CONTACTS 

SUBJECTS
Executive Training Firms, Demonstration
Time - Too Busy Being Busy, Cost/Benefit, Fear, Faith
Executive Challenge, Self Dialog
Advantages - Saving Time, Capturing the record
Communication Engineer/Manager; Judgement
Talking & Listening Inadequate
Add Value to Writing, SDS Organization,
Writing, Reading, Expedited by SDS

3010 -
3010 -    ..
3011 - Summary/Objective
3012 -
301201 - Follow up ref SDS 29 0000, and ref SDS 22 0000.
301202 -
301203 -              Axiom Management              415 546 7900
301205 -  ..
301206 - Got a good hearing from Bob.  He raised important questions about how
301207 - SDS saves time, and pointed out that managers like to work by
301208 - conversation.  I asked him to keep SDS in mind to support Axiom and
301209 - for his customers.
301211 -  ..
301212 - Submitted ref DIT 1 0000 confirming understandings, included this
301213 - memo.
301214 -
301215 -
301216 -
301218 -  ..
3013 -
3014 -
3015 - Discussion
3016 -
301601 - Demonstration
301602 -
301603 - Showed the Powerpoint presentation. Bob seemed
301604 - hurried, so I did an expedited SDS demonstration, rather than the
301605 - material for PG&E at the record ref SDS 28 5830.
301606 -
301608 -  ..
301609 - Reengineering and Executive Training
301610 - Conversation Executive Training Feel Good Management
301611 -
301612 - Bob said Axiom provides management consulting and training for talking
301613 - and listening skills, because executives like to work by conversation
301614 - in meetings, calls, and discussion.  Axiom reviews the customer staff
301615 - and management systems, and then "reengineers" improvement, similar to
301616 - Performex. ref SDS 9 8830 and ref SDS 9 8390
301618 -  ..
301619 - Preference to work by conversation was reported previously on 911123,
301620 - ref SDS 5 4930, when "feel good" management was defined for executive
301621 - practice. ref SDS 5 1331
301622 -
301623 -     [On 980405 Morris reported executives like to work by conversation
301624 -     that causes continual error, extra cost, conflict, confusion,
301625 -     chaos, and calamity. ref SDS 58 015T
301627 -  ..
301628 - SDS "reengineers" communications to improve productivity, so
301629 - management can deploy resources effectively, rather than downsize.
301630 - This offers Axiom a broader spectrum of solutions for its customers.
301631 -
301632 -     [On 950909 reviewed article on Hammer's approach to reengineering.
301633 -     ref SDS 36 7499 and ref SDS 36 2248]
301635 -      ..
301636 -     [On 960308 Dialogos teaches talking and listening skills improve
301637 -     management. ref SDS 42 0001.]
301639 -      ..
301640 -     [On 960227 Morris feels conversation is leadership. ref SDS 41
301641 -     2004
301643 -      ..
301644 -     [On 971229 telephone game weakness of conversation. ref SDS 53
301645 -     2000 and ref SDS 53 1526
301647 -      ..
301648 -     [On 991123 Skillpath teaches talking skill for communication.
301649 -     ref SDS 63 1989
301651 -      ..
301652 -     [On 020504 study shows professional standards for communication
301653 -     practices and requirements on good management specified in FAR,
301654 -     ISO, Health Care, Covey, Drucker, law, contract notice provisions,
301655 -     and 2,000 years of literacy for contemporaneous documentation for
301656 -     alignment and feedback to work intelligently, quickly, and
301657 -     accurately are ignored in government, business, health care, every
301658 -     sector. ref SDS 71 NS6F
301660 -      ..
301661 -     [On 040312 "holism" to think about sub-atomic physics below the
301662 -     level of human perception is misapplied to excuse laziness and bad
301663 -     management ignoring the record to study and understand causation,
301664 -     in order to work by conversation focusing on the "big picture" and
301665 -     the "bottom line." ref SDS 73 EP8L
301667 -      ..
301668 -     [On 041130 written treatment plan conflicts with medical managemnt
301669 -     that relies on verbal communication. ref SDS 76 8P8F
301671 -      ..
301672 -     [On 041230 doctor explains comprehensive treatment plan during
301673 -     meeting; effective collaboration through patient partnership
301674 -     yields written analysis that saves time for the doctor.
301675 -     ref SDS 78 LU6K
301677 -      ..
301678 -     [On 040620 Knowledge Management professional event to present new
301679 -     practice of thinking about opportunities is more important than
301680 -     taking action. ref SDS 74 H35F
301681 -
301682 -
301684 -  ..
