Keep Those ANTACIDS Handy!
- Marty Schad
- Oct 18, 2018
- 2 min read
“You don’t realize how easy this game is until you get up in that broadcasting booth." - Mickey Mantle
I really like the above quote. It describes the difference between spectators and participants, an important distinction. Participants who are seasoned professionals creating new and strong manufacturing processes know that a strong stomach is required. Antacid might be needed upon occasion. This need seems to be news for many, who are by and large spectators and amateurs. In my experience creating new processes and materials, everybody loves the rewards that come with successful projects. Basking in success is a courage-free activity. Things get more interesting when problems develop when trying to do something really bold. Problems can develop because:
the hoped for market did not materialize
new problem surfaced as sample sizes increased
a ”Rembrandt” sample was made that the customer loves, but unfortunately this part cannot be made routinely, because it was “lucky” to make it the 1st time
not enough margin was built into the “process window”, assuming the process windows is quantitatively understood, which is seldom the case
incoming materials have changed, knowingly or not
the customer specifications are unnecessarily and excessively tight
equipment limitations, shortcomings, and inconsistencies prevent development and of operation of an ideal process
Bold goals are hard to reach, by definition. However, why go through all the effort to do this work with timid goals? That’s a surefire way to hit singles and never knock one out of the park. My test of whether a goal is bold or not: Are there times during the project when you wonder why you even started this, because things seem so difficult? If you don’t wonder this occasionally, you’re not doing truly bold and disruptive innovation. The solution for this wondering and angst is to keep working generating fresh and actionable data. The queasy feeling will pass. True management champions can be very reassuring in these situations.
My main learning from this line of thinking is that most “corporate” people have weak stomachs. These queasy people are easy to spot when things get tough. Builders of great processes understand this, and they work with people who know better as they build robust manufacturing processes.
YOUR CHALLENGE THIS WEEK
Please think about the last time you and your team needed antacid on a key project that had a difficult stretch…
What did you learn from that to help you the next time?
Does the difference between spectators and participants make sense to you? Do you see these types of behavior in your organization?
I’d enjoy hearing about how your “antacid situations”. Please send a list of your top 3 or 4 stomach churning episodes and what you learned from them to me at marty@martyschad.com, or call me at 508-410-8081. I would enjoy discussing them with you!
All the Best, Marty
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