The Rapid Response Institute

Year: 2024

  • DOGE’d

    DOGE’d

    The Day the Congress Stood Still

    On December 18, 2024, Elon Musk delivered on the social media site, 𝕏  the death knell of a 1500+ page so called Continuing Resolution that was to stave off a Federal Government shutdown.  Later it was replaced with a much shorter (100+ page) bill that passed largely intact.

    This Out-of-the-Gate action by the Non-Government Organization (NGO), DOGE (Department of Government Efficiency) may foretell the next 18+ months of DOGE’s self-imposed life ending July 4, 2026.  This first Musk assessment revealed extensive and massive political pork earmarked spending.

    The Congress and all manner of hired bureaucrats may face increased public scrutiny, posted for all to see.  Who knows, the idea may expand to all levels of government and their hired hands.

    Creative Destruction

    Previously, we discussed this economic substitution model.  “The economist Joseph Schumpeter was the first to coin the term creative destruction–the destruction of old markets and those active in them through innovation, & inventing of new markets, this can be new technologies, methods, business models, services, or products.”  One can argue that the creative destruction cycle time is very short today.

    And perhaps getting even shorter!

    Gort or Grok?

    In the original (1951) movie, The Day the Earth Stood Still, the robot Gort has the ability to destroy the world.  It is prevented from doing so by the utterance (by a human) of the key words, “Klaatu barada nikto.”

    According to 𝕏, the Artificial Intelligence (AI) robot of today, Grok (formally defined as “to understand something”) “leverages the 𝕏 platform to understand what’s happening in the world in real time. We recently launched two additional features to enhance this experience even further: web search and citations.  Now Grok draws upon posts from 𝕏 and webpages from the broader internet to provide timely and accurate answers to your queries.  We also added citations, so you can easily dive deeper into a source to learn more or verify the information provided by Grok.”

    Fortunately, three simple words neutralized Gort, and the earth was saved.  Grok will not so easily be rendered impotent, unless the First Amendment is repealed.

    The government world has been (figurately) creatively destroyed and changed forever.  Moreover, in their world of consistent suboptimal performance, most have no idea what has already happened to their cherished long-standing bureaucratic processes.

    The Regulatory Public Comment period will never be the same.

    After DOGE

    It appears that Musk has put in place an AI solution that will live on after the formal closure of DOGE in 2026.  Grok and other emerging AI tools can continue to review and assess each and every piece of proposed legislation and other government edicts regardless of length and/or complexity.

    Like Hacking, those opposed to honesty will seek ways to thwart AI.  Those providing transparency solutions will need to stay one step ahead, just like law enforcement agencies that are required to enforce and uphold the law.  If accepted social behaviors norms are to prevail, transparency is demanded.

    Finally, we can “read the bill to find out what is in it.”  Prior to voting!

    This Accountability Sucks!

    Well, get over it!  One suspects entrenched vested interests will try to find ways around this revolution, but likely to no avail.  There is not only a new sheriff in town, even after he leaves, the new accountability will remain.

    And so much for the current media business model whereby either a single individual or small group amalgamates society’s daily activities and present the proletariat with their (often agenda driven/opinionated/biased) version of THE NEWS.

    How will you take advantage of the AI delivery of information?

    Pre order our new book

    Navigating the Data Minefields:

    Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making

    We are living in an era of data and software exponential growth.  A substantive flood hitting us every day.  Geek heaven!  But what if information technology is not your cup of tea and you may even have your kids help with your smart devices?  This may not be a problem at home; however, what if you job depends on Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

    Available April 2025

    Ordering Information

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the recently published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    We are also pleased to announce our forthcoming book to be published by CRC Press in 2025, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making.  This is a book for the non-IT executive who is faced with making major technology decisions as firms acquire advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross-Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg and his book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Birds of a Feather . . .

    Birds of a Feather . . .

    Eagles Soar, others flock.

    Post the US election, it seems that many on the losing side are circling the wagons and pointing to the ‘other guy’ to blame for a series of political sins.  Like fish in a school, the belief seems to be that the crowd provides an element of protection.  But is this belief borne out by observation?

    Experience suggests that the masses can be figuratively slaughtered while the lone leader prevails.

    Keep Doing What You’re Doing

    Paraphrasing the Brown/Einstein quote about insanity, ‘many are doubling down on past behaviors that have already cost success.’  Yet we humans keeping going back to the old playbook.  Partially, because we do not know any other options.  Shame on those without a well thought out strategy (with options) because as we know, ‘No plan survives initial contact.”  If your political party just lost a major nationwide election, why would the first post-election reaction be to do more of the same?  Not all are taking this path, but based on the public media it seems many are.

    We often refer to the concept of Groupthink, “A process through which the desire for consensus in groups can lead to poor decisions.  Rather than object to them and risk losing a sense of group solidarity, members may remain silent and lend their support,” when speaking about group dynamics.  Let me posit that this sociological model does not address the dynamics of the losing side in the recent Presidental election.

    The Abilene Paradox

    The “Abilene paradox refers to a situation wherein no member of a group decides to contest a decision taken by the group, believing it to be the consensus of everyone, when in reality, none of the group members agree with the decision.  However, none of them speak up for the fear of going against the wishes of others and end up regretting not speaking up in time.”

    To this pundit, the Abilene paradox more closely mirrors what may have been happening to the losing presidential candidate team than many other social and behavioral models.

    The following short video provides a good and concise presentation of this methodology and its origin.  Suggest readers take a few minutes to watch it.

    Early Signals from the Markets

    Note: This paragraph is the opinion of this writer and not the result of a formal data analysis or use of any methodology.  Also, it does make one wonder if the results of the US Presidental election were borne out exclusively for the reasons many pundits are putting currently putting forward.

    Thanksgiving is the informal kick off for the holidays or Christmas.  It seems that the atmosphere this year is more upbeat, even joyous than in the recent past.  For example, starting with the so-called Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving), “E-commerce was the biggest winner over the weekend, showing the strongest growth year over year. U.S. online sales for the weekend were $41.1 billion, and online spending set new records on each of the five days, according to data from Adobe Analytics.”  Despite persistent inflation, these sales figures are extraordinarily strong.

    Moreover, advertisers seem more willing to use the phase, “Merry Christmas” more than in the recent past.

    Perhaps, the outcome of the election excited the population, but maybe there is an additional factor to be considered.

    Retail marketers must develop champaigns well in advance of the purchasing season.  Decisions regarding inventory volume and key ‘in’ styles and toys etc. must be made.  Moreover, festivities, parades and other market Pull Drivers as well Push (when appropriate) must be developed, funded and implemented.

    Bottom Line–these efforts should be seen as a major Leading Indicator.  This suggests that retailers and other consumer/hospitality sectors had supporting data many months ago, i.e., Big Data Analytics.

    Hypothesis, while very important, the personalities in the election may have played a lesser role than many believe.  The rising tide lifted the boat of the candidate(s) that could sense this underlying movement higher better than those that did not pick up on these vibrations.  This is an important leadership trait.

    This does not diminish the role of candidates and positions taken.  We simply make the case that there is a broader social and economic movement afoot.

    This writer only has access to public information and the opinions of others on this subject.  There may be other processes and behaviors taken by the presidential parties (not publicized) that can either add or detract from the arguments herein.  Additionally, some public behaviors such as campaign budgets and spending habits are known and likely contributed to the wining process as well as the losing operation.

    Final Thoughts

    In the coming years many books, research papers and other documents will be written about the 2024 US Presidental election.  Some will add real value to the discussion, yet sadly many will seek to justify positions taken.  Others will label scapegoats.

    Likely, history will show that this election is but a single yet major impact event of a very large social transformation whose final impact we cannot yet surmise. 

    To be successful in this new environment, individuals and the groups they represent only gain actionable and factual knowledge when strict and structured methodologies are use based on strong data foundations.  In this piece, the November 15, 2024, edition The Transformation of Our Spreadsheet Society and others (previously published and future editions), we attempt to participate in these early discussions.

    What have you learned from the outcomes of November 5, 2024?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the recently published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    We are also pleased to announce our forthcoming book to be published by CRC Press in 2025, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making.  This is a book for the non-IT executive who is faced with making major technology decisions as firms acquire advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg and his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Never Ask a Tire Salesperson if You Need New Tires

    Never Ask a Tire Salesperson if You Need New Tires

    This Blog is dedicated to the memory of Eugene Lindsay, 1931-2015.  For many years, Gene was one of my sales representatives, confidant and a friend.  The title of this piece is attributed to him.

    The United States is still in the throes of the election aftermath and the President just pardoned his son; something he repeatedly stated he never would!

    The Not Good, The Bad and Absolutely Ugly!

    Form Information Can Take

    Even Biden’s hitherto staunchest supporters have turned on this so-called liar.  Never mind that he has a decades long visible track record of his verbal latitude with the facts, this seems to have broken the camel’s metaphoric back.  Moreover, this incident has seemingly opened Pandora’s Box regarding the loose running with the truth during the recent election cycle.