301685 - Managers Like to Talk; Analysis Takes Extra Time
301686 - Communication Objective is Getting People to Say Yes
301687 - Not Enough Time to Read and Write, Management Mostly Communication
301688 -
301689 - Bob feels SDS is an interesting product, but there is not enough time
301690 - for an executive to use timely, accurate intelligence, because
301691 - managers spend most of their time communicating in meetings, calls,
301692 - and documents.  He feels they don't have time for planning and
301693 - analysis for intelligence support enabled by SDS.
301694 -
301695 -     [See analysis book on communication, primary factor of management
301696 -     success. ref SDS 47 6666
301698 -  ..
301699 - We considered advantages of literacy for constructing and refining
301700 - ideas, and for preserving accuracy of understandings.  SDS technology
301701 - improves literacy by increasing connectedness and maintaining
301702 - chronology that impart cause and effect, which significantly augments
301703 - intelligence, reported a month or so ago on 950204. ref SDS 19 4995
301704 - Bob agreed that everybody does some writing, but noted that modern
301705 - theory says to minimize writing.
301707 -  ..
301708 - Bob said, again, that executives like to work by conversation, because
301709 - events move quickly on the job.  Most of the time is putting out fires
301710 - to resolve crises in constant meetings and calls.  People feel it's
301711 - just common sense that constantly fixing mistakes doesn't leave enough
301712 - time to use tools like SDS for accurate communications.  Axiom trains
301713 - people to talk and listen for effective dialog and conversation, and
301714 - make adjustments as needed.  Reacting spontaneously by understanding
301715 - the gist of the story saves a lot of time and worry.  He feels "good
301716 - management" is the opposite of deliberative analysis supported by SDS,
301717 - as set out in POIMS. ref OF 1 2300
301719 -  ..
301720 - Bob's ideas have a lot of support.  On 890809 daily management on the
301721 - job is mostly talking and listening to get things done within a tight
301722 - budget, so there is no time for deliberation. ref SDS 2 8812  Later,
301723 - Julia explained common sense management practice, ref SDS 4 5567;
301724 - again on 930727, another executive training consultant teaches talking
301725 - and listening skills. ref SDS 9 8830  Similar views were presented on
301726 - 940317 that writing to confirm accuracy is not an effective executive
301727 - task. ref SDS 13 0889 (below, Bob teaches a 20 80 method of accuracy,
301728 - ref SDS 0 4022)  A few months later on 940609 review showed Kissinger
301729 - complains that popular management practice is an "Alice in Wonderland"
301730 - of continual bumbling. ref SDS 14 4238
301732 -  ..
301733 - Bob said another problem with SDS is that his customers don't want a
301734 - paper trail.  They feel management is so complex these days that
301735 - mistakes are bound to happen, reflecting Peter Drucker's notice of new
301736 - realities that require capture and organization of knowledge from
301737 - daily work, reported on 931130. ref SDS 11 1855  Axiom teaches
301738 - executives how to talk their out of accountability and to talk their
301739 - way into credit when things seem to be going well.  Bob indicated that
301740 - his customers would feel that an SDS paper trail showing an accurate
301741 - story on knowledge of causation undermines benefits of Axiom's
301742 - training.
301744 -      ..
301745 -     [On 980307 Andy Grove says written analysis of communication in
301746 -     meetings is essential at Intel to overcome ambiguity of mental
301747 -     maps. ref SDS 55 3668]
301749 -      ..
301750 -     [On 990625 article in Fortune reported study showing that
301751 -     successful CEO's confirm understandings in writing after meetings.
301752 -     ref SDS 62 1024
301754 -      ..
301755 -     [On 990625 Kaiser Healthwise Handbook requires good medical
301756 -     management through doctor patient partnerhship, ref SDS 61 4185;
301757 -     capturing the record, review and feedback confirm understandings
301758 -     that makes communication, collaboration and partnership effective
301759 -     for saving time and improving accuracy. ref SDS 61 TD6Q
301761 -      ..
301762 -     [On 041130 medical management health limited time forces doctors
301763 -     to work by conversation; avoid written work plan, and resist
301764 -     review by Tumor Board. ref SDS 76 YR8F
301766 -      ..
301767 -     [On 020504 study shows requirements for good management using
301768 -     accurate communications specified in FAR, ISO, Health Care, Covey,
301769 -     Drucker, 2,000 year tradition of literacy for contemporaneous
301770 -     documentation and feedback to work intelligently are ignored in
301771 -     government, business, health care, every sector. ref SDS 71 NS6F
301773 -      ..
301774 -     [On 041230 doctor explains comprehensive treatment plan during
301775 -     meeting; effective collaboration through patient partnership
301776 -     yields written analysis that saves time for the doctor.
