Archive for Informational products
The Secret Origins of Santa Exposed
Posted by: | CommentsA brief history of Santa.How the modern Santa Claus came to be. Lots of fun for practically any age! Not meant for young children!
Mind map on Crucial Conversations
Posted by: | CommentsThis is one of my all time favorite mind maps and I really do use it before having a conversation on the phone just to remind me of a few key points. I actually have found myself reviewing it while talking on the telephone. The book, Crucial Conversations Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High, Second Edition is literally the definitive guide on the subject.
I find few people invest the time it takes to improve on creating effective dialogues. We will send people to learn many techniques but when is the last time you took a class on “How to have a Conversation”. The book starts out with a self-assessment of yourself. In an engaging manner, this was an audio book for me, the authors use examples and exercises to learn the techniques described. How many of us know the magic of making it safe for others to express their true feelings and desires?
P.S. This is an excellent book for any facilitator.
Other books:
Crucial Confrontations: Tools for Resolving broken promises, violated expectations, and bad behavior
The Five Dysfunctions of a Team: A Leadership Fable (J-B Lencioni Series)
Related Information:
PDCA from the Outside-in
Teamwork and Collaboration thru the eyes of Cisco
Allowing Individual Kaizen is Essentially Respect for People.
Using the wrong set of 5 whys in problem solving
Blended Learning Programs in Lean Six Sigma
Posted by: | CommentsMany people shy away from quality or continuous improvement programs since they are unable to see the direct benefits of it. Steven C. Wilson a leading Lean Six Sigma Trainer in the State of Iowa outlined a unique training program at the Southwest Iowa Manufacturers Alliance for Quality program. He introduced his latest adult learning training methods and how the training is adapted to a particular organization. In particular, he addressed how organizations can make a stronger connection between training and implementation.
Steve commented on the training, “Too often, training programs are not utilized when employees get back to work. Based on my twenty years of assisting organizations and individuals improve quality through training, I have identified several components that will encourage employees and their organizations to change and use these new skills. Under the title of iQuality Academy, I have moved our training programs from tactical learning and acquiring new skills to providing the path from training to improved business performance.”
I think this is a unique approach and a great way to use the advantages of virtual learning. If you can’t tell by listening, Steve does voice over work and works with authors, trainers and studio producers, to make their presentations more effective and entertaining. He is also the host of Quality Conversation, Quality Conversations, an internet based radio program dedicated to the discussion of “all things quality”. Currently the program is heard in over 35 countries.
I was fortunate to have Steve participate in a podcast if you would like to take a deeper dive on the subject. The podcast centers around being a successful trainer and consultant. Download Podcast: Click and choose options: Iowa Quality Training or go to the Business901 iTunes Store
If you are from Iowa, Steve hosted a program about Funding Quality Training. Bernie Duis, Director of Economic Development at Iowa Western Community College (www.iwcc.edu), joined Steve for a discussion about Iowa’s quality training funding programs, administered by the state’s 15 community colleges.
Disclaimer: I work with Steve but felt this was an excellent presentation to share. I thought he did a masterful job of presenting and it was a good example of how voice over work might improve your presentations.
Related Information:
Lean Six Sigma for Government
Balancing Internal and External Lean Six Sigma Consulting Roles
Steve’s website: Wilson Consulting and Training Services,
Three ways to Improve your Marketing!
Posted by: | CommentsThis is a timeless Ted talk from 2003. Design critic Don Norman turns his incisive eye toward beauty, fun, pleasure and emotion, as he looks at design that makes people happy. He names the three emotional cues that a well-designed product must hit to succeed.
For marketers and designers alike.
Related Information:
Is Viral Still Possible? More than ever before
How new is Service Dominant Logic and does it apply now?
It’s not your Grandmother’s Lean anymore!
What Can Lean Sales & Marketing learn from the Memory Champions?












