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Aim and Stats Now in our sixteenth year of operation for our "OD" sessions and the fourth year for our "TTA" sessions, the aim of both is to continue to foster an appreciation of InThinking within an emerging network that is developing inside Aerojet Rocketdyne and beyond. Dates for future "OD" and "TTA" sessions along with additional "thinking" opportunities for 2015 can be found in this announcement. OD + TTA Stats
For an update on OD and TTA statistics, this month's invitation is going out to 2,000+ partners in the U.S., as well as fellow InThinking partners in Australia, Austria, Bosnia-Hercegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Chile, Dubai, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and the U.K. Taken together, these individuals represent over 600 organizations in this list of nations, from elementary schools and senior high schools to colleges and universities, from one-person consulting firms to GenCorp, United Technologies, GM, IBM, General Electric, NASA, Bechtel, Kuwait Energy Company, Philips Electronics, and The Boeing Company. |
Welcome First Timers
Your names have been added to this announcement list by virtue of your attendance in our series of InThinking Roadmap seminars, workshops, and overviews within Aerojet Rocketdyne, or attendance at the annual In2:InThinking Network Forum, through a personal request, from you or a friend. Welcome to our thinking networks.
Click either link below to send me the name(s) and e-mail address(es) of anyone you would like to have added to this mailing list, or let me know if you would like to be removed. Thanks!!!
ADDITIONS DELETIONS |
Meeting Notice Service - OD and TTA If you'd like to receive meeting notices on your Microsoft Outlook schedule for upcoming Ongoing Discussion conference calls and Thinking Together About... webinars, reply to Bill Bellows at william.bellows@rocket.com and your name will be added to our meeting notice list. |
International Participants Our conference call sessions are toll-free within the U.S. and Canada.
Link here to find your time zone in comparison to the Pacific Time zone, where the Ongoing Discussion conference calls are hosted every month from 12-2pm.
Several international participants have been able to connect toll-free using Skype for a VOIP connection, which we now recommend to others calling in from outside (or inside) the U.S. and Canada.
First, you'll need to establish a Skype account at www.skype.com. Once Skype is set up and functioning correctly the only thing that is different when connecting with our "InThinking Roadmap" conference call sessions ("OD" or "The New Economics Study Sessions") is the use of a pass code and security code. For our "OD" sessions, these numbers are provided once the "participant survey" is completed. For the "The New Economics Study Sessions," these numbers are provided in an email from Tim Higgins, who hosts these calls. In either case, when prompted by Skype to enter these codes, use the keyboard not voice option and be sure to turn off the computer's microphone, otherwise the numeric keys don't function. If the microphone is left on when the codes are entered, Skype's automated operator will reply with "number not recognized," as no number has been transmitted. Also, please note that the "pound key" in the U.S. (#) translates to the "hash key" in the U.K. New users of Skype are encouraged to perform a conference call test in advance of the scheduled "InThinking Roadmap" conference call. Contact Bill Bellows to arrange for a test call. |
Additional Reading Beginning in 2009, a series of articles have been prepared for the Lean Management Journal (LMJ) to share InThinking insights with the Lean community. Contact Bill Bellows with questions, comments, or observations about this article. |
| Aerojet Rocketdyne's InThinking Network welcomes Kevin Cahill, from Sun Valley, Idaho, to lead our eighth Ongoing Discussion conference call of 2015 on August 20th and 21st and also our 188th session since we began in January 2000. As for a topic, Kevin has selected Breaking the Mold on Leadership - My Journey of Discovery in his first time with us as a Thought Leader. 
I met Kevin in the late 1990s through my participation in conferences hosted by the Deming Institute, the organization formed in 1993 by his grandfather, W. Edwards Deming with the aim of fostering "an understanding of The Deming System of Profound Knowledge® (SoPK) to advance commerce, prosperity and peace." Since joining
the board of directors of the Deming Institute in 2003, I connect with Kevin on a regular basis to both explore and implement proposals and strategies for advancing our aim. These efforts include Kevin's participation as a speaker at the In2:InThinking Network's 2015 Forum, with a focus on "Breaking the Mold: Aspire, Inspire, Achieve."
In reviewing options for his focus as an Ongoing Discussion Thought Leader, we chose to highlight Kevin's Forum presentation, titled "Breaking the Mold on Leadership - My Journey of Discovery," and use the video recording of his presentation as his Thought Piece.
