Excuse Me

  OR

Which one seems more like a belch?

So here I am, a consultant selling services to improve the management of your organization.  I even use the phrase "enterprise management" in the About Me byline of this blog.  It was as close as I was willing to get to the currently faddish acronym.

Wikipedia claims the Gartner group coined the term in 1990.  Actually, that's somewhat too long ago to fairly call it a fad.  I suspect, however, that it won't stick forever.  How much do we talk about TQM these days?

The name game is brought on us by those who want to have some way of characterizing what we do.  I have had marketing consultants tell me that I must reduce the description of my practice to no more than seven words.  This remains an on-going challenge.  I have yet to see that the reduction is warranted, but I'm working on it.

How's this: WWAD?  What would Arch do?  Ask me, and I'm going to tell you.  Assuming I think I know, of course.  I'll try to speak in plain english.  It's what I do.

Human Capital?

Human Capital Management Trends and Innovations

Yuk.  If you're like me, you get lots of newsletters and email from industry vendors.  One recent one simply rubbed me the wrong way.  The lead was the text at the top here.


The email was a promo for a Webinar, sponsored by none other than ADP, the company in the payroll services business.  In fairness to ADP, they didn't invent the phrase.  Apparently (according to Wikipedia, at least) use of the term dates back to the mid 1950's.


Sure, there are definitions that explain what it's supposed to mean.  Warning - they don't all quite concur.  Regardless, in my view there are two annoyances: It falls into the trap of being less than plain-spoken; and, more importantly, it neuters the very real value of people.  Yes, humans are people.


It's bad enough that my scheduling program, has me categorize living beings as 'Resources'.  I want, for the most part, to stay connected to my coworkers.  Why use such management mumbo-jumbo?

Women

Women Managers, to be more precise.

Yesterday, I was was cleaning out some old files; and came across the handbook I wrote for novice architectural project managers.  The copyright date is older than I care to admit, and I thought it might be interesting to see how badly the concepts might apply to current circumstances.

To my surprise, a high percentage holds up pretty well.  Upon reflection, this possibly has to do with the fact that good management has much to do with appropriate personnel relationships, and not so much about the current 'tools of the trade'.  A few sentences, however, jumped off the page as utterly inappropriate.  I referred to project managers as "men".

The context left little wiggle room for interpreting that I intended to be even-handed in the acknowledgement of women in the profession.  I'll blame two factors: 1. That was then (meaning that women were less prevalent), and 2. That was me then (i.e., less aware).

Bias is a bad thing.  I think, I may be a better person now.  Are you?

A Most Sad Passing

For the third time in recent months, I find myself writing about the glorious impact of Steve Jobs.

Character, in every good sense of the word.  He will be missed.

A brief retrospective and eulogy in the blog format is pointless.  Brevity would be an injustice.  May he rest in the peace he has earned.

An Alternative to LEED

Last night I attended a dinner and panel discussion hosted by the Connecticut chapter of Professional Women in Construction.  The panelists, all higher education facilities leaders, talked about many things, including their commitment to LEED certification.

One representative, like many others in Higher Education, talked about what they see as the overly prescriptive approach of the USGBC in its LEED certification program.  It was suggested that a more ethical and innovative approach is offered by the International Living Future Institute in its Living Building Challenge Certification Program.

The level of awareness of this program amongst the attendees was limited.  Perhaps it was who we were, or more likely it was the industry-wide dominance that has been afforded to LEED.  In any event, a Living Challenge building project has much to offer.  Check it out at https://ilbi.org/lbc

Are you carbon neutral?

Homage

I'm in 'management'.  I know that many of you are too.  All too often, we fail to acknowledge the fact that our 'creations' are usually only made possible by the creative efforts of others.

Go to the Department of Labor (of all places), and this is what you see: "Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country."

A little hyperbolic perhaps, but the sentiment is valid.  Those of us who trade in words and concepts often should have a better appreciation for the skill, perseverance and commitment of our tradespeople at work.  True craftsmanship is a joy to behold.  The holiday is well earned.

Now, can I have one just for me?