Quantum Newsprint hosted by Bill Sjoblom

ShowMe!

Remember the blog I wrote a few weeks ago about Khan Academy?  Well after I saw that piece on 60 minutes I have been thinking about how we might apply this concept of teaching to QS.  Then Rachell found an app for iPad called ShowMe.  It is simple to use and looks a lot like the Khan Academy teaching videos. 

So we are trying this new tool.

ShowMe is really easy to use and has the advantage of a sort of virtual newsprint.  Here is quote from an article by David J Hill on Singularity Hub:

ShowMe, like other whiteboard apps, captures what users draw on the iPad screen but it also records their voice. Creations are then stored and can be shared with others. For users, ShowMe capitalizes on the touch computing of the iPad, which feels more interactive than a mouse and keyboard, but it also provides the “pen on paper” look-and-feel. While glossy educational animations can do a lot to teach concepts, ShowMe captures more intuitive learning by showing handwritten sketches and notes as well as showing them revealed in real time. This lends itself to following along with the reasoning behind explanations that makes certain teachers so successful in helping students learn.

We currently have five ShowMe modules on QNet.  Just log on to QNet and on the first page there is a link for ShowMe.  Our current modules are:

• How to Complete a SPECS audit
• Why SPECS?
• Values Meetings
• New Store Setup
• Payroll Explained

Take a minute to check them out!  And please give us some feedback!  Love it or hate it...tell us what you think of ShowMe.

Creating Sustainable Performance

A few days ago I shared an article from HBR about happiness.  In the same issue there is an article about what companies can to to Create Sustainable Performance.  Guess what?  Happy employees are more productive than unhappy ones over the long term!  Not surprising at all. 

But what does it mean to be happy in your job?

These researchers boil it down into four things that sustain a thriving workforce:

• PROVIDE DECISION-MAKING DISCRETION.  Employees at every level are energized by the ability to make decisions that affect their work.  It gives them a greater sense of control, more say in how things get done, and more opportunities for learning. Southwest is a good example of this.  By not requiring the flight attendants to read or memorize a specific safety announcement, they often put their own personality and creativity into it which makes it more fun for everyone.
• SHARING INFORMATION.  Doing your job in an information vacuum is tedious and uninspiring.  Systems that make information widely available build trust and give employees the knowledge they need to make good decisions and take initiative with confidence.
• MINIMIZING INCIVILITY.  What is incivility?  In a word, "rudeness".  Most people have experienced rude behavior from a boss.  Here are a few examples: "My boss said 'If I wanted to know what you thought, I'd ask you.'"  Or 'On speakerphone in front of my peers, my boss told me I had done kindergarten work.'" 
• OFFER PERFORMANCE FEEDBACK.  Feedback creates opportunities for learning and the energy so critical for a culture of thriving.  The quicker and more direct the feedback, the more useful it is. 

What do you think?  How is QS doing in these three areas?  What should we be working to improve? 

Khan Academy on 60 Minutes

Did you catch the piece on Khan Academy on 60 minutes a couple of weeks ago?  If so, you can catch it here.  Fascinating.  If you are not familiar with Khan Academy, their mission statement is "A free world-class education for everyone everywhere."

In 2004 the founder, Salman Khan (with three degrees from MIT) started tutoring his cousin Nadia in math.  When other friends and relatives sought his help, he decided it would be better to post his work on You Tube.  Soon he strangers found his tutorials and were so appreciative he decided to quit his job as a hedge fund manager in 2009.  Bill Gates was so impressed he have a significant grant.

There are now more than 3,000 short tutorials at Khan Academy and they are literally trying to change the way education is delivered in the US.  One of my favorite quotes from the 60 Minutes piece was that industries are usually revolutionized by someone outside the industry.  Sal Khan fits this description.

Has anyone used Khan Academy?  What did you think?  If not, check it out and write back to me!

