In Service of Greater Good

[Dirk_Van_Putten@3com.com]

Recently the idea of markets in service "men" or "men" in service markets got a
lot of attention.

Is it possible that the person posting this message may have been referring to
the idea that a business ("men") should be in service of the greater good
("Market")?

I believe that a business should always be in service of the customer. I think
this is generally recognized as valid and is hard to argue against. But does a
company only service the customer? What about all stakeholders (e.g. -
stockholders, employees, the immediate environment, society and the buyer or end
user)? I guess it depends on one's definition of the word "customer".

Are customers the only ones "with a vote"? I guess it depends on one's
definition of the word "customer". It could be argued that customers are not the
only one's with a vote. All stakeholders, in some way, may have a vote.

>I wonder whether using Deming's own "Management for Quality" (MFQ) might not
>be more helpful in focusing managers on the customer's needs in the long
>run? Customers are the only ones "with a vote". Focusing on the means "MBM"
>is consistent with the famous question "By what method?" and may be a step
>on the road to MFQ.

IMHO, the question is HOW does a business (men and women) serve "customers"? Is
the system (the business) which we control, as we serve customers, in service of
the greater good.  ""By what method?""

Maybe operational definitions of "Customer", "Stakeholder". "Greater Good",
"Men", "Markets", "Service" might help us understand the theories being
discussed. Understanding the theory including the definitions, can guide us to
knowledge.

"There is no knowledge without theory." "There must be consistency in
direction." "By what method?" "Understanding variation is the key to success in
quality and business." "We are here to make another world."  All quotes from Dr.
Deming.

Regards, Dirk van Putten