Inspector Inspects Starbucks

This was the first time that I have ever seen an inspector in Starbucks…

See the lady in the white lab coat with hair cap and gloves…

Ah, she stands out like a saw thumb in contrast to the other staff person in the traditional green Starbucks apron. 

So I would imagine that she’s not a doctor moonlighting as a barista!

She was checking here, there, and everywhere. 

At this point, she was taking out the milk and looked like she had some thermometer like device to make sure it was cold enough and not spoiled. 

Honestly, I was impressed that they have this level of quality control in the stores. 

We need more of this to ensure quality standards as wPhotoell as customer service — here and everywhere in industry and government. 

There is way too much dysfunction, inefficiencies, politics, power plays, turf battles, backstabbing, bullying, lack of accountability, unprofessionalism, fraud, waste, and abuse, and mucho organizational culture issues that need to be–must be–addressed and fast!

Can the inspector that inspects do it?

Of course, that’s probably not enough–it just uncovers the defects–we still have the hard work of leadership to make things right–and not just to checklist them and say we did it.

I wonder if the Starbucks inspector will also address the annoying long lines on the other side of the counter as well? 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)

Requirements Management 101

This was a funny Dilbert on Requirements Management. 

In IT, we all know that getting requirements can be like pulling teeth. 

No one either has time or desire to provide them or perhaps they simply don’t know what they’re really after.

Knowing what you want is a lot harder than just telling someone to automate what I got because it isn’t working for me anymore!

In the comic, Dilbert shows the frustration and tension between technology providers and customers in trying to figure out what the new software should do. 

Technology Person: “Tell me what you want to accomplish.”

Business Customer: “Tell me what the software can do.”

In the end, the customer in exasperation just asks the IT person “Can you design [the software] to tell you my requirements?”

And hence, the age old dilemma of the chicken and egg–which came first with technology, the requirements or the capability–and can’t you just provide it!

(Source Comic: Dilbert By Scott Adams)

Who Makes Change Happen?

Well if “Station Managers do not make change” (happen), who does?

Personally, I like to see everyone think creatively about what they do and how they do it–looking for efficiencies and to create positive change, where warranted.

Not change for change itself…but where requirements have changed or methods and/or tools have changed to create opportunities or mitigate threats. 

While there certainly are “tied and true” ways of doing things, we are an evolving species, and change is fundamental to survival. 😉

(Source Photo: Andy Blumenthal)