Carl H. Mayer Jr.
Vice President and Chief Risk Officer
Enterprise Risk Management
Park National Corp.
Utica, Ohio
Becoming Best-in-Class
I enjoyed "Keen to Be Lean" (December 2009), and agree that hospitals should be looking at other types of organizations for ideas on profit and process improvement.
I had a sense of déjà vu — I could have been reading this article about manufacturers in the 1980s. Yes, the Toyota Production System practices evolved from the 1970s, but other process-improvement approaches have also been introduced, and in some cases have become integrated with lean improvement. An example is Six Sigma quality improvement, which for a time was a competing methodology with lean. Best-in-class manufacturing companies have now combined their process excellence programs with names such as Lean Six Sigma. The best of the best have also included simulation technology to test process changes before implementing them in operating departments.
Best-in-class hospitals started to implement Six Sigma programs to reduce errors and improve quality a few years ago. Rather than making the same mistakes that manufacturers did, with competing methodologies, hospital CFOs should become familiar with and take advantage of the methodologies and tools currently available.
Jim Curry
CEO
OpStat Group Inc.
Ridgefield, Connecticut
Land of Hope and Dreams
I love the statistics and resources in "Failure to Launch?" (October 2009), like the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation's studies of corporations founded during recessions. I'm delighted to see the other quotes as well showing that people are forging ahead with their dreams and visions.
When I was a child, my parents terrified me with thoughts of the next Great Depression. I'm fascinated with stories of people who became millionaires during that time. The one thing that I feel most strongly contributes to the success of those who come out on top following a depression or recession is the ability to see beyond the fear, to have hope, passion, and a dream.
John R. Aberle
Partner
Aberle Consulting
San Dimas, California
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