Here's the abstract for Kevin's presentation:
Dr. Deming believed that 94% of the problems and possibilities for improvement in an organization belong to the system and thus are the responsibility of our leaders and management. With everyone doing their best, why do most of our leaders and managers embrace the prevailing style of management and follow their "common sense"? We will explore the universal responsibility of leaders and managers, including what is critical for their organizations to survive and thrive. How does a leader bring about improvement and innovation and creation of trust? What are those sources of power and what knowledge is needed to shape our future and bring about a better life for everyone?
Link here to find the video of Kevin's presentation. Link here to register to attend. Contact Kevin by e-mail at kevin@deming.org with any questions or comments you would like to share with him in preparation for this OD session.
Kevin Edwards Cahill is Dr. Deming's grandson and currently volunteers full-time as the Executive Director of The W. Edwards Deming Institute®, a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering an understanding of The Deming System of Profound Knowledge®. He also serves on the Board of Trustees, where he is President and a Successor Founding Trustee. Kevin is responsible for guiding the global efforts to achieve the aim of The Deming Institute and leads their strategic planning, management, operations, marketing and communications efforts. He travels, speaks, writes and presents on behalf of The Deming Institute® and in support of his grandfather's message. Kevin is a member of the ASQ Deming Medal Committee. Previously, Kevin was co-founder and CEO of ViewBridge, Inc. The company was founded in 1999 and through its operating division, AdConnections, launched the first large-scale web-based sales system application for the broadcast television industry in 2001. AdConnections' technology and approach helped streamline existing business practices, communications and negotiations in the US broadcast business. Prior to that, Kevin was Vice President Regional Sales Manager for media rep firm, Katz Communications. His study and application of Dr. Deming's philosophy led to his 1988 selection as a founding member of the Katz Kosmic Committee, a group tasked with providing guidance and leadership in the transformation to a new sales system. As chairman of the committee from 1995-1998 he helped guide the design and implementation of various sales, technology, and management systems. Kevin was born and raised in Washington, DC and graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in history. He currently resides in Sun Valley, Idaho with his wife Judy, who volunteers for the Deming Institute and serves on their Advisory Board. Coming next is our Thinking Together About... webinar next month, with a focus on Seeing Systems, hosted by Glenna Gerard on Thursday, September 17th, from 11:30-1pm Pacific Time. Link here to register to attend in advance of the announcement, coming early in September.Cheers...
Bill Associate Fellow and Lead InThinking Network Aerojet Rocketdyne Canoga Park, California |
| Memories of and from Russ Ackoff  The one and only Russ Ackoff served as our "January" Ongoing Discussion Thought Leader on four occasions between 2006 and 2009. In addition to these "visits" with us from his home in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, he also traveled to Canoga Park every year, from 2003 through 2007, to deliver half-day and full-day lectures in our Leadership & Learning Center (picture above), as well as in Boeing's Conference Center in nearby Huntington Beach. In doing so, he inspired us with his countless "systems" stories, from his chance visit to AT&T's Bell Labs to experience the account of the "overnight destruction of the Bell telephone system" (and his discovery of their use what came to be known as the Idealized Design process) to the tale of a cost-cutting paper company client, who continued to offer sales of a paltry amount (think "loss leader") of specialty photographic paper to Claire Booth Luce, whose husband's company, Time magazine, was their number 1 customer. One of these stories, plus many more from his career in the U.S. Army, stationed in the South Pacific, to his lengthy career as a management consultant, is told by Russ in the first of two recent posthumous publications by Triarchy Press, titled Memories. Follow this link for more details on this book, in addition to news of the second book, Differences That Make a Difference. To view a 10-minute video of John Pourdehnad's fond memories of Russ, follow this link on YouTube. Link here to download a 90-page transcript of a video with Russ Ackoff and W. Edwards Deming. The conversation took place in l992 and was edited and released as Volume 21 of The Deming Library series in l993. It is called "A Theory of a System for Educators and Managers" and is available from the W. Edwards Deming Institute at this link. Link here to find a 1949 article in the Detroit Times about Wayne University's pending decision to drop Russ Ackoff from their faculty over a dispute within the Philosophy department. |
The W. Edwards Deming Institute's Fall Conference, September 18-20 Next Generation LeadershipShaping the Future September 18 - 20, 2015
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa
New knowledge for breakthrough performance Join us to hear and meet industry leaders who are shaping their businesses and industries by breaking performance barriers often thought impossible. They did it through the adoption of a management and leadership philosophy that transformed them as individuals as well as their organizations. Their stories will inspire you to learn more and begin your own journey, whether you are a student or early in your career, a small business owner or executive. Come explore the new knowledge and unique approaches these leaders have embraced to dramatically improve their organizations. Link here to find out more, including details on scholarships. |
The W. Edwards Deming Institute's
First Education Conference, November 6-8
Out of the Education Crisis November 6-8, 2015 Cedarbrook Lodge Seattle, Washington
Featured Speakers: Alfie Kohn and David Langford
Aim: Create awareness and desire to learn more on how exceptional learning environments are created that ignite passion and intrinsic motivation in our students and education leaders. I wonder if anything is more important than children and their education.