301777 -     ref SDS 78 LU6K
301779 -      ..
301780 -     [On 040620 Knowledge Management professional event to present new
301781 -     practice of thinking about opportunities is more important than
301782 -     taking action. ref SDS 74 H35F
301784 -  ..
301785 - Bob explained that Axiom teaches executive's how to persuade people to
301786 - say "yes."   He said there is a big demand for training to help
301787 - executives acquire this skill, so that is what Axiom teaches.  He
301788 - feels SDS supports accurate communication, but noted there is no
301789 - requirement for this kind of support among his customers in business
301790 - and government.
301792 -      ..
301793 -     [On 950517 proponents of modern project management (MPM) offer
301794 -     leadership for charasmatic Pied Pipers of change with natural
301795 -     intelligence for entertaninment that avoids study, history,
301796 -     experience, reading and writing, hoping a strategic vision leaps
301797 -     into the future with breakthroughs that ignore the past; reflects
301798 -     2 worlds of management theory X and Y distinguish command from
301799 -     creativity, control from empowerment, impulse from deliberation,
301800 -     and accuracy from bumbling. ref SDS 34 IJ4F
301802 -      ..
301803 -     [On 010908 overwhelming tendency for bad management people reach
301804 -     for "fools gold" by relying on conversation, and fear accuracy
301805 -     enabled by audit trail showing traceability to original sources.
301806 -     ref SDS 69 YF5O
301808 -      ..
301809 -     [On 020204 Enron collapsed into bankruptcy after failing to
301810 -     following directions from Board of Directors to maintain an audit
301811 -     trail on communications. ref SDS 70 9Y5Y
301813 -      ..
301814 -     [On 040115 example of management by conversation at major US
301815 -     corporation. ref SDS 72 0F69
301817 -      ..
301818 -     [On 041118 Aerospace company reports there are no requirements to
301819 -     support accurate communication enabled by SDS. ref SDS 75 KU85
301821 -      ..
301822 -     [On 041222 doctors like to work by conversation for tumor board
301823 -     review that strives to strengthen diagnosis and treatment
301824 -     planning; avers writings for accuracy. ref SDS 77 DQ4K
301826 -      ..
301827 -     [On 040620 Knowledge Management professional event to present new
301828 -     practice of thinking about opportunities is more important than
301829 -     taking action. ref SDS 74 H35F
301831 -  ..
301832 - On 921205 the Pied Piper was excellent at getting people to say yes.
301833 - ref SDS 8 5940
301835 -  ..
301836 - Bob said listening is another important part of communication, but is
301837 - hard to teach.  He agreed with the record on 890809 reporting that
301838 - telling people to listen better is faster and cheaper than using SDS,
301839 - ref SDS 2 CJ9J, and when people won't listen, this increases demand
301840 - for Axiom's training services that teaches how to be effective talking
301841 - your way out of responsibility for failed performance.  He feels
301842 - technology cannot help people listen, because listening is a
301843 - biological process that requires paying attention, being interested in
301844 - the other person's point of view, and listening carefully and
301845 - observing gestures and body language.  He feels these are more
301846 - important than an accurate record showing alignment with original
301847 - sources in relation to what transpires during meetings, calls,
301848 - seminars, sales presentations, etc.
301849 -
301850 -      [On 960227 report on executive mindset that likes to work by
301851 -      conversation. ref SDS 41 2004]
301853 -       ..
301854 -      [On 960308 Dialogos teaches Axiom's method. ref SDS 42 0001]
301856 -       ..
301857 -      [On 970826 Unisys wants managers to learn better talking skills.
301858 -      ref SDS 46 8492]
301860 -       ..
301861 -      [On 970910 executive communication secrets for winning people
301862 -      over. ref SDS 48 3095]
301864 -       ..
301865 -      [On 971229 training film teaches dialog and listening for better
301866 -      management, ref SDS 53 2000, says mistakes occur due to telephone
301867 -      game effect. ref SDS 53 1526]
301869 -       ..
301870 -      [On 980405 fear of accountability encourages working by
301871 -      conversation. ref SDS 57 1849]
301873 -  ..
301874 - Bob feels analysis in SDS records (like this one) takes extra time
301875 - which conflicts with executive training to use conversation for
301876 - "expediting" the work.
301877 -
301878 -    [...see also below on common worry introducing all advances.
301879 -    ref SDS 0 T2WK
301881 -  ..
301882 - This aligns with concern by technology executive on 890809.
301883 - ref SDS 2 5930   On 901007 same concern voiced again. ref SDS 3 ZS4H
301884 - On 920513 manager of Navy ship service did not have time for using SDS
301885 - to add "intelligence" to management. ref SDS 7 5592  However, on
301886 - 921205 Covey reports successful invest time for writing a diary.
