Author Archives: OJ

About OJ

I am a retired first line manager with over 40 years of experience. In operations management, accounting management, and central operations management. It is my wish to convey some of the experiences I have learned form over the years in the articles on my site.

First Line Manager: Understanding Vested Interest

Posted on June 17, 2014 by OJ

Vested interest exists. This means an individual has a special interest in protecting or promoting that which is to their own personal advantage. Or, there are groups that seek to support or control an existing system or activity from which … Continue reading →

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First Line Manager: What process in your job is not important?

Posted on May 3, 2012 by OJ

“What process in your job is not important?” is the most important question to ask your employees. You must ask this question now and then. You need them to do a process, you need to know to change it or drop … Continue reading →

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First Line Manager: The Key to Greatness Is Enabling Not Delegating.

Posted on April 15, 2012 by OJ

I keep trying to get a university to realize first line management is different from upper management, to no avail. Lately, I spoke to a fraternity brother of mine, an associate dean of a management school. John told me they … Continue reading →

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The First Line Manager: The Corporate Answer to Your Problem Cannot Be “No”

Posted on April 3, 2012 by OJ

My area manager sends a message to a corporate customer service system expert. He asks the question about how to prevent a recurring field service problem. When his field service crew removes a customer meter for operation purposes the meter … Continue reading →

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First Line Manager: Communicate, Communicate, Communicate, the Issue Is Who and How

Posted on February 27, 2012 by OJ

A large company’s president is making a summary closing for his top executives. He has several items to focus on during the year. He gets to one goal; communicate, communicate, communicate. When he starts discussing the goal, his executive vice … Continue reading →

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