Some Good Ideas at First Failed Miserably

John Joseph Merlin was a very successful maker of clocks and precision instruments. He also designed weighing machines and wheelchairs, improved musical instruments and even spent much of his time trying to develop a perpetual motion machine. This highly intelligent man was also a talented musician who enjoyed playing both the harpsichord and violin. With this background, you might find it surprising that he is remembered for the man who invented the “Roller-Skate.”

Only 8% Make It

It is a new year with new opportunities and new challenges. According to Forbes magazine, over 40% of Americans prepare a New Year’s Resolutions list. Self-improvement (48%) is the top category for resolutions; weight (38%), money (34%), and relationships (31%) round out the top four “Resolution Types.” Age seems to play a huge role in the success rate of achieving your New Year’s Resolution. 39% of the people in their twenties achieve their resolution, while only 14% of people over fifty do so.

Get the M.U.D. Out of Your Life

Years ago, Toyota embraced and developed a methodology for identifying and removing inefficiencies and waste in what came to be known as the famous Toyota Production System. Companies worldwide came to their facilities to see just how Toyota was accomplishing such incredible production efficiencies.

The Same Thing

Experience has taught me that we should always be striving to improve, move forward, stretch our limitations, try something new or different and doing the “SAME” thing is a deterrent to all of those. As Dr. Seuss said, “Why fit in, when you were born to stand out?”

Success Is Rented

The largest retailer in the United States in the 1950’s was Sears. In May of 1950 Sam Walton founded Walmart and Sears was not concerned. Today Walmart is ranked #29 on the Forbes Global 2000 (Companies) List based on revenues, profits, assets and market value … and Sears declared bankruptcy, October of 2018.

Rules are Hard to Eliminate

Why are some rules, polices, procedures or business practices that are obsolete or dead, still being followed? Researchers have found that once a “RULE” is written down and used in a company, it is very difficult to be eliminated … even though the original reason(s) for it being created has disappeared. The “RULE” becomes the LAW, not to be challenged by anyone. It seems that employees who challenge or question rules are seen as troublemakers or agitators, who are viewed negatively by senior management. That type of business culture will eventually devastate any company.