Misconceptions about Deming

[James Robert Crow <jr1crow@mindspring.com>]

Hello Group:

At this years fall conference Gipsie Ranney hosted a discussion on
misconceptions about Dr. Deming.  I attended this session and found the
discussion quite stimulating, however we didn't scratch the surface of the
materials Gipsie had prepared.  I have obtained her permission to put this
forward to the Den and she has given her permission.  There were a number
of discussion topics.  I propose we take them one at a time.  Here is the
first one.

Deming criticized executives' concern with the performance of the company's
stock.  However, the company's ability to invest in improvements and
innovations is affected by financial performance.  Tending to financial
performance and the expectations of Wall Street is a part of the
responsibilities of executives of publicly traded corporations.  Executives
cannot afford to ingore or downplay the importance of this issue for a
corporation.  Deming should have realized that this was one of the "facts
of life" that he talked about.

Your thoughts,

RC