Was thinking back to a $30 million contract with a consultant who was going to lead our company to a new level of efficiency and effectiveness. This is corporate mumbo-speak for cutting a target number of positions from the organization, without letting us know the target, in case we come up with a plan to exceed it, for which the consultant would take immediate credit for exceeding expectations and probably gain a performance bonus. The consultant led teams of company representatives, while we struggled with program and process design, then developed a plan for staffing and slotted existing employees in those positions. Those not slotted at the end of the process were offered transfers to other functions and/or severance.
Things went fine, until several of us noticed an extended absence of our consultant leader. In searching, we found him and his assistant in a nearby office, having a heated phone conversation with their home office over a bounced expense report. So, here are representatives of a consultant who are intended to lead us to a "higher" level of performance, and their own organization fights over expense accounts. And this in a consultancy filled with employees who probably travel 90% of the time. Do these people really then represent someone who you would expect to lead a multi-national corporation through a $30 million exercise and a suitable return on investment? Sadly, they were nothing but paid agents standing in for a group of spineless managers who were unwilling to simply make some hard management decisions.
Which leads to our current slate of political candidates. Is this really the best we can do?
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Welcome
This commentary seeks to identify and promote simple perspectives on difficult issues. The hope is that small contributions of insight, and perhaps a little twisted logic, might help slowly, but progressively, make the world a better place.
Sure, that's a lofty goal. But, honestly, why not? Can't really hurt anything, and even a little help along the way is better than just doing nothin'.
Enjoy.
Sure, that's a lofty goal. But, honestly, why not? Can't really hurt anything, and even a little help along the way is better than just doing nothin'.
Enjoy.
About Simpernetic Research
Simpernetic comes from a combination of simple and cybernetics. Cybernetics is the study of cyclical systems of cause and effect, where actions toward a goal produce a response, which leads to further action, continuing toward the attainment of the eventual goal.
Simple is just simple. So Simpernetic Research searches for systematic simplicity, sometimes light heartedly and sarcastically, to help reveal importance, value, and perspective.
The current movement in America toward nationalization and socialism, which have both been proven multiple times to be precursors to catastrophic failure of governmental and societal systems, is a substantial concern. Comments associated with this movement sadly lose their light heartedness, and sarcasm degrades to pure criticism. Sorry.
Other than that, hopefully this is just a fun place to discharge some otherwise pent up creative energy.
Simple is just simple. So Simpernetic Research searches for systematic simplicity, sometimes light heartedly and sarcastically, to help reveal importance, value, and perspective.
The current movement in America toward nationalization and socialism, which have both been proven multiple times to be precursors to catastrophic failure of governmental and societal systems, is a substantial concern. Comments associated with this movement sadly lose their light heartedness, and sarcasm degrades to pure criticism. Sorry.
Other than that, hopefully this is just a fun place to discharge some otherwise pent up creative energy.
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