Enabling Operational Excellence
Enabling Operational Excellence
Enabling Operational Excellence
Enabling Operational Excellence

TURNING OPERATIONAL KNOWLEDGE & COMPLIANCE INTO A COMPETITIVE EDGE

We systemize tacit knowledge into explicit knowledge

Blog Enabling Operational Excellence

27 Countries, 43 States, 9 Provinces and a Game of Mah Jong

The Building Business Capability (BBC) conference at Caesar’s Palace, Las Vegas, last week (Oct 31-Nov 4) was fantastic. BBC, jointly organized by BRS and Rising Media, is the official conference of the IIBA®. Over 1,400 people attended from 27 countries around the world, 43 U.S. states, and 9 Canadian provinces. If you weren’t there, you missed a great one! Here’s what the crowd looked like.

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BRS Co-Founder & Principal Gladys S.W. Lam kicked off the conference in style.

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I tweeted real-time photos of what the audience looked like from the stage. I’m joined by Alain Arseneault of IIBA and Roger Burlton.

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Here’s what everybody looked like from up there. Of course, I couldn’t see a thing because of the spotlights. But I knew the people were out there. I heard them clapping for Gladys.

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I gave my keynote on Thursday. Here’s my main message: In decades past, operational business excellence depended entirely on people. Back then people had to channel operational business knowledge through to products and customers. There was no other option – people always had to be in the loop. But that’s simply not true anymore. Nowadays machines can do that work. What’s the most basic form of operation business knowledge? Business rules!

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Gladys’s conference session was packed. She’s always a big hit at BBC.

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Gladys taught everyone about mah jong. If you want to know how that relates to business rules you should ask her. She loves to explain.

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The conference expo floor was jam-packed. What a buzz!

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Traffic at the BRS booth was non-stop.

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Somehow I managed to wrestle the mic away from Roger Burlton, Ellen Gottediener, and John Zachman to make a point during the closing Opinion of Gurus panel, moderated by Roger Tregear. Great way to end the week on a high note!

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See more: https://storify.com/RisingMedia/building-business-capability-las-vegas-2016

BBC is the place to be for business rules, decision engineering, business architecture, business process, business analysis, and business transformation.

See you next year in Orlando, Nov. 6-10, 2017!

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Lessons from Peggy Sue’s Diner

Guest post by Keri Anderson Healy, Editor, www.BRCommunity.com
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On our departure from this year’s Building Business Capability (BBC) conference in Las Vegas, we stopped at Peggy Sue’s Diner.  In 2013 I had sent you a photo of the “Non-Dairy” Creamer as a humorous example. This year I’m sending you the rest of the story … a lesson in definitions in regulations vs. the definition from the dictionary. Read on!
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From regulations …

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Meta-Footnote?

Max Tay, Australian BPM consultant, commented[1]: Here is one of the meanings of meta: When you create new layers of abstraction between the thing or event, you are becoming more meta. Example: A footnote that is needed to explain another footnote is meta. My reply: I accept your implicit definition of meta-footnote: footnote that explains (other) footnotes … in the sense of ‘footnote that explains how to go about footnoting’. But I don’t accept your example: “A footnote that is needed to explain another footnote.” That’s ‘decomposing’ or ‘expanding on’ the original footnote … just going to a deeper level of explanation. Decomposition (to a deeper level of detail) or abstraction (to a more general version) is not the same thing as meta-. This same misunderstanding is rampant for metaprocess. Expanding the level of detail (decomposing) a process does not mean the original process is meta. http://www.brsolutions.com/


[1] This series of point/counterpoint replies is a follow-up to my post “Meta Here. Meta There. Meta Everywhere?” (March 31, 2014), which generated a surprising amount of great discussion. (Thanks all!) Refer to: http://www.brsolutions.com/2014/03/31/meta-here-meta-there-meta-everywhere/ The definition I’m using for meta- is from Merriam-Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary [3b]:

3b: of a higher logical type – in nouns formed from names of disciplines and designating new but related disciplines such as can deal critically with the nature, structure, or behavior of the original ones *metalanguage* *metatheory* *metasystem*

