#94 Getting Back on Track

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#93 Professional Shoplifters Circumvent Internal Controls

This recap of a Dr. Phil episode from November, 2008 details how a couple made a career from shoplifting.http://drphil.com/slideshows/slideshow/4784/?id=4784&showID=1171

#92 Toyota - Will It Ever End?

The news isn't good for Toyota, but it seems they invited this trouble in 2007 when they chose to cover up the potential problems by claiming it was all a floormat issue.

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#91 Today's the Day

New laws regarding credit card policies became effective today.

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#90 Continuous Improvement in Sports

While Six Sigma level quality is celebrated in manufacturing, in other areas, particularly when human lives are at stake, nothing less than 100% quality is acceptable. The recent tragedy in the Olympic luge event highlights that and the discussion here shows how sports officials must consider improvements to prevent future tragedies. Duncan Kennedy, 3 time Olympian and NBC commentator, was my "across the street" neighbor along with his 3 "active" older brothers in Lexington, KY in the early 1970s. At the time, the real celebrity of our cul de sac was the English Springer Spaniel who won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club two years in a row.

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#89 Cash Hoarders

Some companies choose to deploy extra cash for stock buybacks, rather than pay dividends.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB126549994152342111.html?mod=djem_jiewr_AC_domainid

#88 Economy Spurs Kentucky and Other States to Consider Taxing Services

From the WSJ:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704829704575049861057266800.html?mod=djem_jiewr_AC_domainid

#87 More on Toyota

Secretive Culture Led Toyota Astray from the WSJ - print edition:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704820904575055733096312238.html?mod=djem_jiewr_OM_domainid

#86 Menu Engineering

Do you remember how we discussed the two ways to improve the bottom line - improving revenue and cutting costs? While cutting costs seems to be the most likely option in the current economic climate, menu engineering has shown some food service businesses how to boost revenue.

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#85 Google Proves Ads Can Be Simple, Appealing, and Effective

Considered by many to be one of the SuperBowl's best ads, this ad had a clear message of "brand building" for Google with lots of emotional appeal. I suspect it had very low production cost as well. Perfect for just before Valentine's Day!

#84 Toyota Stepping Up

Toyota is using their stellar reputation (up to now) to take responsibility for their current problems and to re-commit to their reputation for quality in this ad. I think it's money well spent for them.


Update from Feb. 9th: Although I saw the recall commercial at least once each hour during newscasts and network shows last night, the troubles continue for Toyota as detailed in this Today show segment:

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#83 Undercover Boss

I saw this man on Oprah as he validated his employees and their work, showing what we learn in Quality Management Systems - it's not always about compensation; employees want to be valued in their work.

Re: Re: #79 More on Toyota

As Gilda Radner so famously said on classic SNL, "it's always something...."

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Re: #79 More on Toyota's Woes and How the Competitor's Are Faring

The first 3 1/2 minutes of this WSJ segment comment on this week's developments in the continuing recall saga.

#82 Continuous Improvement - Sometimes It's the Small Things

In quality, we learn there are two types of continuous improvement - incremental improvements (most of our continuous improvement efforts fit this area) and breakthrough improvements. Here's a great example of an incremental improvement!

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#80 Who Knew There Were So Many Certifications?!?!?!

From the latest issue of New Accountant magazine, a list of the many professional certifications available beyond the traditional CPA designation.

http://newaccountantusa.com/Certifications2010.pdf