Faith in my Fellow American

I eat McDonald’s a minimum of once a day.  I’ve gone the distance a couple of times (3x).  I don’t exercise and I drink regularly.  I’m fortunate to have one hell of a fast metabolism.  Maybe one day guilt will overcome me.  Every once in a while I get on a “health kick” but it never lasts.  Never more than a week really.  I’m one of many 20 something men in America who share my mentality.  “Aren’t you worried about dying?”  “Your body is a temple.”  

I do worry about dying, and I know my body is a temple.  But I am a damn good accountant.  Follow me here fellas.  I went to school for it.  I know the numbers game.  I didn’t go to school to be a doctor.  I had to look up what a “tendon” was after a friend made reference to tendons in his hand hurting (Nate).  Why didn’t I ask at the time?  Gamesmanship, that’s why.  I can’t let him one up me with knowledge like that.  He does that enough already; no harm in me just playing along.  I knew it wouldn’t help his golf game, and I was happy about that.  I knew it made him feel uncomfortable, and I felt for him in that regard.  

A doctor knows what he’s doing.  I’m typing on a laptop now.  We can talk to anyone in the world, video chat, real time, because of this device.  Where do you think technology will be in 10, 20, 50 years?  I’m going to have a head transplant.  I don’t think I will ever die (from natural causes).  Heck, I don’t see myself getting hurt too bad from un-natural causes either.  Somehow, I always escape the good ol’ boy shenanigans with minimal injuries. 

I believe in the American way.  That’s not caring what I eat, having fun at the expense of my “long-term health”, and relying on the hard work of my fellow American’s to help me along the way.

Kevin

Operations 101: How to Establish and Sustain Clear Expectations

“If you don’t communicate expectations, there are none.” This statement has probably been my most remembered quote since starting my new position 8 months ago; and, after 8 months, I still feel like the communication of expectations is extremely lacking. To implement a lean, sustainable culture, there must be a focus on clearly communicated expectations, and holding people accountable to meeting these expectations.

The systems we have in place rely heavily on the work instructions managed by the quality assurance and tooling departments; however, these work instructions are outdated and unreliable. How could have this happened? It happened because while we put a system in place to clearly communicate our work instructions – or “expectations” – we did not feed the system in order to maintain and update these instructions/expectations. What is meant by feeding? It means the system/process that was put in place to update these work instructions was not monitored; therefore, nobody assumes the responsibility of diligently updating these work instructions.

These instructions/expectations should be viewed as dynamic rather than static – they are simply the best way we know how to operate, for now. With that said, we need to develop a separate support system which feeds into the communication of expectations via work instructions. This system must be accessible to anyone on the floor and visually tracked for adherence and completion.

I know, easier said than done, right? “We’ve tried something like that before and it didn’t work out so well…” Yeah, because we didn’t monitor the process to ensure results… Make the visual call to action visible to all involved in the process and you will have the tools in place to hold each other accountable right in front of you.

Ok, so you have a visual control in place, so now what? What happens when people stop paying attention to the display board? Well, the only reason people will stop paying attention to the display board is because YOU (the manager/supervisor) have stopped paying attention to the display board. Make it part of your daily standard work to review the tracking chart, and you have the evidence right in front of you should the system breakdown. Don’t make it just a part of your daily standard work either, set the EXPECTATION with a Supervisor or Team Leader that they are responsible for monitoring the results of the production tracking board (even if they are a Supervisor/Team Leader from a different department), so it becomes part of their daily standard work. That way, when not completed, it is easy to assign responsibility and enforce accountability.

So, as you can see, by focusing on how you can better communicate expectations to entry level employees, you find yourself in a position to better define your expectations up the organizational hierarchy by creating daily standard work for your leaders that monitor and sustain the systems in place.

How do you verify that this work has been completed – again, visually displaying the process for all to see and making the effort (and staying disciplined in your own daily work) to visit and review the visual controls. A daily submission of a completed checklist of standard work in a drop box hanging on the wall (1 assigned to each Sup/TL) is all the visual control you would need.

The same goes for tooling requests, raw parts requests, orders on hold, the first article process…make the work-flow progression visible for all involved and take the time to monitor it yourself. The 5 minutes you spend each day at a display board saves you tons of time in the end.

Nate

Tuesday

Bob is in town from Washington. A military man, his visits are few and far between. When he comes, we make the most of it, no matter the circumstance. Dan, Bob and I had a few beers before heading out, the first time for all of us, to break in the Neenah bars. We didn’t find the Neenah bars, we found ourselves on the Menasha main drag. $10 cup gets you all the beer or rail drinks you want. I went for it, stupidly thinking rail meant top shelf. Yikes, I was way off! Bob found a couple friends in his ice cubes. Some lake flies got into the cooler.