301887 - ref SDS 8 1121  On 931130 Drucker says analysis is primary job of
301888 - management in order to make effective decisions. ref SDS 11 7911  On
301889 - 950204 SDS overcomes fragility of knowledge. ref SDS 19 0550
301890 -
301891 -      [On 941114 IBM executives recognize need for analysis to avoid
301892 -      management mistakes. ref SDS 18 3046.]
301894 -       ..
301895 -      [On 980307 Andy Grove says analysis essential to overcome
301896 -      ambiguity of mental maps. ref SDS 55 3668]
301898 -       ..
301899 -      [On 990625 Fortune reports successful CEOs grab a pen and start
301900 -      writing after the talking is over. ref SDS 62 1024
301901 -
301902 -
301904 -  ..
301905 - Proactive Problem Identification Saves Time and Money
301906 - Automated Management Saves Time by Leveraging Judgement
301907 -
301908 - I explained my sense that Bob's vision, even if realized, may not be
301909 - the "slam dunk" hoped for, because any non-human system would not be
301910 - able to identify gaps in the reasoning of humans, and conflicts with
301911 - prior understandings, documents, commitments, contracts, requirements,
301912 - regulations and so on.  These "judgements" require values, which are
301913 - derived from human biology.  Computers do not have human biology, and
301914 - so cannot exercise judgement that is the value a manager adds to an
301915 - organization.
301917 -  ..
301918 - Communication Metrics is aimed at proactive discovery of problems by
301919 - using technology to leverage the capacity to think, remember and
301920 - communicate, rather do the thinking for people.  We help people do
301921 - their job better, rather than try to replace people with computers.
301923 -  ..
301924 - For example see meeting at DNRC. ref SDS 6 8402.
301925 -
301926 -
301927 -
301928 -
301929 -
3020 -

SUBJECTS
Farming Deferred Rewards Invest Instead of Consume, Cooperate Instead
Investing Intellectual Capital from Farming Rather than Forage or Gra

3804 -
380501 -       ..
380502 -      Farming - Growing Knowledge by Investing Intellectual Capital
380503 -
380504 -      Follow up ref SDS 12 3022, ref SDS 15 0009.
380505 -
380506 -      Every day farmers around the world take the time to plant seeds
380507 -      in expectation they will get a larger reward by investing rather
380508 -      than by merely foraging the land for immediate gratification of
380509 -      human needs, see POIMS. ref OF 1 2049
380511 -       ..
380512 -      It takes time to make this investment, and effort is required to
380513 -      protect it through a maturation period until a pay-off begins to
380514 -      occur.  But human experience for thousands of years shows that
380515 -      the deferred rewards are usually worth the time.  The analog of
380516 -      this process for today's executive is investing.....
380518 -                          ..
380519 -                         intellectual capital
380520 -
380521 -
380522 -      ...explained in POIMS. ref OF 1 5884 and ref OF 1 6649
380524 -       ..
380525 -      An often overlooked reward from farmers investing their time is
380526 -      the extra time the rest of us have to attend meetings, make phone
380527 -      calls, send email, and visit far away places.
380528 -
380529 -          [On 950428 expand farming analogy for investing in
380530 -          intellectual capital. ref SDS 32 8564
380532 -           ..
380533 -          [On 060905 farming analogy distinguishes manual processing
380534 -          from artificial intelligence, where SDS leverages mental
380535 -          strength for growing a garden of knowledge, like equipment
380536 -          leverages physical strength to enable a farmer to raise a lot
380537 -          of crops. ref SDS 79 UV5L
380539 -       ..
380540 -      Today, some people still feel there is not enough time to wait
380541 -      for the "harvest."  Constantly jumping at, whatever, comes into
380542 -      view that seems to satisfy immediate needs, they are called
380543 -      nomads, hunters and gatherers.  Nomadic, hunter/gatherers have
380544 -      mostly passed from the scene, because they are unable to see that
380545 -      time is saved by investing, rather than impulsive reaction to
380546 -      momentary feelings and urges, explained in POIMS. ref OF 1 2049
380548 -       ..
380549 -      Today, not every executive is a nomad, foraging on momentary
380550 -      impression and impulse.
380552 -       ..
380553 -      Some have the courage and vision of the farmer to trust in the
380554 -      power of investing for a better tomorrow.
380556 -       ..
380557 -      When properly presented, executives can grasp that investing the
380558 -      seeds of their work, information, as "intellectual capital," will
380559 -      yield a bigger reward, and save a lot of lives, time and money to
380560 -      improve the bottom line.  This is the role of Communication
380561 -      Metrics, to make the investments in intellectual capital which
380562 -      managers are unable to make due to lack of time and expertise.