How Did You Get QIC...Feedback Summary

I got more feedback from this blog than any blog in recent memory.  Thanks to each of you that took the time to reply (Lois - Toledo, Andre - Brooklyn, Jorge - Fresno, Wendy - Charlotte, Don - Ocala, John - Philadelphia, Mauricio - San Jose, Laura - Tucson).  If you want to see all of the comments Click Here.  Here is a summary:

• For those that worked for other inventory services, the transition to the QIC was pretty easy
• It's easy to be intimidated when you first start out with no experience.  Everyone else is so fast but operating the QIC by touch does come with experience.
• The most creative idea shared was putting a pillow case over the QIC to force a new person to not look at it...not a good idea but it does provide an interesting visual.
• Observation is important.  At first glance counting looks easy but there is a lot more going on than is first apparent.
• Most folks practiced at home for the first week or two and the guide was helpful.
• Train people to "listen" to their QIC.  The auditory clues help you gain the confidence to run the QIC by touch.

One other issue came up - to hold the QIC in your hand or run it on a belt.  Most people stated that they learned to hold the QIC the same way their trainer did it. We have some "old timers" that hold the QIC but that is NOT the best practice.  New auditors should only be trained to run the QIC on a belt!  If you currently hold the QIC --- STOP!  Your productivity will suffer over the short term but long term the best practice is to run it on a belt.

How Did You Get QIC?

I am curious...how did you learn to operate the QIC by touch?  For some of you it has been so long ago perhaps you have forgotten.  I went on QNet to see what tools we have available and I found the "QIC User Guide" which might be really useful for a new QIC user.  In addition to instructions on how to use the QIC there are a few practice sheets and exercises.

Did any of you find this guide helpful? 

Or maybe you were taught using other approaches or exercises?  Did you practice at home or just in the store during work hours?  Was it helpful to watch others take inventory?  Did you come to QS with previous experience with 10-key?  If so, how difficult was the transition to using the QIC?  Did you start with the QIC on your belt right away or did you transition to that practice later?

I would like to hear from as many of you as possible.  I just know there are some good training approaches out there!  Please share your experience.

Self Improvement

Over the past few months when people come into the office for a workshop or training, I have tried to carve out a little time to get to know people a little better.  I have shared some of those with  you and will continue to do so.

One of the things that I was happily surprised by was that so many of the folks I talked to were going to school at night or actively involved somehow in furthering their education and learning.  Stephanie (Providence), Zada (San Jose), Matt (Valparaiso) all are going to school at night. 

For the past 5 weeks I have been taking a class at my church titled "What Guys Need to Know" which was basically a class for guys interested in improving their marriage.  It gave me a small taste of what it must be like for some of you that go to school at night. 

I am interested?  If you are going to school or taking a class and working for QS I would like to hear from you.  What are you studying?  How do you juggle your work and classes?  Please share your story!

Chuck On Tour

 
It takes a lot of commitment to be away from home and travel to help out other divisions for a week.  But how about for THREE weeks?  That's what Chuck (our Ocala DM) did in August. 

He started out in Jackson, MS where he worked with the crews and provided strong insight to help improve our service to Sprint Mart.  He also conducted a division meeting before he left.  Next stop: Pittsburgh where he helped get audits done and also worked with the new Sheetz audit process using our equipment.  Finally, Chuck was in Syracuse for a week where he trained two new auditors and then helped to lead a mini Audit Supervisor Development Group for three new AS's.  Chuck also spent a day conducting interviews for Lynnette so she could be in Byrne audits.

That is a LONG trip and demonstrates Chuck's versatility and skills!  Thanks again, Chuck!  Everyone you supported appreciates your efforts!

E-Learning

A new project that is just getting off the ground at QS is what we are calling E-Learning (not sure if this is the right term - we may change it).  What is E-Learning?  Loosely defined, it is training that is delivered electronically.  It could be on line, in the cloud or simply on your computer.  We want to take some of our current training and develop new training modules and make it available to people "just in time" - meaning when you need it. 

Most of us have been involved in some type of E-Learning.  Maybe you have taken an on line course, or you worked through a demo of some kind, or you logged on to a webinar.  Many colleges have adopted some form of E-Learning and I think it will only become more common. 

The best example of E-Learning we have already is the Orientation DVD but I get the impression that it is not widely used or perhaps very effective.  If you have experience with the Orientation DVD either as a new employee or as a trainer, I would really like to get your feedback.  What makes it hard to use?  What makes it less effective or more effective?  Was it a good tool for you?

If you have any expertise or interest in this area, please let me know.  We are looking for all the help we can get!