- Dr. W. Edwards Deming A Dynamic Force for
Improvement
Join in for an education conference like no other. The Deming In Education Conference will shatter the existing beliefs that are perpetuating our education crisis. Hear the stories of leaders who are challenging the status quo to create exceptional learning environments that preserves our children's natural curiosity and "yearning for learning". Learn how the systems approach of Dr. W. Edwards Deming will liberate fear and ignite passion in students and educators alike. Come discover the true potential and future of education in our country. Link here to find out more. |
Podcasts from The W. Edwards Deming Institute Beginning in 2014, The W. Edwards Deming Institute has recorded podcasts on a monthly basis, featuring 20 to 30-minute interviews by Tripp Babbitt with members of the Deming Community who are advancing the use and explanations of Dr. Deming's ideas. This week's Podcast features Jim Benson, founding partner of the Modus Institute. Jim discusses how he was introduced to the Deming Philosophy, how his team applies it to Knowledge Work (work that can't be seen), and what he feels is the biggest fear in an organization.
Though he was initially introduced accidentally on an airplane, Jim shared how he was actively looking for a set of guiding principles around what would create a human oriented, self-aware way of managing work. As he hopes everyone finds out, the four points of the System of Profound Knowledge do that in a very elegant, concise and friendly way.
At Modus Cooperendi, they apply the Deming Philosophy with three guiding principles: Respect for people, SOPK, and the One Point (summation of the 14 points). They take those principles and help companies build new Life Systems, so they can visualize their work for the first time leading to better communication, collaboration and transparency.
Listen as Jim tells us why they feel "the unknown" is the biggest fear in an organization. And how building trust within teams can remove one of the largest barriers to your company. Hear how some companies they're working with are doing just that.
Link here to find the podcast with Jim. Link here to find the previous podcasts, featuring Louis Altazan, Bob Mason and Clare Crawford-Mason, Paula Marshall, Bill Bellows, Bob Browne, Kelly Allan, Kevin Cahill, Andrea Gabor, Steven Haedrich, David Langford, and Dan Robertson. Link here to find these podcasts on iTunes. |
Leader of One, by Gerald Suarez "Endorsements like these are seldom needed. Heed this one, read, study, and learn. Gerald Suarez is the future." Russ Ackoff 
Gerald Suarez, our inaugural "Better Thinking About..." in February 2012 on the topic of Leadership, has released his first book, titled "Leader of One: Shaping Your Future through Imagination and Design." Find it on Amazon at this link. Link on the book image to learn more about Gerald.
With endorsements from two of his mentors, Stephen Covey and Russ Ackoff, Gerald has fulfilled his dream of "writing a book that reflects my philosophy and experiences in the White House, the boardroom, and the classroom and to pay tribute to the major influences in my thinking." This 18-chapter book offers a 4-phase "methodology" that consists of a cycle of activities that "work together in a holistic fashion"; Contemplation, Desire, Design, and Creation.
Gerald offers this advice at the outset:
Becoming a "Leader of One" and taking on the challenge of shaping your future is not easy. Transformative efforts never are. The task ahead will feel overwhelming, but commitment to initiate and sustain action, no matter how small, will move you closer to a new and desired reality.
