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June, 2013

• From Davis Balestracci -- A Tribute to a Man Many of You Have Probably Never Heard of Sent Monday, June 10, 2013 From Davis Balestracci -- A Tribute to a Man Many of You Have Probably Never Heard of [~ 1300 words, but an easy read: Take 5-7 minutes to read over a break or lunchView as Web Page One of Deming's Best "Translators" Hi, Folks,I know I promised a statistical technique today to deal with demotivators. However, I was just made aware of the death of someone whose thinking influenced me profoundly. I am deeply saddened and felt obligated to write this […]

May, 2013

• From Davis Balestracci -- Another Deeply Hidden Lurking Cost Sent Monday, May 27, 2013 From Davis Balestracci -- Another Deeply Hidden Lurking Cost [~ 775 words: Take 4-6 minutes to read over a break or lunch -- and possibly 10 more minutes to take the attached survey (same as last newsletter)]View as Web Page A Hidden Treasure? Hi, Folks,When improvement initiatives don't yield the results promised, it is very tempting to have the knee-jerk reaction of blaming the workers for their poor attitudes and lack of work ethic. But what if one took […]
• From Davis Balestracci -- Has Improvement Put Itself into a Mason Jar? Sent Monday, May 13, 2013 From Davis Balestracci -- Has Improvement Put Itself into a Mason Jar? [~ 950 words: Take 4-6 minutes to read over a break or lunch, then maybe 10 minutes on another break to fill out the attached assessment] View as Web Page Hierarchy is Alive and Well Hi, Folks,For most of you, hierarchical structures remain the basis of organizational life. Despite ongoing tinkering by management theorists, the truth remains: No matter how "flat" the structure or […]

April, 2013

• From Davis Balestracci -- Measurement as a Framework for Strategy Sent Monday, April 29, 2013 From Davis Balestracci -- Measurement as a Framework for Strategy "What if I were to tell you that one of the most important keys to your organization's success can be found in a very unlikely place -- a place many of you may consider to be complicated, inaccessible, and perhaps even downright boring? What if I were to tell you that this key to success is already one of the most ubiquitous and impactful forces in your organization? It's there, waiting for you to […]
• From Davis Balestracci -- Dealing with 30 years of "But you've GOT to understand!" Sent Monday, April 15, 2013 From Davis Balestracci -- Dealing with 30 years of "But you've GOT to understand!" "I really enjoy... the practical insight and energy that you bring to what could (is usually) a very dry subject. I only have a very sketchy knowledge of Deming and his 14 points but I get a strong sense of his vision in your calls to action." - an Australian, NON-health care leader. [~ 800 words: Take 3-5 minutes to read over a break or lunch]View as Web Page "A little too […]
• From Davis Balestracci -- A Special April Fool's Day Newsletter Edition Sent Monday, April 1, 2013 From Davis Balestracci -- A Special April Fool's Day Newsletter Edition "What's so motivating to me is that your wisdom of culture change and performance improvement speaks to me. Your lecture validated my values and belief as a change agent. I brought back laughter and a sense of peace after listening to you. Thanks so much for putting things into perspective with PASSION! I can relate to your style ... tell it like it is." -- IHI seminar participant[~ 725 […]

March, 2013

• From Davis Balestracci -- The Exception or the Rule? Sent Monday, March 25, 2013 From Davis Balestracci -- The Exception or the Rule? Thanks for trying to help more people "get it" and for helping to improve the knowledge of those who want to "get it better." -- Feedback from a newsletter reader[A little longer than normal: ~1400 words, but an easy, conversational read between me and the reader above. Take 5-8 minutes to read over a break or lunch]To read on-line: Click here. The Improvement Battle Continues Hi, Folks,As a consultant, […]
• From Davis Balestracci -- The Power of Three Simple Charts Sent Monday, March 11, 2013 From Davis Balestracci -- The Power of Three Simple Charts "50% of meeting time is wasted." -- Feedback from executives and board members on my recent data sanity plenary speech[~ 990 words: Take 4-6 minutes to read over a break or lunch]To read on-line: Click hereThis newsletter continues the thread of my 29 January, 12 February and 26 February newsletters] "Don't just do something, […]

February, 2013

• From Davis Balestracci -- Are Your Meetings Headed "Off to the Milky Way?" * Sent Monday, February 25, 2013 From Davis Balestracci -- Are Your Meetings Headed "Off to the Milky Way?" * "The best program I saw at the [conference] this year -- I changed my program to go to [Davis's] next minicourse because of all that I learned -- and am glad I did it. He also sent follow up materials to me and others who wanted to learn more. This afternoon, I taught my high school kids who want to be engineers, the same concepts. Thank you!!" --Feedback on Davis's plenary and workshop […]
• From Davis Balestracci -- Your Biggest Hidden Source of Waste? Sent Monday, February 11, 2013 From Davis Balestracci -- Your Biggest Hidden Source of Waste? "Helped make sense of the senseless data being thrown at us.""Very informative and well presented. Will immediately change the way I practice.""It's great to have quality improvement explained in such a practical manner rather than in stilted academic ones." --Participant feedback from Institute for Healthcare Improvement 1/2-day Learning Lab[~ 900 words: Take 4-6 minutes to read over a break or […]

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