There were maybe 10 people in the bar, but those Kess and Cokes were going down smooth and the juke box was ours. Nearing bar close, we found some cigarettes and were heading back to the car. A police officer stopped us, questioned us a little bit, and then helped us flag down a cab. Dan was still in the bar, Bob and I talked to the cab driver.

Six guys come out from a neighbor bar and aggressively take the cab. Bob and I hold our own, or try to at least. One of the six gets into a shoving match with Bob. Cops come back, the Six take off (in the cab), and you wouldn’t believe how hard it was recalling the events of only moments before. Articulating anything at this point was a challenge beyond what my wandering brain wanted to deal with.

The cops told us to walk home. As I said before, this was my first time going out to the “Neenah” (actually we were in Menasha – I think) bars. We steered clear of our friend Dan (who ended up sleeping in his car). We didn’t want to tangle him up with the police.

We walked about a mile in a half before I gave up, called 911 (drunk, and lost – in Menasha? Or Neenah?) and got a ride home.

Worst 3 hours of drunk sleep pass and I find myself too hungover for breakfast. Panting for water, horrible headache; but I would do it all over again. In a heart-beat I would. I gave that night my all, and it was well worth the struggle today at work. Aside from the bags under my eyes, I presented myself well also. I am quite proud of that.

Kevin

The American Way

I often hear people talk about the “American Way”. Whether it is in business, sports, entertainment or culture, there is an “American Way” in which all are entrenched. Have you ever thought about what the “American Way” is? I think it is different for every person but the overarching themes are the same. The themes of loyalty, scrappiness, bravery, comedy and patriotism are all associated with this phenomenon. Those are the big five I see in the “American Way”.

Loyalty

Being a loyal person is in every American because we come from a history of loyal citizens. Since our ancestors came to this nation, we have been loyal to each other. The exploitation of the colonies by King George III, in England, set the foundation for this loyalty and kept Americans together thru a Revolutionary War where we were against the odds, a Civil War that almost broke this country in two permanently, two world wars and a cold war. We are loyal to our families, our friends, and above all to our country, a country that values loyalty and awards it more than any country in the world.

Scrappiness

Americans have always been scrappy. We were the underdog and we root for the underdogs in a lot of situations. Fighting a Revolutionary War against the greatest nation in the world at the time, England, and defeating them against all odds. Then as a starter nation that was doomed to fail and not recognized by the great nations of the World. Then as a Great Depression ripped through our country and then another World War that took many American lives. Still we fight the odds of climbing out of a recession that has knocked us to our core. Americans keep going strong. We keep going to work and making the next day better than the last.

Bravery

Bravery is etched into our history with names like Washington, Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Lincoln, Wilson, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Reagan and Obama. It takes bravery to fight to forge a country and throw off their oppressors. It takes bravery to bring a country back together while fighting a civil war that will tear it apart. It takes bravery to steady a nation at war with the world. It takes bravery to look down the barrel of a nuclear war and not blink. It takes bravery to declare to Gorbachev to, “tear down this wall”. And it takes bravery to hear everyone tell you that it cannot be done and prove them wrong with a smile. Bravery is in our blood, from the wars we have fought to the NYPD and NYFD personnel that saved lives at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. We are steadfast in our bravery to leave this nation better for future generations of Americans.

Comedy

Laughter makes America great. We are a culture of laughter and comedy and we value and honor comedic talent. Americans have always had this unmatched quality of laughing it off and finding the humor in any situation. Great American comedians like Jackie Gleason, Richard Pryor, Jerry Seinfeld, and Dave Chappelle have all lend their voices and talents to make a rainy day seem sunny with their wit and humor. We are a sarcastic and slap stick community and we value that in a way that no other country does. We can poke fun at ourselves because we are comfortable in our own skin and we can take it.

Patriotism

Patriotism is defined as ones love for their country. In the dictionary there should be a picture of the American flag next to the word patriotism. Traveling the country you see the American flag everywhere, homes, churches, businesses, and hospitals. If you talk to the people about any current event in National news you will get heated opinions because of our love for this country and our hope for a brighter tomorrow. This patriotism is always on display but it takes tragedies to make its presence known. After the attack on Pearl Harbor and the attacks on September 11, 2001 you saw the country come together and live together, as one. We are united and strong and live the values of patriotism to the United States of America daily.

