Category Archives: Uncategorized

                The European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) model seems similar to Deming’s Total Quality Management (TQM) in that it defines a quality improvement culture.  Both TQM and EFQM have similarities in that they consider themselves, processes, and organization-wide management frameworks (Knowles, 2011, p.16,46).  Both systems provide a path for improvement.  Deming’s Plan-Do-Check-Act (PDCA) isContinue reading “EFQM Excellence Model and Sustainability”

            Locus of control is the amount of responsibility and accountability that people have for their own actions and success in their lives (Bauer, 2010, p.58).  Whereas many people believe that they are constantly the victim of bad luck and circumstances outside of their control, others believe that they are in complete control of theirContinue reading “Locus of Control”

            In studying business, Ancient Greece, the aristocracy and their attempts at democracy has cropped up many times.  Ancient Greece had philosophers and leaders that were open to new ways of organizing that were previously not thought of.  In business leadership, the examples of the evolution of Ancient Greece can inform ideas of continuous improvementContinue reading “Holding Power Close: Ancient Greece”

                Through Network Intelligence (on behalf of the Institute of Information Security), I took the Certified Data Privacy Practitioner (CDPP™).  This was a 4-day class followed by an exam, discussing global and US privacy law and policy.  It was great to learn about the notification requirements of each as well as privacy expectations.  I highlyContinue reading “Certified Data Privacy Practitioner (CDPP™)”

                Through readings and case studies, I have learned about strategy, leadership, change management, how personality types come into play with leadership and strategy, and strategic management.  I have even learned how Six Sigma activities can be strategic, as a continuous approach to management and improvement.  Most important of these are being able to defineContinue reading “Strategic Management”

                I took a 3 day class through the Institute of Information Security called the Certified Web Application Security Professional (CWASP™).  The core of the class was a deep dive into the OWASP Top 10, how to test for them and remediate them.  It was a blast to work through cross-site scripting labs and seeContinue reading “Certified Web Application Security Professional (CWASP™)”

                Leadership-wise, I’ve always considered myself to be a battlefield general, leading the charge.  My colleagues have always commented that I am an inspiring leader and that I don’t mind getting dirty in the trenches.  Add to that, I despise authoritarian, directive leadership or micromanagement.  I believe that everyone should have goals and metrics thatContinue reading “High Task/High Relationship Leadership”

            Three leadership theories and models that resonate well are the transformational leadership theory, leader-member exchange theory, and the path-goal theory of leadership.  Each of these has pros and cons, but knowledge of all of them can inform a leader in developing their leadership strategy.  Each of these models is from the 1970s, but eachContinue reading “Leadership Models”

            The business world is full of cases of the sunken cost fallacy.  A company will invest in new equipment or technology, sometimes with a significant amount of cash or debt, and then do anything they can in order to maximize the utilization of their investment, even when it is the wrong solution.  Businesses doContinue reading “Sunken Cost Fallacy/Escalation of Commitment”

                As someone who works in new and existing teams and committees every day, I see the phases of Bruce Tuckman’s stages of group development in motion constantly.  I can affirm that they are exactly the way a group operates from inception, through a normalization phase, to maturity.  Tuckman’s stages are Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing,Continue reading “Bruce Tuckman’s Stages of Group Development”