 

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Rules and Vocabulary of the Road for South Africa

I am gearing up for a week of seminars (through FTI http://goo.gl/jtu2K1) and a keynote (at BASSA http://www.sbs.co.za/bassa2013/) in South Africa the next several weeks. To prepare me for my visit, Cecilia Pearce has kindly explained some of the rules of the road, and the related vocabulary, that apply in Johannesburg and Cape Town. I’ll report back on any discrepancies I run into. I hope not to run into anything else(!). Steve Erlank of FTI and Cecilia both write they are ‘holding thumbs’ for me. Turns out that’s a good thing. ‘Holding thumbs’ is an idiom used to wish good luck, like crossing your fingers. Who knew? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rules and Vocabulary Acks: Cecilia Pearce Behavioral Rule: The show of a hand, similar to the royal wave, solves all indiscretions that may have occurred. Behavioral Rule (with low enforcement level): A red light, on a robot, does not necessarily mean a vehicle will stop. Definition: A ‘robot’ is referred to as a traffic light in America. Behavioral Rules: ‘Taxis’ seem to believe they own the road. They have the right of way and may stop at any time. They may decide to switch their hazards on as they stop … if they work. Take care not to tailgate. Definition: A ‘taxi’ is a cross between a cab and a bus, but a mini version. It transports about 18 passengers. Definitional Rules for Taxis: A ‘taxi’ is not easily identified by color or signage. A ‘taxi’ may be recognized by:
    • being in very bad condition.
    • usually being overloaded.
    • using its hooter almost all the time.
Definition: A ‘hooter’ is known as a horn in America. Motivation for Constant Use of Hooters: To attract possible passengers. Definition: A ‘hooter symphony’ occurs when there is a traffic jam. Note: Do not expect any resolution of the traffic problem from a ‘hooter symphony’. You’ll be disappointed. Behavioral Rules for the ‘Taxi’ System: Should you see somebody standing on the side of the road making weird hand signals, chances are that the signals are not intended for you. This is the mechanism used by prospective passengers to inform an approaching taxi of their destination. Facts: In South Africa the taxi driver is not provided with your destination; instead a taxi driver goes to specific destinations. Taxis have designated routes but not designated dropping-off areas. Major Behavioral Rule: And do remember, we drive on the left hand side of the road(!).

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A Week of Silly Signs & Rules from China: Day 5 – Beautiful Thoughts

For a little background on this 5-day series of posts see: http://www.brsolutions.com/2013/07/08/a-week-of-silly-signs-rules-from-china-day-1-whats-that-motivation/ 5.1 [As beautiful environment is on all of us, please omnivorously put the waste in the garbage can.] … If you think about it long enough it sorta begins to make sense.   5.2 [Clean environment and civilized behavior co-create the beautiful scenery] … That’s really a deep thought – I like it!   5.3 [The scenic spot becomes more beautiful with your civilized behavior.] … Another deep thought – Good one!   5.4 Civilized behavior of tourists is another bright scenery.] … Maybe because it’s so rare?         5.5 [Don’t tread on the grass as they also have a life.] … Indeed, and yet another deep thought!   5.6 [Only in the sun of civilization can trees maintain evergreen.] … I think this one takes things a step too far.         5.7 [As the fashion color in modern society, Green color is dignified and profound, symbolizing stable and firm career; besides, it is gentle, harmonious and beautiful, implying that family is full of happiness, wish precious jade to walk with you!] … This explains why green is my favorite color … and yes, I bought some so it did walk [out] with me.

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A Week of Silly Signs & Rules from China: Day 4 – Cluelessness

For a little background on this 5-day series of posts see: http://www.brsolutions.com/2013/07/08/a-week-of-silly-signs-rules-from-china-day-1-whats-that-motivation/ 4.1 [Explosion-proof check is in progress] … Bet you can’t guess the context of this sign!     4.2 [Millions of Gourmet] … I’m just flat clueless on this one.         4.3 [Please Go Up From Opposite] … Got me on this one too.             4.4 [Do Not Water (on a boardwalk at the edge of a canal)] … Let’s be sure not to get that water wet!               4.5 If you’re in one of these rooms then proceed to these other rooms(?).     4.6 Just plain baffling.               4.7 Was there a choice involved here??  