America is in its sixth decade as the world’s ultimate super power and the future is murky to see. As long as America holds on to the “American Way” of doing things our future should be fine. Hold on to the values that have shaped this nation into a refuge for poor, battered souls from the world over. As the Statue of Liberty says, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” Americans live with loyalty, scrappiness, bravery, comedy, and patriotism daily and it is reflected in the power and might of the United States of America.

Matt

Cynicism Makes You Look Smart

The Powers That Be (PTB) would have you believe that everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that these individual opinions should be listened to and respected. In actuality, the preferences held by those around us work as nothing more than weaknesses waiting to be exploited.

Punching holes in the evaluations of an adversary is a quick and easy way to present yourself as intelligent and prevent any attempt at an effective rebuttal.

Cynicism, when applied appropriately, can act as an unlimited resource in the unlikely event that your opinion clashes with that of another. Presenting an idea or judgement as preferable can prove difficult in a world where nothing can be perfect. Pointing out the imperfections in this world is not only easier, but also elevates one's perceived standards. When a person seems to almost never be satisfied, he or she will be assumed to have the finest of tastes.

It is not enough, however, to merely look down your nose at the opinions of others. It is equally important to provide supporting observations. This is not complicated for the seasoned cynic.



Credulous Craig: The makizushi at The Sushi Palace I had the other night was delicious.



Sid the Cynic: Are you serious? That place uses low-grade seaweed wrap and I am pretty sure their chefs aren't required to have any professional training whatsoever.



Congratulations Sid. You now look like a sushi connoisseur, and have successfully made Craig look like he has no idea what he is talking about by using information that will almost definitely go uncontested at the time that it is divulged.

Bob

Orton, and the Broncos fumble with Raiders (#Tebow)

Big day tomorrow.  Gotta get there early.  Just havin’ a couple drinks and finishing up the last MNF game.  There’s a nfl.com/ticketexchange that intrigues me.  Every time I see it actually.  Start of 4^th quarter.  Silly fumble by Kyle.  Wide open #86, but Horton – weather undoubtedly excuse, although there is no real excuse, that he dropped the ball.  Less than 2 minutes later Darren McFadden breaks a 47 yard run to the Broncos’ 1 yard line.  Man that guy is fast.  I can’t believe he didn’t get in tbh.  Imho he should have made it.  The booth should review that, it was close enough.  Or is it only when he gets in that it gets reviewed?  Review every play.  These refs are done.  147 yards on the day.  McFadden is doin’ pretty damn good tonight.  I started really liking this guy ever since he was on my fantasy football team.  I don’t know if it was last year or two years ago.  I don’t remember what league it was in frankly.  QB sneak, touchdown Raiders.  22-13.  Most likely 23, unless their kicker is hurt as well.

Kick is good.  12 minutes to play.

I would fumble probably 40 times on 32 pass plays if you put me out there in the rain.  But if you asked me to count the players ( I went to school for accounting) , I would have counted them perfectly and could attest to my accuracy.

I’ve never liked Papa Johns.  Sorry.. Papa John.  Actually very recently had Dominoes.  Heh.

Countin’ down the probably sleep level in my head.  6, maybe 7 hours?  Busy day tomorrow though.. maybe I’ll just stay up til the end of this game.  Kickers are too strong.  I’m sick of these touch backs.  Content is too easy when you can type 100 words per minute.  Orton gets sacked, then fumbled (2 consecutive plays).  3^rd and 3, 11:49 to play.  Denver’s ball, their own 27. 

Fumble or dropped ball.  My initial thought.  Dropped ball.  Wow, no doubt in my mind after one replay, at how wrong I was.  Fumble recovered by himself.  These guys are trying to do way too much with the football (risky juke moves).  There will be a fumble every play.  Time is of the essence though.  I hated playing in stuff like that.  I could choose to slide past an otherwise easy pop-out, or fall on my face trying to stop.  10:14 to go in the game.  After midnight.  That’s it for me.  Or is it?

Ah hell, I can probably make it to the end of it.