    In our forthcoming book (2025), Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making, we address at length the following types of non-factual information:

    • Misinformation–“It can be a collection of false, fabricated, misleading and/or taken out of context.  However, it does not meet the test of Intent to Deceive.”
    • Disinformation–“The deliberate publication of private information for personal or private interest, as well as the deliberate manipulation of genuine content.”
    • Malinformation–“The deliberate publication of private information for personal or private interest, as well as the deliberate manipulation of genuine content.”
    • Deep-Fake–“Technology that can seamlessly stitch anyone in the world into a video or photo they never actually participated in.”  We saw some of this during this last election.

    When Guardrails Fail

    “The fury which destroys an opponent’s character, would stop at nothing, if barriers were thrown down.  That which is true of the leaders in politics, is true of subordinates.  Political dishonesty in voters runs into general dishonesty, as the rotten speck taints the whole apple.  A community whose politics are conducted by a perpetual breach of honesty on both sides, will be tainted by immorality throughout.  Men will play the same game in their private affairs, which they have learned to play in public matters.  The guile, the crafty vigilance, the dishonest advantage, the cunning sharpness;—the tricks and traps and sly evasions; the equivocal promises, and unequivocal neglect of them, which characterize political action, will equally characterize private action.  The mind has no kitchen to do its dirty work in, while the parlor remains clean.  Dishonesty is an atmosphere; if it comes into one apartment, it penetrates into every one.  Whoever will lie in politics, will lie in traffic.  Whoever will slander in politics, will slander in personal squabbles.  A professor of religion who is a dishonest politician, is a dishonest Christian.  His creed is a perpetual index of his hypocrisy.”

    —Henry Ward Beecher

    “Politics was a necessarily dirty game of treachery and deceit.”

    – Dave Robinson

    The tools now available with more yet to come enable nefarious characters to attempt new heights in propaganda.  Joseph Goebbels would be so proud.

    Those of us who they seek to become consumers of valid and reliable information must develop better ‘radar’ detecting mischief in information and/or data.  This will be an ongoing war with significant challenges determining actual facts–truth seeking.  Moreover, misinformation and bias can come from automated solutions including Artificial Intelligence.

    The saying, “If it sounds too good to be truth, it probably is,” applies today as much as ever.  Our book drills down much deeper regarding signs of fabrication.  We must forever be on guard for purveyors of lies are ubiquitous.

    And don’t forget.  Everyone has an agenda–good or some not so virtuous.

    Enter the Tire Salesman

    Gene Lindsay was a lifelong sales representative.  Selling was his stock and trade.  As might be expected from someone with his outgoing personality and background, he had a number of quips about the sales business.  The satire of this Blog title has stuck with me over the years.

    The obvious response is NOT to trust a sales representative of tires if you don’t know if you need one or more of his/her products.  Gene knew that professionalism and helping prospects/client to make the right decision paid more with greater personal rewards in the long run than ‘stretching’ the truth for immediate gratification/commission.

    NO is the appropriate sales objection in response to a tire sale representative, if in fact you do not need tires at this time.  Ethics and truth shines through and yes, someday we all will need tires and hopefully we will turn to Gene’s proteges.

    The Truth Will Set You Free

    We all must attain and sustain the mantel of a knowledgeable (buyer) consumer of information.  Our personal and professional success depends on this skill.  Moreover, teach your children, colleagues, friends and relatives this skill as well.  They will thank you for it every day they are required to make decisions.

    Our marketing buzz word driven world has invented a number of descriptions for those who wish us ill, scammers, porch pirates, politicians who ‘walk back’ statements (give me a break), etc. These individuals are just liars and thieves and should be vilified.  We should not credit them with some panache because of their chosen path.

    While some politicians may not actually break the law, their states expose who they truly are.  As Beecher stated, “Men will play the same game in their private affairs, which they have learned to play in public matters.”  In other words, the philosophy, “We are what we eat,” is inviolate.

    How do you and your organization determine whether information presented is tainted and/or past it’s “sell by date?”

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the recently published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    We are also pleased to announce our forthcoming book to be published by CRC Press in 2025, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making.  This is a book for the non-IT executive who is faced with making major technology decisions as firms acquire advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg and his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • The Transformation of Our Spreadsheet Society

    The Transformation of Our Spreadsheet Society

    “The only rules are the ones dictated by the laws of physics.  Everything else is a recommendation.”  — Walter Isaacson/Elon Musk

    We live in a spreadsheet society.  Columns of Categories of People and Rows of Wants, Needs, and Desires.  This model is too simplistic.  What is needed, and Big Data can provide, is a more sophisticated approach.

    This spreadsheet approach was shown in the recent US elections to be detrimental to the party mainly depending on this view of society.  How many times did we hear pollsters opine that X percent of a certain population was voting for one candidate vs. the other?  The categories of people were divided along traditional lines.  This whole model was shattered on November 2, 2024, and likely some providers of data in this format may no longer be in business for the next cycle.

    However, this belief system is not limited to the political class.  We all can fall into this stereotype.

    For decades we have been taught that data categories can be captured under a Normal Distribution (Bell) Curve of a category and row of interest, i.e., the distribution of the height of a class of male senior high school students or SAT scores.  Another more relevant example, retailers’ pertinacious obsession with the 18–34-year-old group.

    These are fairly simple models, and in this Blogger’s opinion, this representation rarely works anymore, if it ever did.  For example, the resulting retail sector inventory overages as a result of dependencies on this gross data model are not an effective return on shareholder value.  Other recent missteps based on faulty interpretation of the customer/prospect base include the Bud Lite advertising fiasco and the Target marketing failure.

    It is ok to make marketing mistakes, that is going to happen.  The problem with these two (and other) campaigns is the analysis of risk, return, etc. was likely shallow or mathematically primitive.

    There are ways to appeal to new consumers without alienating a large existing base.  It’s all in the big numbers.

    There are several validated models of human behavior and we will discuss two of them herein, Maslow’s Hierarchy and the Relationships, Behaviors, Conditions model.  Some readers may prefer others, and they will most likely work within this construct as well.

    Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

    This perspective on human needs and subsequent behaviors dates back to the 1940s.  As shown, it consists of five steps from survival to the ultimate Self Actualization.  Note that we adapt this model in two ways.  First, we view this as a growth process as opposed to five discrete steps.  Additionally, the bottom two lower ranges focus mostly on the physical issues we all face.  Fundamental survival and security both physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.  Once we have attained, sustained, and believe, we are ready to transition towards an end game, “the realization or fulfillment of one’s talents and potentialities, especially considered as a drive or need present in everyone.”

    Next, we will discuss how we can use this and the RBC solutions to realize specific and measurable value that changes this dynamic.

    The color gradient is meant to reflect that this journey is a process and often each field begins slowly before accelerating into the next range.

    Another perspective of each the Five Platforms consists of a number of smaller steps, which when assessed using Integral Calculus, generates a continuum.

    Relationships, Behaviors, and Conditions (RBC)

    The following is taken from our Cross-Cultural Online Game site:

    The RELATIONSHIPS, BEHAVIORS, and CONDITIONS (RBC) model was originally developed to address issues around cross cultural (international) negotiation processes.   As shown in the figure, Relationships are the focal point of this perspective, reflecting commonality of interest, balance of power and trust as well as intensity of expressed conflict.  Behaviors in this model is defined as a broad term including multi-dimensions and intentional as well as unintentional.  Finally, Conditions are defined as active and including circumstances, capabilities and skills of the parties, culture, and the environment.  Of course, Time is a variable in this model as well.

    Moreover, we have defined Behavioral Economics as “the decision-making model that incorporates societal, cultural, emotions and other human biases into the process as opposed to the classic rational economic actor.

    One key feature of the R B C Framework is its emphasis on interactive relationships while providing an environment for multiple levels of behavioral analysis.   This makes it a useful tool to better understand the new Big Data/AI processes currently unfolding.

    The following graphic is a derivative of our Cross-Cultural Interactions model.  It is a peer reviewed model and is a very good way to calibrate interactions.  Additional information is available on the above link.

    This author has long believed that we do not live in a linear or mathematically deterministic world.  A strong belief in stochastic, matrices drive much of my thinking.  This is reflected in the figure on the left.  The RBC model is the foundation for the five parties and their collective Behaviors.  The resulting Relationships range from one-on-one to small groups or in some cases a wide and varied constituency.

    Note that there is an Ecosystem, (something, such as a network of businesses, considered to resemble an ecological ecosystem especially because of its complex interdependent parts) associated with each entity other that the individuals’ who are the other four.

    This is a wide array of influences on any given individual.  Not easily measured, linearly!

    Scientific Method

    Most readers are familiar with how science has been brought into bolster the position of pundits/advocates of policy, especially related to Covid-19.  The word is tossed around casually, as if most who use it know what they are talking about.  Spoiler Alert–Most Do Not! This includes some with advanced technical or medical bona fides.

    Most think that by using the word ‘science’ this assessment process is out of their wheelhouse.  Previously, we argued that there is a layperson’s approach that works fine for most of our daily needs.  Details can be found on our Blog, They Blinded Me with Science.

    For space reasons, this (guidelines) model will not be repeated here but check it out, it is a short read.

