, and the creator of Problem Solving LeadershipTM and the C.L.I.C.KTM Process is my podcast guest this week.  Dr. Soper is a seasoned executive, consultant, author, and coach who is a recognized expert in the fields of leadership development, performance improvement, and creativity and innovation. Jeff will be presenting at the The ASQ Charlotte Section Annual Conference 2013, Quality Conference of the Carolinas. The conference is held at UNC Charlotte Center City and is a one-day event on April 16th. Additional information and registration can be obtained at http://www.asqcharlotte.org/ASQ/. An outline of Dr. Soper’s presentation: Problem Solving Leadership In his upcoming book Problem Solving LeadershipTM, Dr. Jeffrey G. Soper challenges the conventional wisdom of current leadership development thought and practice stating that “The problem with leadership can be found in the definition of the leadership problem.” His challenge is not that the focusing upon leadership skills and follower receptivity is wrong, but rather that it is incomplete. Problem Solving LeadershipTM contends that a key element of the leadership problem is missing – the nature of the work to be accomplished.

Jeffrey G. Soper, Ph.D., Executive Director of the International Strategic Business Partner Institute, and the creator of Problem Solving LeadershipTM and the C.L.I.C.KTM Process is my podcast guest this week.  Dr. Soper is a seasoned executive, consultant, author, and coach who is a recognized expert in the fields of leadership development, performance improvement, and creativity and innovation. Jeff will be presenting at the The ASQ Charlotte Section Annual Conference 2013, Quality Conference of the Carolinas. The conference is held at UNC Charlotte Center City and is a one-day event on April 16th. Additional information and registration can be obtained at http://www.asqcharlotte.org/ASQ/. An outline of Dr. Soper’s presentation: Problem Solving Leadership In his upcoming book Problem Solving LeadershipTM, Dr. Jeffrey G. Soper challenges the conventional wisdom of current leadership development thought and practice stating that “The problem with leadership can be found in the definition of the leadership problem.” His challenge is not that the focusing upon leadership skills and follower receptivity is wrong, but rather that it is incomplete. Problem Solving LeadershipTM contends that a key element of the leadership problem is missing – the nature of the work to be accomplished.

In retrospect, I cannot honestly say why I ended up following Dr. Deming more so than Dr. Juran, or Philip Crosby, who I consider the other giants of the quality movement. I am not even sure in my first several readings of Dr, Deming that I even understood how it applied to me other than fix the process don’t blame the people. The work of Brian Joiner and Peter Scholtes along with Eliyahu Goldratt influenced me the most at the time. I give them the majority of the credit for my process knowledge. I was a manufacturer and had learned the trade from the ground up. I did not use these words at the time, but I had learned by doing. I found Lean to be fundamentally the same as what I had learned in The Team Handbook and The Leader’s Handbook along with a variety of Theory of Constraint books. Later, I read Brain Joiner’s Fourth Generation Management and the Plain and Simple Series Books. These were books that a simple practitioner could use, follow, implement and train. Brian Joiner and Peter Scholtes body of work though at times gathered dust on my bookshelf, their work over the years have contributed the basis of what I now call Lean Marketing or Lean Service Design. It is quite an honor for me to be able to introduce and have this conversation with Brian Joiner. We did discuss the quality side and Dr. Deming but that was not my intent of the podcast. Instead, we centered on his passion for the environment and sustainability along with his latest interest in health systems. Brian has touched my career, and I am sure many others. There is much wisdom in what he says, and I hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I did the interview. Brian was a protege of W. Edwards Deming and has received the Deming Medal, the Shewhart Medal, the Hunter Award, the Ott Award, and the Wilcoxon Prize. In addition, he was one of the original nine judges of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and one of the originators of the Minitab statistical software system. Since 1997, Brian has contributed much of his time to the environment and sustainability working primarily through the Sustain Dane community. Brian is at this time is contributing to greater health care solutions through his work at Joiner Associates LLC.

