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: Dr. Watson I Presume

Posted on October 29, 2011 by OJ

I am always on the lookout for new stuff. I look at several business web sites a day. I read an article about how computers, like IBM’s Watson, can replace middle managers. This means the first line manager will become … Continue reading →

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First Line Manager: The Possible of the Impossible

Posted on October 23, 2011 by OJ

If the Wright brothers could have made a jet; we would not have a biplane. They took the materials in their bicycle shop to make the first machine of flight. The brothers poked a hole in the impossible by doing … Continue reading →

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First Line Manager: Empowering Employees

Posted on October 16, 2011 by OJ

Our company President rose, his first statement, “You are empowered. I expect you to make decisions for our company.” Sounded good since this is the flavor of the month in corporate slogans: empowerment. He made no further explanation; just moved … Continue reading →

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The First Line Manager: The Customer

Posted on October 6, 2011 by OJ

The Chief Executive Officer of my Company said, “Our customer must be in the center of everything we do.” I am not sure the company’s first line managers are acting on this statement. It is just another slogan. I am … Continue reading →

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The First Line Manager: Define Yourself

Posted on September 19, 2011 by OJ

I applied for but did not get a promotion. One interviewer said, “Jim, we think you are more valuable to the company in your current position. Also, we did not think you would be happy just supervising four employees” I … Continue reading →

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