    The late Nobel Laureate, Richard Feynman has a brief and layperson-oriented presentation on the Scientific Method.  He is an excellent teacher, and this clip is informative as well as entertaining.

     “If it disagrees with experiment, its wrong”—Richard Feynman

    Human Input Still Needed

    To be clear, pollsters and marketers will still need to ask questions that will also help structure the model, but the processes posited herein can change the weighting processes driving toward equilibrium and Pareto Optimality (Pareto efficiency implies that resources are allocated in the most economically efficient manner but does not imply equality or fairness) in the final analysis.  In other words, higher quality results.

    These numbers can also be seen as ‘first value’ in a simulation.  Another way to look at this is to the logic the Turing (Bombe) Machine of World War II.  Not setting a number as itself.

    Then AI can take the model to the next level and provide pollsters/marketers with real, modern solutions.  Finally, other uses will most likely be derivatives of this solution.

    The Data Management Problem

    We have identified a general problem as well as three valid and reliable theories.  This is only a nice discussion without relevance with Valid, Reliable, and Timely (VRT) data.  Data Management has been a problem as long as there has been data, stone, paper or electronic.  It has always been an issue.  “Herman Hollerith is given credit for adapting the punch cards used for weaving looms to act as the memory for a mechanical tabulating machine, in 1890.”  Much later (circa 1950s) digital database management schemas emerged.  Today, we are flooded by data of all types including telemetry and deliberately false data/information.

    How can this be effectively managed and how can an executive without a technology background survive much less thrive in such an environment?

    For decades, this author has been involved in almost all computer system development from the yellow punch tape of the 1960s until today.  There have been several constants over that period.

    One of the biggest chronic challenges has been database management; from the acquisition of data through its life cycle until achieve.  An outcome of poor data management has been decisions that have even led to the demise of firms, along with tens of thousands (if not more) of suboptimal decisions at the expense of shareholder value (bottom line/stock price).  What makes the current crop of Big Data/Artificial Intelligence advocates any smarter than those who came before?  Nothing!  Unless some things are changed.

    Our forthcoming book to be published by CRC Press in 2025, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making is a book for the non-IT executive who is faced with making major technology decisions as firms acquire advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).  The following and other managerial action items are developed in detail.

    • How to determine the quality of the data and its relevance to the decision-making processes.
    • Current Challenges and Trends in Big Data and associated applications.
    • Proposed organization structure such as High Reliability Organization and an understanding of Human Factors to fully realize the full and measurable economic value from these technologies.
    • A full set of Risk Mitigation and a Governance model including Disaster Recovery and Cyber Security.
    • How these technologies are used in Operations, a proposed Management System as well as numerous Case Studies across a number of industries and types of problems.

    The challenge of managing this suite of emerging AI/Big Data is daunting and one that cannot be dodged or delegated.  How organizations respond can be the difference between success or the destruction of shareholder value.

    It’s The Data Stupid

    Our pollsters are collecting and analyzing data that are self-reported.

    • A questionnaire is developed which may or may not reflect bias.
    • These questions are posed to potential respondents (phone and otherwise) who may detect a voice tone, and/or the subject may intentionally lie or mislead.
    • Finally, who answers the phone these days?  This skews the data sample and perhaps badly.

    Data collected in this manner is not subject to rigor and most likely wrong or skewed.  Finally, data collected in this manner is not suitable for the new Big Data Analytic models.

    One Proposed Better Way

    There are probably several much better ways to address political and marketing problems.  While no data source is perfect, we posit the following way to use the US Census data.  We can treat it as a function of columns and rows yet apply sophistical data analysis algorithms.

    Categories

    As mentioned, we tend to clump or stereotype individuals into preconceived ‘buckets.’  Over time, these buckets have taken on an aura of, it’s the only way.  Basically, the construct that ‘we have always done it this way.’
     
    This is no longer a viable business or social model.  Our world is much too dynamic for the older static approach to targeting the likelihood of a specific demographic to perform in a preconceived prescriptive manner.
     
    One place to start looking is at the United States Census data.  This data set consists of 57 profiles, The United States and each State and Territory.  Each Profile is divided into several Sub-Categories, Populations and People, Income and Poverty, Education, Employment, Housing, Health, Business and Economy, Race and Ethnicity, and Nearby States.  Each Sub-Category is further detailed.
     
    We might even call the data in these Categories/Sub-Categories, Conditions from the RBC model.  Each Platform in Maslow’s Hierarchy can be considered a Category with infinite Sub-Categories.  Likewise, Conditions.

    Rows

    We have identified the following three variable model as representative of human Behaviors–Wants, Needs, and Desires.  We have previously reviewed some of this in our Blog, Want – Like – Need  in 2019.  These can also be mapped to Behaviors in both the RBC and Maslow models.
     
    Details and a short list of some variables follow.  These definitions can overlap, and readers will note that there is some duplication across all three classes below.  Researchers use different definitions for each class.  This does not detract from the fundamentals of Rows selected for analysis.  
    The point is to develop a list of behaviors that is indicative of the problem to be solved.

    Wants

    For purposes of this model, we define Want as something that an individual might seek as part of normal life, i.e., and ice cream cone.

    Needs

    Those fundamentals of life, especially as defined in Maslow’s Hierarchy, platforms one and two.

    Desires

    Different from Wants, Desires are perhaps beyond his/her reach.  Coveting a promotion and willing to back stab co-workers to get it rather than compete on merit.

    Sources of Wants, Needs, and Desires

    We have suggested that a starting point for Categories is the very large US Census database.  No such singular source exists for these behaviors and there is an overlap in definitions.  This list gives readers a starting point.  In no particular order, this non-comprehensive includes:

    The list goes on, but readers get the point.  A large row of behaviors will help develop a robust model.

    And The Answer Is

    While we know that the solution to the political pollster and/or marketing manager is not a definitive answer, we can do better than we are.  We know how to management data in this environment and we have models for assessing and making decisions based on results.  As we move from simple, small data set, linear models to robust Big Data Analysis, we need to consider a few additional action items.

    Scientific Method

    Do not forget to use this methodology to define and refine your problem statement.

    Model Limits

    • While we are using a significant number of independent and dependent variables, we are not trying to solve world hunger.  Therefore, we need to put limits on (Bound) the model.  This is an age-old problem we first addressed in 2015, Bounding the Boundless.
    • From a scientific perspective, “Across all science, modelling is our most powerful tool, as models let us focus on the few details that matter most, leaving many others aside.  Models also help reveal the typically far-from-intuitive consequences when multiple causal factors act in combination.”
    • Additionally, “Getting AI/ML/DL systems to work has been one of the biggest leaps in technology in recent years, but understanding how to control and optimize them as they adapt isn’t nearly as far along.  These systems are generally opaque if a problem develops in the field.  There is little or no visibility into how algorithms are utilized, or how weights that determine their behavior will change with a particular use case or interactions with other technology.”
    • Moreover, “the European Union this week (2021) issued guidelines for AI — specifically including ML and automated decision-making systems — limiting the ability of these systems to act autonomously, requiring ‘secure and reliable systems software,’ and requiring mechanisms for ensuring responsibility and accountability for AI systems and their outcomes.”

    Diminishing Returns

    Since we are not boiling the ocean, at some point continuing with the model will result reduced performance.  According to Economists, “The law of diminishing returns says that, if you keep increasing one factor in the production of goods (such as your workforce) while keeping all other factors the same, you’ll reach a point beyond which additional increases will result in a progressive decline in output.  In other words, there’s a point when adding more inputs will begin to hamper the production process.”

    “Data is just a way of codifying information. Any data gathered should be relevant to a problem, otherwise useless data clouds the results of a query.  If there are too many degrees of freedom, you are begging for a spurious correlation.”

    Readers may be familiar with, “The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80-20 rule, is a concept that many have adopted for their life and time management.  It is the idea that 20% of the effort, or input, leads to 80% of the results or output.  The point of this principle is to recognize that most things in life are not distributed evenly.”  This may be a satisfactory approach to this application.
     

    Need for a Data Scientist

    This approach may require the use of a professional data scientist to realize a valid and reliable outcome.  “A data scientist is an analytics professional who is responsible for collecting, analyzing and interpreting data to help drive decision-making in an organization.  The data scientist role combines elements of several traditional and technical jobs, including mathematician, scientist, statistician and computer programmer.  It involves the use of advanced analytics techniques, such as machine learning and predictive modeling, along with the application of scientific principles.  As part of data science initiatives, data scientists often must work with large amounts of data to develop and test hypotheses, make inferences and analyze things such as customer and market trends, financial risks, cybersecurity threats, stock trades, equipment maintenance needs and medical conditions.”

    More

    This is not a definitive list and is provided to give readers an understanding of what it will take to move forward with the Big Data Analysis model.  Appropriate research and problem definition may reveal additional or fewer requirements.

    Demise of Linear

    The Linear broadcast approach to selling or changing minds is not the relevant delivery vehicle for new micro-data analysis.  Directed notifications is better although practice this with care.  This last election cycle, I received a text, words to the effect, “can we count of your vote for X?”  I was very much against X and no reason was offered to help me change my mind.  Get with the program and don’t be so lazy developing your spiel or message.