In retrospect, I cannot honestly say why I ended up following Dr. Deming more so than Dr. Juran, or Philip Crosby, who I consider the other giants of the quality movement. I am not even sure in my first several readings of Dr, Deming that I even understood how it applied to me other than fix the process don’t blame the people. The work of Brian Joiner and Peter Scholtes along with Eliyahu Goldratt influenced me the most at the time. I give them the majority of the credit for my process knowledge. I was a manufacturer and had learned the trade from the ground up. I did not use these words at the time, but I had learned by doing. I found Lean to be fundamentally the same as what I had learned in The Team Handbook and The Leader’s Handbook along with a variety of Theory of Constraint books. Later, I read Brain Joiner’s Fourth Generation Management and the Plain and Simple Series Books. These were books that a simple practitioner could use, follow, implement and train. Brian Joiner and Peter Scholtes body of work though at times gathered dust on my bookshelf, their work over the years have contributed the basis of what I now call Lean Marketing or Lean Service Design. It is quite an honor for me to be able to introduce and have this conversation with Brian Joiner. We did discuss the quality side and Dr. Deming but that was not my intent of the podcast. Instead, we centered on his passion for the environment and sustainability along with his latest interest in health systems. Brian has touched my career, and I am sure many others. There is much wisdom in what he says, and I hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I did the interview. Brian was a protege of W. Edwards Deming and has received the Deming Medal, the Shewhart Medal, the Hunter Award, the Ott Award, and the Wilcoxon Prize. In addition, he was one of the original nine judges of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and one of the originators of the Minitab statistical software system. Since 1997, Brian has contributed much of his time to the environment and sustainability working primarily through the Sustain Dane community. Brian is at this time is contributing to greater health care solutions through his work at Joiner Associates LLC.

In retrospect, I cannot honestly say why I ended up following Dr. Deming more so than Dr. Juran, or Philip Crosby, who I consider the other giants of the quality movement. I am not even sure in my first several readings of Dr, Deming that I even understood how it applied to me other than fix the process don’t blame the people. The work of Brian Joiner and Peter Scholtes along with Eliyahu Goldratt influenced me the most at the time. I give them the majority of the credit for my process knowledge. I was a manufacturer and had learned the trade from the ground up. I did not use these words at the time, but I had learned by doing. I found Lean to be fundamentally the same as what I had learned in The Team Handbook and The Leader’s Handbook along with a variety of Theory of Constraint books. Later, I read Brain Joiner’s Fourth Generation Management and the Plain and Simple Series Books. These were books that a simple practitioner could use, follow, implement and train. Brian Joiner and Peter Scholtes body of work though at times gathered dust on my bookshelf, their work over the years have contributed the basis of what I now call Lean Marketing or Lean Service Design. It is quite an honor for me to be able to introduce and have this conversation with Brian Joiner. We did discuss the quality side and Dr. Deming but that was not my intent of the podcast. Instead, we centered on his passion for the environment and sustainability along with his latest interest in health systems. Brian has touched my career, and I am sure many others. There is much wisdom in what he says, and I hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I did the interview. Brian was a protege of W. Edwards Deming and has received the Deming Medal, the Shewhart Medal, the Hunter Award, the Ott Award, and the Wilcoxon Prize. In addition, he was one of the original nine judges of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award and one of the originators of the Minitab statistical software system. Since 1997, Brian has contributed much of his time to the environment and sustainability working primarily through the Sustain Dane community. Brian is at this time is contributing to greater health care solutions through his work at Joiner Associates LLC.

Ken Rolfes of KDR Associates, has spent more than 30 years in public and private companies that design, manufacture, and market technically based products for the medical device, industrial product and computer industries. He has extensive Lean Enterprise experience in general management, new product development, cost management systems, turnarounds, acquisitions and divestitures, and various financial transactions including IPO, private equity and venture capital financing. Ken is a nuts and bolts guy operating at the highest level in an organization. A Lean Practitioner in every sense of the word and I do not know how to bestow a higher compliment. I hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I did. Would you like this Blog Feed delivered to your inbox? Considering taking the next step towards developing a customer–centered culture. Purchase the Marketing with Lean Book Series and receiving access to the online Lean Sales and Marketing Training at no additional charge.

Ken Rolfes of KDR Associates, has spent more than 30 years in public and private companies that design, manufacture, and market technically based products for the medical device, industrial product and computer industries. He has extensive Lean Enterprise experience in general management, new product development, cost management systems, turnarounds, acquisitions and divestitures, and various financial transactions including IPO, private equity and venture capital financing. Ken is a nuts and bolts guy operating at the highest level in an organization. A Lean Practitioner in every sense of the word and I do not know how to bestow a higher compliment. I hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I did. Would you like this Blog Feed delivered to your inbox? Considering taking the next step towards developing a customer–centered culture. Purchase the Marketing with Lean Book Series and receiving access to the online Lean Sales and Marketing Training at no additional charge.

Ken Rolfes of KDR Associates, has spent more than 30 years in public and private companies that design, manufacture, and market technically based products for the medical device, industrial product and computer industries. He has extensive Lean Enterprise experience in general management, new product development, cost management systems, turnarounds, acquisitions and divestitures, and various financial transactions including IPO, private equity and venture capital financing. Ken is a nuts and bolts guy operating at the highest level in an organization. A Lean Practitioner in every sense of the word and I do not know how to bestow a higher compliment. I hope you enjoy the podcast as much as I did. Would you like this Blog Feed delivered to your inbox? Considering taking the next step towards developing a customer–centered culture. Purchase the Marketing with Lean Book Series and receiving access to the online Lean Sales and Marketing Training at no additional charge.