380564 -       ..
380565 -      Using SDS is planting the seeds of a richer harvest for the
380566 -      practice of management.
380568 -       ..
380569 -      See "Feel Good" management, ref SDS 5 1331.
380570 -
380571 -          [On 950427 success of farmer model for investing time to reap
380572 -          deferred rewards supports investing intellectual capital.
380573 -          ref SDS 30 T37F
380575 -           ..
380576 -          [On 950911 Toffler's forecast future based on productivity
380577 -          gains in agriculture. ref SDS 37 KG5M
380579 -           ..
380580 -          [On 951011 Emperor has not cloths. ref SDS 38 0080]
380582 -           ..
380583 -          [On 950517 "farming" analogy causes anger, people want to
380584 -          appear forward looking, especially to themselves, while
380585 -          clinging fast to solutions of the past, ref SDS 34 8849,
380586 -          ref SDS 34 2200, and Communication Metrics solution,
380587 -          ref SDS 20 3003
380589 -           ..
380590 -          [On 960227 developed idea for professional event using this
380591 -          scenario. ref SDS 40 0980]
380593 -           ..
380594 -          [On 960423 applied hunter/gather conversion to farming model
380595 -          again as bridge to advancing from IT to culture of knowledge.
380596 -          ref SDS 44 7811
380598 -           ..
380599 -          [On 980307 Andy Grove's book "Only the Paranoid Survive"
380600 -          explains value of investing time to commit thoughts to paper,
380601 -          take copious notes and ask questions to clarify meaning. see
380602 -          ref SDS 55 3668]
380604 -           ..
380605 -          [On 000227 Colloquium at Stanford frustrated by time needed
380606 -          to improve knowledge management. ref SDS 64 4934
380608 -           ..
380609 -          [On 000307 article reviews book by Rolf Jensen that expects
380610 -          21st century will evolve toward forms of hunter/gather
380611 -          practices. ref SDS 65 7920]
380613 -           ..
380614 -          [On 000315 cited farming analogy to explain frustrations from
380615 -          changing paradigms. ref SDS 66 7426
380617 -           ..
380618 -          [On 000604 Garden of Eden, grazing likes cows and zebras on
380619 -          endless information, hinders investing to grow Garden of
380620 -          Knowledge. ref SDS 67 5893
380622 -       ..
380623 -      There is no time like the present to invest for the future. Those
380624 -      who do not invest are doomed to extinction.  The Information
380625 -      Highway is only the latest step in the evolution of management
380626 -      that hastens the passing from the scene of the nomadic executive.
380627 -      Investing intellectual capital to convert information into
380628 -      knowledge is the paradigm for the future.
380629 -
380630 -           [See more on "farming" ref SDS 30 7733, at ref SDS 33 5555
380631 -           to develop a scenario paper.]
380633 -       ..
380634 -      The first step is getting the right tools and support:
380635 -
380636 -                   •  SDS
380637 -                   •  Communication Engineer
380639 -       ..
380640 -      On 950223 Morris explained benefits of writing notes from
380641 -      meetings in detail, ref SDS 20 5931.
380642 -
380643 -         [On 980307 Andy Grove cited value of analysis to avoid
380644 -         ambiguity of mental maps. ref SDS 55 3668]
380645 -
380646 -
380647 -
380648 -
380649 -
3807 -

SUBJECTS
Scribe, Communication Manager until Tools
Alphabet Primary Knowledge Tool Improved by

4404 -
440501 -  ..
440502 - New Skills for a New Era - Communication Engineer
440503 -
440504 - Communication Metrics improves personal productivity by adding value
440505 - to an executive and the support staff.  Suppose an executive did not
440506 - know how to write.  We could add value to his work by training to add
440507 - this skill, or providing support in the way leaders from earlier times
440508 - used Scribes, ref SDS 30 line 291.  Under the same reasoning
440509 - Communication Metrics adds value to an organization and improves
440510 - earnings, as reported at PG&E, ref DRP 1 line 25.  One strategy to
440511 - accomplish this is to provide a:
440513 -                       ..
440514 -                      communication engineer/manager
440515 -
440516 -    ...to assist an executive by using SDS to ensure understanding and
440517 -    follow-up.  This worked well at PG&E by enabling the organization
440518 -    to transition into acquiring a new skill critical to the age of the
440519 -    Information Highway.
440520 -
440521 -        [See idea of "scribe" at ref SDS 30 line 293.]