There are no short cuts. Every building begins its steps upward with a single brick, every marathon race with a single step, and every book with a single word. The same can be said for every minute of your life, so seconds count. The first steps are always the most difficult, but each one will bring you closer to "there." |
August 20th - 21st OD Details Please join us for one or all of this month's series of OD conference calls. As always, you are invited to participate for as long, or as short, as you can in one or more of these sessions, Options 1-4. Note that these conference calls are "conversations, not presentations," which vary from session to session, due to a variety of causes, such as who participates, what questions are asked, and what learning transpires. This diversity is captured every month, as the calls are recorded, with links to these audio files shared with all who register to attend. Option - Date/Time (Pacific Time); 1 - Thursday, August 20th, 12:00-1:00pm 2 - Thursday, August 20th, 1:00-2:00pm
3 - Friday, August 21st - 12:00-1:00pm
4 - Friday, August 21st - 1:00-2:00pm The agenda for each option will be: Opening 15 minutes: Call in and Introductions Next 40 minutes: Ongoing Discussion Last 5 minutes: Farewells and Close
Please reply to this note by noon, Pacific Time on Wednesday, August 19th to confirm your plans to participate in one (or more) of these options. If you do plan to attend, please complete the OD PARTICIPATION SURVEY by using the link below...
PARTICIPANT SURVEY Telecon lines (including a pass code and a security code) have been arranged for those who cannot join us in a conference room at our Canoga Park facility and are provided upon completion of the participant survey.
As always, please forward this announcement to anyone we missed who would also like to participate.
Regards...
Bill |
Future Ongoing Discussion Conference Calls Mark your calendars - future Ongoing Discussion conference calls will be held on the following dates (subject to slight changes), from 12-1pm and 1-2pm Pacific Time.
Month, Dates, Thought Leader(s), Topics (link on each session to register): |
Future Thinking Together About... Webinars
Mark your calendars - future Thinking Together About... (formerly Better Thinking About...) webinars will be held on the following dates, from 11:30-1pm Pacific Time. Details for how to participate in this webinar series are provided upon registering using the participant survey for each event.
Date, Presenter, and Topic (link on each session to register):
September 17, Glenna Gerard, Seeing SystemsOctober 8, Don McAlister, the Interdependency of Project, Risk, and Knowledge Management November 12, Tim Higgins, Thinking Tools & Processes December 10, Bill Bellows, InThinking |
InThinking Together Seminar Description: This seminar explores the philosophies of a variety of management theorist, including but not limited to Russell Ackoff, W. Edwards Deming, Edward de Bono, Tom Johnson, and Genichi Taguchi, among many others; as they apply to the management of organizational resources, including ideas, innovation, knowledge, money, equipment, and space. Among the topics of discussion will be the concepts of "better thinking about thinking" (InThinking) and Purposeful Resource Management as well as Purposeful Resource Leadership. The seminar will introduce you to these ideas through a series of questions that are specially selected to create awareness of a new approach to working together, learning together, and thinking together. Registration Fee: there is NO fee to attend Prerequisites: there are NO prerequisites Format: two 4.5-hour sessions over two days, offered as an in-person event Presented by: Bill Bellows Schedule for InThinking Together classes in Canoga Park, CA for Aerojet Rocketdyne Class #CP-2015-08, College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita
Part 1 - 27-Aug - 7:00-11:30am (Pacific Time) Part 2 - 28-Aug - 7:00-11:30am Class #CP-2015-09, College of the Canyons, Santa Clarita Part 1 - 24-Sep - 7:00-11:30am (Pacific Time) Part 2 - 25-Sep - 7:00-11:30am
Class #CP-2015-10, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Canoga Park
Part 1 - 29-Oct - 7:00-11:30am (Pacific Time) Part 2 - 30-Oct - 7:00-11:30am
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The New Economics Study Session Description: A group of participants assembles, some in-person and some via teleconference, for this 14-hour series. Participants discuss W. Edwards Deming's last book, The New Economics, in which he introduced his concept of a "System of Profound Knowledge." The group reads specified chapters before each session and discusses the meaning and application of the ideas, as well as personal reactions to the ideas. Supplemental reading material become part of the conversations, as do reactions to video tapes of Dr. Deming. Registration Fee: there is NO fee to attend. In addition, this is a toll-free call from the United States and Canada. International participants are welcome to join in as well, provided they do so at their own expense for the conference call. Aerojet Rocketdyne attendees will be given copies of The New Economics. Non-Aerojet Rocketdyne attendees can purchase copies on Amazon at this link, with used copies selling for $15 and Kindle copies available for $15.95. Prerequisite: there are NO prerequisites
Format: seven 2-hour sessions over three and a half weeks, presented as a teleconference event Presented by: Tim Higgins Schedule for The New Economics Study Session Class #CP-2015-03 Starting on 14-Sep, seven sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 3:00-5:00pm, Pacific Time (ending on 5-Oct) |
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