johnaries
johnaries's JournalIncreased Productivity and Short-Term vs. Long-Term Sigma
When I was training as a Six Sigma Black Belt, one of the few concepts I had trouble grasping was “Short Term” and “Long Term” Sigma. Eventually, the light bulb lit up and this is the way I understand it:
The whole purpose of Six Sigma is to increase productivity in whatever process you are working with. Although 6 Sigma uses multiple methods to find the proper corrections, the only true test is Real World application. In other words, apply it and then measure it again to see if it really works! 6 Sigma strongly involves the front-line people. The important thing to remember is that anytime you try something “new” with input from the front-line, the front-line people are going to work harder to make sure it is successful. They may not even be conscious of this, they may even think they are working less. But they will be on their “best behavior” for any of a number of reasons. They will give 110% because they know they are under a microscope and the casual observer will immediately see increased productivity.
This is Short-Term Sigma (change).
However, this level of 110% is unsustainable over the long run. We are all human, and humans get tired. So, then, the front-line people fall back into a long-term sustainable level of productivity. Perhaps even less because they are tired. If your proposed changes were successful, then the level of productivity (although lower than when first implemented) is still higher than it was before the changes.
This is Long-Term Sigma (change).
Thanks for your patience so far. Now, I would like to relate this concept to recent changes in the Economy. Listen up, Employers!
When the economy first began to “tank”, Employers were forced to downsize because demand had lessened. The remaining employees “stepped-up” and gave 110% for several reasons - one of which was that they were scared for their jobs. As a result, US Employee productivity soared! Further, because more talented employees were on the market, a company could pick and choose among more talented and motivated (read “scared” and “desperate” ) applicants.
This is a Corporation’s dream! Increased employee productivity and increased quality of applicants equals lower costs and increased profits “on paper”. And that “paper” is the be-all and end-all of Corporations. So, the motivation for Corporations is NOT to end this Recession but to sustain it.
However, it’s only Short-Term Sigma. It is NOT sustainable.
Listen up, Employers!
Although I am a big proponent of automation, ultimately the object of automation is to make life easier and more efficient for Humans. You cannot remove the Human Element from business, no matter how good the automation element is. And all Employers have to remember that Humans are only Human and they get tired. When Humans get tired, they make mistakes.
Mistakes lowers Productivity.
Therefore, it’s time (actually, PAST time) for responsible Employers to take more responsibility for their Employees’ productivity and realize that it’s time to implement Long-Term sustainable policies.
Productivity levels were at an all-time high, but they are beginning to lower because your employees are tired. National reports may not reflect this, but if you peruse your own internal reports you will find this trend is beginning. I know you will find this is true if you know what to look for.
I know that most companies only look at the current quarter. In a way this is justified because the market is generally too volatile to predict much farther than that. However, in General terms it can be predicted. The successful company in the future is one that has both a short-term plan and a long-term plan. One that actually plans for future growth.
The Employer of the future allows for Long-Term Sigma. That Employer prepares for the future.
From an Employee point of view, the more Employers that recognize this truth the more will hire. This increases the flow of money to consumers which increases demand which increases the need for employment. Once started, it’s a cycle that feeds upon itself and continues to grow until it becomes unsustainable, itself. Which is where a responsible Government comes in.
But that’s another story……
When Bush was the "Unitary Executive" Progressive were united
in speaking out against the very concept of a Unitary Executive and the unConstitutionality of it. Progressives were further united in denouncing Bush's use of the concept which amounted to a Dictatorship which he further used to push through neoConservative policies.
Then, Obama was elected. Obama returned to the Constitutional Balance of Powers. And now, many of the same people who denounced Bush for being dictatorial are denouncing Obama for not being dictatorial enough to push through all of their favored agendas! How can this NOT be viewed as hypocritical?
Rather than recognize Obama's many, many accomplishments or recognize how much trouble Obama has had pushing through these accomplishments following the Constitution, they paint him as "powerless". Further, anyone who tries to make a realistic argument or disagree with them in any way are then painted as not being truly Liberal or Progressive. I have news for those people:
THIS is what DEMOCRACY Looks Like!
Democracy is messy.
No, I don't agree with everything Obama has done. I think his biggest mistake was thinking that Republicans could be reasonable. I respect him for his respect for Lincoln, but I don't think that Obama really understood how unreasonable the RW has become in modern times. He has made other mistakes in my personal estimation.
So, here's a newsflash - Obama is only human. But, actions really do speak louder than words. When you look at his accomplishments DESPITE the problems he has had to overcome from both the Right and - unfortunately - the Left, you have to admit that they are pretty amazing. But many people overlook his many accomplishments because they had unrealistic expectations that no President and no human being could live up to.
In many cases it's because when they heard Obama campaign, they heard what they WANTED to hear rather than what Obama actually said. Remember, Obama said "Yes, WE can" not "Yes, I can do it all on my own".
This is especially sad when so many who said they supported him turned against him and helped the RW build more roadblocks rather than help the rest of us tear them down.
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