Kevin

Good Ol' Boys (Gob)

It is imperative that the understanding of the Gob not be confused with the traditional definition of the term.  Although some aspects of the Good Ol’ Boy Network (see wiki entry:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Good_ol%27_boy_network) do loosely apply to us Gobs, we resent direct comparison to it – it carries too many negative connotations and can really undermine our overall objectives and general lifestyle.  Attempting to pigeonhole a Gob is a seemingly impossible task.  Gobs come in all shapes and sizes, all colors and creeds.  The closest we have come to finding a commonality in all Gobs deals with a slight evolutionary mutation of the fibers connecting the frontal and parietal lobes, but this completely contradicts our philosophy that one is not born a Gob.  As you embark on your journey through Gob doctrine, you will find that it is laced with contradictions – as is any legitimate ideology.  The first and most important tenant must be wholly embraced, or you will be taken as seriously as a Christian who doesn’t believe in Christ.  


#1 You are never wrong.   


As a Gob, you know how many uncomfortable situations you find yourself in due to lack of planning, not having anywhere near the proficiency levels you claimed, or just simply being too drunk.  There may be a small voice inside your head that tries to coax you into yielding and trying to rectify the situation through making concessions.  Now is when you must call upon every ounce of fortitude within and repeat the mantra I am NOT wrong, I am NOT wrong.  Who is to say you ARE wrong, anyway?  Last time I checked, morals and laws were completely subjective.  In these trying situations, the worst possible thing you can do is admit fault or offer any form of apology.  The best defense is a good offense – isn’t that what WWI and the Von Schlieffen Plan taught us?  If anyone even hints at calling you out (i.e. asking if you need them to call you a cab), you must immediately attack.  If it is someone you know, use your knowledge of them to tear into their character, family, etc.  Maybe their father was an abusive alcoholic.  Maybe their parents went through a nasty divorce which scarred their childhood.  The trick is going after the deepest most sensitive aspects of their life.  I doubt they, or anyone else in the room for that matter, are going to be worried so much about you and your predicament after you just publicly announced how Uncle Ron is in jail because Mr. Trying-to-call-you-out couldn’t keep his mouth shut and take it like a man at 8 years old.  *Try not to rely on racial/gay or physical assaults, but if you’re dealing with a new acquaintance your options may be limited. 

Dan

About da Good Ol' Boys

Ever wonder, how someone could procrastinate so badly, seem to care so little, and complete a project in the eleventh hour, and present it so well you'd never have guessed at how horribly prepared they were?  Ever see someone gamble when they shouldn't; and win?  Or someone put in a very solid work out, so well you'd never have guessed they had been out drinking heavily the night before?  Well there is a little Good Ol' Boys in us all.  A few of us from Wisconsin are starting this here blog to share some of the stories of what we went through.  Give some insight in things that might have otherwise been lost in the seas of time.  Maybe they are better off there.  But maybe, just maybe, you'll like what you read and be enabled, just a little bit more, to let out the Good Ol' Boy in yourself.

Matt - This man has the heart of a lion.  No man sees sports the way he can, and nobody compares to his ability to write about it either.  A jack-of-all traits, but would you expect anything less out of a Good Ol' Boy? 

Bob - Ever wonder where comedy comes from?  This guy may not have been there for the start (that was thousands of years ago.) but he definitely is the cutting edge.  You can just tell.  He is also an angry drunk.


Nate - The international world traveler.  Unmatched charm and charisma.  You can't reach out to get to  know him, but that's because he's already introduced himself and put forth the effort to get to know you.  Sleep is his best friend, but nobody sleeps less than him.  You won't understand that until you meet him.  Very close to scratch golfer (when his game is on).  And you may beat him in a hand at poker, but there's no way in hell you'll outlast him at the poker table.

Sean - This Good Ol' Boy can talk.  He can talk, but he can also write, and his writing could persuade an Eskimo to buy ice.  Every Good Ol' Boy knows women, but Sean knows women.  There's nothing he won't try, nowhere he won't travel to, and nothing he is afraid of.  Earn his friendship and trust, and he will stand by you no matter the circumstance. 

Kevin - The first Good Ol' Boy to get married.  Loves golf, playing poker, the occasional cigarette, a good movie, and can't go a night drinking without giving it his all.

Dan - Probably will be the last Good Ol' Boy to get married.  Best listener you'll ever speak to.  An instant friend.  Enables better than anyone.  Loves his family more than anything.  This is the guy, that you don't know whether he came along with you the whole way, or if he's the guy that took you with him.

All of us enjoy the finer things, will learn any game just to play, procrastinate like hell, but always make it in the end.  We see the big picture, that people and fun are why we are here, and we won't let a minute go by without making sure we stop and enjoy it. We are the adults who are boys at heart; with charm, confidence and humor, and we use these tools to get us out of the trouble that our pleasure seeking ways and running mouths get us into.  The boys that people shake their heads in disbelief as they say "I don't know how they did it..."