Notes#11a: Graduate Schools & Catchup

House of Quality

• a conceptual map that provides the means for interfunctional planning and communications, people with different problems and responsibilities can trash out design priorities while referring to patterns of evidence on the house’s grid

• belief that products should be designed to reflect customers desires and taste and provides a platform for consensus

• Incudes and links what the customer wants and what we can do

  • Quality of Design: design that best suits the customer

  • Quality of Conformance: can we actually make it

Starbucks Example Summary

• question: how to link solutions (operations) with strategy

• tried to develop a more well rounded blend of coffee that was bold and authentic, in short trying to make a consistent brew

• set up samples of different blends of coffee that were roasted at different times with different temperatures and tried to get peoples feedback on which one was the best

• stores were closing down because were not following their 2:1 business model (bring in $2 for every $1 invested) and because their IT systems were not mature

• overall: a manager needs to have an overall understanding of different sectors in an organization, doesn’t need to be an expert, but just needs to be aware

Our Iceberg is Melting Summary and Key Takeaway

• trying to figure out how things could be improved on the communication side during times of change

• leader needs to be approachable and good listeners

How to get to grad school? (4)

1) recommendations are more important than GPA

2) GMAT/GRE/LSAT becoming more important due to grade inflation

3) Work experience for professional graduate programs or focused masters degree

4) Waive your rights to access the recommendation