Free Stuff As individual issues come up, I want to make you aware of some papers and resources I have available just for the asking.

"Stuff" by Davis

• “Handling the Human Side of Change”—An article I published in the November 2003 Quality Progress.

Quality improvement seems so “logical,” but when did logic convince humans of anything? This article gives a simple, practical model for effective culture change by transforming you role to that of a “change agent”… and changing YOURSELF first!

For those of you struggling with doctors saying, “This quality improvement stuff isn’t in line with rigorous, double blind clinical trial methods,” I have written an essay that allows you to respond, “That’s right, doctor. Nor could it be… nor should it be” that incorporates a lot of David Kerridge’s thinking (see below) into medicine.

I also write a monthly column for Quality Digest (the column by H. James Harrington is usually worth a read as well): www.qualitydigest.com .

• "Is Your Quality Process Running on Empty?"

A short article discussing some of the realities of the "human side" of quality - sort of a Part 2 to the preceding article.

• "Rates analysis"

I deal with percentage data in my seminars, but many of you need to know how to analyze rates instead [Rate: "Count of occurrences of event" / (Time 'window of opportunity') vs. Percent: "Count of occurrences of event" / ("Count of occurrences of event" + "Count of NON-occurrences of event")]. It is a simple adaption of the p-chart percent analysis, and I am happy to send you the brief document describing it.

Other "Good Stuff"

• Meeting Tips

If meetings frustrate you, I've condensed some helpful tips from a wonderful reference, Moving Meetings, by Jana Kemp.

• "Faulty systems, not faulty people"

A brilliant piece of writing by Lucian Leape, MD that appeared as an Op-ed piece in the Boston Globe. It looks at the tragic error of a massive chemotherapy overdose at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) that resulted in the death of Globe health reporter Betsy Lehman. Unfortunately, the process was "perfectly designed" to create a situation where it was inevitable for such a thing to occur! James Conway, Chief Operating Officer at DFCI, received a copy of the piece before publication and has expressed strong support for it, as well as strong support from his organization for the 18 nurses involved.

• "Statistics and Reality"

A brilliant paper by David Kerridge explaining the difference between "traditional," academic statistics and statistics for improvement. Worth reading and re-reading!!

• Frustrated and need a smile to brighten your day?

I have various pieces of humor that relate to the corporate world, our role as quality professionals, and…"those darn humans!" Just drop me a note and say, "Davis…send me a laugh!"

"Free Stuff" from Scott Simmerman

Scott Simmerman (the "Square Wheels guy") has graciously given me permission to share a couple of his products with any of you who are interested. One document has some good facilitation tips.

Then there are two others relating to his brilliant and very humorous concept of an organization as functioning like a bunch of people (workers) pushing a wagon who can't see the people (management) pulling a wagon - a wagon that has "square wheels"…and its cargo is a very heavy load of round wheels!!!!!

By all means, visit his site to see the animation of this concept-and many other goodies. It's a wealth of information…and humor! www.squarewheels.com

Other sites with GOOD "Free Stuff"

• www.clemmer.net

Jim Clemmer, a “stealth” mentor of mine, has over300 well-written, insightful articles (1 to 1-1/2 pages) on many aspects of quality, service, leadership, and personal growth. He has free "Improvement Points” that you can sign up to receive three times a week for a breath of fresh air to begin your day—a thoughtful quote that gives you the option of “clicking” to read a relevant article.

• www.tobe.net

Jim Rough has developed a brilliant concept known as “dynamic facilitation” that is worth checking out. If you want to be serious as a change agent, it is worth consideration.

• www.qbq.net

EVERYONE should read John Miller’s book, QBQ: The Question Behind the Question, which can be read in less than an hour, and use his deceptively simple technique to defuse the rampant victim behavior in response to change.