    Elon Musk’s ‘Algorithm’

    This is an interesting approach to problem solving that can have relevance to the issue discussed herein.  Can we reduce complexity without losing data fidelity, “The accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness of data.  In other words, it’s the degree to which data can be trusted to be accurate and reliable.”

    His Five Step Process:

    1. Question Every Requirement

    2. Delete Any Part or Process You Can

    3. Simplify and Optimize

    4. Accelerate Cycle Time

    5. Automate

    Readers may ask, how does this fit in this discussion?  We bring this to your attention because it may help identify and bound the problem to be solved.

    Also, perhaps of some value is his, “idiot index, which calculated how much more costly a finished product was than the cost of its basic materials.  If a product had a high idiot index, its cost could be reduced significantly by devising more efficient manufacturing techniques.”  A survey, analysis, etc. are all products and may benefit from this index model.

    Final Thoughts

    Most financial professionals will tell you that spreadsheets must foot (the sum of all rows must equal the sum of all columns).  Can societies or multiple societies foot their columns and rows?  Most likely not and if that is the case, data from this model is not valid or reliable.

    Most likely, this type of data will take the form of a Scatter Diagram (without correlation?) with some clumps or areas of intensity of a specific category or group of categories.

    This may not be an approach that many will take; however, it is clear that the original premise of this piece, that we live in a spreadsheet society is no longer appropriate.  “If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.” ― Albert Einstein.  It will be interesting to see how future polling is conducted.

    Non-Linear Speed Ahead

    Sometimes pieces like this summarize a conclusion.  In the high-pressure environment, we are not concluding anything.  We are carving a way forward–A Growth Model of the Data Economy.

    As of this writing the incoming US administration appears to be moving at hyper speed across a broad front.  Moreover, AI in particular exploding.  Those interested in keeping up may want to to Subscribe | Generative’s AI Newsletter (not an endorsement but seems be a good daily source of information).  Mostly, just keeping up will not be enough, if top quartile success is the goal.

    It will be interesting to see the role the family of Artificial Intelligence (AI) software solutions play in this field going forward.

    Micro-targeting is certainly a place for Big Data to shine.  That said the problem to be solved and the confidence in the validity and reliability of the data must ascertained. 

    Society faces some real challenges with how we manage, analyze and decide using data.  This is but one example where old methods no longer produce valid and reliable results.  How will you and your organization go forward?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the recently published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    We are also pleased to announce our forthcoming book to be published by CRC Press in 2025, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making.  This is a book for the non-IT executive who is faced with making major technology decisions as firms acquire advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

    Copyright © 2024 The Rapid Response Institute LLC.  All rights reserved.

  • Operational Excellence Enabled by Leadership in Technology

    Operational Excellence Enabled by Leadership in Technology

    In 2025, our new book, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making will be released by CRC Press.  This is an accompanying book to our 2023 book, Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.

    Both books focus on the use of advanced information technologies to attain and sustain Operational Excellence.  Today, organizations are drinking from a firehose of advanced solutions such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Business Intelligence, Virtual Reality, Digital Twins and much more.

    Moreover, the roles of executives at all levels are changing.  It is no longer satisfactory to leave major decision to Chief Technology/Digital/Information types.  Everyone has a stake in these (in some case $100 million or more, bet you company decisions).  For example,

    • The business need must be identified, verified and a detailed plan put in place to acquire and implement the technology of choice.
    • Is this aligned with organizational objectives?
    • How will these new technologies integrate into existing systems, if at all?
    • Does the organization have the maturity to undertake this process?  In other words, is it culturally ready and if not, what must be done to get ready?  Examples include upskilling the workforce, what new skills will be needed and so forth.

    The list is lengthy and detailed which is further explained the new book mentioned.  Additionally, what role do non-IT executives play in this process.  The Blogger believes is it no longer satisfactory to outsource the future ‘core competencies’ to the technology staff or key third parties, including Systems Integrators.  The so-called experts.  What agendas do these parties have and are they aligned with the organization mission and strategy?

    Bet Your Career

    These advanced and emerging and sometimes very immature software solutions will touch every division, department and individual employees as well at the organizational ecosystem.  Poor performance will end careers and possibly organizations.  As always, there will be winners and losers, both at the organization level as well as individuals.

    We could go on, but readers get the point.  This is game-changing for industry sectors, organizations including government agencies and finally for individuals.  Big decisions will need to be made and soon.

    What are you doing to prepare of this transformational tsunami?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    We are also pleased to announce our forthcoming book to be published by CRC Press in 2025, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making.  This is a book for the non-IT executive who is faced with making major technology decisions as firms acquire advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Let’s Test Artificial Intelligence

    Let’s Test Artificial Intelligence

    This author is working on a book to be published in early 2025 that addresses issues about the decision to procure and implement today’s exploding technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).  So, for this edition, we wanted to try something new.  We are going to ask Chat GPT how to sell Artificial Intelligence and glean knowledge from this non-human response.

    We will ask the following and present the AI response.  Do to space limitations we will limit the length of the AI answer.  Finally, how does the AI response compare to experience?

    Question: What are the Top Ten B2B Sales Objections?

    We are licensed and used ‘Chatbot Pro powered by OpenAI.’ to obtain the following response:

    In B2B sales, encountering objections is common. Here are ten of the most frequent objections sales professionals may face:

    1. Price Concerns: “It’s too expensive.” Buyers often worry about how a purchase impacts their budget.

    2. Need for Approval: “I need to get this approved by my manager.” This highlights the longer decision-making process in B2B environments.

    3. Existing Vendor Loyalty: “We’re already working with another provider.” Customers may be reluctant to change suppliers due to established relationships.

    4. Timing Issues: “We’re not ready to make a decision right now.” This can signal that the buyer needs more time or is in a different stage of their purchasing journey.

    5. Lack of Trust: “I don’t know enough about your company.” Prospects may require more assurance regarding the credibility and track record of the vendor.

    6. Concerns Over ROI: “How can you guarantee a return on investment?” Buyers want assurance that the product or service will add value to their business.

    7. Complexity of Implementation: “The implementation process seems complicated.” Prospects may fear that adopting a new solution could disrupt their operations.

    8. Product Fit: “I’m not sure this meets our specific needs.” For B2B buyers, product alignment with their unique requirements is vital.

    9. Potential Risks: “What if it doesn’t work for us?” Buyers may worry about the risks associated with adopting new solutions or the potential for failure.

    10. Economic Conditions: “Given the current economic climate, we need to be cautious.” External factors, such as economic downturns, can lead to increased scrutiny on new expenditures.

    Addressing these objections effectively is crucial for closing deals in the B2B space.

    This is pretty impressive.  It is a simple example of the power this set of technologies can deliver if used properly.  Readers may remember an example of how not to use AI.  Some examples can be found in our Blog edition, How Stupid is AI?  Humans still develop Artificial Intelligence solutions.  Therefore, the relative value of this suite of technologies isa function of the expertise of those seeking to solve various difficult challenges.

    What Unreleased Value will you Address with AI and Why?

    We are pleased to announce our forthcoming book to be published by CRC Press in 2025, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making.  This is a book for the non-IT executive who is faced with making major technology decisions as firms acquire advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • What Do You Think About Artificial Intelligence?

    What Do You Think About Artificial Intelligence?

    The world is abuzz, not with the US presidential election, but with Artificial Intelligence (AI).  How do you feel about this game changing suite of technologies?

    Whether we agree or not, the AI tsunami is coming ashore.  What we, as individuals do about this phenomenon will dictate the remainder of our career and even quality of life.

    Do you see this as a threat or opportunity?  Technological advancement has led to the indoor flush toilet, horseless carriage and even the ubiquitous Smartphone.  What makes AI any different?

    The burden we all face when confronting the inevitable is to adapt.  Some jobs will be eliminated, (the preverbal buggy whip manufactures) and others will emerge.  Your task is to stay relevant.

    Beyond AI

    AI technology is not the beginning or the new, but the next step in the ongoing information technology resolution.  Expect much more to come and sooner rather than later.

    Humans have always had to develop and adapt to new technologies.  Our modern lifestyle is a testament to our collective success.  Embrace the change and as they saying goes “Yippee Ki-Yay,”  Or just go for it!  AI is only a step, more is to come.

    What are you doing to assure you are not left behind?

    We are pleased to announce our forthcoming book to be published by CRC Press in 2025, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making.  This is a book for the non-IT executive who is faced with making major technology decisions as firms acquire advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

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  • Why Me and Why Now?

    Why Me and Why Now?

    In the current calendar year, I have personally not been negatively impacted by hurricane Beryl and other extreme weather events that have hit the Houston metropolitans area.

    Friends and colleagues have not been so lucky with several enduring power failures multiple times.  So why have I been so lucky?  We usually ask the title question when adversity impacts our lives.

    Clean living, fate, etc. are claims we all make when fortune smiles on us.  Probably none of these are true in  my case.  Luck plays a big role when we are smiled upon.  None of us can be certain what will come our way and when adversity will hit and perhaps hit hard.