440522 -
440523 -
440524 -
440525 -
4406 -

SUBJECTS
20 - 80 Time Management
Executive Work Practices
20 80 Management Method, Leads to Murphy's
Executive Training on What People will Buy,
Communication Training Inadequate, Narrow
Smart People Need Time to Think
Good Management Practice Used Consistently
Congestion More Managers Cause Noise
Smarter Managers Needed Not Better Tools
Hard Work Can't Process Information Fast
20 80 Method Expedites So People Can Remember Only 20% that Impacts 8

6513 -
651401 -  ..
651402 - 20 80 Saves Time
651403 -
651404 - Bob feels Communication Metrics takes too much time to discover
651405 - mistakes from nuance and implications of daily management.  He said
651406 - executives like to work by conversation (see ref SDS 0 4392), and so
651407 - don't have enough time to read and write a lot of text.
651409 -  ..
651410 - At Axiom, Bob teaches the 20 80 strategy to avoid being overwhelmed by
651411 - details.  This is an "attitude" issue, similar to Wayne Wetzel on
651412 - 940628 explaining refusal to use SDS as laziness. ref SDS 16 0550
651413 -
651414 -        [On 990505 executive at San Francisco International Airport
651415 -        expansion project reported that "attitudes' need to change in
651416 -        order to improve management. ref SDS 60 4732
651418 -         ..
651419 -        [On 990625 Fortune article says executives fail to perform
651420 -        written analysis necessary to succeed because of psyche.
651421 -        ref SDS 62 4914]
651423 -      ..
651424 -     Talking and Listening is Guess and Gossip, Comedy of Errors
651425 -
651426 -     The difficulty with relying on 20 80 is that these are percentages
651427 -     of a whole.  As the amount of information flowing to an executive
651428 -     increases, the 20% of information Bob expects to process goes up
651429 -     as well.  On the other hand, the amount of time available to
651430 -     process information remains constant.
651432 -      ..
651433 -     If an executive was doing a good job using the 20 80 system 10
651434 -     years ago, then today, it may be more difficult because the same
651435 -     20% comprises a lot more information to process.  In 5 years, in
651436 -     10 years, the burden will be much greater.  This will gradually
651437 -     create pressure to fudge on finding the 20% of information that is
651438 -     critical. People will hope 19% or even 15% is adequate.  More
651439 -     mistakes will occur with less time to recover.
651440 -
651441 -         [On 970910 executives do not have enough time to think.....
651442 -         ref SDS 48 3479.]
651444 -          ..
651445 -         [See failure Stanford Project Office, ref SDS 50 0000.]
651447 -          ..
651448 -         [On 951212 20 80 was reviewed again. ref SDS 39 5826]
651450 -      ..
651451 -     Ultimately there is no escape from the implications of the
651452 -     Information Highway:  we need a better way to...
651453 -
651454 -
651455 -                  convert information into knowledge
651456 -
651458 -      ..
651459 -     Hiring More Managers Causes Congestion, Bureaucracy
651460 -
651461 -     When an executive has too much to do, one strategy is to get
651462 -     another executive, say an Executive VP, to do some of the work.
651463 -     Typically, we hire more people to do more work.  However, as the
651464 -     number of people who interact increases this causes congestion and
651465 -     increases costs.  The trend these days is to "reengineer."
651466 -     Management positions are being eliminated in hopes fewer people
651467 -     can do more using automation.  But automation, TQM and other
651468 -     re-engineering schemes only create more information.  So fewer
651469 -     people are inundated by more information.  They need Communication
651470 -     Metrics to create more knowledge.
651472 -        ..
651473 -       [See U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' report Communication Metrics
651474 -       provides useful business intelligence by converting information
651475 -       into knowledge.  This avoids congestion and extra expense, ref
651476 -       SDS 25 line 192.]
651478 -        ..
651479 -       [See report executives do not have enough time to think, ref SDS
651480 -       48 3479.]
651482 -  ..
651483 - Smart People Who Work Hard Solve Information Overload
651484 -
651485 - Bob said a good strategy to avoid costly mistakes due to information
651486 - overload is to hire smart people with good communication skills for
651487 - problem handling, and who work hard expediting.  He feels hard working
651488 - people don't need Communication Metrics because it takes too much time
651489 - away from their job of talking and listening. ref SDS 0 4022
651491 -  ..
651492 - This aligns with industry practice reported on 910911, ref SDS 4 5567,
651493 - and earlier on 890809. ref SDS 1 3S6H
651495 -  ..
651496 - We did not review Drucker's call for integrating tools and processes
651497 - to strengthen management, reviewed on 931130. ref SDS 11 C95J
651499 -  ..
