WWDD – What Would Deming Do?

This week we were asked to enter a bid for 500 signs, a $20,000 order, due in 2 weeks and only about 60% could be done in house.  We spent about 2 hours collecting data and asking suppliers for turnaround on their part.  We were closing in on a thumbs up, thumbs down decision when the phone rang.  It was the agency cancelling the request.  Seems the first bid came in at around $15,000, this would have been our bid less the profit, in any case that is more money than they had in the budget so that ended it.  Meeting for lunch later with my friend and fellow Deming fanatic, Kevin Kjellerup, the subject came up.  With 40 years experience in signs and graphics, a 15 minute, no make that 5 minute  discussion with me would have saved everyone wasted time and energy.  But the system is set up to absolutely keep this type of optimization from happening.  It is way past time to change.  Start your education is what is destined to be the management philosophy of a revitalized America, and start it here.