    The word Luck, has a number of whimsical expressions such as, “I would rather be lucky than good.”  This writer would take that all day long!  Another whimsical expression.

    “Happiness is a quality of the soul…not a function of one’s material circumstances.” ~ Aristotle (384–322 BC).  In other words, it is not about what happens or does not happen to us, words spoken over 2,300 years ago.  It is what we make of our life.

    Finally, stay tuned (a 1950s statement about the then emerging technology — television).  Shortly we will launch another Blog tentatively titled, Wisdom of the Ancients.  There is an immerse body of knowledge from our forefathers that are applicable today.

    What do you do everyday to assure the quality of your life?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • The Times They Are a Changin!

    The Times They Are a Changin!

    Creative destruction is the dismantling of long-standing practices in order to make way for innovation and is seen as a driving force of capitalism.

    We live in an era of hyper-change.  Technology to be sure, but all social constructs are under duress.  The question is, how will all of us at an individual level deal with these enormous pressures?

    The statement, “The only constant is change” remains a basic truism.  From the time of our birth until our death we  undergo physical and psychological transformation.  At this writer’s age, I have been through more than seven decades of evolvement.  With hopefully a few more cycles in the future.

    Joseph Schumpeter (1883–1950) coined the seemingly paradoxical term “creative destruction,” and generations of economists have adopted it as a shorthand description of the free market’s messy way of delivering progress.

    The question is, would we have it any other way?  Some central government (most likely unelected) bureaucrat dictating how we should respond to social/economic forces is not only anti-American it is Fascist if not Communist policy.

    If Lenin and the Bolsheviks prevail in the upcoming US presential election, get ready for the disruption of life as we know it.  Welcome to East Berlin, circa 1960s.

    How will you preserver Capitalism, the best, worse, social construct?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • How Do You Know the App is Giving You the Right Answer?

    How Do You Know the App is Giving You the Right Answer?

    We all rely on Apps for most of our decision making.  But, how do we know the app is providing the correct answer?

    The stories about spreadsheet errors are legendary and are usually the result of human ‘data entry’ or ‘calculation’ errors.  However, software can be the root cause for problems.  Software bugs are classified into three types:

    1. Software Defects by its Nature–The type of software, its functionality and role it plays with other software applications.
    2. Software Defects by its Priority–The likelihood of a severe impact on the software program.
    3. Software Defects by its Severity–The impact a defect can have on operations, other integrated packages, etc.

    Regardless of the software defect/error type, or caused by human misuse or data input issues, the results can be devastating.  The following 3.38 minute video does a good job presenting a high-level overview on this subject which is probably the level of detail a layperson should have on this subject.

    I Give, How Would I Know?

    The navigation system in my 2015 SUV routinely tells me that I have arrived at my destination a block or more before I actually have.  I know this from experience and expect this error.  However, we do not often have this level of visibility into the output of software.

    The long-time classic IT response to a question is, “It Depends.”  The argument meaning, that the answer is unknowable and I need more information.  This response from your IT division or third party contractors is totally irresponsible.  For example, they need to go find out and report back that Gaps exist and need to be addressed.

    If I am completing my expense account on my portal and the total sum seems incorrect, it is not the end of the world and this can easily be remedied.  If the decision has greater consequences or is risky, additional assessment should be sought.  For example:

    • If the recommendation is  based on the output of a spreadsheet or other app output is critical, have a neutral third party independently arrive at a conclusion.  It they agree, probably OK, if not more assessment is warranted.  If the discussion is, ‘We don’t have time,’ then perhaps the response to the decision to the question is NO!
    • Decision makers need to look at the three software issues listed above and answer the internal answer as to the impact of the software.  Not just the possibility of errors or incorrect calculations but the test of the impact on the organization if errors exists.  The CloudStrike episode is a case in point where that organization did not take Version Management professionally.
    • Finally, does the answer pass the ‘Smell Test?’  What do your experts say about the output; by they way they can be wrong.

    Much of this is subjective, but decision makers should treat this technology as the do with other technologies.  IT solutions can have a high impact on the firm, yet they can be disastrous as well.  The ultimate test; IT indicatives/decisions must be scrutinized with the same degree as any other corporate level decision.

    For the complex AI derived responses, the opinion writer suggests the humans trying to decipher this data, look to the Scientific Method.  This is tried approach to problem solving and even if only AI can provide an answer, the process to get this answer needs to be understood.

    This scientist was trained during the slide rule era.  As such we needed to understand the problem and how it would be solved, rather that an answer spit out from a computer.  This skill set needs to be resurrected in the AI era.

    Are you assured your software is accurate?  How do you know?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Is Chivalry Dead?

    Is Chivalry Dead?

    Some still believe that an individual’s word is his/her bond.  Or that the Marquess of Queensberry Rules still apply.  Sadly, for many, these statements are outdated.

    Blockchain is a, “decentralized digital ledger that securely stores records across a network of computers in a way that is transparent, immutable, and resistant to tampering.”  This is the reason it is famous for cryptocurrencies and lesser known but as important as the backbone of secure Supply Chain Management and invoicing/payment systems.  In this era of complex global business relationships with millions if not billions of transaction each year, the blockchain SCM is essential.

    And Yet!

    Not only are the well known and often comical scams running strong, some executives still seek to take advantage of the unwary and naive.  Guess both types of thieves will always be with us.  In addition to a lifetime of dealing with those who seek success at the expense of others, here are two recent use cases taken from the last 18 months, of which this Blogger has personal knowledge.

    The Handshake

    A small supplier of leased equipment to heavy industry ‘cut’ a deal with another small firm to lease equipment to a much larger organization of which the small firm had a business relationship.  In this case contract negotiations broke down but the equipment supplier shipped the equipment on a handshake and assurances the ‘paper’ was not necessary.

    As of this writing, there is a great deal of animosity and non-payment.  Likely, legal action will be taken to the detriment of both these small firms.

    The Contract Did Not Address

    In another ongoing situation, a one page agreement provided by the sales person of a small firm was accepted by the small buying organization.  No provisions we provided for accidents or incidents while the equipment was in the possession of the seller, but making changes to the total solution by a 3rd party who was partially directed by an engineer representing the buyer.

    A resulting fire rendered the equipment unsalvageable and the finger pointing commenced.  This was compounded, as the buyer’s engineer kept few if any notes and most communication was verbal.  The who will pay for the damage is still uncertain, as are next steps.

    Trust But Verify

    Chivalry is not defined as it was in the day of the knights and I think rightfully so, as we are not taking our swords to the field of battle against those believed to have wronged us.

    Contracts need not be the lengthy small print most think they are.  A contract must start with an offer (proposal) and its acceptance.  The do not need to be in writing but usually are.  They must be legal and have consideration (value exchange).  Finally, the contract is between ‘Capable Parties,’ those qualified to enter the agreement.  The written agreement typically has standard clauses or provisions including but not limited to assignments, arbitration, amendments, modification, notices, choice of law, force majeure and more.

    An average written contract would have saved all parties in the two use cases from a lot of personal and organizational grief.

    Finally, most larger organizations have put in place Operations Management Systems.  They go by a number of names but their purpose is to assure the contract is adhered too, especially for a complex project as well as document performance for the protection of all involved.

    Our firm has been directly active in this field for about 15 years but working in the area for over 50 years.  We have developed our software solution Smart OpEx that enables this business model for the benefit of all parties involved.  The proverbial “He said–She said,” goes away.  This has been addresses previously and more information is available on our website.

    Chivalry May Not Be Dead, but Consider that Handshake Management as Expired.  How will you manage even small business relationships going forward?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • A Model for Technology Adoption

    A Model for Technology Adoption

    Oh My, I am Swamped by this Firehose of New Technologies.  How can I Understand, Much Less Use These Tools?

    Like most of us, our job is not about new bigger, better, faster IT.  We have the daily grind to attend to and quarterly metrics to make.  What we need from IT providers (internal and external) are the solutions and tools we need to do our jobs.  But how do we know what are the right software solutions and which will disappoint us?

    This is Easier than You Think

    In our forthcoming book to be published by CRC Press in 2025, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making we address technology adoption issues at length.  However, while you are waiting to order your copy of these guidelines, there are a few things you can begin with.

    Ask yourself the following questions:

    • What is the quality of your data and how is it used in decision-making processes.?
    • How much do you and your organization know about the challenges and trends in Big Data and associated applications, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
    • How ready is your organization to fund and implement new advanced software/cloud applications?
    • Does your organization know how to realize the full and measurable economic value from these technologies?
    • What is your organization’s appetite for the risks involved from implementing new technologies?
    • How will these technologies be used in your organization?

    Getting a handle on these few questions will give you and your organization a good start in this journey.

    Final Thoughts

    One can make a case that the advent of new information technologies is ramping up.  The expectations this author has for AI, for instance, is just beginning.  Why and How organization take advantage of these solutions is not longer in the hands of the Chief Information Officer or other ‘C’ level individual responsible for keeping the firm abreast of advances.  These are now corner office decisions, and in some cases the Board of Directors will have to concur and/or approve.

