How did things get so bad and what now?

Japan once found itself trying to recover from disaster after WWII in much the same conditions as the United States now finds itself. At that time it was generally accepted that anything "Made in Japan" was of little value. In fact, one manufacturing town made use of its name which was Usa to label its products "Made in USA" (Usa, Japan is located in Oita Prefecture on Kyushu Island and was so named a thousand years before WWII). Today "Made in USA" does not carry the distinction it once had. Competitors in Japan and China have overtaken the USA marketplace in quality, price and quantity. So much so, that a significant number of daily use items can only be obtained via Japan or China because US manufacturers could no longer compete and quit.

So how did we get where we are now and how did Japan surpass us?

It is convenient, if not totally accurate, to place the blame for the US economic collapse on various political entities who served the populace poorly. Be that as it may, closer examination reveals that at the base of the economic pyramid, the value of significant national products have greatly weakened due to the practices and leadership of our production as manufacturers of the finest and best. The automobile industry is good example. And so as government officials often do, they throw money at the "problem" but it rarely does more than entrench the problem.

We don't produce much...and not the finest and best. That applies to most of our institutions and providers. Education does not produce as it once did. Manufacturers do not produce well. Government does not serve as well. The populace does not contribute citizenship as well. Our military is inept under the existing conditions and forms of conflict. Even our religious entities do not serve as well. You may argue. However, what some consider "as well" is not good enough if not bad. That is how we got here. Fingers point almost in every direction except towards the pointer himself. But that is where the problem resides.

That was Japan 1946. What did it do? Unsung leaders gathered to recruit and follow the business and cultural methods of an American. Dr. William Edwards Deming.


Deming's 14 points

1. Create constancy of purpose.
2. Adopt the new philosophy.
3. Cease dependence on mass inspection to achieve quality.
4. Minimize total cost, not initial price of supplies.
5. Improve constantly the system of production and service.
6. Institute training on the job.
7. Institute leadership.
8. Drive out fear.
9. Break down barriers between departments.
10. Eliminate slogans, exhortations, and numerical targets.
11. Eliminate work standards (quotas) and management by objective.
12. Remove barriers that rob workers, engineers, and managers of their right to pride of workmanship.
13. Institute a vigorous program of education and self-improvement.
14. Put everyone in the company to work to accomplish the transformation.

If we want change...the above explains what that change must be like.
You will note that the above isn't something you should expect government, industry and commerce should do for YOU. It is what everyone must do in everything they do and that includes your personal efforts.

http://www.lii.net/deming.html
http://www.managementwisdom.com/index.html?gclid=COSG9aPZ2pkCFQZlswod81n8Wg
http://www.4ulr.com/products/productquality/jedwardsdemingphil.html