OM - feedback from

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george..

Keeping off Facebook. ..

Even though FB is the single largest networking platform in the Universe, was interested in knowing some other aspects. Yours faithfully has been out of FB for the past one month. People have been saying that FB is a sort of addiction, like smoking etc.. Just wanted to check out !

The experiment was taken up as I wanted to verify three aspects,

1. whether FB is an addiction ?
2. if one is not on FB what are the issues / problems / difficulties ? 
3. if an addiction, how long can a person stay out of FB ?

Over the past one month, I can quite positively and with great determination, say that FB is not an addiction. It is at most a past-time, nothing more than that, not an obsession, wild craving, fixation, enslavement etc..

Some observations :

1. FB does not serve any function other then general socialising and making Zuckerberg rich

2. It is not helpful to increase knowledge at all, one has to pursue other means for that, like reading extensively

3. It can take upto 2-3 hrs of valuable time everyday for socialising

4. It does not directly help in one's professional life, other than improving the networking

5. Can pursue something worthwhile with the time, which can yield good returns in the long run, like spending tiome on self health, walking, starting some useful hobbies, reading, writing etc..

6. Continue reading and get info, the more one remains out of computers, the more is inclined to read and write. In the long run this yields definite positive results.

7. publish more researched articles in the blog (with an aim to improve writing style, comprehension and colecting materials for later publishing) than at FB

8. plan something effective and worthwhile with one's life than just socialising. Take a determined stand like fixing on some goals and aims and working towards attaining it.

9. divert effort and intelligence to more productive pursuits than just networking and socialising

10. help the people of the world who are in need of knowledge, think and put up one's own thoughts and writing at for example. a blog site ..

11. FB is not an addiction  but a low IQ tool to while away time.

My advice to people who would like to lead purposeful lives is to, be on FB initially, understand what it is , its potential, its reach and influence, but at times, try to keep off its influence, by logging off.  May be after a few months. if one needs to network with others, join for some time, but with a disdain for it.

You will tend to appreciate and enjoy technology and at the same time, know the limits and keep a distance without sacrificing personal goals, aims etc.

One more thing is, after logging out of FB, I have been feeling very focussed and wanting to achieve more. Concentrating on daily activities, not missing my future goals !

ge..

Qualities of a Level 5 leader ..

Level 5 Leaders have these following qualities..

Level 1 - possess the knowledge and skills to do the job

Level 2 - motivate the team with their knowledge to DELIVER

Level 3 - competent managers who organise their team to achieve specific objectives

Level 4 - effective leaders who galvanises others to achieve their vision

Level 5 - goes beyond most leaders and helps their organisations become out-of-ordinary enterprises through personal humility and professional will.

Can I become a Level 5 Leader ?

Yes, by following the following principles, one can become a Level 5 leader.

1. by giving credit to others when they perform and take responsibility and action when they dont

2. asking for help when one needs it, asking for help is no show of weakness ..

3. have discipline in doing work

4. spend time to find right people and develop them to the fullest potential

5. be passionate about the job

Interview of Jim Collins : 

1 of 2 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfF1YM091Nc

2 of 2 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Awm7bK0SgBo

ge..

Determination quotes

Logistics Metrics and KPIs ..

One of my students working in the logistics industry called me up one day and asked me for some ideas advice on how he could be more effective in managing his activities. I was quicky reminded of this famous quote by one of the greatest management thinkers and quality gurus, William Deming (1900-1993).

"You can't manage what you can't measure" - William Edwards Deming (1990-1993)

I only had this mantra to tell him - measure what you are doing, only then can you improve on it. 

Logistics is the commercial activity of transporting goods to customers, which includes besides transportation, the storage and handling of materials from the source right up to the customer.

A metric is a standard of measurement which helps keep track of the different operating parameters of a process like average waiting time of a process, average weight of the product, average cycle time of an assembly line etc...

A Key Performance Indicator is a metric that gives an indication of the performance of the process and can be used to improve it over time.

Metrics may be many, but KPIs are usually three or four in number for an industry. Choose the KPIs carefully because those are the important metrics on which you are going to base your performance and continuous improvement ...

Remember - "All KPIs are metrics but not all metrics are KPIs. "

I usually give this small, quick and interesting exercise in the class,

to list out the metrics and KPIs in the academic process, to help them differentiate between what are metrics and what are KPIs.

Some of the metrics in the Logistics processes are

1. cost of handling
2. cost of transportation
3. cost of materials
4. highest value item
5. average time for despatch
6. max time for despatch etc ..
 

Some of the effective Logistics KPIs could be

     1. transportation cost per unit sold ( as a percentage or actuals)

     2. total logistics cost as a percentage of sales

     3. percentage on-time delivery

     4. logistics cost per kg of item shipped

     5. logistics cost per km transported

     6. percentage damage-free shipment

     7. billing accuracy and

     8. customer service, measuring the overall satisfaction of the customer of the logistics process like On-time delivery, accuracy of billing, damage free transportation, low cost of logistics ...

The KPIs if you observe closely have the property that the numerator is closely related to key business objectives like cost, service, quality and the denominators are usually the basic units of mass, length and time (kgs, distance and time)

If the manager is very keen to pursue the common metrics and additionally the KPIs, he is sure to excel in his actions and help the organisation achieve its goals.

This is a useful link . another one ..

ge.

William Edwards Deming (1900-1993) - famous quotes ..

These are some of the famous quotes from Deming. Deming is one of the greatest quaklity gurus whom I have adored since long. His PDCA cycle is so practical and is the foundation of all quality systems the world over.