Author Archive
A Mindless Worker is a Happy Worker
One thing I know from experience: when people are given a chance to participate in creating something good, solving a problem, and play a role in adding value through the use of their mind, hands, and heart, good things happen. Indeed, morale increases and a type of magic takes place – a feeling joy can be seen in people’s faces.
One thing I know from experience: when people are given a chance to participate in creating something good, solving a problem, and play a role in adding value through the use of their mind, hands, and heart, good things happen. Indeed, morale increases and a type of magic takes place – a feeling joy can be seen in people’s faces.
How to Add Value
In Lean Thinking, we use the phrase “value-add” and then qualify that term as taken from the “customer’s perspective.” While that might be true, it’s not concrete enough and is actually difficult to understand.
I am reminded of something my older brother taught me a long time ago. He said simply (I’m paraphrasing):
In Lean Thinking, we use the phrase “value-add” and then qualify that term as taken from the “customer’s perspective.” While that might be true, it’s not concrete enough and is actually difficult to understand.
I am reminded of something my older brother taught me a long time ago. He said simply (I’m paraphrasing):
Gretchen Rubin – Part II
Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, answers reader’s questions – your questions – on this multi-series post on her Happiness Project. This post is Part II of her responses to reader’s questions.
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Comment by Brandon Klive on February 10, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
Religion promises eternal life and joy, but I see a lot of “evil” people that seem pretty damn happy to me. What gives?
Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, answers reader’s questions – your questions – on this multi-series post on her Happiness Project. This post is Part II of her responses to reader’s questions.
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Comment by Brandon Klive on February 10, 2010 @ 2:42 pm
Religion promises eternal life and joy, but I see a lot of “evil” people that seem pretty damn happy to me. What gives?
Gretchen Rubin – Part I
Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, answers reader’s questions – your questions – on this multi-series post on her Happiness Project.
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Comment by Porter on February 10, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
Hi, Gretchen -
There is a debate on whether humans are truly altruistic. What are your thoughts on altruism, and how does it relate to the feeling of happiness that we get in doing something for others.
Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, answers reader’s questions – your questions – on this multi-series post on her Happiness Project.
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Comment by Porter on February 10, 2010 @ 12:59 pm
Hi, Gretchen -
There is a debate on whether humans are truly altruistic. What are your thoughts on altruism, and how does it relate to the feeling of happiness that we get in doing something for others.
Less is Less with Jason Fried
Most of you know who Jason Fried is – the founder of 37Signals and the author of several books, including Rework, his most recent publication.
He’s on shmula.com to answer your questions – on Lean Thinking, Design, Less is Less, Customer Development, and other principles he lives by and encourages others to consider in his book Rework.
Most of you know who Jason Fried is – the founder of 37Signals and the author of several books, including Rework, his most recent publication.
He’s on shmula.com to answer your questions – on Lean Thinking, Design, Less is Less, Customer Development, and other principles he lives by and encourages others to consider in his book Rework.
Ask Gretchen Rubin: The Happiness Interview
We’re delighted to have Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, on shmula.com today.
Similar to prior interviews we’ve done [1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15], you – the reader – have a chance to ask Gretchen questions related to her findings on the Happiness Project. But first, here’s some background:
We’re delighted to have Gretchen Rubin, the author of The Happiness Project, on shmula.com today.
Similar to prior interviews we’ve done [1, 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15], you – the reader – have a chance to ask Gretchen questions related to her findings on the Happiness Project. But first, here’s some background:
Nothing Else You Need To Do
I reluctantly filed and survived – I finished my taxes. I used TurboTax and things went smoothly. Today, I received a message that was relief to read:
Nothing Else You Need To Do
It’s nice to know exactly what is expected of you. In this case, I’m done and I need to do nothing else.
Expectations…
Let’s bring things back to home:
I reluctantly filed and survived – I finished my taxes. I used TurboTax and things went smoothly. Today, I received a message that was relief to read:
Nothing Else You Need To Do
It’s nice to know exactly what is expected of you. In this case, I’m done and I need to do nothing else.
Expectations…
Let’s bring things back to home:
Cost Savings for a Fortune 500 Company
Cummins Inc.1 reported their Q4 2009 earnings call today. In that call, they reported a cost savings of over $500MM due to their emphasis on Lean Thinking and Six Sigma. In the words of Tim Solso, Chairman and CEO of Cummins Inc:
Cummins Inc.1 reported their Q4 2009 earnings call today. In that call, they reported a cost savings of over $500MM due to their emphasis on Lean Thinking and Six Sigma. In the words of Tim Solso, Chairman and CEO of Cummins Inc:
Just Dial “0″ (”Zero”)
On the way to work this morning, a commercial on National Public Radio (NPR) caught my attention. It was a commercial for Ally Bank and one phrase piqued my interest (I’m paraphrasing):
To open an account, call xxx-xxx-xxxx and to talk to a real person, push “0″ anytime.
In the radio commercial, they emphasized “real person”. Interesting.
On the way to work this morning, a commercial on National Public Radio (NPR) caught my attention. It was a commercial for Ally Bank and one phrase piqued my interest (I’m paraphrasing):
To open an account, call xxx-xxx-xxxx and to talk to a real person, push “0″ anytime.
In the radio commercial, they emphasized “real person”. Interesting.
Freedom within Framework
A fence keeps us safe from harm – often, from harming ourselves and from harming others. In deployments of Lean Thinking at organizations, the principle of Freedom within Framework describes our approach well.
Disambiguating the Fence
A fence can be understood a few different ways:
- A Silo: A fence marks “mine” from “yours”. This is NOT what we are talking about.
A fence keeps us safe from harm – often, from harming ourselves and from harming others. In deployments of Lean Thinking at organizations, the principle of Freedom within Framework describes our approach well.
Disambiguating the Fence
A fence can be understood a few different ways:
- A Silo: A fence marks “mine” from “yours”. This is NOT what we are talking about.
