Critical Chain - Eliyahu M. Goldratt [90]
"Correct. There is no sense in UniCo having to educate every new employee, when that is supposed to be the job of the universities."
"Our university is ready," Johnny says, and then elaborates. "This year's graduates from the Executive MBA program are thoroughly indoctrinated in the throughput world. They feel comfortable with Theory of Constraints applications in production, finance, in systems, and listen to this, Don, in project management."
"So it's not just you teaching it." Don is pleased.
"Of course not, one person doesn't teach all these subjects. All the professors involved in the Executive MBA program are contaminated. And Don, they are doing an excellent job."
"How do you know? Are you judging by their grades?"
"You taught me too well for that, and besides, final exams are more than a month away. I'm using your criteria: results achieved by the students in their own companies."
"Great. What about marketing and the learning-organization aspects?"
"There is movement there as well. But that's not the issue. Don, I think we have crossed the biggest obstacle; the dean and the president of the university are all for it. They are launching a special MBA program that is centered around TOC. And listen to this. They are marketing it to local industry, based on results to be achieved in reality. Talk about an offer that can't be refused. Next year we are going to run three of these programs in parallel.
"That's good. But Johnny, what about the other aspect? You know it is as important, if not more so.
"You mean demonstrated, practical, research ability? I told you we developed the application for project management. It's already been tested in several companies. It gives the same type of astonishing results as the other applications of TOC."
"We need that," Don says. "We are not doing so well managing projects."
"Yes, I know," Johnny replies. "I've heard the facility you're putting up here in town has already slid six months behind schedule. But Don, this application is very powerful. It was tested on new-product development as well, and it's working."
"Fabulous. It looks like you've covered all the necessary ground work. It is time for my involvement."
"Definitely. If you want our university to teach this practical know-how to our undergraduates as well, you'd better move now. By the way, what progress have the other four professors made?"
"Not bad. It looks like we will have hubs in an engineering school and in human resources. But judging by what you say, you are the most advanced. Tell you what. In three weeks I'm coming to your neck of the woods to straighten up our operation there. Maybe it would be a good idea if you could arrange a one-day rush course for me in this project management?"
"No problem, but don't you think you have to meet with the dean of the business school?"
"Johnny, I know how to handle such things. What I have to do is to suggest that this knowledge will be taught at the undergraduate level as well. If they will agree, Unico will commit to hiring their top graduates."
"Wow," Johnny cannot hold his excitement. "That will give our university national acclaim."
"Yes," Don says. "Especially when Unico will donate handsomely so that your university can get the biggest bang for their valuable education. And, Johnny, the person to talk to is not just the dean. When we deal on such a scale, I'll have to talk with the president. Is he a strong person?"
"You may say she is." Johnny grins to himself.
Chapter 24
Today is the last session I'm giving this academic year, and I'm going to break a tradition. Usually when I reach the end of the year I run out of steam, or even worse, I run out of interesting material. But not this time. This session we are going to cover the solution to the problem that has been haunting me for weeks. It's going to be a very special session. I even invited Johnny.
"Mark, will you please describe your environment to the class?"