    How are you preparing yourself and your organization the Brave New World?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Massive Waste of Time

    Massive Waste of Time

    Call Center robotic humans and/or maybe AI reading their scripts and/or sending stupid texts.

    We a get them everyday.  The opportunity of a lifetime.  Since your D&B rating has recently increased, we are please to announce that you can borrow a ridiculous amount of money at a low interest.  This blogger has never responded but I am sure the pitch continues something like this.  “Send us your banking information so we can deposit the funds.”  Yea, right!  Then we will do our best to drain your account.

    Some are Easy, but More and More they are Not

    The bad old  days of getting notice that you are the recipiant of millions of dollars from some never known relative who died in an African car accident are fading.  However, they are being replace with much more sophisticated approaches to grand thief.  Some of which seem to be working.

    So What Can One Do?

    First and foremost, NO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE ‘CLICK’ ON A LINK OR ATTACHEMENT OF ANY KIND–PERIOD!!  If you do, they have you.  Secondly, does it make any sense?  My company typically gets 4-10 unsolicited loan opportunities, daily.  Well my organization has had a real banking relationship for almost two decades.  Why would I need huge sums of money from an unsolicited Internet text or email?  Nor do I answer unsolicited phone calls and if I inadvisably pick up one, I do not respond but just hang up.  Rude?  Na, they are trying in steal my money.  Do you apologize to a guy mugging you?

    I have not yet set the phone to not answer numbers not in  my contact list, but I am close.  Unfortunately, some actual add value firms such as Healthcare Providers still depend on telephonic communications but hopefully that will change soon.

    For Your Convenience

    Every vendor we buy from wants to keep your credit card information in thier ‘secure’ wallet.  Not to worry, this makes it easier to buy from us next time.  NEVER ALLOW THIS.  Companies are hacked all the time and personal information and credit card numbers are taken.  Why take the chance, it only take a few seconds to type the number in each time.  That said, one reputable vendor I used stated that they would keep the card number on file,  I contacted them and told them, I did not want this.  their response, “We don’t save cards.”  No credibility, and there is not much I can do with the liars but stop buying from them.  Hey, they got the information they wanted but no future revenue from this consumer.  Their CRM system should be so proud.

    Be a Knowledgeable Buyer

    This writer lives in Houston, Txxas, a large city with a crime problem.  I take appropriate steps to assure my safety and that of my significant other.  We all  take similar steps based on our locale and relative safety.

    Moreover, based on the current reputation which is similar to that of the 1970s, we no longer go to New York City to see the plays.  Their lost tourist spending.  Take the same precautions with your online life as you do with your physical life.  Both are equally important to your ‘Quality of Life.”

    Forget the term ‘scam’ it denotes too soft behavior.  These are criminals who would kill you over your wallet on the streets.  Same NDA.

    In a future Blog, we will discuss how this same crowd is after your children.

    What are you doing to protect your family from online criminals?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Cultural Cognitive Dissonance

    Cultural Cognitive Dissonance

    “Cognitive dissonance is the mental discomfort that results from holding two conflicting beliefs, values, or attitudes.”  — Verywellmind

    Typically, we associate this behavioral issue with individual humans.  Yet, aren’t organization comprised of human beings?  Well at least until the AI robots take over.

    There can be many issues causing individual and collective angst and some are described below.  However, it is not daily decisions management makes that we do not agree with that are the most destructive.  The real challenges groups face are the ones that challenge organizational culture–such as major change or organizational transformation efforts.

    Yet, what if cultural cognitive dissonance is not caused by major one time events?  What if it is the result of the systemic nature of the organization.  For example, employees are routinely treated poorly and not valued.

    From a personal perspective, twice in my career I blow the sales quota away by multi-millions.  My reward; thanks and we can’t pay that much in commission.  And the final coup de grâce, “we want more of this type business so we are going to hire someone to do it.”  Guess, what!  Both companies did and these huge deals were never sold again.  Oh and BTW, both went out of business not long after.

    There are consequences when organizations exhibit cultural cognitive dissonance.  Not just to the individual, but that message was clearly sent and no one ever again stepped out of their boxes.  Game, Set, Match!

    Moreover, for large global firms, there may be cultural clashes among the different global divisions/companies.  This can be managed but may often be at odds with each other.

    From Verywellmind, the following three major causes of cognitive dissonance apply to organizations as well as individuals.

    Causes of Cognitive Dissonance

    • Forced Compliance–Required to behave in a certain way that may be contrary to beliefs or desired behavior
    • New Information–Obtaining new information or data that calls into question previous positions
    • Decisions–The quandary of needing to select one of two or more similar alternatives

    According to the well regarded Cleveland Clinic, “Cognitive dissonance can feel a lot like anxiety and stress — and they often come paired together. When you’re stressed or anxious, you could affect your overall mental, emotional and physical health.”

    This observer suggests that these symptoms will apply to organizations as well.  This could contribute or lower performance and even the demise of a once viable organization.  This condition is something to be taken seriously.

    Does your organization realize there may some internal cognitive dissonances in your culture?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Fake Science

    Fake Science

    “I would rather have questions that can’t be answered than answers that can’t be questioned.” – Richard Feynman

    “I am the science.”  You have got to be kidding me Mr. Fauci.  Clearly, you have no training in the Scientific Method or maybe your just plan arrogant.  Home many lives have you and you colleagues destroyed, you fake scientist?

    As an actual degreed physicist, I have published here and other media on the process ‘real’ scientists take to address new phenomena.  Yet a singular medical doctor, not a degreed scientist claims the godlike mantel of ‘I am science?’

    Welcome to 21st Century quackery.  In his testimony before Congress, “Dr. Fauci reaffirmed shocking testimony that the ‘six feet apart’ social distancing recommendation that he promoted was arbitrary, not based on science, and ‘sort of just appeared.’”  Science?  NOT!!  Do I hear leaches and blood letting are next?

    Trillions and Trillions and Trillions

    Untold lives and treasure has been destroyed by the Covid-19 quacks.  Not just MD types but a complacent media and hapless governments (politicians as well as regulators) at all levels.

    I am not a Covid denier.  Yes, many got sick and too many died, but we are now learning is that a so call ‘medical’ approach to this problem was based on NOTHING real!  Moreover, it appears that senior officials at the  National Health Institute knowingly lied to us repeatedly.

    Let me see if I understand this, a US funded research institute focused on ‘gain of function‘ released the Covid or it came from a bat?  Readers can make their own decision.

    Pockets were padded and many had their (more) than fifteen minutes of fame.  What did the rest of us get? Lost jobs, closed (forever) small businesses, and now ‘oh joy’ inflation due to government largess.

    The National Institute of Health appears to have put in place a systematic procedure to foil Freedom of Information Act requests.   Our right to know and have oversight that limits the ability of dictatorships to emerge was compromised.

    The arrogance and disgust which these so called public service hold us, the public is beyond the pail.  But not to worry they are all multimillionaires working on GS 15 (~ $180,000) salaries.  They must get great investment advice.

    The old saying about reality is applicable, “If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it just may be a duck.”  Or it may be a MD policy wonk from the government that is ‘here to help or destroy your life.’  Remember how those who questioned the conventional wisdom were treated/abused?

    Bring in the mandatory masks.  No less than the conservative (lol) AL JAZEERA reports that key Covid players now question the value of masks we were all forced to wear.  Fascism!

    What the world was put through for years by dictatorial medical types and the fake media that took down other opinions and approaches is appalling.  Jail time is too good for these liars as they got rich.  Next time they come up with the crap they should be run out of town as they have not earned any respect.

    Have you put your liar detector in place when the fake government arrives and says ‘we are here to help/mandate?’

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Business Snake (BS) Detector

    Business Snake (BS) Detector

    With a Big Smile and a hand stretched out, customers are greeted as if they are long lost cousins.

    Sound like the used car sales guy of the 1950″s?  Perhaps, but still fairly typical today in many cases.  So how does one assess the honesty of a business executive, sales representative, customer service or anyone we meet in a business setting?  From one academic source, liars with evil intent may display some of the following traits:

    • There will likely be physical signs.
    • They’ll repeat the same story over and over.
    • They’ll be oddly chronological.
    • They’ll speak more eloquently.
    • They’ll drop or change pronouns.
    • Their sentences may be full of qualifiers.

    We teach our children to beware of strangers–Stranger Danger!  However, have you ever seen a very young child recoil when something does not seem just right?  In this pundit opinion, babes are born with an understanding that not everyone is a good guy.  This innate situational awareness (0pen this link, it is a wealth of information regarding personal safety) is in all of us.

    I have always loved this song.  It has a very clear message.  a snake is a snake is a snake.  So it is with business snakes.  Their spots will not change.

