Red Bead Experiment
Materials:
(1) Bead Box (contents: 3200 white beads, 800 red beads)
(1) Paddle (holds 50 beads)
(1) Briefcase (contents: necktie, brush, Consultant instructions)
(1) Board of Directors set (contents: Chairman instructions and opposing Director instructions
(1) Flip Chart for Production
(2) Chart Marking Pens
(1) Set of Signs
(1) White Bead Company Sign
(1) Quality Goal Sign (Zero Defects!)
(9) Quality Slogan Cups (Quality is Job #1!), 10th cup is defective
(1) Employee of the Week Parking Sign
(1) Incentive Pay System Sign
(6) Stretch Goal Signs
(1-3) Pink Slip Signs
(1) Consultant Pay Check Sign
(3) Pink Slip Signs
(1) MBA Productivity Award Sign (Portable!)
(3) Big Check Signs
(2) Little Check Signs
(2) Good Reference Signs
(6) Pink Slip Signs
(1) Accounting Computer (with RedBead3.xls spreadsheet loaded)
Personnel: 14 Minimum (plant manager and 13 others)
(1) Plant Manager with MBA (yourself)
(3) Board of Directors
(1) Accountant
(2) Inspectors
(6) Production Associates
(1) Sign Post
Spare Production Associates as needed
Set Up:
Select personnel assignments (volunteers or victims).
Load spreadsheet on computer, enter names of Production Associates.
Seat Board of Directors in the most comfortable seats, give instruction cards.
Seat Consultant as far away as possible, give instruction card and briefcase.
Seat Accountant where visible, give computer / flip chart instructions.
Seat Inspectors to the side of the Accountant, instruct them to count RED beads.
Set Bead Box and Paddle in center of room, with Production Associates behind it.
Sequence:
1. Training: Quality is Free, Defects Cost Money!
A.) Can’t touch the beads – all beads on the paddle become defective
B.) Quota is 50 WHITE beads – 100% efficiency
C.) Always hold paddle with RIGHT hand
D.) Push paddle to end, then back to smooth beads
E.) Slide paddle under beads
F.) Raise paddle to 45o angle
G.) Withdraw paddle, allowing excess beads to roll off into box
H.) Carry paddle to inspectors
I.) Wait until Inspectors count and concur with Accountant
J.) Return beads to the box, set paddle on top of beads in box
K.) Return to end of Production Associates line and await next shift
2. Goal Setting: ZERO DEFECTS!
3. Marketing Slogan: QUALITY IS JOB # 1!
4. Employee of the Month Recognition: PARKING SPOT
5. Incentive Pay: MONETARY REWARDS
6. Stretch Goals: FEWER THAN ____ DEFECTS THIS WEEK
7. Consultant: BENCHMARKING BEST PRACTICES
8. Increased Productivity (MBA Style): FIRE THE WEAKEST LINKS
9. Portable MBA / Move Offshore: WHAT COLOR IS YOUR PARACHUTE?
10. Analysis: What REALLY made a difference?
Chairman of the Board Instructions
1. To every idea presented by the Manager, say:
YES!
2. Get a big check at the end.
Board of Directors Instructions
1. To every ODD numbered idea presented by the Manager, say:
YES!
2. To every EVEN numbered idea presented by the Manager, say:
NO.
3. Get a big check at the end.
Board of Directors Instructions
1. To every ODD numbered idea presented by the Manager, say:
NO.
2. To every EVEN numbered idea presented by the Manager, say:
YES!
3. Get a big check at the end.
Consultant Instructions
1. Correct response to “How do we know you’re a consultant?”
a.) I’m wearing a Tie.
b.) I carry a Briefcase, and
c.) I’ve come from a long ways away.
2. Consulting Process:
a.) Shake hands with all employees.
b.) Ask if all employees have been trained.
c.) Inspect bead box and paddle (but don’t use them) while saying “Hmmmm” and “AHHH” loudly.
d.) Tell the Manager: “I have a solution to your problem!”
e.) Open the briefcase and pull out the brush.
f.) Demonstrate (without beads) how the brush works on the paddle.
g.) Receive paycheck.
3. Shake hands with everybody (again) and leave.