The Rapid Response Institute

Category: Critical Success Factors

  • How Bored Are You? – Adding Value During the Pandemic

    How Bored Are You? – Adding Value During the Pandemic

    A friend of mine sent me this uncited picture, so my apologies to the originator as I cannot give you the rightful credit deserved.  If you see this, let me know and I will update this blog.

    We are all enduring 2020 in our own way.  Sometimes positive but often negative.  Battling my own 2020 demons, I was never tempted to invent new mathematics.

    Other than the obvious humor of this likeness, what value add have we provided society since March?  For some dealing with job changes/loss and the kiddos at home may make developing calculus a seemingly easy task.  Some families have faced hospitalization and even the loss of loved ones.

    We all have been touched by this disease and personally, family and close friends have contracted it.  So far, all are recovering or have.

    With vaccines on the near horizon and with a pathogen (typical) lifecycle record of less than a couple of years, we may all move on and back to normal—in this pundit’s opinion not the new normal many prognosticate pontificate.  Likely, the old mask-less normal.

    We all have choices to make and in many cases have already made them.  While therapeutics and vaccines look very promising, the virus is still with us.  Personally, we have four choices.  Where we find ourselves at the end is a function of current behaviors.

    Note that developing new math is probably not one of them; however, new Apps are a distinct possibility.  New art, writing, music, businesses and a plethora of other options can be your contribution.  Carpe diem or make the most of your Isaac Newton moment.

    This virus is often compared to the 1918 so-call Spanish Flu; however, six pathogens have haunted the human race since then with another 14 in recorded history—not to mention polio that started circa 1916 and ran well into the 1950s..  Seems that one way or another we are all sentenced to live with this kind of scourge.

    How we make the best of it is up to each one of us.  Spend your time well—add value as opposed to waistline.

    What will you tell your kids you did during the 2020 pandemic?

    For More Information

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

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    We presented, Should Cross Cultural Serious Games Be Included in Your Diversity Program: Best Practices and Lessons Learned at the Online Conference, New Diversity Summit 2020 the week of September 14, 2020.  Check Out this timely event and contact the organizer for access to the presentations!!

    You can contact this author as well.

  • Safety Santa: Another Case of Operational Excellence Success

    Safety Santa: Another Case of Operational Excellence Success

    A year ago, it was the pleasure of this blogger to report that Santa Clause completed yet another successful global fulfillment process AND importantly, the process was in compliance with the US Federal Aviation Authority’s (FAA) regulations.  A great deal of progress since the advent of one red light on the nose of the lead reindeer!

    This year we are once again pleased to report that not only have the flying sled and its power plants remained in compliance with the FAA but has now taken additional steps forward.  Incorporating new technologies and processes, safety has been enhanced in the following manner:

    • Addressing Slips, Trips and Fails with new safety/skip proof landing gear
    • A new Confined Space program along with appropriate personal safety gear
    • An alarm Klaxon and Better Lighting
    • Enhance Safety Restraints such as airbags and an overhead guard
    • Extensive Head, Vision, and Hearing Protection systems
    • Better Work Place Violence technology enabled processes
    • A new Cargo Restraint system

    It looks like the arctic region of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) outreach program is having great success.  Interested readers are invited to review the above safety Infographic for further details and perhaps new insights.

    Simplified Business Model

    There are a lot of lessons herein for those who don’t live at a mythical north pole.  First, it seems that much if not all the safety improvements made are inexpensive and easily implemented.

    Next, change management and new policies appear to be welcomed by those affected.  Answering the, “What’s In It For Me” question when adopting new technologies.

    Management is also ‘walking the walk’ with employees by driving the sled and taking the same risks as the rest of the team fulfilling customer requirements, i.e., snow covered rooftops and chimneys.  One can argue that this entire team is the Customer Facing part of the system.  Finally, customers have high expectations that must be met, and late delivery is not an option—this project has a fixed deadline!

    Stakeholder Value

    With billions of children waiting and using a complex and global logistics system, this team does not disappoint.  Earlier competitors have long dropped off the map.

    So why with a clear monopoly does this organization still seek greater Operational Excellence with its transformational Safety Culture?

    Simple—safe and excellent operational performance is good business!  Less unplanned downtime increases the bottom line.  Few incidents increase morale and the bottom line.

    Fewer legal issues, regulatory matters, and so forth and so on positively impact the bottom line.  With such significant ROI, what’s a stakeholder not to like?

    Is Your Operational Safety on Par with Ole Saint Nick?

    For More Information

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

    For more information on Cross Cultural Engagement, check out our Cross Cultural Serious Game

    You can contact the author as well.