From Middle America!

Something is amiss; perhaps it is all part of some gigantic conspiracy; we're going to have to look into this. Here's the scoop: this year's Baldrige recipients have been named. Check out this list:

• Sunny Fresh Foods, Inc., Monticello, Minn. (manufacturing)
• DynMcDermott Petroleum Operations, New Orleans, La. (service)
• Park Place Lexus, Plano, Texas (small business)
• Richland College, Dallas, Texas (education)
• Jenks Public Schools, Jenks, Okla. (education)
• Bronson Methodist Hospital, Kalamazoo, Mich. (health care)

My question is this: How is it all of the recipiants came from the middle of the country?

To view the complete press release detailing these role model organizations, visit the National Institute of Standards and Technology website.

An excellent overview of the "Q"

I know. I know. We dropped the "Q" in favor of PEC. Even so, I found this great site I wanted to recommend to everyone. I was stumbling (surfing) around the ASQ site and found this overview page that leads to pages on tools and organizational-wide approaches and four other helpful pages.

The "Q" stuff is still relevant and still helpful. Check it out.

Looking for new travel computers

another one bites the dust
Originally uploaded by Crunchy Pickle.

We're looking for new travel computers. I put out an RFP to replace the three computers for we three Tidewater-based consultants. Here's what we're looking for.

Minimum requirements for recapped travel computers for LANT/D5/MLCA Organizational Performance Consultants:

• Processor running at 1.3GHz or higher


• Memory of 512 MB RAM (or more) at 533MHz (or higher)


• 60 GB hard drive (or larger)


• Graphics card



• 13-inch screen (or larger)
  
• Built-in speakers



• CD-RW/DVD combo drive (or better)



• Minimum of 3 USB 2.0 ports (more preferred)


• Wireless 802.11 b/g capable


• Bluetooth capable


• Internal 56K modem


• Ethernet/network capable


• PC card slot



• Operating system of Windows XP
• Professional with Service Pack 2 with media Software to include Microsoft ® Office Professional Edition 2003 and Adobe Acrobat 6.0



• Carrying case and AC adapter, power cord, battery pack, automobile charge adapter



• No more than 6 pounds, complete

I know a couple of you suggested various other requirements, but we decided these were what our office needed.

I'll post results of the RFP here.