    How many of us have lost corporate political battles to outright liars?  All, I suspect.  Some interesting approaches towards deal with liars include:

    Copying Tips

    1. Be on guard and prepare
    2. Keep records
    3. Keep the focus on the relationship
    4. Know not to trust behavior in the heat of the moment
    5. Ignore them
    6. Be patient
    7. Don’t feel the need to call them out on everything

    Confronting the Liar

    1. Offer a way out before you address the lie
    2. Disrupt the habit over and over
    3. Allude to their lying patterns
    4. Suggest therapy

    Understanding the Liar

    1. Know the difference between a pathological liar and a scumbag
    2. Understand why they lie
    3. Know they may hate who they actually are
    4. Take care of yourself

    The world is full of liar, criminals and other miscreate.  The organizational world is a mirror of any society, so set your expectations accordingly.  Moreover, as we know from cyber crime and scams evil does evolve.  Make your your snake detector evolves as well.

    How do you know if some seeks to take advantage of you or your organization?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • THE Enforceable Contract

    THE Enforceable Contract

    The days of the so-called gentlemen’s/gentlewoman’s handshake agreement are over if they ever truly existed.

    One of the most famous handshake deals was the 1983 acquisition of Getty Oil by Pennzoil.  Texaco sought to sweeten the deal with a superior offer that Getty accepted.  The original deal made in New York was later upheld in the state of Texas and Pennzoil prevailed.  As with much litigation, it appeared jurisdiction the trial was held mattered a lot.  One wonders even in Texas if that type agreement would be upheld today.

    Agreements are broken all the time and the soc-called ‘he said–she said’ defense is frequent.  Moreover, loose interpretation of poor or deliberately cloudy language gives the unscrupulous an upper hand.

    For example, early in this writer’s sales career my team closed a (single) deal that represented over 10% of a public company’s division yearly sales.  The company reneged on the commission deal citing its ability to renegotiate commissions for ‘unique’ situations.  Needless to say, I resigned and no one else ever tried to go for the ‘brass ring’ deal again.  Guess they won.  Maybe not as my personal sales throughout my career were enormous dwarfing this first multi-million dollar sale.

    In another case, a technology deal fell apart when (after a handshake) the buyer refused to pay.  You can imagine what happened next.  Finally, how many of us have been lied to about opportunities?  Happens every day.

    Recently, I secured an online offer for an artmobile I wanted to sell.  Upon “inspection” I was told blank, blank were issues and the price was reduced by 2/3.  I left and will offer the name of the national firm to anyone who wants it.  What goes around comes around.

    Caveat Emptor (Buyer Beware) has been replace with the due diligence both parties are now required to perform.  And this assumes both parties are engaged in a legal transaction.  All bets are off if you succumb to dead relatives in Africa leaving you millions, huge lines of bank credit offered and thousands of nefarious thieves scamming (too weak a word–should be just be out right criminals)

    Trust But Verify

    Sage wisdom from an actor turned president.  Oh wait, he was too old and unqualified, so it must not mean anything!

    We all have to do business with a wide variety of individuals and even organizations with questionable ethics.  We must get our so-called ‘ducks in a row’  and maintain a high level of situational awareness.

    What steps do you take to make sure you and your firm enter into strong enforceable contracts?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • What Does ‘Systemic’ Actually Mean?

    What Does ‘Systemic’ Actually Mean?

    The word Systemic is tossed around quite loosely these days.  Especially when discussing social issues and politics.

    But what does it really mean when we say something is systemic by nature?  By one definition it is, “Of or relating to a system or a system and other relating to or affecting the entire body or an entire organism.”  Indeed a broad judgement.

    So when we say an entire nation is a systemically ‘blank blank,’ does that include the prognosticator that is making that statement?  Are those caught in the cross hairs of a so called systemic belief equally feel the same way about all other groups?  Not bloody likely as my Brit buddies say.

    How Do We Define a System?

    One definition of the word includes the world or universe.  Typically, we think of something smaller and ‘bounded.’  What do we mean by bounded?  Readers might be surprised that this term is a mathematical term describing a function, sequence or variation of a function.  In layman’s terms, systems have limits whether the human body, an organization, or society.

    Systems also have ecosystems and are not all organic in and of them selves and they interact with other systems.  For example, a commercial firm has suppliers and customers as well as local governments and even media outlets.

    Therefore, complexity is an inherent components and human constituents to ALL systems.  This stands by reason in our very robust and diverse world today.

    As such human behavior can take many different decision paths regarding any given issue.  We discuss these causal affects in our 2017 piece, Excellent Behaviors: Assessing Relationships in the Operational Excellence Ecosystem.

    It Is Not That Easy

    Defining the systemic nature of any system is very difficult.  NO system can be defined by one word.  Systems are complex sets of moving interdependent parts whose boundary is often ill defined.

    Decision makers must assure they are using valid and reliability data as they define the problem they are trying to solve.  Without such preparation, the answer put forth may be incorrect or meaningless.

    Next time a colleague or pundit is tossing around the word ‘systemic’ as them what they mean and when they say it means ALL, ask them how do they know that?

    In and of itself the term is meaningless.  Without a detailed definition of the system being discussed, good decisions are not possible and most likely will be poorly implemented with predictable results.

    So if you believe a system is a mess, how do you go about fixing?  Methodical or emotional?  One will work better that the other approach.

    What do you mean when you say something is systemic?

    If you need help with your complex system, see below and contact us.

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • The Art of Leadership

    The Art of Leadership

    Are Leaders born or made?

    I was the executive officer for an air defense (military) battery.  The battery Commanding Officer was not someone I would walk across the street to follow.  At the same time, there was a three star general that I would have followed to hell and back.  A one star general I worked for was a dumb as a stump.  Rank and hierarchy have nothing to do with leadership.  Leaders are MADE not born.

    Later I learned about the treachery of corporate politics as worthless individuals spent all their time trying to screw the rest of us.  Welcome to the real world of scum.

    What Makes a Leader?

    When I earned m MBA I was taught about management.  I did not have a single course on leadership. It is no wonder that managers do not know how to inspire and cause true followership.  There are lots of websites, books, pods, etc. about leadership traits and case studies of best/worst leadership.  We will not got there with this piece but take another tack.

    Even after training, i.e. military, first responder, law enforcement and more are some leaders great, some good and some horrible?

    Psychiatrists, sociologists and others will argue it is personality.  BS, it is all about whether the individual gives a crap about people.

    To serve them or to have them serve him/her?

    So think about it if your offered a leadership position.  Are you prepared?  Is it something you even want to do or are would you be in it for the power and money?

    If the later, you will not be a leader you will be a detriment to your team, organization and society in general.  Just stay the individual contributor and there is nothing wrong with that.

    If your up to the task, make people first, power and prestige last.  Good luck with your career and life choices.

    What Makes you think you will be a good leader?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • And the Question IS?

    And the Question IS?

    Why, How, When or Does It Matter?

    It seems at times we have more questions than answers.  And, sometimes the questions seem unanswerable.  Yet we continue to seek a response.  I guess it is the human nature that makes us so inquisitive.  Certainly the advent of the Internet has changed the very nature of research–which all are doing daily!

    The Challenge of Questioning

    The United States is full on the political ‘Silly Season‘ as the election moves into full speed.  We hear of ‘poll bias’s and other manner of statistical manipulation.  So what and who are we to believe?

    We have raised the issue of survey and data issues a number of times in this blog thread.  Examples include:

    In this edition, we will explore how to “Frame a Question.”  This is an important consideration.  According to one firm, “Designing framing questions starts by defining your conversation’s purpose.  Good framing questions should be carefully designed to invite different perspectives.  They should also be open-ended to encourage diverse and creative thinking.  They can’t be so broad that they are impractical.”  Seems simple, but like a lot of so-called simple things it can take a good deal of time preparing.  For example, we previously discussed the challenges of writing an “Elevator Pitch.”  Same laws of communication apply.

    Framing a Powerful Question

    According to one source, “Powerful questions are provocative queries that put a halt to evasion and confusion.  By asking
    the powerful question, the coach invites the client to clarity, action, and discovery at a whole new level.”  This approach requires the respondent to think through the answer.  This is much different than most political/corporate rejoinders.

    The power of a GOOD question cannot be underestimated.  It requires the dialogue to go to another higher level.  We should ask more of them.

    How Powerful are Your Questions?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Artificial Stupidity

    Artificial Stupidity

    Listen closely and pay attention as our menu has changed.

    The frustration to the automated phone operator are legend.  All of us have had our issues with this form of (non) customer service.

    Recently this pundit placed a call at a number provided by the vendor and went though all the (voice) menu items, only to hit the ‘other’ button.  At this point, I was advised to dial the number I already had.  So much for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and welcome to the era of Artificial Stupidity.

    Firms are all jumping on the AI bandwagon, even though the technology is immature at best.   Sound like the dot.com bomb of a quarter of a century ago.  One wonders, what damage to their brand are the organizations incurring?

    Enter the MVP Mindset

    In recent years the software development sector has ‘Dumbing Down’ the level of  product commerciality.  Minimum Viable Product or MVP can be defined as, “The version of a new product which allows a team to collect the maximum amount of validated learning about customers with the least effort.”  Used to be called BETA in the good old days.  Now MVP is often seen as THE commercially released product.  Dah, hence the issues, frustration and lack of credibility in so-called AI solutions.

