Articles by Jim L. Smith

This column continues the discussion on delivering the best effort to break through roadblocks as we journey through life. If you haven’t had the chance to read my previous column, I would encourage you to do so.

Few things are as frustrating as knowing someone has more to give in their job, to their family, or to society, but he or she routinely withholds their best efforts. How do you contend with this condition?

Not long ago, I had a conversation with a senior quality manager at a large manufacturing operation about the future of the quality profession.

For many successful men and women in all walks of life, the key to success was that they were motivated more, at least in the beginning, by what was needed, or by what they felt they had to do, than thought of financial gain.

Recently I had a discussion with a quality manager concerning the focus of quality and what skills are important to success. It centered on the degree of focus which should be placed on the quality tools versus people and teams.

Although personal attitudes are influenced by core values, it is greatly influenced by management. Employee attitude about the product, about their work, about their managers, and about the organization will ultimately determine the quality of their work.

Regardless of what you’ve been told, there is one truism for people who must earn a living. You can expect your employer to demand more from you.

Regardless of the business you have customers and some of them are unhappy. Coping with these customers is an inevitable part of everyday business life and how you deal with them is a predictor of success.

Most organizations have discovered that their future success hinges on reinventing themselves as a lowest-cost producer. One of the keys is to focus on actions that can impact real costs every day.

Most organizations have discovered that their future success hinges on reinventing themselves as a lowest-cost producer. One of the keys is to focus on actions that can impact real costs every day.