651500 - Discussed Drucker's view that analysis is a primary responsibility of
651501 - making management effective, also, reported on 931130. ref SDS 11 7911
651503 -  ..
651504 - Bob agreed, but feels Communication Metrics that adds "intelligence"
651505 - to information is overkill, because smart people expedite by analysing
651506 - while communicating.  Axiom teaches executives to use dialog skills
651507 - that improve understanding through better listening.  Bob cited ideas
651508 - on empathic listening promoted by Stephen Covey, reviewed on 921205,
651509 - ref SDS 8 5903, as the model top executives follow to avoid mistakes
651510 - caused by information overload.
651511 -
651512 -         [On 960419 adding "intelligence" to management is like using a
651513 -         backhoe instead of stronger labor. ref SDS 43 4096]
651515 -          ..
651516 -         [On 971004 report that Stanford failed hiring the "best of the
651517 -         best." ref SDS 50 0749.]
651519 -          ..
651520 -         [See cost savings of Communication Metrics showing additional
651521 -         subjects and links identified by Communication Metrics that
651522 -         smart people overlook. ref SDS 49 3822 and ref SDS 51 1273.
651524 -          ..
651525 -         [On 971205 USACE indicated Communication Metrics does not help
651526 -         people, better management needs higher caliber managers....
651527 -         ref SDS 49 6357]
651529 -          ..
651530 -         [On 980310 USACE in Sacramento checking on whether good
651531 -         results are due to tools and methods, or Welch. ref SDS 56
651532 -         2543]
651534 -          ..
651535 -         [On 980808 smart, hard working executive solves information
651536 -         overload. ref SDS 59 1125
651537 -
651539 -      ..
651540 -     Best and Brightest Need a Boost on Information Highway
651541 -
651542 -     Recently Robert MacNamera reported that the Kennedy and Johnson
651543 -     Administrations were staffed by the brightest people they could
651544 -     find.  He recalled some had attended Harvard, Stanford and other
651545 -     places where smart people can sometimes be found.  Mr. MacNamera
651546 -     said they made mistakes because they did not "know" about critical
651547 -     issues.  Critics charge Mr. MacNamera and his colleagues received
651548 -     information on these issues.  Mr. MacNamera agrees, but said such
651549 -     information, seemed to conflict with their experience, ref SDS 26
651550 -     6821, so they did not "know" what the critics charge they "knew."
651552 -      ..
651553 -     Thus, information that conflicts with "knowledge" is rejected.
651555 -      ..
651556 -     Mr.  MacNamera said he has written a book setting out the
651557 -     difficulty smart people have when they are caught up in the daily
651558 -     grind of decision making.  He was concerned that they had a lot of
651559 -     information, but still did not "know" that their understanding was
651560 -     incorrect.  They were unable to link back to the applicable part
651561 -     of their experience, because there wasn't enough time.  So they
651562 -     had a lot of information, but not enough "knowledge." ref SDS 26
651563 -     6821
651565 -        ..
651566 -       [On 970910 report that executives do not have time to think. see
651567 -       ref SDS 48 3479]
651569 -        ..
651570 -       [On 980310 USACE in Sacramento checking on whether good results
651571 -       are due to tools and methods, or Welch. ref SDS 56 2543]
651573 -      ..
651574 -     This history shows the critical difference between information and
651575 -     knowledge, as set out in the POIMS paper, ref OF 1 line 327.
651576 -     Maybe smart people need a way to convert information into
651577 -     knowledge so they can apply their intelligence more effectively.
651578 -     This seems to be MacNamera's message in retrospect, and this
651579 -     lesson has much wider application.  POIMS says automated
651580 -     integration of time and context converts information into
651581 -     knowledge faster and more accurately.  If MacNamera is right, more
651582 -     knowledge means less time for sorrow, and more time for success.
651583 -     Do we have time to succeed?  What have we learned?
651584 -
651585 -
651587 -  ..
651588 - SDS and POIMS
651589 -
651590 - Bob said the SDS program turned out to be different from what he
651591 - expected from reading the POIMS paper, ref OF 1 0001
651593 -  ..
651594 - I asked about his take on the idea in the first para on page one that
651595 - says in part....
651596 -
651597 -     Technology Improves Leadership
651598 -
651599 -     The "art" of management is integrating time, information and
651600 -     people to achieve objectives, but the pace of modern business life
651601 -     invites shortcuts to expedite performance which then cause
651602 -     mistakes and losses. ref OF 1 6221
651604 -  ..