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A Week of Silly Signs & Rules from China: Day 3 – Pure Chinglish

For a little background on this 5-day series of posts see: http://www.brsolutions.com/2013/07/08/a-week-of-silly-signs-rules-from-china-day-1-whats-that-motivation/ 3.1 [Texas Hold’em Pokerds] … At least they spelled Texas right(!).   3.2 [May we remind you: Please be self-restraint and be a good tourist to mold a well-mannered imagination] … Who knew?!         3.3 [Who Shot the Serif?] … I don’t know but I did not shoot the debutante.           3.4 [Man] … The capacity of this washroom is strictly limited.   3.5 [After first under on, line up to board the boat] … Note there is no line-up.                 3.6 [The Guide don’t use a loud speaker!] … So listen up!! 3.7 [… the element volatized from the tealeaves has the function of dispelling the phlegm and assuaging fright, straightening out ideas and expanding the blood vessels. If it is used directly to your head, it can anti diseases and dispels evils, balance Qi and blood as well as Yin and yang.] … Wow! But Important: Must be applied directly to your head. 3.8 [Yang Zhou Foreing Affairs & Travel Bus Company] … Ah, hmmm.   3.9 [Refuse tip] … Tourists must not accept tips from the guide.       3.10 [Make a Face of Yourself] … But not a fool or a farce please.  

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A Week of Silly Signs & Rules from China: Day 2 – Signs of The Times

For a little background on this 5-day series of posts see: http://www.brsolutions.com/2013/07/08/a-week-of-silly-signs-rules-from-china-day-1-whats-that-motivation/ 2.1 No musical instruments allowed in this parking garage.           2.2 [Foul Weather – Slow Down] … A place with perpetually bad weather I suppose??         2.3 [No Burning (right in front of a building)] … Did not realize a sign was really needed for that?!       2.4 [Be Safe] … Just a little light on detail there?           2.5 [Climbing and fishing are prohibited at the long corridor along the river. It’s dangerous with the electricity. The people who violate those shall undertake the responsibility by himself/herself.] … This river must have a very strong current …     2.6 [Thanks Mom & Dad] … Graffiti on the Great Wall to really make your parents really proud.               2.7 [Hall of Mental Cultivation] … Definitely the place to be for the fungus-minded among us.     2.8 [ETC] … I believe every set of toll booths should have an etc. lane.             2.9 [No Where] … Where you can always pretty much get a good table.     2.10 [Mind Your Head!] … No unminded heads please!  

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A Week of Silly Signs & Rules from China: Day 1 – What’s that Motivation?!

I recently spent 2.5 weeks in China. Naturally I had to collect silly signs, rules and etc. But first a little context. China is making a tremendous effort of outreach to the world. I can’t begin to explain all the reasons, but the effort to present an understandable ‘user experience’ is extraordinary. So enjoy the Chinglish, but in a spirit of respect and admiration. Comments (and interpretations) welcome! 1.1 [Be Careful of the Stairs] … Because they ARE out to get you.         1.2. [Pass Unimpeded – Accessible Facility] … When understanding the signs can be an impediment in itself.             1.3. [Deep Water – Keep Away Safety – No Fishing – No Swimming] … I sense there’s a ringer in that list.           1.4 [Help Protect the Cultural Relics – Help Protect the Railings] … May I suggest a railing to protect that railing.             1.5 [Do Not Climb …] Some rules are made to be broken …               1.6 [If You Have Heart or Brain Disease, Please Ascend the Great Wall According to Your Ability] … If you have brain disease can you really be the judge?         1.7 [Here to Upstairs] … For avoidance of doubt …     1.8 [Saliva Chicken] … What could possibly be more tempting?!           1.9 [Cellphones prohibited during Thunderstorms] … Everybody knows cell phones attract lightening.  

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