[Search for users] [Overall Top Noters] [List of all Conferences] [Download this site]

Conference 7.286::digital

Title:The Digital way of working
Moderator:QUARK::LIONELON
Created:Fri Feb 14 1986
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:5321
Total number of notes:139771

1553.0. "U.S. measurable goals are set" by MRKTNG::SILVERBERG (Mark Silverberg DTN 264-2269 TTB1-5/B3) Tue Aug 13 1991 11:27

    In the August 12, 1991 issue of DIGITAL TODAY, Bob Hughes clearly &
    directly outlined the measurable results expected of the current US
    plans:
    
    CERTS to grow by 2.6%, with a 22.6% Increase in yield
    102% increase in VUPS
    24% increase in units shipped & installed
    11.5% decrease in selling expenses
    13% decrease in headcount over the FY91 headcount
    (above achieving the headcount and revenue levels of 4 years ago)
    
    Managing resources to move:
    
    10% out of the company via downsizing
    10% into complementary channels of distribution
    10% into product & services specialty teams
    (above achieving a level of 50% of resources will be funded by &
    dedicated to a particular account selling team, and the other 50% 
    will be devoted to product,services and channel specialties in support
    of the account selling team)
    
    Allowance rates reduced from the US average of 14% to 12% to increase
    profit by $68 million
    
    Improving account set days outstanding of receivables to 62 days from
    the current US average of 70 days
    
    Improving turnover in rotation and consignment sales by 60 days
    
    Strong emphasis on the Personal Performance Plan (P3), to achieve:
      * Making the numbers
      * Growing the people
      * Making customers happy
    
    Looks like a challenge, but it's nice to see the specifics called out
    directly & not just fluffed over.
    
    Mark
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
DateLines
1553.1goals? what about methods?CVG::THOMPSONSemper GumbyWed Aug 14 1991 02:5141
    Goals mean next to nothing. Posting goals doesn't make them happen.
    I haven't read that article yet but does it clearly state what is
    going to make those goals happen? Or does it gloss over that and mutter
    words of "new management structure" etc.?

    Every day I walk by two charts in NIO listing various goals. The
    goals look great, though I admit I'm not sure what they relate to
    I'm sure that someone does, *but* the results posted in those charts
    never change. Never. Sure the numbers vary a little week to week but
    they are close enough that I believe a run chart would show no
    improvement over the last several years. If the *process* doesn't
    change neither do the results.

    Quite frankly from my little spot on the bottom of the food chain the
    only change I've seen in this company is that there are fewer people to
    do the work. Oh, yes, I hear words about improving quality and customer
    satisfaction but those are just words. Can someone spell out what else
    has actually changed?

    o If an engineer said "I can't fix that bug right now I'm working on
      a new feature." would they get in trouble? Please no specific "yes"
      answers I'm only interested if Jack Smith or KO would jump on any
      manager who said "no". A commitment to customer satisfaction without
      a commitment to fix bugs *first* is hard to take seriously.

    o Is a reorganization of manufacturing taking place to make sure "ship
      to customer request" is a reality?

    o What is our DOA rate at customer sites like? Not actual numbers but
      is it better? What specific steps are being taken to reduce it?

    o On and on. 

    If those measurable goals are not met who gets a bad review? Bob
    Hughes? Or do we just layoff an other couple of 1,000 people? The
    beatings will continue until morale improves?

    I want to believe that things are changing. I really like Digital.
    But spicifics are too few and far between.
    
    		Alfred
1553.2Better some goals than no goalsFDCV08::CONLEYChuck Conley, PKO3-2Wed Aug 14 1991 17:201
/Chuck
1553.3CVG::THOMPSONSemper GumbyWed Aug 14 1991 17:294
    RE: .2 Hey, the goals are fine. I just want to know how we're going to
    reach them.
    
    			Alfred
1553.4JUMBLY::DAYNo Good Deed Goes UnpunishedWed Aug 14 1991 21:132
    The goals are fine. Its those high-speed goalposts ....
    
1553.5Are we trying to sell buggy whips to the auto makers ?ULTRA::SEKURSKIThu Aug 15 1991 11:3125
    
    
    
    >>> CERTS to grow by 2.6%, with a 22.6% Increase in yield
    	
    I'm not sure what CERTS are so I won't comment 
    
    >>> 102% increase in VUPS
    >>>	24% increase in units shipped & installed
    
    Haven't we been getting our butts whipped by the competition for
    the past few years who can undercut our prices on boxes with a whole 
    lot less pain than we can ? Are we beating a tired old horse here ?
    
    What about placing more emphasis some place like software and services
    where I'm told we do really well and leverage hardware sales through them ?
    
    >>> 11.5% decrease in selling expenses
    >>> 13% decrease in headcount over the FY91 headcount
        (above achieving the headcount and revenue levels of 4 years ago)
    
    No comment.
    
    						Mike
    						----