651605 - Bob said POIMS makes a lot of sense.  He related only having browsed
651606 - POIMS, because of limited time, and so does not recall all of the
651607 - details, but he agrees that management is more an "art" than a
651608 - science, and that good managers must integrate to balance demands of
651609 - limited time, the work of people and using information to get things
651610 - done.  He further agrees that the pace of daily business forces people
651611 - to take short-cuts, like browsing information, and this often result
651612 - in mistakes due to cursory understanding that misses critical details.
651614 -  ..
651615 - We briefly reviewed his expectations from our initial discussion on
651616 - 950403. ref SDS 22 0001
651617 -
651619 -  ..
651620 - Leadership, Understanding, Follow-up
651621 -
651622 - Bob recalled thinking SDS might be able to improve communications for
651623 - an executive to ensure understanding and follow up by team members.
651624 - He said this would be a big help to him and his customers.
651625 -
651626 -     I advised this is the purpose of SDS, and PG&E found it works.
651628 -      ..
651629 -     Bob feels even if it works, leaders are unwilling to invest time
651630 -     to ensure understanding and timely follow up.  They want to talk
651631 -     and listen and move on.
651633 -      ..
651634 -     Executives believe they are good "communicators," and that when
651635 -     they set objectives and persuade the team to act, that should be
651636 -     enough for hard working, smart people to succeed.
651637 -
651638 -
651639 -
651640 -
6517 -

SUBJECTS
SDS Explanation, Thinking Through Writing
Murphy's Law, avoiding mistakes
Concurrent Discovery, Notebook
Communication Skills, Talking People into
Understanding aided by Technology
Correlations Implications Intelligence
Proactive Management Discovers Problems
Analysis Correlations Implications Incite
Evaluation
IBM's Binder Time Information Management
Time Management, Personal
Writing Notes Twice Objects, Does Not Grasp Difference between Inform

9414 -
941501 -  ..
941502 - Sound Business Practices Take Less Time
941503 -
941504 - We considered the idea of "communications" as consisting of
941505 - leadership, understanding and follow-up (defined on 950327.
941506 - ref SDS 21 8492
941507 -
941508 - Bob concurs, but feels there is not a "slam dunk" way to ensure
941509 - understanding and follow up does not take more time, per his concern
941510 - above, that aligns with worry cited by others. ref SDS 0 3O5K
941511 -
941512 -     [On 950428 discussed with Jack at Sandia Labs. ref SDS 31 9733
941514 -      ..
941515 -     [On 950428 technology companies lose money because they do not
941516 -     have time to use good management. ref SDS 31 9733
941518 -      ..
941519 -     [On 980405 main fear is accountability that blocks SDS.
941520 -     ref SDS 57 5065
941522 -  ..
941523 - Indeed, with every advance in management, there was concern it would
941524 - take more time.  When writing was introduced, it took more time. When
941525 - accounting and double entry book keeping were introduced, that took
941526 - more time.  When Schedule control was introduced, that took more time.
941527 - These measures have today become industry standards because it turns
941528 - out that the time to correct the harm caused by not performing these
941529 - disciplines, far exceeds their cost.
941530 -
941531 -       [On 001219 steps using SDS new way of working. ref SDS 68 QT6F
941533 -  ..
941534 - The long way around is the short way there under risk management
941535 - theory.  Prudence is cost effective, which is the core idea of risk
941536 - management.
941537 -
941538 -
941540 -  ..
941541 - PG&E Found SDS Saves Time
941542 -
941543 - I explained PG&E executives were concerned SDS would take more time,
941544 - as Bob does, before they tried it.  They discovered however, that SDS
941545 - improved their management more than anything they had tried in the
941546 - past 30 years, per Bill DeHart's memo, ref DRP 1 line 25.  If you get
941547 - better management, doesn't that wind up taking less time than bad
941548 - management?
941549 -
941550 -     See discussion of cost/benefit at ref SDS 20 line 194.
941551 -
941552 -
941553 -
9416 -

SUBJECTS
Business Engineering, 930216
Communications, Meetings
Automated Integration applying SDS/POIMS
Re-Engineer Project Management

9906 -
990701 -  ..
990702 - Reengineer Communications
990703 -
990704 - I asked Bob to keep SDS in mind for his thorniest customers. General-
990705 - ly the main problem is a "failure to communicate."  So the place to
990706 - start is by re-engineering communications, ref SDS 21 line 149.
990707 - Communication Metrics does this.  Whatever Axiom seeks to implement,
990708 - SDS is an enabling agent that can make sure Axiom and its customer are
990709 - successful.
990710 -
990711 -     [PMI treated "failure to communicate" at ref SDS 35 line 622.]
990712 -
990713 -
990714 -
990715 -
990716 -
990717 -
990718 -
990719 -
990720 -
990721 -
990722 -
990723 -
990724 -
9908 -