    All Things AI

    As mentioned, AI is all the rage.  Much like a fashion statement. everyone is jumping on that bandwagon.  But does it work?  Moreover, it encompasses a large spectrum of operations.

    Basically, anything that need big data crunching.  Yet crunching numbers is only interesting at best.  What problem is being solved?  This is where the weakness continues.  Algorithms are only as good as their author.  Some argue machines will take over this task, but one doubts anytime soon.  For example, jet engine commercial airlines are over 65 years old but increasingly seem to have construction/maintenance issues.  What makes us think this technology will be any different?  The Technology Adoption curve can be very lengthy and full of potholes.

    The judicious use of commercial quality software makes the most sense.  Just because every one is doing it is not a shareholder value added.  In many cases a sloppy approach actually decreases equity value.

    What is your organization’s approach to new technology and how does it add value?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • How Effective at Multitasking are We?

    How Effective at Multitasking are We?

    According to no less than the Cleveland Clinic, ” Studies (regarding multitasking) show it makes us less efficient and more prone to errors.”

    Cleveland Clinic goes on to make the case:

    • When tasks are easy and routine such as, “like listening to music while walking, or folding laundry while watching TV,” these are generally not a problem.
    • However, when tasks are difficult and complex the situation changes dramatically and attempts at multitasking can be dangerous and even deadly.

    Many of us live in neighborhoods where drivers can be fined if they talk on a cell phone (even handsfree) in a school zone.  Another example is the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Sterile Cockpit Rule which states, ” requiring pilots to refrain from non-essential activities during critical phases of flight, normally below 10,000 feet (3,048 meters).”

    Moreover, multitasking does not just have to be balancing a number of concurrent tasks, it can also  include managing tasks against some criteria, i.e. budget constraints.

    Safety, Safety, Safety

    In the blog series, as well as a host of publications include our 2014 book,  Implementing a Culture of Safety: A Roadmap to Performance-Based Compliance we have sought to drive the need for ALL organizations in the Critical Infrastructure sectors to live have a strong Safety Culture coupled with High Reliability operating performance.

    Meetings, Meetings, Meetings

    Similarly, many executives seem to prefer to spend their days going from meeting to meeting.  The belief is often that keeping busy is a proxy for progress.  In reality, it usually is not.

    Final Thoughts

    The referenced Cleveland Clinic article goes on to say, “The more we multitask, the less we actually accomplish, because we slowly lose our ability to focus enough to learn.”  In this multitasker, this sentence says it all.

    It is easy to watch TV while doing daily chores.  I do this all the time.  It is an entirely different matter to managing an offshore drilling process multitasking.  The systemic mistakes made in 2010 on the Deepwater Horizon are capture in detail in the book, Deepwater Horizon: A Systems Analysis of the Macondo Disaster.  Lessons learned are applicable to all in complex working environments.

    Does your organization favor multitaskers over those who focus?  If so, stakeholder value is likely degrading.

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • AI or AU?

    AI or AU?

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all the rage but are these laudables premature?  Is it in really Artificial Unintelligence (AU) or just latest manifestation of the 30+ year old Expert System and a passing fad?

    Recently, none the less than Google (parent Alphabet) suffered a $100 billion market setback when their AI strategy suffered a lack luster performance.  This pundit has believed for a while that AI is ‘not ready for prime time,’ despite the continual harping about this world changing too.

    IT hype is not new.  The modern era for Information Technology most likely started with Alan Turing’s ‘Machine,’ circa 1936.  Ever since, society has endowed these inanimate objects with special ‘human like’ powers.  In our 2023 book, Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability, we asked the question regarding Machine Learning.  “What do you do if your machine is learning the wrong things?”

    In our forthcoming (2025) book, Navigating the Data Minefields: Management’s Guide to Better Decision-Making, we address this issue and its management in great detail.  In the meantime, management is well advised to treat all new technologies with a skeptical mind regards of what internal and external proponents with their agendas argue.

    We have known for decades that IT projects need to undergo the same scrutiny as any capital expense.  So why do these projects still get a pass?

    Over the years, we have chronicled major corporate failure such as Bud Light.  A nine (9) percent equity hit on one day because of AI hype puts that organization in that league.  Use common sense in technology assessments!

    What guardrails does your organization have in place to prevent major technology faux pas?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • Burrattery

    Burrattery

    Burr!  Its winter in the northern hemisphere and many shiver from the cold.  The ‘Many’ include batteries.

    We have know for generations that cold weather negatively affects electrical batteries.  So, it should come as no surprise that Electric Vehicles (EVs) performance can suffer greatly when the temperatures are extremely cold.  This phenomenon is not limited to this power source, diesel engines face similar challenges at very low temperatures.

    Is It All Hype?

    The IT research firm, Gartner has developed a model describing the process from the inception of new technologies to their general acceptance.  The Gartner Hype Cycle is widely viewed as a reasonable model of this process and is applied to a wide variety of technological innovations.  As the title suggests, technology undergoes a process of innovation, disappointment and finally broad acceptance.  Moreover, this process can take many years with the demise of many startup companies that were perhaps even too early in the process.

    According to Gartner, “Data-enabled services, electrification and smart cabins are a part of many technologies in this Hype Cycle.  Most of these technologies continue to be in the Innovation Trigger and Peak of Inflated Expectations, showing they have a lot of potential to disrupt the automotive space, but yet have some way to go before reaching mainstream adoption.”

    Diffusion of Innovations

    Most readers are probably familiar with the so-called Technology Adoption model which is composed of five types of users/buyers:

    1. Innovators
    2. Early Adopters
    3. Early Majority
    4. Late Majority
    5. Laggards

    For these and more reasons (including high prices), it seems that EVs may have a way to go before wide acceptance with more robust battery technologies.  Finally, we previously challenged the perceived low Carbon Footprint of batteries and documented these technologies are not as green as portrayed.  Interested readers can take a look at our blog Crippling Green discussion regarding the economics of Climate Change.

    Where does your organization fall on either or both of these curves for battery technologies?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.

  • When Does It End?

    When Does It End?

    Once Again Organizational Safety Cultures Have Failed.  Why Does This Keep Happening?

    The controversial Normal Accident Theory suggests that in complex systems accidents are enviable.  So it would seem with continued major disruptions in Critical Infrastructure Sectors.  We have argued that this is not necessarily correct.

    Systemic Safety Culture

    Following the Deepwater Horizon incident in 2010 and building off our 2014 book, IMPLEMENTING A CULTURE of SAFETY A ROADMAP FOR PERFORMANCE BASED COMPLIANCE, we continue to address the issues associated with safety failures and developed a Roadmap towards the High Reliability Organization (HRO).  An HRO faces the same challenges are its industry peers; however, it has robust processes in place to quickly mitigate safety and critical operational exposures.

    As part of our practice, we have developed a robust toolkit to facilitate the rapid transformation to an organizational Safety Culture without business disruption.  Many of the tools are provided at no cost and are easy to use–their details are available.

    Culture Eats Strategy

    The aircraft manufacture Boeing and its supply chain are undergoing increased scrutiny as result of the Alaskan Airline Max 9 inflight door failure.  This is entirely appropriate.

    As part of this process, the aircraft producer’s culture has come into question.  Some argue the firm moved away from an engineering culture to a safety culture.  This pundit believes that they are one in the same for this sector.

    A more appropriate argument is that the firm has recently exercised other values at the expensive of aircraft manufacturing technology.  Is this a loss of focus and a deviation from core values and capabilities?  Always a danger, i.e., New Coke and Bud Light.

    Get Smart

    In our recent book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability, ” we make the case that the smart extended factory floor (including supply chain partners) adds significant value to organizations in that sector.  This approach supports engineering/safety cultures while enabling certain social behaviors.

    We believe that a simple Safety Culture is insufficient in complex environments.  It must be coupled with High Reliable Management.  Only then can organizations capitalize on ‘Smart’ coupled with new solutions such as Artificial Intelligence.

    Is your Safety Culture Adequate?  If not, what are you doing about it?

    For More Information

    Please note, RRI does not endorse or advocate the links to any third-party materials herein.  They are provided for education and entertainment only.

    See our Economic Value Proposition Matrix® (EVPM) for additional information and a free version to build your own EVPM.

    The author’s credentials in this field are available on his LinkedIn page.  Moreover, Dr. Shemwell is a coauthor of the just published book, “Smart Manufacturing: Integrating Transformational Technologies for Competitiveness and Sustainability.”  His focus is on Operational Technologies.

    “People fail to get along because they fear each other; they fear each other because they don’t know each other; they don’t know each other because they have not communicated with each other.” (Martin Luther King speech at Cornell College, 1962).  For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game.  You can contact this author as well.

    For more details regarding climate change models, check out Bjorn Lomborg ands his latest book, False Alarm: How Climate Change Panic Costs Us Trillions, Hurts the Poor, and Fails to Fix the Planet.

    Regarding the economics of Climate Change, check out our recent blog, Crippling Green.

    For those start-up firms addressing energy (including renewables) challenges, the author can put you in touch with Global Energy Mentors which provide no-cost mentoring services from energy experts.  If interested, check it out and give me a shout.